Back to the roots…
Returning to my roots, here is a picture of my childhood home at 1580 Old Luveve. My primary and secondary schools, also in this neighborhood, were integral parts of my early years. I wouldn’t trade my childhood for anything. While the past 15 years in this beautiful, chilly country have shaped who I am today, my upbringing in Luveve laid the foundation. I’ve come to realize the importance of occasionally stepping back to reflect on our past, as it prepares us for our current journey and the future ahead.
I have always been driven by success, consistently achieving high grades as an A student. I excelled in all my endeavors, not merely to complete them, but to ensure the results were worthy of recognition. This commitment remains integral to my work strategy today. Whether I am handling accounting, managing staff, or ensuring workplace functionality, I strive to excel in every aspect.
The society I grew up in is vastly different from the one in which I am raising my child. However, I learned valuable lessons that I look forward to sharing with him when the time is right. One key lesson is the importance of continuous learning, which doesn’t necessarily require a classroom setting. Every opportunity to learn something new should be embraced. My first job in Bulawayo back in 2000 as a sales rep for a new startup selling soaps lasted only a week. This imparted a whole new set of skills for me. Navigating the city without a map or smartphone, I discovered I wasn’t cut out for sales but rather excelled in service. From this brief experience, I learned the importance of believing in oneself, having faith in one’s ideas, and following one’s dreams, just as the entrepreneur I worked for did.
After this initial job experience, I realized the necessity of further education. At 17, remaining in school was the best option. From 2001 to 2002, I pursued a hotel and catering management course, which led to an internship at the Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo. Those were great times, and I fell in love with the hospitality industry. Starting as a waitress in the functions department, I progressively moved to the restaurant, room service, and even had stints in the switchboard and front office. Just as I was beginning to enjoy front-of-house duties, I was offered a position as front office supervisor at Matope Ingwe Lodge, an opportunity beyond my imagination.
It was an exceptional opportunity for me, a departure from the usual classroom setting. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and believed in my ability to manage the situation, confident in my skills which I honed during my time there. I am eternally grateful for this experience. It was my first time living away from my parents, acting as an independent young woman overseeing a lodge on the outskirts of Bulawayo. You can imagine the excitement—it was immense! INGWE Lodge was my final stop before experiencing the coldest breeze of my life. More on that in the next blog.
Believe in you self, have faith in the direction you want to go. Pave your way and make it a success.
Lot’s of love
Selu Maqeda
Selu Maqeda
