The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda Post Correspondent
FOR Maxwell Ringirai, his ears have always troubled him and he had to sit in front of the class room for him to capture what his teachers said from the time he was a young boy, but he was determined to be a success.
Last year, he wrote his A-Levels and scooped 14 points in Science subjects at Chikore High School.
Inclusivity in education is the buzz word these days. Indeed, physical or mental disability does not in any way shunt aside one’s destiny. We can’t choose our physical or mental states, but we can definitely choose our destiny.
Maxwell Ringirai is 26 and the reason for his failure to finish A-Level at 19 is solely because of a hearing problem that started from childhood.
‘‘At the age of 12, I realised I had difficulty in hearing. My parents thought the problem would go away, but it didn’t,’’ he said.
Because of his hearing problem, he attended school in fits and starts.
Then, some doctors diagnosed his problem and he was given medical help although that did not completely make his problem disappear. Thus, he began Form One at 20.
‘‘Fellow students found it weird to see a 20-year-old Form One student. I couldn’t participate in sports activities as I was way beyond the stipulated years required for one to compete. However, Sir Matsairire told me that age is not anything, but a number. That gave me strength although anxiety and trepidation always made me stop to think about my future and whether it would be a success or not,’’ said Maxwell.
At A-Level, he took up Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Some of his friends dissuaded him, saying that combination was a difficult one, but he stuck to his guns. His results were Mathematics-A, Physics-A and Chemistry –B.
‘‘A hearing problem is not a hurdle towards one achieving great dreams. It is a stepping stone to achieving greatness,’’ he said.
Chikore High School head, Mrs Stella Mudiwa, said Ringirai’s dream was to become a medical doctor.
‘‘It is incredible that Ringirai from the word go said he wanted to be a medical doctor. Our head girl, Tracy Mbasera, referred herself as a future High Court judge and she got 14 points in Arts subjects as well,’’ she said.
Indeed, the sky is the limit for Maxwell Ringirai. He is looking forward to undertaking Medicine at University of Zimbabwe.
On the other hand, Tracy Mbasera’s dreams of being a High Court judge are still very much alive.
