A mentor who never tires
ARTHUR Marara’s writings have undoubtedly inspired many people. His style and approach are quite appealing.
Clearly, issues that are presented from personal experiences are bound to be more effective.
Marara says the book “No One is Coming: Time to take Charge of Your Life” is “for my mother who taught me to work hard and to take charge of my life”.
Those who follow him know he does not hide his past. He always tells those who care to listen that his mother brought him up through proceeds from vending in Masvingo.
His father died when he was 13. He volunteers his life story with the hope of inspiring and giving a push to those on the verge of giving up.
In his words, he shares his past with readers not “as a sign of weakness”, but “as a sign of strength”.
Although he did not pass English and Communication Skills with flying colours at Advanced Level and university, he has grown into a sought-after public speaker as well as author.
Publishing over 20 books, of which seven are used in schools after being approved for use by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, is no small feat.
It testifies to hard work and the zeal to share knowledge. When people take charge of their lives and destinies, they stop blaming others for their own shortcomings, they stop complaining and looking for excuses and start moving.
These are some of the verses in his book. The moment people adopt these life lessons, it means they have taken charge of their own destiny. They begin setting personal targets and objectives. Things begin to happen when people change their mindset.
Achieving this may not be easy given that our educational system has for long been churning out graduates who expect to get employed, not those who want to employ their skills to create employment for themselves and for others.
Zimbabwe has, however, shifted to a competence-based education system and training models. Its success can only be supported by a citizenry that has agency.
Marara emphasises the importance of a positive attitude.
In the book, he references the inspiring development of messaging application WhatsApp by Jan Koum and his partner Brian Acton and its eventual acquisition by Facebook for US$19,6 billion as a life-changing case. The two became instant billionaires not because they were born billionaires, but rather because they remained positive and determined.
“No one is coming to save you. No one is going to be serious for you. No one is going on the treadmill for you. No one is going to diet for you. No one is going to come and clean your life for you.
“You have to take charge of your life. Take responsibility for making things happen.
“If you want to see anything happen in your life, you are the person to make it happen.
“Take control and responsibility of your life. Resolve to change regardless of the excuses that you have,” writes Marara.
He says nothing is impossible as long as we have control of our destiny.
This applies at individual, family, community, district, province and national level.
Individuals can write their own new stories, including families and nations as well. Likewise, nations can reassert themselves as sovereign nationstates.
Marara speaks about all this in “No One is Coming: Time to take Charge of Your Life.”