The Sunday Mail
Desire Ncube
A typical day in the life of Adonia Macheza (25) begins with him pondering where he will get the next meal to feed his wife and one-year-old son.
Macheza, of Mataga Village in Mberengwa, is blind and homeless.
His family survives on handouts from well-wishers.
After Adonia’s uncles allegedly destroyed his home, the family now lives with whoever cares to accommodate them.
Adonia says he is suffering because of his disability and also because of his decision to marry Janet Bonda (22), who has albinism.
Family members are against the union.
The Sunday Mail Extra learnt of Macheza’s predicament and paid him a visit.
Upon arrival at Mataga Village, we went to Mr Peter Macheza’s homestead and were introduced to the elderly Mr Macheza and Mr Chifere Zhou – Adonia’s uncles.
But the two insist they are “no longer” related to him in any way.
“I used to be his uncle but not anymore. He has his relatives and those are the people that you should talk to. Like I said before, I used to be his uncle but not anymore,” Mr Macheza emphatically says.
“I raised Adonia’s father, paid his school fees; but the way I was treated after his death did not amuse me. Ndakaripiswa mombe chaidzo nehama kuti ndakamuchengeterei and I cannot continue to partake in Adonia’s affairs. His paternal relatives should take care of him and his family.”
Locals, however, say the problems between Adonia and his relatives exploded after he fell in love with and married 23-year-old Janet Bonda, an albino.
Now blessed with a son, the paired got married in 2010.
“There was a misunderstanding between these two families which eventually spilled into Adonia’s life. Tensions, however, (intensified) after Adonia married Janet. His uncles did not want him to marry a woman who has albinism,” said a villager.
Adonia says he lost both his sight and parents when he was five-years-old.
When Adonia’s parents died, they left behind a home which was allegedly destroyed by one of his uncles.
Adonia says he still does not know the reason behind the destruction of the home.
“I was still a child when this happened. All I know is that there were problems between my father and the other family members. The home that I was supposed to inherit was subsequently destroyed, leaving me destitute.”
Adonia’s family now moves from one family member’s home to another.
“The main problem we are facing is shelter. It is our desire to have a place of our own. Sometimes we go to other family members, stay there for two or so weeks and then move. We cannot stay at someone’s place for too long since we will not be contributing anything,” he says.
Adonia’s uncle Mr Peter and his sister Tendai Macheza at their homestead in Mberengwa recently -Pictures by Prudence Mpofu.
Adonia said the relationship with the other family worsened in 2010 when he married Janet.
“I was told that the family was against the idea of me marrying an albino. My relatives said my wife has a disability and would be a burden to them. They said they could only take care of me and not my wife.
“The idea is to separate us. The always complained that my wife is lazy. The problem is that she has albinism and cannot work when it is hot. At one time they forced her to work in the sun and blisters emerged all over her body,” laments Adonia.
But no amount of pressure will separate him from his wife.
“They are treating me like an outcast and punishing me for loving my wife. Nothing will separate me from my wife,” Adonia declares.
Janet also stands firm.
“I am traumatised, to say the least. The major problem is that we do not have a place of our own. However, nothing will separate us as we are looking at ways to make us self-sufficient.”
She says they have been allocated a residential stand but are incapable of building a house.
Ambuya Tendai Macheza, who helps the family, however, she can, says Janet is a hard worker.
“She is not lazy. Her condition makes it difficult for her to work in the sun. If this family is assisted, I am sure it can be self-sufficient.”
Mr Gibson Goromani of Save the Needy House is also assisting the family.
Save the Needy House works closely with those affected by albinism as well as other vulnerable people.
Adonia speaks of his eagerness to use his mbira-playing talent to earn a living.
“I can play mbira and I am also a songwriter. I have so far penned more than 500 songs but the unfortunate thing is that I don’t have the money to record. I’m looking for anyone out there who can assist me to record my music,” he says.
“The fact that I am blind does not remove my responsibilities as a family man, I have to feed my family and address their daily needs. God gave me this talent knowing very much that if I use it, I will have a decent life. I am still optimistic that I can do it given the opportunity.”
He says his wife is good at sewing, and with their skills combined – plus a little assistance – they can become self-sufficient.
