President Robert Mugabe’s political intolerance and paranoia had outlawed almost every public engagement activity connected to political diversity, while his skewed economic policies had seen the erstwhile bread basket of Southern Africa take a huge downward spiral – resulting in a critical shortage of every basic commodity.
However, in the comfort of working and living in better economies, most of them seem to have forgotten what hounded them out of their own country. Night spots, drinking holes and other money-gobbling activities are always teeming with Zimbabweans extravagantly spending money. Most live each day as if it was their last, forgetting all about the need to invest in both their future and their country.
There are, however, a few who have not lost direction. UK-based Kwanele Dlamini is one of those.
Born to a not-so-well-off family and having endured the difficulties of adjusting in a foreign land, Dlamini has dedicated most of his time to career and personal development, in readiness for the day when he will make his ultimate return home.
“We must not forget where we come from and what brought us to wherever we are,” said Filabusi-born Dlamini. Working as an auxiliary nurse with a private hospital in London, this exemplary young man has not lost his focus.
“We are allowed to go out partying now and then, but that does not mean our lives should be based on that because, when the years go by and the body tires, we will start regretting some of the activities that took all our time and money,” he said.
Dlamini doubles as a top Disc Jockey with a local African night club and a hot online radio station, getting exposed to the most tempting of situations on an almost daily basis.
“I see a lot of things during my line of work as a night club DJ, but I also see the bad effects of those during my day job as a nurse. Mine is the case of two lives – pleasure and the after-effects of going one step too many. This has made it easy for me to choose what and what not to do.”
His difficult roots have also helped Dlamini stay on the straight and narrow, using his strict family background as a measure between good and bad. “I come from a family of eight, five sisters and two brothers. Our family wasn’t that well off, but my father, who worked as a clerk for a Bulawayo-based insurance company, gave me direction in the way he toiled for us,” he said.
“My elder brother worked hard to help me go to school in Bulawayo and finish my secondary education in Harare. The fact that he worked so hard for me, despite his financial status, made me realise that no challenge could beat focus combined with effort.”
Dlamini migrated to South Africa in 1999, in search of a better life and worked for years as a waiter in that country.
“By 2005, South Africa was over-populated with immigrants from different parts of Africa and life was becoming tougher by the day. The cost of living was going up, so I took all my savings and flew to the UK to work and study,” he added.
“I have learnt and every painful experience has taught me to want more out of life, so the zeal to continue studying has propelled me to enrol in university and study for a career in Paramedics.
“My advice to fellow Zimbabweans struggling to make ends meet is for them to try and educate themselves or try and push their children to work hard at school because nowadays, every job needs some qualification,” he added.
“Here in the UK things are not as easy as some might think. Some still see a black man as a slave and subject people to racial abuse. It has been hard adjusting to such an environment.”
This has inspired him to focus more on returning home one day.
Post published in: News