Happy Mothers’ Day!

In a special way I would like to salute my mother Hilda Mwandira-Zgambo who has taught me so much about what to and not to expect in life. One thing that I recall vividly is how she constantly gave my sisters and I ‘the education talk’.

She would tell us how difficult life without an education is. She taught us that we needed to be financially independent and not wait for a man to take care of us all the time.

My family was neither poor nor rich. My parents really worked extra hard for us to get up to tertiary education. My mum said it will be embarrassing for us to not afford buying our own underwear, when we had the opportunity to get educated. I remember her squeezing her nostrils and saying this:

“Ndimati mundigayireko ndalama yoti ndikagulire panti. This is embarrassing.”

Of course she was saying this figuratively, but it made sense.

Having said that, I would like to salute mothers who are housewives. I know women become housewives either by choice or circumstances.

I salute mothers who have given up their jobs just to take care of their kids and husbands. It is not an easy thing to do. These women need special recognition. They give up a lot in life.

During the four years I was working from home, I saw how difficult their ‘job’ was. I remember several housewives who were told by their husbands that it was a waste of money to have a maid since they do not go to the office.

They do all the cleaning, cooking, washing and taking care of kids; most of them including dropping at and picking up kids from school.

It sounds simple, but think about the time that your maid takes the whole weekend off. Do you find it easy?

Men appreciate that woman. She may not look like the sexy secretary or workmate who seductively flashes a smile at you every time your eyes; she may not be able to do the catwalk when you try to buy her trendy shoes; She may not have make-up on and look sweaty every time you come home because she was cooking for you, let alone know what a mascara is; she may not know who Obama and Romney are; she may not even know exactly what devaluation is, but she is the mother of your children and the woman that loves you.

I salute all working mothers. I know how stressful it is to juggle a career and motherhood.

On a sad note, I would like to pay condolences to my friend and colleague Aubrey Mchulu, who lost his younger brother Kumbukani on Wednesday to cancer. It is sad that this has happened in the same month that we intensify the fight against cancer.

Losing a loved one is not easy, let alone losing a sibling. It does not matter how old one is. Everyone gets affected.

Unfortunately, no-one is prepared for death. We just have to live in the hope that one day we will meet them again.

Happy Mothers’ Day to you all!!!