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Inside/Out with activist Grace Chirenje
Kubatana.net
June 27, 2011

Full interview with Grace Chirenje - Read and listen

Describe yourself in five words?
Outgoing, outspoken, inquisitive, interesting and full of energy.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
The worst response you can get is a no.

What's the most ridiculous thing you've ever done?
When I was a second year student at university, I was supposed to do a research, and I had to come to Harare. The day before research started, I realised it was 8pm, and I had no way to get here. I didn't have a car so I hopped onto a haulage truck. I've never done that, and I don't think I'll ever do it again. I was with my boyfriend, and dragging him into it was equally ridiculous.

What is your most treasured possession?
My toothbrush. I talk and smile a lot. It gives me confidence knowing that I've got fresh breath and clean teeth.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
I don't know . . . the world keeps offering new depths of misery. Perhaps low self-esteem, where you don't believe in yourself, you have no hope for the future; you can't live your life. Where you're almost a nobody in your own world. That would be very sad.

Do you have any strange hobbies?
No, and if I had I'm not sure I'd share!

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Nothing. I've come to terms with what I look like.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Toothbrushes! I spend too much money on them.

What have you got in your fridge?
Meat, milk and lots of water.

What is your greatest fear?
Heights, actually no, it's snakes. I hate snakes. My primary school used to preserve snakes in jars for some reason. I always used to think that they would come to life.

What have you got in your pockets right now?
Nothing; no pockets.

What is your favourite journey?
Self-awareness. I love knowing myself. For me its always the greatest, the environment is changing and I'm changing. That is the greatest journey for me.

Who are your heroes in real life?
My husband for putting up with me. My mother and my sister. My pastor, called Pastor Taurai.

When and where were you happiest?
I'm most happy when I'm with my husband and my son. So, I guess I'm always happy.

What's your biggest vice?
I don't know; I have no clue.

What were you like at school?
I think I was smart. I was very talkative. My reports always said ‘good student but talkative'.

What are you doing next?
I believe in transformation, so right now I'm working towards a Masters. I'm also doing a lot of mentoring. I'm trying to transform this world one young woman at a time.

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