TOUGHER BY THE DAY
My name is Tsungirirai
Its not easy being an independent thinker in a male dominated world, were pur views as women are only accepted if you fit into a certain or specific stereotype. I grew up comfortably with both parents in Greencroft, Harare and attended some of the finest schools there. Being a first born in a family of two taught me to be very responsible and learn to protect myself at a very tender age as I grew up in a neighborhood that just had male kids.
Apparently I grew up playing with boys, and at one time I was the best goalkeeper of our street team. I was born an extrovert with a very inquisitive mind and passion to explore those things that were said to be impossible to date. Unlike most girls, when I was young, I loved climbing trees, playing football, gardening, making wire cars and collecting things. My passion for reading started at a very tender age and I am still an a wide reader.
I started reading newspapers when I was in grade three and quoted my first book when I was in grade 6 which is still unpublished. During my days at High School, I was always the controversial one, who questioned everything and didn’t subscribe to stereotyping. I remember at Marlborough High I played all the so call boyish sports which most girls felt uncomfortable to play. I played softball, rugby and basketball.
I always dreamt of myself as a lawyer, I wanted to be a lawyer and my dreams were shattered in 1998 when I was raped once and fell pregnant. That was the defining moment of my life were I had to make critical life changing decisions. I thank God that committing suicide wasn’t an option that I even considered let alone thought of. My parents were very strict and I couldn’t even entertain the thought of even trying to tell them what had happened to me and the demise I was in. The bible verse Jeremiah 29vs11, *”I alone know the plans that I have for you, plans for good and not evil..”* kept me strong and inspired me to be strong and face everyday as it comes. I ran away from home and started my own life at the age of 17. It wasn’t easy but it had to be done. I felt like I had failed my parents as they had high expectations about my future. I blamed myself for being raped, I felt dirty, useless and used and the only thing that put a smile on my face was the unborn baby I was carrying whom I had given an opportunity to live. Jeremiah 29vs11 made it possible for me not to have any bitterness towards my pregnancy and the only person I was bitter towards was the rapist and the father of the baby.
When I ran away from home, I went to Harare and found myself a one room in Hatfield as I had savings which my parents had saved for me and that terms boarding school fees. I enrolled at Christ Ministries College and continued with my education. I didn’t let the pregnancy stand in my way. I gave birth in November 1999 and continued with my education as a mother and still wrote my A’Levels with my stream and passed.
When I got pregnant the people I confided in had differing sentiments, some peers advised me to abort and continue with my education and that was an option which was never up for consideration with me, some told me to keep the baby and my family was disappointed when they eventually got to know about it. My advise to anyone who might be going through what I went through is don’t feel sorry for the rapist get him arrested, don’t feel dirty or blame yourself, its not your fault. Seek professional counselling, hold your head up high and tell yourself that YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM, YOU ARE A VICTOR.
Fast forward after I finished my IT program at NIIT Avondale, I got my first job in 2002 as a computer technician, that is when I faced the harsh realities of patriarchal dominance. I have always been a very arrogant person in the face of injustice and that is when the activist in Mr was activated. I refused to be a push over, demanded for my job description, code of conduct and safety policy all which could not be provided within the first month of employment. After enquiring whether other employees had these documents availed to them, they all professed ignorance and cautioned me that those things were not necessary what was important is to have a job and just get paid. I started doing labour rights advocacy and researching more on labour issues and that was the beginning of my trade union which got me fired at three different jobs.
When the employer learnt that I was setting up a workers committee at the IT company, I was served with a repudiation of contract letter on allegations of inciting workers to strike and to be unproductive.
I later got another job at Systems Technology which was one of the biggest IT companies then in Zimbabwe as the Sales Administrator. At least here the job description was availed and the only two missing documents were the code of conduct and safety policy. I worked there for two years until salary payments started coming late, the moment I started querying about the late salary payments, I immediately became the manager’s enemy. A month later after successfully engaging all the workers, we went on strike and I was fired again for inciting workers to strike.
I got tired of working for private companies and applied for a job in the IT department at NRZ which I got in July 2006 and I thought there I would be at a wholly owned government institutions which respects and upholds labour rights. Little did I know that I was jumping out of the frying pan straight into the fire.
From the first day of employment I was at loggerheads with the personnel and human resources department. I was told no one had ever demanded for a job description, staff working regulations, code of conduct and safety policy and they would look for the documents if I really needed them. On of the secretaries actually followed me as I was walking out and said with this attitude of yours sisi you won’t last in the railways.
Her words ignited me to fight for labour justice and I resolved to start my job there in a labour activism and no nonsense mood. The bureaucracy at NRZ was nauseating and against all the odds I brought sanity at the Computer Bureau. There was too mush chauvinism and godism which I naturally never paid attention to and insisted on calling everyone even my supervisors and managers by their first names.
During my days at NRZ I led protests, challenged labour injustice and represented workers at hearings and never lost even a single hearing. After the 2009 strike after nearly ten years with no industrial action at the NRZ, the system was shaken and I was taken for questioning by state security agents who abducted me as i was running away from police. That event marked the beginning of the eight years were I was always trailed by state security agents. I am the only NRZ worker who challenged the General Manager without fear and advocated tirelessly for labour justice until my contract of employment was eventually terminated by the infamous Zuva Judgement after years of trying to fire me and losing all the cases.
In August 2015, I made a decision to stand up for the 2000 people who had lost their jobs at NRZ and ensure that they get all their outstanding salaries paid, terminal benefits and pensions paid. It wasn’t easy but it had to be done. I co-founded and organization called Association of Railway Terminated Employees (ARTE) and we fought tooth and nail until everyone was paid their dues in full. After that I went into full time politics, learning about the political terrain and economy. I was heavily disheartened by the patronage system, misogyny, patriarchal dominance and dictatorship in both the ruling party and opposition.
I decided to wage a war against dictatorship and any form of oppression which led to my first arrest in 2015 for allegedly insulting the office of President Robert Mugabe. When I got to Mutare police station, I refused to be put in cells, refused to take of my shoes and received all sorts of insults from policemen who kept on telling me kuti uchadzikama hako. They eventually called the officer in charge who eventually told them to leave me alone and I spent the whole two nights sleeping under a table in the charge office.
In March 2016 I founded Zimbabwe Women In Politics Alliance (ZWIPA) to support women in politics, nurture a culture of activism for women rights and to empower women. I led a lot of protests and cofounded Tajamuka. I was arrested at least 7 times in 2016 and the longest I stayed in prison was three months when I was arrested on the National shut down day on 6 July 2016. The highlight of my three month long incarceration was the protest I led at Chikurubi Female Prison against poor food and living conditions. I was then taken to Chikurubi Maximum Prison into isolation and that is when I realized that I needed to very strong and resilient in my struggle against dictatorship and oppression. I continue to fight dictatorship and oppression. Zimbabwe needs better leadership and this hero worshipping of mere mortals should stop if indeed we are committed to rebuilding this nation. My enemies multiplied by thousands over the years. All sorts of insults and printable words have been thrown my way since that day and all those insults just worked to strengthen my resolve for a better, prosperous, tolerant, Democratic and united in our diversity for the posterity of my beloved country.
In conclusion, if you set out to be liked you will never accomplish what you are meant to fulfill in your life time. One principle I live by is that I make lemonade out of the lemons thrown into my face. Never look down upon yourself as a young woman or let gender stereotypes define who you are and what you will achieve or do. You are your own master and your life is in your hands. If you can see it, believe it and do it. You were born to be great. Unlock your greatness and be a change agent.
Its not easy being an independent thinker in a male dominated world, were pur views as women are only accepted if you fit into a certain or specific stereotype. I grew up comfortably with both parents in Greencroft, Harare and attended some of the finest schools there. Being a first born in a family of two taught me to be very responsible and learn to protect myself at a very tender age as I grew up in a neighborhood that just had male kids.
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Apparently I grew up playing with boys, and at one time I was the best goalkeeper of our street team. I was born an extrovert with a very inquisitive mind and passion to explore those things that were said to be impossible to date. Unlike most girls, when I was young, I loved climbing trees, playing football, gardening, making wire cars and collecting things. My passion for reading started at a very tender age and I am still an a wide reader.
I started reading newspapers when I was in grade three and quoted my first book when I was in grade 6 which is still unpublished. During my days at High School, I was always the controversial one, who questioned everything and didn’t subscribe to stereotyping. I remember at Marlborough High I played all the so call boyish sports which most girls felt uncomfortable to play. I played softball, rugby and basketball.
I always dreamt of myself as a lawyer, I wanted to be a lawyer and my dreams were shattered in 1998 when I was raped once and fell pregnant. That was the defining moment of my life were I had to make critical life changing decisions. I thank God that committing suicide wasn’t an option that I even considered let alone thought of. My parents were very strict and I couldn’t even entertain the thought of even trying to tell them what had happened to me and the demise I was in. The bible verse Jeremiah 29vs11, *”I alone know the plans that I have for you, plans for good and not evil..”* kept me strong and inspired me to be strong and face everyday as it comes. I ran away from home and started my own life at the age of 17. It wasn’t easy but it had to be done. I felt like I had failed my parents as they had high expectations about my future. I blamed myself for being raped, I felt dirty, useless and used and the only thing that put a smile on my face was the unborn baby I was carrying whom I had given an opportunity to live. Jeremiah 29vs11 made it possible for me not to have any bitterness towards my pregnancy and the only person I was bitter towards was the rapist and the father of the baby.
When I ran away from home, I went to Harare and found myself a one room in Hatfield as I had savings which my parents had saved for me and that terms boarding school fees. I enrolled at Christ Ministries College and continued with my education. I didn’t let the pregnancy stand in my way. I gave birth in November 1999 and continued with my education as a mother and still wrote my A’Levels with my stream and passed.
When I got pregnant the people I confided in had differing sentiments, some peers advised me to abort and continue with my education and that was an option which was never up for consideration with me, some told me to keep the baby and my family was disappointed when they eventually got to know about it. My advise to anyone who might be going through what I went through is don’t feel sorry for the rapist get him arrested, don’t feel dirty or blame yourself, its not your fault. Seek professional counselling, hold your head up high and tell yourself that YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM, YOU ARE A VICTOR.
Fast forward after I finished my IT program at NIIT Avondale, I got my first job in 2002 as a computer technician, that is when I faced the harsh realities of patriarchal dominance. I have always been a very arrogant person in the face of injustice and that is when the activist in Mr was activated. I refused to be a push over, demanded for my job description, code of conduct and safety policy all which could not be provided within the first month of employment. After enquiring whether other employees had these documents availed to them, they all professed ignorance and cautioned me that those things were not necessary what was important is to have a job and just get paid. I started doing labour rights advocacy and researching more on labour issues and that was the beginning of my trade union which got me fired at three different jobs.
When the employer learnt that I was setting up a workers committee at the IT company, I was served with a repudiation of contract letter on allegations of inciting workers to strike and to be unproductive.
I later got another job at Systems Technology which was one of the biggest IT companies then in Zimbabwe as the Sales Administrator. At least here the job description was availed and the only two missing documents were the code of conduct and safety policy. I worked there for two years until salary payments started coming late, the moment I started querying about the late salary payments, I immediately became the manager’s enemy. A month later after successfully engaging all the workers, we went on strike and I was fired again for inciting workers to strike.
I got tired of working for private companies and applied for a job in the IT department at NRZ which I got in July 2006 and I thought there I would be at a wholly owned government institutions which respects and upholds labour rights. Little did I know that I was jumping out of the frying pan straight into the fire.
From the first day of employment I was at loggerheads with the personnel and human resources department. I was told no one had ever demanded for a job description, staff working regulations, code of conduct and safety policy and they would look for the documents if I really needed them. On of the secretaries actually followed me as I was walking out and said with this attitude of yours sisi you won’t last in the railways.
Her words ignited me to fight for labour justice and I resolved to start my job there in a labour activism and no nonsense mood. The bureaucracy at NRZ was nauseating and against all the odds I brought sanity at the Computer Bureau. There was too mush chauvinism and godism which I naturally never paid attention to and insisted on calling everyone even my supervisors and managers by their first names.
During my days at NRZ I led protests, challenged labour injustice and represented workers at hearings and never lost even a single hearing. After the 2009 strike after nearly ten years with no industrial action at the NRZ, the system was shaken and I was taken for questioning by state security agents who abducted me as i was running away from police. That event marked the beginning of the eight years were I was always trailed by state security agents. I am the only NRZ worker who challenged the General Manager without fear and advocated tirelessly for labour justice until my contract of employment was eventually terminated by the infamous Zuva Judgement after years of trying to fire me and losing all the cases.
In August 2015, I made a decision to stand up for the 2000 people who had lost their jobs at NRZ and ensure that they get all their outstanding salaries paid, terminal benefits and pensions paid. It wasn’t easy but it had to be done. I co-founded and organization called Association of Railway Terminated Employees (ARTE) and we fought tooth and nail until everyone was paid their dues in full. After that I went into full time politics, learning about the political terrain and economy. I was heavily disheartened by the patronage system, misogyny, patriarchal dominance and dictatorship in both the ruling party and opposition.
I decided to wage a war against dictatorship and any form of oppression which led to my first arrest in 2015 for allegedly insulting the office of President Robert Mugabe. When I got to Mutare police station, I refused to be put in cells, refused to take of my shoes and received all sorts of insults from policemen who kept on telling me kuti uchadzikama hako. They eventually called the officer in charge who eventually told them to leave me alone and I spent the whole two nights sleeping under a table in the charge office.
In March 2016 I founded Zimbabwe Women In Politics Alliance (ZWIPA) to support women in politics, nurture a culture of activism for women rights and to empower women. I led a lot of protests and cofounded Tajamuka. I was arrested at least 7 times in 2016 and the longest I stayed in prison was three months when I was arrested on the National shut down day on 6 July 2016. The highlight of my three month long incarceration was the protest I led at Chikurubi Female Prison against poor food and living conditions. I was then taken to Chikurubi Maximum Prison into isolation and that is when I realized that I needed to very strong and resilient in my struggle against dictatorship and oppression. I continue to fight dictatorship and oppression. Zimbabwe needs better leadership and this hero worshipping of mere mortals should stop if indeed we are committed to rebuilding this nation. My enemies multiplied by thousands over the years. All sorts of insults and printable words have been thrown my way since that day and all those insults just worked to strengthen my resolve for a better, prosperous, tolerant, Democratic and united in our diversity for the posterity of my beloved country.
In conclusion, if you set out to be liked you will never accomplish what you are meant to fulfill in your life time. One principle I live by is that I make lemonade out of the lemons thrown into my face. Never look down upon yourself as a young woman or let gender stereotypes define who you are and what you will achieve or do. You are your own master and your life is in your hands. If you can see it, believe it and do it. You were born to be great. Unlock your greatness and be a change agent.
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