Manners Mukuwiri was born in Hwedza. A third born in a family of 5. At the age of 3 he was affected by Poliomyelitis in both legs, that confined him to a wheelchair until now. Having been born in a poor family he faced many difficulties going to school. He was on and off school due to financial constraints.
Manners did his primary education at St Barnabas Primary School in Hwedza and managed to pass. During that period he developed an interest in art. Since his parents could not afford to give him pocket money he had to improvise. He began to make some wire and metal toys and sell them to his fellow school friends.
When he completed basic education he went to Danhiko Secondary School in Harare, a school with an Intergration of students with a disability and the able bodied. The school fees were then paid by Social Welfare. In 1997 he had to drop out of school after the Social Welfare failed to pay the school fees. In 1998 he resumed his schooling after he got sponsorship from some well-wishers who never showed their identities and he completed his Secondary education in 1999.
He started doing some menial jobs like vending, shoe repairing and at one point drug peddling. It was hard for him to find a meaningful job when you are disabled especially when you are in a wheelchair.
In 2001 he was selected in the Zimbabwe Wheelchair Basketball Team. He thought that was his breaking point but alas, there were some economical challenges in the country, the payments were not that much.
By 2008 he was married and made some toys for his child. A customer saw it and that was the beginning, he told Manners to make samples of what he could do so that he can show them to his customers. The result pleased the customers and he got his first order. Since then he has never looked back and in 2010 he joined Chitungwiza Arts Centre where he is working now.
Manners now has customers from all over the world. He has a group of 5 or more people he hires when he gets big orders.
He is married to Hazvinei Masawi and has 3 children – his family are his inspiration.
