From housemaid to urban planner

From the dusty paths of rural Gutu to long days as a housemaid in Goromonzi, Tinotenda Mureri seemed destined for a life with limited options.

But she refused to let failure define her.

Determined to have a better life, she returned to school, passed her O and A Levels, and has emerged as a Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) graduate with a dream in urban planning.

But it was not an easy academic journey for Mureri

On October 23, she was among thousands of graduates at Masvingo province’s GZU.

Interestingly, her younger brother, Devine, the last born in the family, graduated with a Financial Engineering degree at the same institution on the same day.

“I was a housemaid in Goromonzi, but I was determined to reach to the top and I am glad that today, I am celebrating my academic achievements,” Mureri (31), the first born in a family of four, told NewsDay Weekender.

Mureri grew up in Tariro Village 1, Muzenda Resettlements in Gutu.

Her father died some time back, while her mother is a mental patient.

She and other siblings were, however, partially raised by their maternal grandmother.

After sitting for her O Levels back in the village in 2010, the soft-spoken Mureri failed to make it.

She sat again for O Level examinations two years later and again failed to get a pass.

With no option, Mureri moved to Goromonzi, where she became a housemaid to former Cabinet minister, Petronella Kagonye’s mother.

She worked for four years before notifying Kagonye about her interests in pursuing an academic path.

Mureri enrolled at Chabwino Secondary School in Goromonzi district before sitting for her O Level examinations in 2018.

She passed all the eight subjects she had registered, and with Kagonye’s help, enrolled at Rusununguko High School in Goromonzi for her A Levels in 2021.

She passed with 10 points before enrolling at GZU to study for a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Regional and Urban Planning.

“I worked for Honourable Kagonye’s mother before she took me in her house and sponsored my education,” Mureri recalled.

“At her house, we were two housemaids and we were all sent to school.

“My advice to other girls out there is do not lose hope, but to keep on trying. Hard work is the way to go and God will do the rest.”

Mureri admitted that she had to endure the name-tagging at both the school and community.

“I had to endure it, it was a challenging moment, but I was focused,” she said.

“People say a lot, but I vowed not to look back.

“I am happy that I made it and I am now looking for a job.”

Devine (25), who is the last born, described his sister as a strong character and recalled the joy they had when they graduated on the same day.

“It was an everyday chat, telling her that you are old age-wise, but young education-wise,” Devine told NewsDay Weekender.

“It was a great feeling being capped on the same day. My sister is a strong and determined character.

“Imagine how she fought the age gap at school, that was awesome.”

Kagonye, who assisted the siblings to realise their academic dreams, urged other citizens to extend a helping hand to those in need.

“It’s an incredible story. To me, Tinotenda’s determination and perseverance are truly inspiring,” Kagonye said.

“Going from being a maid to becoming a graduate is no small feat.

“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve this milestone against all odds.

“It proved that delay is not denial and anything one sets his or her goal is achievable.

“It also made me personally feel the energy to assist more after seeing such change and transformation in life. I wish she gets a job and does well in her career.”

Mureri’s tale is one of a hard-working and resilient woman.

From chasing brooms and mops, she is now a qualified town planner. *_-Newsday_*