“I am more than happy. I obviously have more to say, but I am failing. I cannot believe this is happening to an ordinary person like me,” said the retired Malawi netball Queens legend as photographers took turns to capture the low-key occasion.
“In Malawi, we are usually shy to tell our stories, but I felt it was worth doing it. Our youths need inspiration. I am sure this book will provide motivation and inspiration to many youths,” she said.
After her speech, who still plays for MTL Queens, handed over her 40-page book to South West Education division manager, Sister Eunice Dambo, representing the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Waya co-authored the book with Jasmine Lehnis Leitao.
Before declaring the book launched Dambo said: “What she has gone through is not different from what most of us have gone through, but the difference is that despite all the hardships, she never gave up on her dream to succeed and that is what lacks in most youths.”
Educational charity The CharChar Trust published 6 000 copies of the book to be distributed to secondary schools countrywide, with Illovo Sugar Company as the sponsors.
In a press statement for the launch, CharChar Trust chairperson Kelvin Parker said the book was selected as the trust’s first supplementary secondary school textbook because of its inspirational subject matter.
“While most of our primary school texts are fictional and designed to encourage children to enjoy reading and develop their literacy skills, Mary’s story is more than an interesting read, its also an inspiration to young people,” Parker said.
