Kudakwashe Doba
BY NYARADZO CHITUNGO
Kudakwashe Doba’s remarkable journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering positivity. Born with Cerebral Palsy (CP), a neurological condition that affects muscle tone, posture, and movement, he has never allowed his physical challenges to limit his ambitions.
His life began with a difficult start. At birth, he experienced severe respiratory complications, which led to him spending the first six weeks of his life in an incubator. This critical period had lasting effects, ultimately resulting in a diagnosis of Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy—a condition that affects all four limbs and, in some cases, impairs speech.
Bigboy Madzivanzira, a Medical Rehabilitation and Health Promotion Practitioner, explained the challenges individuals with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy face daily.
“Simple tasks such as bathing, dressing, and feeding require assistance,” he noted.
However, he emphasized that with determination and passion, individuals with the condition can pursue education, build careers, start families, and explore hobbies.
For 40-year-old Kudakwashe Doba, a filmmaker from Gweru, these words ring true. His journey in the creative industry is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite his condition, he has honed exceptional writing and editorial skills, using a specially designed stick attached to a homemade hat to type every word—a symbol of his resilience and mental fortitude.
Doba’s achievements in the film industry are impressive. He played a key role in the popular sitcom The Small House Saga, which aired on ZTV from 2007 to 2013. Additionally, he directed and produced Komboni Secrets, a soap opera that earned him a prestigious national award, presented by President Mnangagwa.
Despite his success, Kudakwashe’s creative journey has hit a major obstacle due to the deplorable state of his wheelchair. His condition requires a customized wheelchair, specifically designed for individuals with Cerebral Palsy, which costs US$600. Without it, his mobility and independence as an artist are severely compromised.
“I’m facing a major setback due to the state of my wheelchair. It’s negatively impacting my creativity, and my work is now at a standstill. Without proper mobility, I can’t keep up with my projects. To make matters worse, there’s a lack of sponsorship for my work. For example, I scripted Svinurai over five years ago, but to this day, the romantic movie has never seen the light of day,” he lamented.
Kudakwashe’s struggle is not unique. Many people with disabilities in Zimbabwe face significant challenges in acquiring assistive devices. A standard wheelchair costs around US$300, a price that remains out of reach for many.
Tsepang T. Nare, a Disability Development Consultant, suggested practical solutions to address these challenges.
“The government should establish an assistive technologies fund, supported through taxation, to ensure accessibility for those in need. Since assistive devices are costly and often imported, we should set up assembly factories or community hubs where people are trained to assemble parts locally,” Nare proposed.
He further urged the government to financially support existing workshops producing assistive devices and to develop a comprehensive e-governance database that tracks persons with disabilities and their specific needs.
“The procurement process for persons with disabilities must be made simpler and more efficient,” he added.
Beyond the personal challenges Kudakwashe faces, the Zimbabwean film industry itself is struggling.
Moses Maphosa of Savannah Trust highlighted the financial constraints crippling local filmmakers.
“The biggest challenge is the lack of funding. Film is a capital-intensive art form that requires substantial resources, yet there is no structured film financing in Zimbabwe. Most producers rely on their own meager savings, which compromises the quality of their productions,” he explained.
He also pointed out the lack of proper distribution channels, which has reduced many filmmakers to beggars.
“There are no structured platforms to distribute films on a global scale. As a result, revenue is limited, and filmmakers struggle to recoup the money invested in their projects,” he lamented.
Despite these challenges, Kudakwashe Doba remains hopeful. His story is one of perseverance, proving that physical limitations do not define one’s capabilities.
As he continues to fight for his creative freedom, one question lingers: Will Lady Luck smile upon him again?
A resounding yes!
*this article was initially published on Wasu Post
