THE SUPER WOMAN WHO JUST REFUSED TO GIVE UP
WHEN Shamiso Katora lost her husband, who was stabbed and killed in South Africa, she refused to be swept away by the tide of tragedy.
Suddenly, she was left with four children to take care of.
But, rather than let the disaster destroy her, she drew strength from her tragedy.
Today, she is commonly known as Mbuya Joina, the vendor everyone loves who operates around Joina City in Harare’s CBD.
She told H-Metro she raised all her four children through her vending business without engaging in sex work.
“I was married in Mutoko and my husband was murdered in South Africa.
“He was stabbed to death in 2013 following a misunderstanding with his workmates.
“He left me with four children. I saved money and became a vendor in the Harare CBD.
“I sent all my children to school using money I got as a vendor.
“I did not engage in sex work like what some young girls are doing,” she said.
She also spoke about Valentine’s Day and said it is all about showing love to the vulnerable members of society.
She said Valentine’s Day gifts were not a passport for sex and urged women not to be attracted by material gifts.
“Valentine’s Day is a day to remind everyone to love the next person regardless of their religion, culture or class.
“It is not a day to only shower your lover with gifts but a day to love the vulnerable.
“Of course, I am selling Valentine’s gifts today, but I am also warning men not to seduce women with gifts.
“Parents with girls under the age of 18 must watch their children’s movements closely as there are old men out there that preying on young girls.”