The Inspiring Story Of Blind Zimbabwean DJ Tafadzwa Nyamuzihwa Who Landed A Prestigious International Award*
The Inspiring Story Of Blind Zimbabwean DJ Tafadzwa Nyamuzihwa Who Landed A Prestigious International Award
Germany-based disc jockey Tafadzwa Nyamuzihwa has carved out his name on the global scene.
The blind DJ and radio presenter, popularly known as “DJ Nyamz”, recently won the Holman Prize and scooped a cool US$25,000 (R454,000). The annual prize is awarded to three blind or visually impaired thinkers who provide global inspiration.
Nyamuzihwa’s upbringing was rough.
When he was four, his mother dumped him at a bus terminus. Police found him alone and crying there and took him to an orphanage where he grew up.
Nyamuzihwa attained primary and secondary education in Harare, Zimbabwe, and studied in South Africa towards a Diploma in Sports Management in 2006.
As if life had not been hard enough, he developed a retinal detachment that resulted from cataracts. Retinal detachment is an emergency in which tissue at the back of the eye pulls away from a layer of blood vessels that provide necessary oxygen and nourishment.
Nyamuzihwa then lost his sight in 2009 at the age of 25.
With no sight, he decided not to give up.
Nyamuzihwa went for rehabilitation in unaided mobility and brail in 2010 and obtained a Certificate in Counselling from Connect Zimbabwe. He decided to also help others in the same plight as his.
In 2011, he received a one-year scholarship to study at the International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs in India.
In 2012, Nyamuzihwa founded Shine On International Trust. This non-profit organisation trains the blind to use computers, educates them on HIV/AIDS, makes it possible for them to participate in sports and advocates for their rights.
In 2014, Nyamuzihwa was amongst the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. He was at Northwestern University, Illinois, Chicago, USA, where he was studying Business and Entrepreneurship.
The most memorable time during the trip was when he attended a 3-day presidential summit where he shook hands with then-US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama in Washington, DC.
In 2015, the Junior Chamber International (JCI) recognised Nyamuzihwa as one of the Top 10 outstanding young Zimbabweans for the Humanitarian and voluntary work he has done with people with disabilities.
Before moving to Germany, he hosted a radio show in Zimbabwe that inspired communities to rise above their challenges.
This year, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired from the United States recognised and granted him the Holman Prize for his sterling job.
And he is not stopping.
Tafadzwa Nyamuzihwa will open recording studios in Zimbabwe and Uganda that will employ and train blind and low-vision people to become radio presenters.
