Gistfox Your News Window To The World.
Related Articles
43-Year-Old Blind Man Beats Colleagues to Emerge Best Graduating Student in His University
A 43-year-old man, William Mapfumo, defied the odds to become the best graduating student in his class, surpassing 2,119 classmates at Zimbabwe Open University. Despite being visually impaired, William earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Communication Studies and received top honors.
Hailing from Masvingo, Zimbabwe, William faced numerous challenges throughout his academic journey. He explained that, unlike his peers, he had to navigate his studies with learning materials provided in print format, as he was the only blind student in his class. Nevertheless, his determination and perseverance set him apart.
Before pursuing his degree, William had already achieved academic success, earning seven Ordinary Level subjects at Kapota School for the Blind and 10 points at the Advanced Level at Pakame High School. He also obtained a diploma in education, which allowed him to work as a teacher. However, his ambition led him to further his education by enrolling in a bachelor’s program.
William credits much of his success to his wife, Finance Makota, who played a pivotal role in his studies. She not only transcribed his learning materials into Braille but also read notes aloud for him to record and review later. Additionally, she supported him by taking him to school for discussions and exams.
Balancing his studies with work as a teacher, family responsibilities, and financial challenges made the journey even more demanding. William, who has four children, often struggled to juggle his time between his students, university assignments, and family obligations. Despite these hardships, he remained committed to achieving his goals.
William’s achievement is particularly significant given that he excelled in a class with able-bodied students, proving that with determination, hard work, and support, anyone can overcome obstacles. He encourages others with disabilities to pursue their dreams, stating that nothing is impossible if they stay dedicated.
His story serves as an inspiration, showing that true success often requires extra effort and resilience.
