Social media went into overdrive today after pictures of a young man graduating from Midlands State University (MSU) in Gweru were mistaken for those of popular Zimbabwean musician Greatman Gwaze, real name Tongai Gwaze.
The graduate, however, is not the celebrated Zimdancehall and Afro-fusion singer known for his inspirational rise despite living with a disability. Instead, the look-alike is Nare Tsepang, who today graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Local Governance and Management.who also lives with a disability, was honoured with the ZIMDEF Award for Best Male Undergraduate with a Disability, a recognition that capped his years of resilience and academic excellence.
Greatman, who shot to fame with his hit song Pandakazvarwa, has long been an icon of perseverance in Zimbabwe’s arts industry. He has used his musical platform to challenge stereotypes about disability while also navigating a difficult personal life, including financial struggles and public scrutiny over his wedding and family challenges. Because of his visibility, many Zimbabweans immediately assumed the graduate was the artist himself, sparking congratulatory messages across social media platforms.
However, it was later clarified that the graduate is not Greatman but someone who shares a striking resemblance to him. While Greatman continues his musical journey, Tsepang has charted a different path through academia, proving that disability does not define one’s ability to achieve greatness.
The coincidence has nevertheless drawn attention to the achievements of both men — one in the world of music and the other in higher education — showing that resilience and determination can carve different but equally inspiring legacies.
