Zimbabwe: My father deprived me the chance to pursue my education

My name is Winnet and was born in a family of three girls and four boys. My father, Tafadzwa*, made it a policy the girl child only should not go to secondary school. All the girls in my family ended in grade seven but my brothers proceeded to secondary school. I was bright at school and my primary school head even tried to convince him to allow me to pursue with education but all fell on deaf ears. My mother also tried as much as she could without success. Our homestead was very close to the secondary school and it pained me a lot to hear the noise coming from the school grounds especially during lunch breaks. I would go inside the house and cry but Tafadzwa* seemed not to care. 

My mother’s brother came and asked if he might go and stay with him and Tafadzwa* readily agreed. My uncle enrolled at a nearby night school and I really enjoyed attending the lessons. I did not do well when I completed secondary school. My uncle encouraged me not to despair and they told me to choose any course that I liked to do. My aunt was good at baking and I thought of following her footsteps. I started doing the cooking and baking course and my aunt was very supportive.  

I later fell in love with my uncle’s neighbour’s son and later got married. My husband cared and supported every progressive idea that I brought forward. He later urged me to start a business and I thought of operating a mini grocery shop. Lady luck was not on my side as all such structures were demolished by the government in 2003 during an operation Murambatsvina  meaning clear all rubbish.  

My husband encouraged me to think of another business idea. I consulted my mother and aunt who both advised me to start chicken rearing business. I am currently a big supplier of broiler chickens and eggs to most fast food outlets in Kadoma. I have also legalised my chicken rearing premises with the local authority and have employed two women and two men to assist me run the business. 

Tafadzwa* now sees the importance of sending the girl child to school as he proudly boosts of my business whenever he gets drunk. Tafadzwa* and my mother often visit us and he now tells us not to segregate the boy and the girl children. I am always encouraging my brothers not to copy what our father did to deprive girls of secondary education.