Debra Bhungeni

RELIGIOUSLY

Debra Bhungeni- 3rd Year Degree

Honey bees’ bushveld wild crocodile in direct translation, born from the womb of Tandeka

Chahanye now currently called Mrs Bhungeni and fathered by Zephaniah Bhungeni, born 1995, in Kadoma Hospital, somewhere in Zimbabwe. I am raised in a Shona home, but I am told that I am rightfully Tsonga. Culturally I am paralysed. Anything outside of Christianity is all foreign to me, my belief system has shielded me from knowing and understanding my ancestors, African rituals or anything to do with the African cultural society. Never had much but happiness resonated throughout the house. As I look back I realise we were never alone, but I am not surprised, being one of the daughters of a pronounced pastor we always had visitors which my parents made me believe were family. I guess it is true, it does take a community to raise a child. Education has been the one thing my family never took for granted and always taught us to take it seriously, hence my great belief in how education could actually be the answers to all the prayers we have been praying for. Maybe I am being naïve and not looking at the bigger picture – but it could be the key to the freedom the majority has been asking for, and not just financially – but physically, emotionally spiritually and mentally. An inquisitive mind enhances growth.