Eldest in a family of 6 girls, Mukai Henrieta Mutubuki - Kumirai grew up in Gweru - the third largest city in Zimbabwe.
"Life at High School was more fun and liberating because,
unlike at Primary School where the mode of learning was rules, rules and more
rules and if you disobeyed those rules, you'd be punished. In High School there
was much more 'room to breathe'. Freedom of expression was encouraged and
actually celebrated; so I found myself opening my wings in preparation for take
off!! Take off in life," recalls the 44-year-old.
Read on... in her own words...
Education, Family
and Profession:
"I am a Chartered Quantity Surveyor by profession.
"I completed my B.Sc Quantity Surveying Degree with
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South-Africa in 1996. It was a tough
course, which saw many of my colleagues drop off during our first year.
"I also hold a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with
National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, which I
completed in 2004.
"I am a registered member with The Zimbabwe Institute Of
Quantity Surveyors (ZIQS) since May 2000 to date. I passed my Test of
Professional Competence after one sitting, 2 years after graduating from
university. That year, of the Quantity Surveyors who sat for this Test in the
whole country, only two passed. That was truly a proud and life-transforming
moment for me.
"I am a single parent with two kids, Angela Runyararo Kumirai
(18) and Michael Panashe Kumirai (15)
"Our parents, Edias Henry Kanamadero Mutubuki & Laurentia
Eunah Mutubuki, ensured all us kids got the best education possible. With both
parents being graduates themselves - dad holds a PhD with University of
Birmingham, UK & mum holds a Masters in Education with Midlands State
University, Gweru, Zimbabwe; all 6 of us are university graduates."
Hobbies
"I enjoy reading Life Coaching books as well as fiction and
adventurous novels. Dale Carnegie; Robin Sharma; Deepak Chopra; Tony Robbins;
Bob Proctor; Jake Canfield; Napoleon Hill; Barbara Taylor-Bradford; Sidney
Sheldon; Virginia Andrews are some of my favourite authors.
"I love watching cricket; soccer; rugby and golf, too. But my
favourite past-time is playing the piano."
Passions
"Life Coaching is one of my passions. I love empowering young
girls and women and helping them find themselves. Guide them to reach the
pinnacle in their chosen field without fear or inhibition.
"In fact, I am happiest when I see people being able to
overcome challenges and obstacles and achieve what they desire. Really
delightful!
"My other passion is Quantity Surveying. I just love Quantity
Surveying. It is the most fulfilling profession on earth. For me, nothing beats
the pleasure I feel every time we complete a project - whether it's a Million
Dirham Contract or a Billion Dirham Contract - the feeling is the same.
"It is magical, fascinating and awe-inspiring to see the
building on Plan initially and then tending to it one day at a time, brick by
brick, window by window, until one day, a year or two later, seeing it manifest
in its full glory, in its physical form as the final built structure... it's like
giving birth to a baby every time! Absolutely phenomenal! I can't imagine doing
anything else! I feel blessed that my job is my passion."
How important is
financial independence to you on a scale of 10; with 1 being the least?
"On a scale of 10, with 1 being the least, I would rank it a
10.
"I believe financial independence is very important,
especially when I look at it from a women's perspective. Money empowers her. Yes,
money is not everything in life, but still, I believe it plays a very important
and central part in our day-to-day activities.
"Being a single parent of 2 school-going children; raising them
through one of the toughest periods of recession in 2008/2009/2010, while experiencing
salary cuts, delays, etc, I know first-hand the turmoil, trauma and tribulation
a family can face due to hardships caused by financial challenges.
"I have also survived a marriage breakup due in part to the
stress caused by the hopelessness, helplessness, despair and frustration that
can emanate from facing financial hardships. The reality is, no matter what is
happening in one's career or business, bills still have to be paid; debts still
have to be settled; food still must be made available on the table; kids still
have to go school and should not skip a grade.
"Peace of mind comes when one is able to earn much more than
their expenses and have enough left over to save and invest."
Your biggest
achievement/s to date & why?
"My biggest achievement to date would have to be my children.
I have been blessed with the happiest, centered, extremely intelligent, well
balanced, well behaved kids on the planet & for that I am eternally
grateful.
"Angela will be sitting for her A'Levels this November &
attending one of the Ivy League Universities in USA next year (2017) &
Michael is in Form 2 & is top of his Class; following in the impeccable
shoes of his sister. I am a very happy and proud mom."
One incident that
was your lowest. And how it reshaped your life?
"My lowest moment was when my first marriage irrevocably
broke down.
"It was a very painful and difficult time for me because I
had wanted to raise my kids in a loving home where both mother and father were
present to guide, coach, love & care for their kids.
Unfortunately, that was not to be, for 6 years ago, we finally
separated for good.
This incident reshaped my life in a number of ways:
*I learnt the importance of playing an active role in the
selection process of a mate. After all, for a marriage to work, both parties
must want to be together to form a family unit.
*I learnt the importance of healing from past hurts first, before
getting into a new relationship; otherwise, past hurts simply make their
presence known & felt in that current relationship; & it's not pretty.
"One has to find themselves; date themselves first, before
seeking out a relationship with another. And by relationships, I mean even past hurts
from parents, siblings, that bully from school, etc.
"So, seek healing first within yourself - become your own
best friend - before entering into a relationship with another.
"I also learnt the importance of speaking up when you don't
like something, instead of bottling it all up. The fact, is, your partner is
not a mind reader, hence, may continue doing or saying or not doing or not
saying the things that you want done or considered.
"When something you do not like happens or occurs, speak up.
Assert yourself. You have a right to your own opinion & exercise that
right.
"I also learnt the importance of constantly working on your
relationship every day. Even if you have a great relationship, there is no room
for complacency in relationships. Listen to each other consider each other's
needs and wants.
"When a crisis occurs, do not complain or blame. Deal with
them head on and continue to love and be there for your family. Complaining and
blaming distorts reality."
Any aha moments...
"I have had many aha moments. The most recent one was when I
read about The 12 Universal Laws of Attraction. It was a great surprise to me
for all along, I thought we only had the 1 Universal Law, The Law Of Attraction!
When I read all the 12; suddenly everything about how the world works made
sense. Interesting!
"Another aha moment was when I joined Toastmasters. It was
like a key had been given to me to unlock all those stumbling blocks in
communication. Fascinating!
"Another aha moment was when my daughter, Angela, was a baby;
she would reach out for me and only me. When people, including family members,
tried to take her and hold her in their arms, she would cry and motion to want
me and only me, to carry her. For the first time in my life, I learnt the
meaning of unconditional love. Truly awesome!
"Yet another aha moment was when I gave birth to my son,
Michael. The first 24 hours of his life in this world were pretty tough. I had
had a traumatic delivery and I had no milk. The hospital would not allow newborns
to be bottle-fed. Michael was hungry and cried the whole night through. But not
once in that first 24 hours, did I lose my patience with my baby. For the first
time in my life, I learnt the art of caring."
Any regrets in
life ? Steps taken to rectify...
"I don't have any regrets in my life. This is because I live
my life moment by moment; in the best way I can. I am ruthlessly honest with
myself and take a daily inventory of my activities, attitudes, habits that I
did on that particular day.
'If
I notice a situation I did or did not do and I am not happy with the outcome, I
make it a point to rectify it immediately or first thing the following day.
This has become a habit now."
Your advice to
young women who are attempting to choose a career for themselves.
"Do what you love. Do what you are great at. Do what comes
naturally to you. Listen to your instinct. Choose a vocation which will make
you feel like you are on vacation whilst doing it.
"There will be many opinions coming from everywhere - family,
friends, teachers, peers, strangers, etc - as to what career is best for you.
Listen to them with an open mind; but choose that career that speaks to you; to
your heart.
"Learn to trust yourself and your instinct at an early age and
follow that. You know best what's best for you. Trust yourself to make the
right decisions for you."
Your one biggest
strength? One weakness?
"My one biggest strength - ability to stand firm and strong
for others in times of adversity. I am really good at motivating others to look
on the bright side of life; to believe in themselves and their abilities. My
one weakness - I tend to be very stubborn at times.
10 years from
now; how do you see yourself?
"10 years from now, I see myself happily married, raising 2
more children with my famous, well respected husband; who has made a name for
himself and is accomplished in his own right.
"I see myself enjoying being a wife and mother in a God-centered,
stable, steady, loving, harmonious, caring home environment.
"I also see myself having founded and running my own World
Class Quantity Surveying & Project Management Firm, with branches all over
the world - championing and leading Best Practices in the field of Quantity
Surveying and Project Management.
"I would have built a legacy for all my 4 children in a
business that builds leaders, communicators and entrepreneurs in society.
"10 years from now, I see myself building 3 cities in my
country, Zimbabwe, and from this venture, generate massive employment
opportunities for my fellow country folks. I see these 3 cities putting my
country on the map and leading the world in terms of commerce, agriculture,
mining, education, construction, information technology."
