Poem By : Nonny Vee

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I grew up in a small, run-down house on the village outskirts of Thohoyandou, a town where hope often felt like a luxury we couldn’t afford. Money was always scarce. My mother, a single parent with no steady job, worked tirelessly, taking whatever odd jobs she could find, just to keep food on the table for our family of eight. No matter how hard she worked, it was never enough. The walls of our home felt like they were closing in on us, the weight of poverty pressing down every single day. But deep inside me, even as a child, there was a stubborn flame of hope. I refused to believe this was all life had for me.

School became my refuge. From the first grade, I clung to books like they were lifelines. Reading and journaling weren’t just hobbies, they were my escape, my way of dreaming beyond the four cracked walls of our house. At night, I’d lie on the thin traditional grass woven mats I shared with my siblings, staring up at the roof where the cracks stretched like spiderwebs, and whisper to myself, “I’m going to make it. I won’t stay here forever.” That dream wasn’t just a wish, it was a survival instinct. If I didn’t believe in something better, I wasn’t sure how I’d survive, if at all.

Years later, when I received that college scholarship, it felt like the universe had finally answered my prayers. I remember clutching that acceptance letter, my hands shaking, tears blurring my vision. A young Black woman from a family that barely scraped by, with no blueprint for success… I had done it. It was more than just an opportunity, it was a revolution. For the first time, I could taste freedom, from poverty, from the small-town limits, from the voices that whispered, “People like us don’t get to win.”

Graduating with my pharmacy degree was another milestone, another victory. I had chosen this path, because it promised stability, because I wanted to prove to myself and the world that I was capable of more than what my beginnings suggested. But reality hit hard. Every “entry-level” job demanded “experience” I didn’t have. The doors kept closing.

Now, in my late twenties, I’m still fighting. Some days, the exhaustion is so heavy I can barely move. The dream of building my mom a real home, of giving her the comfort she deserves, sometimes feels like it’s fading. And in my weakest moments, I wonder: Was I foolish to believe so much in myself? Does a comfortable life really exist?

But then, I remember.
I remember the little girl who read books by candlelight because the electricity was cut off. The little girl who walked miles to school under extreme weather conditions without shoes, determined to learn. The young woman who refused to let rejection letters define her. That fire inside me hasn’t died. It can’t die. Because this isn’t just my story, it’s the story of so many of us who keep pushing forward even when the world says “No”.

I won’t give up. I won’t lose hope. Not now. Not ever.

By: Mutshidzi

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Dear Younger Me: A Letter to the Kid Who Got Me Here Against All Odds.

June 15 marked my 29th birthday. As I begin this final year of my twenties, I want to take a moment to connect with you and revisit the conversations we missed or pushed aside.

For the first time in my life, I’ve become quite skilled at wearing a mask…, one that hides the emotions I struggled to express, no matter how hard I tried. This facade, over time, has become my haven.

Let’s go back to the day you were born. Mom told me how terrified she was. With no access to proper healthcare, she had to give birth alone on a dark, cold winter day at home. As I reflect on this, it shows me that somehow, from the very first moment I entered this world, I was fighting to survive, facing the brutal realities of extreme poverty. To make matters worse, by the time I was just nine months old, I had already lost my father… Well, you know all this, but for the sake of the story, let me continue.

Fast forward to your first day of school: a six-year-old girl walking two hours to school and two hours back every single day, barefoot and wearing a hand-me-down uniform that was far too big. Through rain or shine, winter or scorching summer heat, those days remain vivid in my memory. Do you know why? Because they haunt me every night as I try to sleep. It was a nightmare. Yet throughout all those years, one thing stayed constant in my heart: prayer. From primary school through high school, my faith and hopes for a better future never wavered. They carried me forward through fear and trauma.

I want you to know that I remember the sacrifices you made for us to be here today. Your entire life was a fight. While others enjoyed their childhood, you were busy trying to escape yours.

Then, one day, everything changed. You received an acceptance letter to the university of your dreams, for the degree you had always wanted. What a moment that was. It felt like every prayer you had whispered over the past fifteen years was finally being answered.

But just a few weeks later, all that hope was shattered. Because on the 31st of May 2016, the final biopsy and scan results came back positive for a soft tissue sarcoma cancer diagnosis. Just like that, you had to drop out. Yet, through prayer, hard work, and sheer determination, you fought your way back into university a year later, even while undergoing chemotherapy and battling the effects of the illness. Your selflessness during that time was nothing short of heroic. You kept saying, “God, please give me just enough strength to finish my degree and provide a better life for Mom and my disabled sibling.”

Looking back, I’m grateful you didn’t give up. I know it was unbearably hard, and that’s why I need you to hear how proud I am of you. You were stronger than I ever imagined possible.

Since your diagnosis, you’ve faced multiple recurrences, yet still, you completed your internship and community service. And now, you’re a registered pharmacist and a writer. You proved time and time again that anything is possible if you work hard and trust God while doing it.

For the past six months, things have been the hardest, and each day feels like an impossible challenge. We’re going through a difficult phase in this journey called life, and even though it feels like we’re failing in every way, I wanted to take a moment to tell you how proud and grateful I am. It’s an honor to know you’ve always had my back. You are strong, courageous, and a survivor of so many battles.

In the future, I hope you can set that mask aside and allow yourself to feel everything without apology. Embrace your raw, messy, imperfect self. You are worth it. You are enough. I see you, and I love you, always.

By: Mutshidzi Kwinda

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Imagine this… a wide, clear blue African sky above you with the horizon that disappears behind the green hills and mountains, in a village filled with old, interesting stories passed down through generations. This is where I come from. My roots are fixed deep in the red most fertile soil that helped me grow. There, time moved with the wind and the Sun, not the clock. Our elders talked in wise sayings and idioms, teaching us about life from their perspective… the only one they knew. Respect runs within our blood, it’s part of who we are. And at night, the stars shine so bright, that they feel close enough to touch. For 18 years my village was my world.

For years, I introduced myself with an apology. I thought my worth was tied to my struggles… the poverty that shadowed my childhood, the doubts that whispered I would never be more than where I came from. I wore my hardships like a name tag as if they were the only thing worth saying about me.

But life has a way of teaching you lessons when you least expect it. I remember one evening, as I sat by the fire with my mother, she told me an old Venda folktale about a baobab tree. “The baobab”, she said “stands tall not because it encounters no storms, but because its roots go deep. The wind may bend it, but it never breaks”  She looked at me, her eyes full of quiet knowing. “You, my child, are like that tree”

Something shifted inside me that night. I began to see my life differently. Yes, I came from a village where opportunities were scarce, where dreams often withered before they could bloom. But I also came from a place of immense beauty, where kindness and respect were a currency, where laughter was medicine, and where the land itself seemed to whisper, You belong here.

As a gentle reminder to myself, I started writing my thoughts, feelings, affirmations, and experiences in a journal… not to escape my story, or silence my voice, but to claim it. At first, my words were shaky and uncertain. But with every page, I grew stronger and became better and better. I wrote about the scent of rain on dry soil, the way my mother sang while cooking early in the morning, and the stubborn hope that clung to my bones even on the hardest days. Slowly, I realized that my voice mattered. Not despite my past, but because of it.

There was a moment… one I’ll never forget when I stood at a crossroads (before I knew what the word crossroads even meant). An opportunity came – an acceptance letter to study in the coastal city approximately 1600 km away from home, far from everything I ever knew. Fear and doubt nearly paralyzed me. What if I fail? What if they see a village girl and nothing more? And what if I am not good enough for that new world? But then I heard my mother’s voice: “The baobab does not fear the wind. It holds on to the hope of a better future.”

So, there I was, 19 years young, bravely journeying to the Southern coastal city by myself. I embarked on a journey that has forever changed my life. One that has made me a better person today. It wasn’t easy. There were days I felt like an outsider, days I questioned whether I deserved to be there over and over again. But I carried my roots with me… in my heart, in my words, in the quiet strength my family had planted in me. And that made all the difference. Today, when I speak, when I write, I do it for the little girl I once was – the one who thought her circumstances defined her. I do it for anyone who has ever felt too small, too unseen, too bound by where they come from.

Because here’s the truth… Your roots are your power. The struggles, the joys, the love, the losses, they don’t limit who you are. They prepare you. They give you a story no one else can tell. So let me reintroduce myself, not as someone who overcame her past, but as someone who honors it.

I am a Survivor, a Fighter. I am the voice of a village that taught me true strength. I am the dreams my ancestors whispered into the hollering wind. I am the product of my mother’s fasting prayers. I am proof that where you start does not decide where you finish. And if a girl from the poorest South African village outskirts can rise, so can you. Because the world isn’t waiting for you to be perfect. It’s waiting for you to be “brave”. It is time to reintroduce yourself.

Written By Mutshidzi Kwinda
Born and raised: in South Africa ����, Limpopo, Venda Tribe, Ubva Ha-Makhuvha

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My name is Joy. I am a Nigerian woman, the second of five children. My family lived in the city and came from a lower-class. While my parents and siblings stayed in the city, I was raised by my grandmother in the village.

Growing up in the village, life was extremely harsh I had to help with farming and do small- scale trading to support myself. I believe my mom took me to live with my grandma, not to punish me or because she couldn’t take care of me but because she didn’t want my grandmother to live alone She wanted me to be her companion.

I completed both elementary and high school in the village. After graduation, I moved back to the city to live with my family. The transition was difficult. I struggled to communicate and connect with my peers, to adjust to urban life, and to fit into my family’s way of living after being away for so long. To continue my education, I worked hard at various low-paying jobs. My father was not supportive or involved, which made things harder. At times, I could have lost my way as a teenager and young adult, but by God's grace and through my mother’s encouragement, I stayed on the right path. I stayed focused on my dreams, refusing to give up or be distracted. Although it’s been years since I graduated and I haven’t yet landed my dream job, I discovered a skill that changed everything: hair and wig styling. I now earn a living through the hair and wig business. I’ve been paying my bills and even supporting my family by selling hair and installing wigs.

In 2018, I applied for an Empowerment Fund using my business idea. My pitch was selected, and I received a small grant to start my business. Like many others, I faced serious challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but I stayed determined. I’m not yet where I want to be, but I’m getting closer every day.

My hope is that every girl from a humble or difficult background never stops dreaming. Stay resilient. There will always be distractions and obstacles, but when you know your worth and stay true to your path, greater things are possible.

Written by: JOY EIKOJONWA

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“I began my journey as a dreamer—curious, passionate, and deeply rooted in the desire to uplift others. Even as a child, I was known for always advising my siblings, often misunderstood as being “too forward”. But my intentions were always anchored in love, wisdom beyond my years, and an innate drive to see people grow.

My love for self-development and speaking was ignited early on, shaped by the powerful words of Les Brown, whose quotes I devoured as a young reader. Yet, like many transformative journeys, mine wasn’t without obstacles. One defining moment in junior school was when I froze in front of the entire assembly while delivering a presentation. That moment of fear and vulnerability could have silenced me, but it became a turning point. Today, I face that memory with resilience, using it as fuel to become the confident speaker and motivator I continuously evolve into. I know I am more than my past traumas and fears. I am becoming the best version of myself daily.

My voice has found a home on Life On The Other Side of My Perspective, a podcast I host where I invite industry experts, speakers, and coaches to share stories that inspire personal and professional transformation. I am also a poet and writer whose journey was nurtured by teachers who believed in my talent early on. Their encouragement propelled me to pursue creative writing not just as a passion but as a tool for healing, first for myself and now for others.

Today, I am a Creative Writer for Instinctively Beyond Magazine and the proud author of Poetry From Within, published by Poetry Planet Publishing House. I am a dedicated writer, podcaster, poet, researcher, wellness, and transformational coach who uses her creative and professional platforms to contribute to personal and communal development. This collection earned me the Best Poet Award at the 5th OPHIR Awards for Writers 2025 in the Philippines. My journey as a creative writer and speaker continues to unfold with purpose.
Beyond writing and podcasting, I am deeply committed to community empowerment. I currently serve as the G100 Club Botswana Country Chair – Youth Engagement Wing, using my platform to engage and inspire the next generation of leaders.

My work spans storytelling, poetry, and holistic wellness, reflecting a commitment to meaningful engagement with individuals and communities.
My poetry was featured in international anthologies, and I collaborate with local artists to merge literary and visual arts. My upcoming booklet includes recent poems and selected works from my anthology contributions, complemented by commissioned digital artworks from local artists. I regularly perform at Travelodge Poetry Nights, held on the last Thursday of each month, using these opportunities to expand my craft through recitation. My recent feature in Tlhakakgolo Literary Journal and Poetry Journal (Nigeria) marks a growing presence within Botswana’s literary scene and a focus on local and international collaborations.

This work led to my nomination for the Founder of the Year Africa Awards 2024 in the Social Founder of the Year and Healthpreneur of the Year categories. I have been awarded Global 2024 under Healthpreneur of the Year. With more nominations surfacing, Social Founder Of The Year, Most Promising Founder of The Year, and Founder of The Year, under Founder of The Year Awards-Southern Africa 2025.

My recent nomination is for Best Young Poetry and Book Writer under the Youth In Business Awards in Tanzania. I have also been nominated for Leading Women in Africa and listed among the Top 30 Africa’s Leading Women 2025 by Crest Africa. On February 28th, 2025, I was honored with an introduction as a Botswana Country Chair for the G100 Club Wing under Youth Enterprise, Empowerment, and Leadership.

My journey is a testament to progress in motion—proof that greatness is not a destination but a continuous unfolding. Today, I stand not only as a voice of purpose but as a symbol of what is possible when we embrace who we are and pursue what we are meant to become.

I am greatness in progress—and we, as a global community, are rising together for greater impact.”

Written by: Ophadile

Instagram

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My name is Maria Nyamal. I’m a young lady, 24 years old and a South Sudanese. Due to the war that broke out in my country, I had to seek asylum as a refugee currently living at Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya with my siblings. My parents and my younger brothers are in South Sudan. Life as a refugee is quite tricky. For instance, lagging in education.

Due to the political instability back home, the education system isn’t well developed, so when I left for Kenya, I had to start my learning while much older. That aside is family separation. My family and I had been away from each other for nine years, and we had to reunite after I graduated from high school. Then we part ways again, remaining only with my siblings, who are still in school. In addition to the above, is cutting short of dreams and aspirations. This life is because, at some point, the conditions surrounding the people aren’t promising a better tomorrow; therefore people lose enthusiasm and the courage to move on.

The effects are so many. However, I haven’t let all these dim the light in me. After school, I tried to find ways to help my fellow refugees. I volunteered to teach the Kiswahili language at a school within my locality. The decision was because my fellow refugees had a pessimistic attitude towards the language, and I did well in the subject and understood it very well. I also tried to learn new skills like crotching, and I am doing great with it now.
Moreover, I took it upon myself to use my phone effectively.

Since I couldn’t afford to buy inspirational books, I downloaded some apps that helped me read autobiographies of great men and women who have gone through thick and thin but still emerged victorious. Their journey motivated them to do more. The stories of people like Malala Yousafzai, Oprah Winfrey, Nihari Mandal, Shanoo Begum, Dr Tererai Trent, Helen Keller, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther and many others. I also used YouTube to learn and watch channels like Ted Talk, and my zeal for a better tomorrow compelled me to do new things. That’s when I thought of writing down my thoughts. I have written some poems to express my emotions, experiences and life in general.

I also started to pen down my autobiography to capture moments from my birth to the far I have been. I also write short stories. I have also tried to get a scholarship to see me pursue my higher education; hopefully, the door will be open. So many things keep us going during challenging moments. In my case, it was my faith in God that He knows my tomorrow, my family, though they were far away, my relatives, Godly destiny relationships, and above all, my desire to see a better tomorrow for myself and my generation. Despite their difficulty, it is okay to add all the stories because they create our history.

~Nyamal Riek

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A writer’s pen was my heart’s desire,
To weave tales and make words conspire,
But parents’ wishes, a different path chose,
A nurse’s care, my soul’s repose.

Yet fate had other plans, it seemed,
For business management, my skills beamed,
A different dream, a new design,
A journey unexpected, yet mine.

Though words still whisper in my ear,
And stories linger, always near,
I’ve learned to merge both art and skill,
In management’s realm, my passion still.

But I still love writing in my own space,
That no one else knows, a secret place,
Where thoughts flow free, and heart’s desire,
In written words, my soul on fire.

Some people ask, “Don’t you write like you used to do?”
My answer is, “I’m still writing, and I will never stop,”
For writing’s in my blood, a part of me,
A passion that burns bright, wild, and free.

For in each deal, a narrative unfolds,
And every team, a character to mold,
The thrill of business, a writer’s delight,
A dream adjusted, yet still takes flight.

So here I stand, in this unexpected place,
A business mind, with a writer’s grace,
And though the road was different from my dream,
It’s where my heart and skills converge, it seems.

BY Grace Banda

Instagram

Facebook username is Grace Banda

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Hello, my name is Michelle Lemuya Ikeny, and I’m 14 years old. Growing up in Turkana, one of Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL regions), I’ve seen firsthand how challenges can make success seem out of reach. But despite these difficulties, I’ve always dared to dream big.

From a young age, I chose not to let my background limit me. When I was in eighth grade, I took a huge leap of faith and auditioned for the lead role in the film NAWI. To my surprise, I landed the role, and the film has since become a huge success, even earning a Kenyan Oscar submission. My performance also earned me the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Young/Promising Actress in Africa.

This journey hasn’t been easy, though. Being both a child actress and a student comes with its own set of challenges. Balancing the demands of schoolwork with my acting career often feels like a constant juggling act. Yet, I remain committed to excelling in both areas because I know the importance of education and pursuing your passion.

Along the way, I’ve faced some tough moments. After joining a new high school in Nairobi, I encountered a different kind of challenge: bullying. Some of my classmates mocked my dark skin, my roots, and even called me ugly. While I know that true beauty comes from within, the words still hurt. They lingered in my mind, like an unwelcome shadow, and affected how I saw myself.

But I’ve learned that these words do not define who I am. It’s not always easy to brush off negativity, but I’ve come to understand that self-worth comes from within, not from what others say. We all have our own unique journeys, and no one else’s opinion should hold power over our dreams or our sense of self.

My message to anyone who may be facing similar struggles is simple: Believe in yourself. No matter where you come from, no matter the obstacles you face, keep dreaming big. Stay true to who you are, and remember that with faith, commitment, and the support of those who love and believe in you, anything is possible.

We all have the ability to shape our own futures, and it starts with believing that we are worthy of success. With God by your side, there are no limits to what you can achieve. Keep pushing forward, no matter the setbacks. You are stronger than you think.

Instagram

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