Angel on two wheels: Highway tyre repairman earns ...

Angel on two wheels: Highway tyre repairman earns living by helping others

Philemon Jambaya

In the heart of Karoi, Zimbabwe, where tyre punctures are a frequent occurrence, a man who identifies himself as Thomas Bhara, a lone motorbike-riding tyre repairman, patrols a stretch of the highway where the road is most perilous, helping stranded drivers.

With a whirr of his engine and a determined look on his face, Bhara rushes to the scene of a tyre puncture, picking up the damaged tyre and dashing to his workshop a few kilometres away. With skilled hands and a keen eye, he patches up the tyre or replaces it, then returns to the highway, all in record time, to install it back on the vehicle.

Bhara’s service is a lifeline for motorists in Karoi. He is always on standby to help, no matter what time of day or night. He is also affordable, charging a modest fee of US$10.00 for his services.

Bhara’s dedication to his work is inspiring. He knows that motorists can rely on him, even in the most difficult circumstances. He is a true hero of the highway.

In an interview with Zim Now, Bhara said that he is earning a decent living by helping those on the roads and makes an average of US$80 per day.

“I am dedicated to helping everyone on the road,” he said. “I charge US$10.00, but sometimes others negotiate and I end up charging way below my normal fee. When you are stranded on this road, just know help is on its way.”

Shepherd Muyambo, a motorist who experienced a tyre puncture on a recent trip to Kariba for a work-related assignment, was grateful for Bhara’s assistance.

“My Mercedes had a tyre puncture just after Karoi,” said Muyambo. “In my mind, I was in the middle of nowhere. Some villagers gave me Bhara’s number, and indeed he was here on time. His services are top-notch.”

Some villagers said they appreciate what Bhara is doing, but they believe the government should rehabilitate the highway to save lives. The Harare to Kariba highway is an atrium giving passages to heavy cross-border haulage trucks which have met a fair share of the damage to these roads but the main culprit being the discontinued maintenance. The government made an airy promise in May to have the road rehabilitated but this is yet to come to fruition.

“Bhara has been doing well,” said Miriam Munemo, a local resident. “But we call upon the government to rehabilitate this road, as it is a danger to motorists.”

Bhara’s story is a reminder of the human spirit’s resilience and determination. In the face of adversity, he has found a way to make a difference in the lives of others. He is a true inspiration to us all.