Founders
Tafadzwa Nyamuzihwa
Founder
Tafadzwa Nyamuzihwa is a disability advocate, entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of Shine On Africa. His life and work have been shaped by resilience, determination, and a commitment to creating opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Growing up in an orphanage and later losing his sight at the age of 25 had a profound impact on his life. He turned these experiences into a motivation to advocate for disability inclusion, equal opportunities, and social change.
His commitment to disability advocacy and leadership led to his selection for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, a United States government exchange programme under the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). As part of the programme, he studied Business and Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University in Illinois, USA. During his participation in the programme, he also had the opportunity to meet former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Tafadzwa's work has also received international recognition. In 2021, he received the Lighthouse Award for innovative ideas by a blind person. He also founded Galaxy Radio, an online radio station broadcasting from Germany, using media as a platform to inform, inspire, and empower communities.
Through his work and advocacy, Tafadzwa is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities have access to opportunities, can participate fully in society, and are empowered to reach their potential. He continues to advocate for inclusion, empowerment, and equal access for all.
Tina Shanduka
Co-Founder
Tina Shanduka is a Zimbabwean disability rights advocate and Co-Founder of Shine On Africa. Her journey into advocacy began in 2014 after she lost her sight due to uveitis. At the time, she was running her own business, but as her vision deteriorated, she was forced to step back and rebuild her life. She subsequently redirected her focus towards education, advocacy, and public service.
In 2016, Tina enrolled at the University of Zimbabwe and graduated in 2019 with a BSc Honours in Political Science. During her studies, she became active in disability advocacy, representing women with disabilities in public forums and advocating for equality, inclusion, and the rights of women and girls with disabilities.
In 2018, she contributed to national efforts encouraging political parties to include persons with disabilities (PWDs) in political participation and decision-making. From 2019 to 2021, Tina worked with the MDC Alliance, focusing on policy research, disability coordination, and mobilisation.
She completed an MSc in Politics and International Relations in 2022 and later appeared on 3KTV in a programme dedicated to bridging the disability gap. In 2023, she was featured in the African Evidence Network magazine for her work promoting disability inclusion. She has also continued community-based initiatives, including sourcing and donating white mobility canes to blind people.
Tina is currently an Erasmus Mundus Scholar pursuing an MA in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP, CEU/York Track, 2025–2027) at Central European University. Across her academic, advocacy, and professional work, her focus remains on advancing disability-inclusive policies that lead to tangible change.
Her vision is of a world in which persons with disabilities have equal access to education and economic opportunities and are represented at all levels of leadership. Tina continues to work towards an inclusive society where information, infrastructure, and opportunities are accessible to all, and where persons with disabilities can actively contribute to shaping the policies that affect their lives.