Using the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability Model: The reflection of my life story.

“It takes a village to raise a child’ an African proverb that denotes that the upbringing of a child is a community effort involving different people, supporting in different ways. I grew up in a small village called Matondo in Mola Chiefdom, Southwest of Zimbabwe in a Mother headed family. During those days, my mom used to have a small patch of garden near our rounded thatched hut, only for relish. Small grain farming and livestock husbandry was our key source of livelihoods, however, changes in climatic conditions and wildlife species impacted negatively on our only source of survival, increased our vulnerability to poverty and hunger. Navigating quality education was a nightmare, I was travelling 13km from home to school, only to find myself chased away from school for failure to pay US$2 school levies. I then dropped school and joined the “hunters” as the youngest wildlife poacher, with the hope that I will raise money for school fees. Five months down the line, I found myself deeply entrenched in the world of wildlife butchering and poaching with no remorse. I regarded poaching as an opportunity for my survival! It was a dangerous and morally ambiguous path, but it was all I opted for. I acquired skills in tracking, understanding animal behavior and navigating dense forests with valor.

The Turning Point:

“What an old man sees from the ground, a boy cannot see even if he stands on top of the mountain!” In a mist of the jungle, struggling to navigate through dense forests during dark hours, I opted for the road as safe path back home from hunting. Enduring heavy load of a warthog I had killed during the long day hunt, I found myself before Mr. Pierre Hendrick Steyn’s car light beams who was then the General Manager at Padenga Holdings. I swiftly rushed back into the forest and shuffled myself nearby. He (Steyn) immediately halted the car and called me. “The only way to change the existing narrative is to put yourself out there and let your story be known” he uttered. I explained the motivation behind poaching, surprisingly he didn’t say any word at that moment. It was a sobering moment that made me question the path I was on. I began to think deeply and see the intrinsic value of wildlife and forests, not just as resources to be exploited but as vital components of our planet's ecological balance. This realization sparked a desire to make amends and work toward protecting what I had once helped to destroy.

The hardest transformational decision.

Monday morning, a land cruiser arrived at school looking for me, fortunately I was present at the school yard. I was invited to the office of the most feared head school teacher. At that moment I was lost in a mist of confusion. As soon as I entered the office, Mr Pierre locked his eyes on me and he uttered “The fire can devours the grass but not the roots, you have the capacity to accomplish everything your heart desires”. He then vowed to assist me with school levies. However, making the decision to leave poaching behind was not easy. It meant abandoning the only livelihood I had trained for some time and stepping into a completely different world was like swallowing my own dream. With the assistance from Pierre, I paddled my education and repurposed my skills for a greater cause. I joined conservation clubs, learning from experts and contributing to initiatives aimed at preserving ecosystems and wildlife. I also managed to complete my tertiary education and graduated with a BSc in Geography and Environmental Studies with a Distinction. My connection to SDG 2 (Zero hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) are deeply personal, having been inspired by my mother who was then the head of the family, to pursue a lifelong commitment to ending hunger and promoting household food security through sustainable food systems and building resilience in our food, land and water systems to withstand the challenges posed by climate change and wildlife. The transition was challenging, but it was also rewarding to see how my unique background could be leveraged to combat the very issues I had once contributed to.

Future Aspirations

Today, as an Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Specialist, I am committed to making a positive impact. My past has given me a unique perspective on the challenges encountered in conservation, harsh climatic conditions, livelihoods and has fueled my passion for protecting our planet, fight for climate justice and change. I am actively participating in various initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices to the environment, preserving natural habitats and combating climate change. My goal is to continue using my experience to advocate for change, climate equity, instilling knowledge to others and contribute to a future where humans and nature can coexist in harmony.