Writer pens five books since Covid-19 outbreak
INTERNATIONAL consultant TAWANDA COLLINS MUZAMWESE (tm) — who has served as director of Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe and lectured at the University of Zimbabwe as well as the Zimbabwe Institute of Management — is an environmental, health and energy expert. In addition to writing on other subjects, he is also a musician. Talk of being versatile.
EDMORE ZVINONZWA (EZ) recently spoke to Muzamwese about his life, writings and professional career. Below are excerpts from the interview.
**************************** EZ: I understand you took advantage of Covid-19 restrictions to pen several books. Can you take us through the experience?
TM: When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, I began to take my writing seriously because we would spend long periods idle. Of course, I used to post some of my writings on my LinkedIn and Facebook, but I have written five books now. The first one was “Leading Consultant: How to Become an Authority in Your Professional Field”.
The other titles are “Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Safety”, “Health, Environment and Quality Management Systems”, “Stepping on Higher Perspectives: Greatness Tips Motivational Series” — which, in fact, was the first book that I wrote but was published third — “Sustainability Guidebook for Boards and CEOs: Leading From the Front” and “How to Develop a Side-Hustle into a Viable Business: Overcome Salary Dependency”.
I also launched the “Green Business Gazette”, the only environmental magazine from the private sector.
EZ: Which other authors have you read? TM: Robert and John Maxwell are good authors. Locally, Milton Kamwendo, Arthur Marara and Cynthia Hakutangwi, among others, have contributed immensely towards developing others.
EZ: Can you briefly tell us who Tawanda Collins Muzamwese is?
TM: I am a 35-year-old Zimbabwean man who was born of an engineer father and a teacher. I am the first child in a family of three. I was born in Mutasa district
in the Eastern Highlands and grew up at Chitakatira in Zimunya. At an early stage, both my parents left the country to pursue tertiary education, with my father going to the then Soviet Union while my mother was in Cuba. I spent my early years living with my grandparents. I am married to Ruvimbo Patience Muzamwese and together we have a daughter — Maya Tadiswa. I love football and also do music. My primary education began at Chitakatira Primary School.
After a long absence, my parents returned to establish themselves permanently in Harare. I eventually moved to David Livingstone Junior School in 1996 and then St Augustine’s for secondary education. Some of the country’s greatest minds passed through that institution, the likes of national hero Herbert Chitepo and the first black female medical practitioner Dr Madeline Nyamwanza-Makonese.
EZ: What did St Augustine’s inculcate in you as a young man?
TM: My time at the Anglican institution was built around moral values, respect, belief, brotherhood and sharing, religion, and spirituality — qualities that are difficult to find in today’s young people.
EZ: And after school?
TM: Schools have a bias towards sciences but succeed in every field. My parents wanted me to be a medical doctor. However, after Advanced Level, I missed medical school by a couple of points and went to study applied environmental science.
The challenge is some parents or guardians push children into careers that they see others succeed. Initially, I cut a frustrated figure since I thought I would pursue a different degree.
But dynamics change. Who imagined that most work will be done by computers today? Within a few weeks at the University of Zimbabwe, I found peace after researching the applied environmental science programme. I actually found that I was in the right place.
I am a philosophical person and self-motivated. I thrive on challenges and want to make history. I graduated with a first class in 2008. My earlier disappointment with the programme was out of ignorance.
EZ: What followed after the first degree? TM: I worked for Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) as a research scientist focussing on environmental issues.
I then stepped up my desire to go international and after 17 months, I got a scholarship to do a master’s degree in environment and energy management with the University of Twente — a multi-cultural institution — from the Dutch government.
It was interesting to go to the Netherlands, a place that taught me efficiency. It was my first time in Europe and provided me with a rare opportunity of exposure and learning to tolerate others.
The people who succeed are those who dream; people who take risks. Even in the Bible there are examples.
EZ: When you returned to Zimbabwe what were your experiences?
TM:
I came back in 2011 after receiving my master of science degree with a cum laude (distinction). As I tell my story, I remind people that their future is in their own hands. I joined Ironwod Consultancy, where I worked for just about a year before leaving.
It was not an easy decision to make. Many friends and relatives were surprised at the move but I told them that my purpose was not to be transformed but to be a transformer; a conformer, not to conform. I registered Toxiconsol, and this is the company that I lead. Today, Toxiconsol, a health and safety company, employs a number of young people.
EZ: Any plans to work abroad?
TM: I believe I can still make an impact in Zimbabwe. I want to be part of that process of building my country. Besides, today, with remote working, you can support global organisations from anywhere in the world.