It’s all about determination and never turning back
SIMON MUNTEMBA writes
THE had no shelter, no source of income, broke and struggling to have a meal when he arrived in Lusaka in 2005 from his rural homestead on the outskirts of Lundazi District -but he never let it get in the way of his ambition and drive.
Born on 4 April 1985 in Kamtepa village of Chief Phikamalaza, Lundazi District in Eastern province, ChanodaNgwira’s family who depended on small-scale farming had no the luxury of affording to pay school fess for their children.
At one time, Ngwira said, he almost dropped out of school because his parents failed to raise K500 for his tuition fees. He recalled how his parents struggled to raise the funds to ensure that he complete his secondary school in 2004.
Despite growing up in such poorest conditions in which his life was filled with lot of challenges, Ngwira jumped all the barriers to sail towards achieving his dreams. After completing his grade 12, he worked as a security guard at Dunavant Zambia, before he rose through the ranks at the same company to a position of a clerk.
Not to be outdone by his many challenges, Ngwira at the age of 20 years in 2005 decided to travel to Lusaka in the principle of never turning back to look for the greener pastures and indeed have his dreams realized.
From impoverished home to underprivileged background, Ngwira who started as a security guard and, through hard work and determination, managed to become a distinguished trade unionist, director and later established his own company- Orison Consultants Zambia and Orison Construction.
The Sun caught up with Chanoda Ngwra, a family man, former trade unionist, politician, a Chief executive officer for Orison Consultants Zambia and Orison Construction, and an aspirant for Chasefu constituency who shared his journey from a villager, to a security officer to CEO.
The Sun: Tell us about yourself?
Ngwrira: Well, my full name is Chanoda Ngwira and was born on 4th April 1985 in Kamtepa village of Chief Phikamalaza, Lundazi District in Eastern province. My father is Simon Frackson Ngwira and my mother is Tikambechi Nyirenda- Ngwira, both are currently in Chasefu.
I attended primary school at Lusuntha Primary School, andcompleted his secondary from Lusuntha Secondary in 2004. I am a family man and married to Irene Sakala- Ngwira. I have five children. I am a believer of Christianity and worships Fountain of Grace Bible Church–Lusaka presided by Bishop Masanje Banda the man who has mentored me in spiritual things. I am also an active member of the worship team and media.
The Sun: Where has your interest for a civic seat come from?
Ngwrira: I hail from a very humble and less privileged background and experienced such poverty, that I had so many challenges to complete my secondary education. Some of us, we attended some tertiary education at an adult stage because our parents couldn’t afford to send us to colleges when we finished school.
My parents are small-scale farmers, who went through challenges just pay school fess for us their children. I remember how I almost dropped out of school because they could not raise K500. I did not grow up like some of our friends whom their parents have money. Us we had to struggle.
I grew up in a rural set-up where education is a subordinate consideration and where cattle-herding and other village chores are supreme, and my father opted to have me complete my education despite financial challenges.
It is from life challenges experienced in Chasefu and through observation of how my fellow underprivileged live in my home town that gave me enough thrust and motivation to excel in life in my own way. After completing my grade 12, I worked as a security guard at DunavantZambia, before I became a clerk. Later, I decided to travel to Lusaka to look for opportunities.
The Sun: So, how far have you gone in terms of education? And share with us your experience when you arrived in Lusaka.
Ngwira: Like many people do, upon completion of my secondary education, I enrolled for a course in teaching and obtained a Diploma upon completion from Institute of Social Sciences under the University of Zambia (UNZA). But this was done recently when I was already grown.
I had saved some money from my small earnings where I worked and did some part time studies.
I also went on to enroll for Public Administration studies at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) where I graduated with a Diploma. So, I have two diplomas. And I intend to pursue a Degree in Developmental Studies at UNZA.
When I arrived in Lusaka in Kaunda Square at my cousin’s place, it was tough but I was focused. And one interesting thing, is that at one point, I had nowhere to sleep. I had no shelter, broke and I used to sleep in church.
By the way, I am also a singer. I used to sing and sleep in Christianity and Worships Fountain of Grace Bible Church. In short, it’s all about determination the spirit of never turning back that I have reached this far.
Fast forward, I have worked as a Trade Unionist having spent a good time advocating for the welfare of employees in various sectors. I worked as director at Grain and Meat Workers Union of Zambia, and also was director for recruitment at Zambia Union of Government and Allied Workers, as well as acted as Lusaka province coordinator for Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU). And then I joined active politics.
I have also served as the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) media committee member.
Other than politics, I run my own company; Orison Consultants Zambia and Orison Construction. I have managed to establish my business through savings from what I made in my previous work.
The Sun: Where do you draw your inspiration from and who inspires you?
Ngwira: I draw inspiration from my father Simon FracksonNgwira, who is one of my role models who played a pivotal role for me to complete my primary and secondary education amid myriad challenges. I wouldn’t be where I am today had it not been my father’s support.
Politically, my interest to get into politics is influenced by my desire to serve humanity having spent time representing the voiceless in the labour force. I was heavily involved in trade union activity. It is from this experience that I decided to enter into active politics, in order to graduate from being a mere spectator to being a player.
However, I am also inspired by President Edgar ChagwaLungu, who is one of my role models. The humble background of President Lungu, and how a modest man rose through ranks from a mere legal practitioner to become a Member of Parliament, a Deputy Minister and eventually from a Minster to Republican President gives me hope that even if my background had so many challenges to sail through, I can still play a role beyond my own imagination.
Further, I am also influenced by Ronald Kaoma Chitotela, the Minister of Tourism. I consider him my mentor and father and I draw my inspiration from, over his humble beginnings too. He is a people’s person and his strong Christian values inspires me a lot.
Ultimately, my political aspirations are influenced by the daily challenges of the people in Chasefu and in Zambia in whole. I want to play a role and do believe that, together in collaboration with the people in Chasefu we can develop the area. Having spent half of my life in Chasefu and with my father and mother still residing in this area, I have firsthandexperience of life in Chasefu.
I believe life is filled with lot of challenges; but whoever tackles it fearlessly can sail towards success. To my fellow youths, let not your family poor background condition hinder you from achieving you dreams, all it takes is determination, perseverance and never turning back.
Banthu panthazi!