Tawanda Mutasa, despite being visually impaired has overcome his disability and was honoured by the Premier of the Western Cape, Helen Zille.
The youngest of seven children, the 18-year-old hails from Namibia where he spent most of his younger years before moving to Worcester to complete high school at the Pioneer School.
He was five years old when he lost his eye after a visit to the hospital for an injection went horribly wrong, and it was discovered he was allergic to something in the injection. This had a bad reaction and affected his entire body, most of which has recovered leaving only his sight damaged.
Despite his disability, Tawanda heaps much praise on his teachers at the Pioneer School, who have contributed to his success. He managed four As and three Bs in last year’s matric examinations.
“Teachers were always ready and prepared to help and come up with ways for you to do the same things as others did,” Tawanda said.
A highlight for him was being invited and receiving an award for excellence despite barriers to learning at the National Senior Certificate Awards held by Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.
“It took the trip back to Worcester after the awards ceremony for it to sink in that I was actually there,” he said. “Until then it was just a dream I was going to wake up from.”
Tawanda humbly admits that, though he was confident he would pass, he did not expect to do as well as he did.
“Since the beginning of my matric year I decided I was going to formulate a strategy,” he said. “I wrote summaries, and when I learned something I made sure I studied it after school.
“My dad also purchased study guides and e-books, so when the end of the year came I was pretty much ready because I had done most of the work.”
His father, Nevson, has been a huge inspiration. “Coming from a humble background, and putting in enough work to be where he is today, he is there even now to dispense advice and is there whenever I need him.
Tawanda had some wise advice for those coming up after him. “The sky’s the limit as long as you have your mind focused on something,” he said. “It may take hard work, but when your mind is on it and you go with the talent God has given you, you can make it.”
Tawanda will spend a year at Kaleidoscope College before going on to study Media and Broadcasting.
