TAVENGWA'S PARENTS

My father is Mbambu William Mutsambwa, known as Mbambu-Wiri Zvinoitavamwe. The first name Mbambu was derived from a type of pumpkin that was abundant the year in which he was born. He died on 07 September 1988 (may his poor soul rest in peace). A pauper by my description, he left nothing for his children other than sad memories. He had several nick-names including Dhungura and Masanhu sterming from his difficult character. A lot of people hated him (and I beileve for all the wrong reasons), no wonder why he gave me the name Tavengwa (meaning we are hated). Despite his difficult character, when it came to things that benefited the masses (sometimes even at the expense of us his children) he always did quite well. May be it was for this reason that he had nothing to show for his children.

My mother is Simbiso Masunda, to whom I owe my present status (may the dear Lord bless her with many more years). Born in November 1956 she has gone through a lot. She did not enjoy much of her youth as most youths will do. Her father, Tevengerwei Gwenhamo Masunda, died when she was at a tender age. Her relatives accused her mother of witchcraft and send her away (may the good Lord forgive them for that) leaving my mother to look after her two brothers and two sisters. Needless to say that my mother did not get a decent education but what is important is that she realised that her children were supposed to go to school. She suffered a lot to bring up her seven children (thank heavens she has managed to do that). There is, however, one thing that will never cease to suprise me about my mother: she seems to have a midas touch. Everything she starts is bound for success and I have often wondered whether I will ever reach her level determination and strength.