Back to Index

Inside/Out with Sr. Magwisi, committed and concerned social worker
Kubatana.net
July 21, 2009

This is an Inzwa feature. Find out more

Read our interview with Sr. Magwisi

Read our interview with Loise Mangwiro, a survivor of domestic violence

Describe yourself in five words?
Very Intelligent. Determined. Loving mother.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
When my mother told me that in life, don't think of what is going to happen tomorrow, you should always try to do your best today. And, you should not consider what other people are thinking, but consider yourself as an important being so that you can succeed.

What's the most ridiculous thing you've ever done?
Doing a wrong thing when I'm not supposed to do it.

What is your most treasured possession?
My children.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
When I lost my husband. It was ten years ago.

Do you have any strange hobbies?
I like talking to people. For example when I'm on a combi, I make sure I talk to the person who is next to me. As a counsellor, that's my profession, I have to identify when people have got problems. So I have told myself I must talk to someone who I am sitting next to because you never know when you are needed to give help.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My flying ears.

What is your greatest extravagance?
None.

What have you got in your fridge?
I've got some chicken, beef, some green vegetables, frozen peas and carrots.

What is your greatest fear?
Initially I used to fear dying and leaving my children when they are still young. But now my greatest fear is kungoonekwa naMwari ndisiri pacorrect postion. (for God to find me out of favour.)

What have you got in your pockets right now?
I've got nine dollars with me. Perfume. My lip gloss.

What is your favourite journey?
When I go to Bulawayo to see my mother. And when I got to Chirumanzi to see my home.

Who are your heroes in real life?
My heroes are my parents. They looked after me until I got here. I am proud of what I am because it's through them. Unfortunately I lost my father last year. You know he was a domestic worker but he would struggle to make sure that I went to school. I managed to pass my secondary education, and I trained as a nurse. It was through them, so they are my greatest heroes.

When and where were you happiest?
When I got married. I was fortunate that I had a very good marriage. Although there are some ups and downs in marriage, but I was very happy when I got married.

What's your biggest vice?
I cannot think of any.

What were you like at school?
I was very quiet. I think I learnt how to talk when I got married, because my husband was very talkative. I was among the intelligent girls. I used to participate a lot in school activities. I used to play netball and I was into athletics. I remember I got a certificate for the 200m.

What are you doing next?
I'm planning to get a better job; a job that will allow me to send my first daughter to university outside the country. If things settle then of course she will go to a local university. That's my dream. I believe that we are there to make the change, and it could start with her going to a local university. Everyone thinks that going out of Zimbabwe is how he or she can achieve a better life, which is not true.

Visit the Kubatana.net fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP