By Henry Masungo.

Every morning, as Masvingo awakens to the sounds of another busy day, its roads become a hive of activity. Kombis and zvipipis weave through traffic, engines roar impatiently, conductors shout destinations, and commuters scramble to secure seats before vehicles pull away. Amid the commotion stands a blind woman, white cane in hand, listening intently for a familiar voice or a helpful stranger.

One kombi stops briefly before speeding away. Another arrives, but no one tells her where it is going. She cautiously follows the sound of an engine, only to discover the vehicle is not picking up passengers. For most commuters, choosing the correct vehicle takes only a few seconds. For many blind and visually impaired people, it can mean a long wait filled with uncertainty and frustration.

This is not an isolated incident. It is the everyday reality for many blind and visually impaired people in Masvingo, where a simple journey to work, school, hospital or church often becomes an extraordinary act of courage.

A System That Leaves Many Behind

Public transport is the lifeblood of Masvingo, connecting thousands of residents to employment, education, healthcare, and essential services. Yet the system is largely designed for people who can see.

There are no public transport  with timetables, and long-distance buses display destinations only on windscreens. Kombi conductors call out routes while moving quickly through crowded streets, often rushing passengers because they fear municipal police or competition from other operators.

For someone with a visual impairment, identifying the correct vehicle becomes one of the greatest obstacles.

One visually impaired commuter explained:

“Sometimes I stand for thirty minutes because I cannot tell which kombi has arrived. I have to depend on strangers to tell me where each vehicle is going.” In shona, “Dzimwe nguva ndinopedza  30 minutes ndakamirira nekuti handikwanisi kuziva kuti kombi ipi yasvika. Ndinotofanira kubatsirwa nevanhu vandisingazivi kuti vandiratidze kombi iri kuenda kwandinoda.”

While many members of the public willingly offer assistance, help is not always available. Some people assume someone else will help, while others simply hurry on with their own journeys.

When Independence Depends on Others

Like everyone else, blind and visually impaired people value their independence. Yet using public transport often means depending on strangers for assistance.

Boarding a crowded kombi presents another challenge. High steps, narrow doorways, and impatient crews can quickly turn a routine journey into a stressful experience. Drivers and conductors, under pressure to maximise trips and income, may overlook passengers who need extra time.

One commuter recalled:

“The conductor told the driver to move before I had found my seat. I almost fell because the vehicle started moving while I was still sitting down.”

Such experiences leave many commuters anxious every time they travel. Others speak of being ignored while trying to board or being spoken to through accompanying relatives, “because vanenge vachifunga kuti handina mari yekubhadhara.”  Instead of being addressed directly. Respect, they say, is just as important as physical accessibility.

As another commuter reflected:

“I don’t expect special treatment. I simply want people to speak to me respectfully and give me enough time to board safely.”

More Than a Transport Problem

The consequences of inaccessible transport extend far beyond mobility.

Missing a kombi can mean arriving late for work, missing classes, delaying medical appointments, or losing business opportunities. For students, unreliable transport can affect attendance and academic performance. For job seekers, it can mean missing interviews. For older people with visual impairments, it may discourage them from travelling altogether.

Poor pavements, open drainage channels, broken walkways, and overcrowded boarding points further increase the risks faced by blind commuters before they even step into a vehicle.

These barriers gradually become barriers to education, employment, healthcare, and social participation, reinforcing exclusion rather than inclusion.

Yet many blind commuters also speak warmly of drivers, conductors, and fellow passengers who go out of their way to help. Simple acts—announcing destinations clearly, guiding someone to a seat, or waiting a few extra seconds before driving away—can transform a stressful journey into one that restores confidence and dignity.

Building an Inclusive Transport System

Disability advocates believe that making public transport accessible does not always require expensive infrastructure. Sometimes it begins with changing attitudes.

Training drivers and conductors in disability awareness, creating designated safe boarding areas, improving pavements, and ensuring transport facilities are accessible would make a significant difference. Clear verbal announcements of destinations and greater patience when assisting passengers with disabilities would also promote safer and more independent travel.

Importantly, these improvements would not benefit only blind and visually impaired people. Older persons, pregnant women, parents travelling with young children, and people using wheelchairs or crutches would all enjoy a safer and more inclusive transport system.

An inclusive city is measured not only by the quality of its roads but also by whether every resident can move through it safely, confidently, and independently.

As Masvingo continues to grow, it has an opportunity to build a transport system that reflects the values of equality and inclusion. Accessible public transport is not an act of charity—it is a matter of dignity, human rights, and equal opportunity.

Until that vision becomes reality, many blind and visually impaired commuters will continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience every time they step onto the streets of Masvingo, proving that while courage can overcome many obstacles, it should never be required simply to catch a kombi.