Another big score for Amai Chisamba

02 Oct, 2022 - 00:10 0 Views
Another big score for Amai Chisamba

The Sunday Mail

Veronica Gwaze

BAGGING two awards in two weeks took renowned social commentator Dr Rebecca Chisamba back in time.

On August 31, she was honoured with a Megafest Women’s Award for her work in philanthropy. At the Zimbabwe International Film Festival, on September 14, she landed the Safirio Madzikatire Award for her contribution to film and television.

As she celebrated her accolades, Dr Chisamba recalled how her humble journey began some two decades ago.

At the time, it never crossed her mind that one day she would be a household name.

With her programmes aired in local languages, she thought her exploits would never transcend borders.

However, she has over the years hosted sold-out events outside the country.

The revered television, newspaper and radio personality now boasts 33 high-status awards.

“I’m overwhelmed with emotion. It means a lot to me to be acknowledged for the works I do out of passion yet positively impact the lives of others,” said Dr Chisamba, who is fondly called Mai Chisamba by her multitude of followers.

“When I started this journey, I had some reservations. I didn’t picture myself at this stage one day. I’m grateful to all those who motivated and guided me.”

Mai Chisamba won her first award in 2003; it was that of Best Communicator of the Year.

The award, she said, is one of her most valued possessions that she has jealously guarded over the years.

Apart from opening more doors for her, it also gave her the confidence to continue with her then “new” passion.

“I don’t look down on my other awards but my first one has a rich sentimental value. It shaped my career and gave me the zeal to continue.

“It’s funny that when I was selected to embark on this journey back then, when I was still a teacher, I was upset. I never dreamt of getting to this level one day,” she recounts.

Unknown to her, that marked the rise of her brand.

The journey would see her popular “Mai Chisamba Show” and widely read column “Mudzimba” in The Sunday Mail playing an advisory role to many, years later.

In a bid to uphold her brand and promote local culture, Mai Chisamba has toured different continents, hosting sold-out shows in local languages.

The places she has “invaded” include Australia and the United Kingdom.

As her audiences increase by the day, the demand for her services also swells. Accordingly, she feels she has to plan her day carefully so that she can balance her work and private life.

Mai Chisamba is a wife, mother of five and grandmother.

She attributes most challenges facing couples to failure to create balance between work and home time.

“Many fail to plan well. Family time is key, so we need to create space, hence there should be a line between the two.

“Once in a while, one may be forced to take office work home but should find better time to do it, like waking up in the night or early mornings, not to eat into family time.”

Recently, the social commentator was on holiday with her family.

This, she said, enables them to bond as a family and preserve the affection between her and her husband.

“How a husband and wife treat each other is a big lesson to their children. Couples need to value how they relate to each other, and spend time away together.”

With financial constraints usually troubling some families, Dr Chisamba said collaborative budgets are important.

She called for transparency and mutual support between couples for their marriages to remain intact.

“I was able to achieve all this because my husband is supportive, so does the rest of the family.

“This makes it easy for me to return the favour. I’m always transparent.

“I also have fans who look up to me. As a result, when I sometimes feel it’s time to retire, I’m motivated by the fact that I would have let so many people down.”

Amai Chisamba urged working couples to understand the ethics at their respective workplaces and preserve cultural values.

“Blame games have destroyed most marriages. People need to always introspect, understand their contribution in any situation and correct themselves,” she added.

“Nowadays, women love life in the fast lane, hence they can do anything just to rise. Why should you devalue yourself, yet, through hard work, it is possible to excel in business and also remain morally upright?”

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