The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) reality show Proudly Able has gone off air after its Bulawayo-based presenter, Ratidzo Muchairi, suffered a second disability following the amputation of her right leg.
Muchairi, who is visually impaired, had been running the programme out of passion and commitment to showcasing the abilities and talents of people with disabilities — despite lack of funding or sponsorship.
She told Southern Eye that the second disability had severely limited her mobility and made it impossible for her to continue producing the show.
"I am a presenter of the reality show Proudly Able. The show showcases the abilities and talents of people with disabilities versus earning them a living. Proudly Able is a programme that used to be screened on ZTV and it is also on YouTube — ProudlyAbleZim and on Facebook — ProudlyableZim," Muchairi told Southern Eye.
"Recently I battled with my right leg which left me amputated. So now I am double disabled. I am blind and wheelchair-bound. This led the programme to be off air, as it left me in financial constraints."
Muchairi said she had been running the show without financial support except assistance from Emmanuel Katsamudanga of Emmanuel Productions.
Her wish, she said, was to revive the programme and continue empowering people with disabilities.
“I am appealing for financial assistance, mobility assistance and I am looking forward to your support as a nation so that we can make the world of persons with disabilities a better place," Muchairi said.
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In support of her appeal, Bulawayo-based visually-impaired disability activist John Jemwa said Proudly Able had played a key role in exposing the challenges faced by people with disabilities to the public and government authorities.
He said it was unfortunate that the show had collapsed at a time when its presenter had become even more restricted.
"At first, Ratidzo had only total visual impairment disability and now has two disabilities. Ratidzo used to travel by bus for her love to see people with disability uplifted through the ZBC reality show," Jemwa said.
“ the major challenge for the programme to come back on ZBC is mobility for Ratidzo, as it is now very hard for her to travel by bus."
Jemwa added that the show had enjoyed support from President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia.
Muchairi’s appeal comes shortly after Mnangagwa handed over vehicles and wheelchairs to five young Zimbabweans with disabilities at a ceremony at State House.
Mnangagwa said the initiative reflected the second republic’s vision of ensuring that no citizen is left behind.
The beneficiaries — drawn from music, entrepreneurship and community development — received Mahindra vehicles to enhance their independence, along with 10 wheelchairs each to distribute in their communities.
Among those honoured were musicians Chipo Muchegwa and Tongai “Greatman” Gwaze, entrepreneur and Zimbabwe Youth Council board member Hazel Mandaza, Bulawayo-based beautician Michelle Madawu, and philanthropist Tendai Mazuru of the Tendai Mazuru Foundation.
However, Muchairi, whose show helped to publicise the plight of many people with disabilities over the years, was not among the recipients.
