"Excellence is the key to success"

Where did you start Grade One? Have ever been back to your first school? If so, how was your experience? Are your dreams still the same?

As I celebrate another work anniversary, I have found myself reflecting on my life and career, I am proud to note the Mutende Day Seconday School motto "Excellence is the key to success", sums up my approach to tasks and responsibilities. I love doing a good job.

I started my Grade One in a small town called Mansa, the provincial capital of Luapula Province. So, for me, before all the other primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, there was #MutendePrimarySchool which I had the honour of visiting last week. I went to this school because my dad was sent to work as what then known as Personnel Manager (Human Resources) at #MansaBatteries (believe it or not Zambia used to manufacture batteries that lasted years) a successful parastatal organization that even had beautiful residential compounds for employees - think well planned gated communities.

Mutende Primary School is in a suburb called #LowDensity (truly that's the name) and at the time was one of the best government schools. It was a good 6 kilometres from home and I was there for three years. Most mornings my parents drove me to school in our yellow Datsun 120Y and after school sometimes, I walked home with my big brother (who was always upset with me for not walking fast enough) or with friends. The walks were safe and fun, these were times when adults known or unknown by the family were co-parents and looked out for children. I remember when I was in Grade 3, my friends and I found unbridled pleasure in provoking and being chased by a mad man who used to hang around Mansa Bridge which we had to cross.

Unfortunately, after I innocently narrated this fun story to my parents, I was moved to #MansaPrimarySchool which was about 5 minutes from home and the change was quite interesting. At this school, I fast got addicted to a deep fried cake made from maize flour called #tobaumutwe which literally means break the head; #ifishola (a sautéed sweetened maize flour paste) roasted cassava and groundnuts, learnt how to fight because we only had 10 desks – you don’t fight you sit on a brick or the classroom floor; some teachers taught all the subjects including English and Science in Bemba or icha Ushi (I spoke Nyanja and English) and worse, I was made to dance what was called "culture" - let's just say on this one, scars have only just started healing.

Sometimes, looking back can be a healing and redefining experience that allows for celebrating successes, learning and growth.