Writers International Network Zimbabwe: Her Story of Prudence

HER STORY

PRUDENCE

Poems and reflections in memory of our fellow writer Prudence Madzadzavara, who died early November, 2018

The late motivational author Prudence ‘Gold’ Madzadzavara

INTRODUCTION

Losing a fellow writer leaves us in great pain and it was indeed a sad moment for us as a writing family when Prudence Madzadzavara died last year in November. We lost one of us but we are comforted by the belief that writers never die. She was and still remains an inspiration to everyone who shall come across her written words. The late Madzadzavara is the author of the motivational book Becoming the Best Version of You (Media Essentials, 2018). She was a young woman who had a lot to give to the world. Indeed, ‘she was an enthusiastic Certified Life Coach, Leadership Trainer, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, an energetic author and blogger’ whose love for young people was great. Madzadzavara led the My Sisters Keeper Institute that helped young women in making critical decisions and inspired them in their career and personal development. She founded the organization with a vision to remind women ‘that they can be proactive, positive, and be instrumental in economically developing their societies. She was an active member of the International Toastmasters Community and the International Rotary Family.

“Her Story of Prudence” is a collection of heartfelt tributes to the late multi-skilled Prudence Madzadzavara. The tributes were collected for publication here on our blog from the Winzim Super-Classic Whatsapp platform. The manner in which her life was taken away shocked friends and relatives. Here are poems, reflections that chide the criminals who ended her life in brutal murder, tributes not only mourning but also celebrating her writerly brevity and impact she had on writing friends’ lives. She shall always be remembered as an inspiration to friends and relatives. She has left us her wisdom packed in a book, a timeless gift. May her soul rest in peace - WINZ Admin

The front cover of Becoming the Best Version of You

WAKATISIIRA CHITSVAMBE

Nhaiwe Prudence sahwira,

Kutisvara here pamapendekete,

Kwakukwira kumanhenga-nhenga,

Ikoko kunomhara shiri dzoga

Idi watisiira chitsvambe

Nhaiwe Prudence sahwira,

Kuraira here mafambirwo erwendo rweupenyu,

Kuvhura edu meso kuti tione kure

Tatsinzinira tuziso

Toona kuyevedza kwekunosvika munongedzo wako

Rwako rupenyu rwabva rwagurwa negurwe

Wakatisiira chitsvambe

Nhaiwe Prudence sahwira

Waenda kusingadzokwi

Asi watisiira mbuva isingawore

Patichaona wako mufananidzo

Tichiverenga wako muono wakadzama

Uchitivhura meso

Nekutipa simba kana mongo worera

Nemumvuri wekuenda kwako uchitiudza pasi idandaro

Wakatisiira chitsvambe

Prudence sahwira

Famba zvakanaka munyori

Wakarwa hondo huru

Yekudzima rima mundangariro dzevapenyu

Afamba murima ave mazvokuda

Hakuna anoverengera avete

Wakatisiira chitsvambe

Na Tamutswa Muzana Kundidzora

I REMEMBER YOU

She was a banker. She looked for me so that she can give me her book titled Becoming The Best Version of Yourself. She found me at the corner of Inez Terrez and Nelson Mandela Avenue. I had not met her before. She had heard of me through Coach James Nyamajiwa. She was a good person to listen to, knowledgeable in her approach to any subject you can pick. I liked her character on that very first day I saw her. I liked her determination to change the world. I received her book and promised to talk to her about the book. She was soft-spoken but firm in spirit. I am touched that men would commit such a heinous crime on such a good lady. May her soul rest in eternal peace, knowing certain that she left a treasure for generations to come. Thank you for being such a motivating fellow writer.

By Tinashe Muchuri

ROPA RISINA MHAKA

Rakaerera ropa

Ropa risina kana mhaka

Serinobuda pachitubu

Richiita kudhubhuka

Rakaerera ropa

Ivo zvavo vachitoseka

Muneyavo moyo vachinyemwerera

Kuita sezvinonzi vaiona nyama

Nyama yemhuka

Izvo kwani, umhondi hwakavapfeka

Seiko ivo Nyadenga

Zvakadai vakazvitendera?

Yaiva yavo here nzira

Yekumutora nayo uyu mwanasikana?

Nyangwe dzirikupishana pfungwa

Mumoyo musina dzikamo

Wangu muromo ndavakungopfiga

Zorora murugare Prudence

Watungamira isu tichatevera

Asi regerera mhondi idzi

Wako mweya uwane rudekaro

Richasvika iro zuva

Nyadenga vachadziranga

Na Cairo Muserukwa

BECOMING THE BEST VERSION OF YOU

Version of you

Is becoming the best

The best version

Is becoming of you

The becoming version,

Is the best of you

Best

Becoming

Is the Best

Version

You

By Pumulani ‘Reader’ Chipandambira

PRUDENCE CHOKWADI WADZADZAVARA

Prudence, wadzadzavara

Hutu waenda, uko tisingachakuonizve.

Taiti uri weduzve

Taiti tichamboti tambe tambe,

Asi iwe wakarangana naZame,

Ukati hecho chisveru, hecho chitsvambe kunesu vapenyu,

Waita chihwande hwande, ndiye hwa seri kwerufu,

Achakuona ndiani?

Achataura newe ndiani?

Kuna mai tonorondedzera tichitiiko?

Kuna baba tinoti wadyiwa neiko?

Irima here, ihwindimukwindingwi here rakakushumba?

Wakadyiwa nei wehama, zvawadzadzavira, muchisango siye wanzi pfonye?

Prudence, kuzosiya mutumbi usina upenyu?

Ndianiko makara anoruta aya kudaro?

Wadarireiko kudzadzavara kundovanda pako wega?

Waenda hako asi mumvuri wako tinouona

Tichave izvo zvawakareva,

Nesu tisati tadzadzavara.

Na Chenjerai Mhondera

NDAKATAURA NEWE ZUVA RIMWE

Ndakataura newe zuva rimwe

Wakandiona mazuva maviri

Musi uya pa Innov8

Riya zuva Maduwa achitura Nuggets of Success

Wakatapirwa namashoko ukasandidenha

Musi wawatura rako Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself ndaisavapo

Mukunyengerana naCoach James wakandivhima

Ukandiwana manheru omusi uya paHarare Main Post Office

Prudence wakandiziva ini ndichikuona kwekutanga

Wakandiyeuka nenduri ‘Chigaro’ yandakandura riya zuva pachoto chaMaduwa

Tikaseka, tichitaura zhinji mukunyora

Nyaya huru yawakareva ndeyekushandisa nguva

Uchiti nguva haisi yedu ine mwene

Shoma yatapungurirwa iyeyo ngatiishandise nomazvo

Kusiya matsimba nongedzo kune vachatevera

Mazita asife kune vachauya

Hwaro kuvavaki vamangwana

Mashoko matekenyedzi, mavhurameso, mapanganjere

Handikanganwi nyemwerero yako

Uchitaura zvekushanda nemari

Asi ukareva shoko regodo

Revasingadi kuona mudiki ane dzakatesva

Akanda mbeu inotutuma njere

Zviya wainotaura kuJCI

Uchiti wakagadzirira ngandure yamashoko

Muawa imwe takazavaza

Chitsvambe ndini ndakachitsvura

Sare ndirimo mumhindo nenguva

Kutsvanzvadzira kutsvaka mashoko

Ndisvitse bemberera rako uko nekokoko

Pasazowana anoti handina kurihwa nenguva

Kana kuti harina kusvika nenguva

Nekuti iwe waiziva nguva

Ukaishandisa nguva zita ukatisiira marambakuora

Nhasi tinaro, wakati pamberi pedu dzadzavara

Famba rwendo uchiziva

Wakasiya nhaka Prudence

Hauna kutisiira mutoro

Watisiira mudonzvo

Kana kufamba korema tinodonzvesa

Watisiira mwenje

Kana rima ratifukatira tobatidza

Famba zvako

Famba Prudence

Ndiri mudzidzi mumazwi azere njere

Awakapa pasi nekuzara kwaro.

Na Tinashe Muchuri

PRUDENCE

You've gone too fast

Untimely

In the cold night of that day

They dragged you through sinners' gates

They were merchants of death

Wrestling against your spirit

Troubling your soul

They hurried your departure

They've made us cry

Our hearts heavy, we are wounded

But why?

That question,

That sorrowful question

The regret it carries

Prudence, we gather in deep sorrow

We grieve with no relief

We can't sigh, bereaved as we are

By Chenjerai Mhondera

REST IN PEACE, PRUDENCE

A loss to the writing world

A loss to the banking world

A loss to the coaching world

A loss to too many worlds

A life realised but not lived long

A life so eventful but short

A talent deposited

Realised but not lived long

We all know

One day we shall depart this world

You knew one day you would depart this world

But never in that brutal manner

A brutal way of departing

Leaving us with a dusty cloud of questions

Too many questions without answers

Our tears will wash away the dust

But not the memories, the pain

The Lord above the starry spheres

The Lord who deposited in you

The creative talent

Wanted to make you his sword

To shape humanity through your creative works

He wanted you to live longer than this

And therefore we cannot say

It was His wish

That you die in that horrendous way

He is the Lord of war, the Lord of Justice

We leave everything to Him

Writers, like other artists, don’t die

Through your works

Created in your isolated streams of thoughts

You will always be talking to us

Helping us to become

The best versions of ourselves

With a peaceful and sensitive soul

That we know immortalizes a writer

We say rest in peace Prudence

By Tendai Chinhoro

WHEN SUNSET COMES AT NOON

For a while I thought I saw the moon

Why too soon?

It doesn't make sense

Because it’s still noon

Gone too soon,

Like sunset at noon

Like a bright rose,

You rose.

You chose to inspire all those

Who choose not to pause

In the pursuit of their dreams

But the sun chose otherwise

You are gone too soon.

This is surely sunset at noon.

Fears and tears,

Is all we harvest

Your legacy , we shall cherish,

For it will never perish

With prudence and reverence , we shall build long lasting perseverance.

Goon too soon,

Like sunset at noon

Rest in peace fellow comrade Prudence

By Petros William Theu

KUZORORA KWEMUNYORI

Kufa kuri panyama,

Chanyorwa chinorarama,

Wafa panyama mwanawe,

Muzvinyorwa zvako tiri kutandadzana.

Na Oscar Gwiriri

DEAR DEPARTED

I never saw you as you lived

Neither did I ever hear the crackle of you voice.

I never saw the size of your shoes

Nor did I ever know when you were hungry.

All I ever saw of you were the photographs

And all I heard was the noise from your writing pad.

Yet your footprints entice me and indeed the world,

Each and everyone of us trying them for size

Or seized by the curiosity of where they truly lead.

And your silent words are a food so nourishing,

Enough to see us well fed till the end.

And now I know i knew you very well

From what stemmed from the top of your head

To the incredible imprints of your toes.

You were one of the most beautiful people who ever lived,

Your voice was mistakable even from that great distance.

You had two of the largest feet for anyone to ever fill

And your kind heart ached whenever even I too starved.

Rest in peace dear Prudence,

Thank you so much for all your discretion

Some of us are full of life today

Only because of what people like you breathed to us.

By Cliff Lunga

NDARWADZIWA INI!

Toikwetsura mhere povo!

Misodzi yoti more more yakananga pamuromo

Mukanwa movavira nokunwa mvura ine munyu

Kusiiwa here pasina ruonekedzo ini ndarwadziwa.

Kusaonekedzwa naPrudence Madzadzavara, ini ndabatikana

Hazvina hazvo mhaka

Yadeuka yadeuka tingachaidyora sei zvairi mvura yomugwande

Ndiko kuronga kwaMusiki kubva zvatakadarika murawo wake

Kuti tose tichaita mudungwe rongondo senjekete takanangako

Kunangako kure kure kusina ani ungatsanangudza.

Ndazviona ini kuti pasi rino raipa

Vanhu dzave mhandu!

Mvemvi zvadzo !

Kutsvukira kunze seguyu mukati riri dambiro ramasvosve

Manomano echakata kutsvukira mumuti kunzi ndipotserwe

Ndivo vanamuparanzvongo vatsakatisa Prudence Madzadzavara

Nhasi taungudza misoro yave kutema

Yave nhamburiko nyama yomusori hairumikwi

Aamangongomera mupasha wapfura musoro

Ndarwadziwa ini!

Vasati vadzimirwa nechibani choupenyu hero shoko

‘Mombe yenzenzi sungira!’

Wokuvimba naye ndiye Zame woga

Chikakarara chinovhumbatira misi nonguva

Hombahomba isina mutakati anoti pwe-e.

Ndarwadziwa ini!

Zorora murugare Prudence.

Na Prosper Njeke

GONE SO SOON

A woman of valour

A visionary

A champion

A game changer

A life changer

A mentor

A role model

A life coach

You were all of it

I saw you

I met you

Once or twice

But you had that special aura

That feels like I had known you forever

The best you did

Was remembering humanity

You found my Sister’s Keeper

Indeed you were our keeper

You thought of how we all long to be

Our best

And motivated us in your book

‘Becoming the best version of yourself’

We still wanted to drink more from your cistern

But the cruel world devoured you

We are all left wondering

Who ended your dear life?

Why did they do so?

We all mourn deeply

Seeking justice to prevail

You shall forever be remembered

Prudence, may your soul rest in eternal peace

By Tabeth Ruvarashe Manyonga

KO IWE WAKANGA WANYANYOPAREIKO NHAI?

Rwakakuvinga urivere mwanasikana

Rwakakuvinga mutemarege wembada.

Ndokusiya ako meno arumevhu kani.

Vagoni vakakuendera nekumafura mhepo.

Ko iwe wakanga wanyanyopareiko nhai?

lngadzimwe mhosva dzinotangwa dzagarwa dare?

Kana yemuranda inotongwa aripo wani.

Toti zvine chinodaro mukwasha kupfigirisa mbudzi naVambuya.

Midzimu naYave vakasiya suwo rakati bherengende.

Muvengi ndokuti pfumo vhovhono.

Vhovhono ndiye pachififiro bvo-o.

Ndokukusiya mwene wati fototo.

Vagonhi vakakusaidzira mumatare okumusoro.

Chipfunya chisero uti vhuruvata muaya matare.

Matare anonzvera itsvo nemoyo.

Matare asingaregi ibwe pamusoro perimwe ibwe.

Misodzi yedu ndiyo fakazi kuna Zame.

Rwako rufu rwakatityora hona.

Moyo yedu yode kuputika neshungu.

Wakasiya mhodzi nyoro mudende reNganonyorwa.

Mwari atinyaradze pamwe neyako mhuri.

Na Rodgers Watungwa

“IT’S THEIR GIFT, I AM GONE”

They told me of your going

Yet I saw you coming

To create the best out of us

I was even there

At the church service for you

A day before they went to lay you in peace

Among the queens of Great Zimbabwe

I was there

With my notebook

A copy of your book

A bunch of flowers in tributes from friends

To read them out & celebrate your prudence

On that sunny day at the last service

You did not say it loud

But you did whisper it

In your eternal sleep

“Go and tell them. It’s their gift. I am gone.”

By Beaven Tapureta

MWANASIKANA MUKA, MUKA URWISE

Chimhandara, edu matundundu akagarwe nedikitiki rehasha.

Mapopoma yemisodzi yopopoma pane edu matama.

Meso edu toizungudza tadzungaidzwa neidzi mhondi,

Nyoka dzinoruma chadzisingadyi.

Chawakatadza zvotoda nyadenga.

Muka mwanasikana uvapfekedze marengenya semadzengeya.

Vabvise chirikumeso mwanasikana.

Ramba kurova sebete mumukaka hama.

Muka muka urwise mwanasikana.

Vasiye dzava hwapura Puru.

Pfuma yavo yose tsvaira.

Kana dziri mombe danga ngarisare ndove chete.

Chavakakupondera ngavachidembe.

Ndati muka urwise mwanasikana.

Na T Nyamvura

BEREAVED VILLAGER

Sorrowful is my pen

That penned this poem

My pen cries most

I am the most bereaved villager.

Robbed of a robust voice,

The world will miss you

And your loaded prudence

My pen cries most

I am the most bereaved villager.

A legacy you left,

A heritage of prosperity for posterity,

Loaded with prudence

My pen cries most

I am the most bereaved villager.

Streams of tears

I have shed but

Your prudent pen I will inherit.

My pen cries most

I am the most bereaved villager.

By Greyton K. Muzangaza

THE SONGS WE SANG TOGETHER

The songs we sang

The vibes we all initiated

The rhythms that used to quake us

The highs and lows we shared as pen buddies

Yet you are no more to hold your pen.

Burdened with sorrow is a nation you used to coach

Bleeding with grief is the pen you used to hug

Mourning are the pen-bees you left

Dry are these papyrus papers,

As the ink that once frequently smeared it is no more

Crying are those in far lands

They too tasted your good deeds

Vivid and lively are the memories

Their hearts shall hold.

Our tears aren't enough

As we look at those creased pages you left

Words said may not be enough

To celebrate a pen-hero of ours

O Prudence

Your brave soul

In peace may it rest

By Beloved Maridzanyere

NGIROZI PRUDENCE

Mwana uyu anga akanakira svoto

Chero pataiita mabasa ekunyora

Taikwenyana tichiti, "Heyo ngirozi!”

Kunoti penengu zvaanyora

Ukabata bhuku rake hawairisiya sechitupa

Nenyaya yezvitapi dongo zvaairudurura

Zvoti nyambo dzake dzaisetsa mbavha mugudzururu

Mashoko ake aitendeutsa vafundisi vanochiva

Dzimwe nguva munogona makasangana nengirozi iyi mukufamba

Ndiye uya mwana akange ari mutsvuku

Akange ane ganda remvura

Rakatsetseka

Bvudzi rake rakange riri hwerera

Raigara richimutsvaira seri kwemusana wake

Asi nhasi dzvaa hwaaa mwana aenda

Chokwadi munhu akanaka haararame

Mwana uyu mabasa ake aiva akanaka

Asi waitsamwa semhungu ukamugumbura

Munhu akange asingade kujairirwa

Ichi chaive chitsidzo chake kusvika murufu

Akaenda zvake hama yedu

Zorora hako chibwe chitedza chisina hwiriko

Ndirikukufunga izvezvi….

Na Farai Batsirai Manguvo

A WELL INSCRIBED EPITAPH

She had this imposing authority cemented by delivery. Her name got inscribed with impact on my wall when I met her at Toastmasters. Thereafter, it became a habit of meeting at events we both were actively involved our Life Coaching and writing business. Prudence was a firebrand who lived true to herself. She became the best version of herself. Her life is an example of impact a coach can make. When she launched her book Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself I was one of the photographers as is my custom. I took quite a number of pictures of the event. Later that week, she came to pick them and encouraged me to continue pursuing my dream. Had I known that these meetings we had in line of our work were her goodbyes, I would have gleaned all I could from her wisdom. Prudence Madzadzavara inscribed her gift in our hearts. She was the best version of herself. I remember the day, November 4, when she delivered a fantastic presentation. The way she sold Toastmasters to the University Coaches was great. The passion she exuded was so contagious that the news of her passing to another world came like a lightning bolt. It pierced into the hearts of many. Zimbabwe lost a giant, whose life had just been stopped by these gruesome murderers. We know we will all graduate to this land but yours was a hailstorm in the midst of winter. We take solace in the gifts you left us which will live to posterity. Thank you for becoming the best version of yourself. The best inscription we can put on your epitaph is that of becoming the best version of ourselves.

By Coach James T Nyamajiwa

WHISPER OF THE UNDYING SPIRIT

Who are these cowards?

Who are these bloody morons?

Who, like lions in the dark jungle stalked and plotted evil against you.

Like beasts thirsting for blood they ripped you apart

And plunged their teeth in your flesh.

You can't end life, you murderer,

Only the earthly living has taken a break, but life itself continues.

You can't stop the journey Prudence had set to travel with us

We still have many miles to travel with her through her writings.

You can't silence the voice of Prudence, you devils!