40 books on, Tsumba keeps the printing press rattling Tsumba

Elliot Ziwira At the Bookstore

Having launched one of her books at an occasion graced by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa as Guest of Honour in 2019, and published 40 books in barely five years, vowing to keep the printing press running, Imelda Tsumba  deserves a niche in the Zimbabwean writers’ Hall of Fame.

Rarely do authors keep the printing press rattling with such frequency and persistence as Tsumba does.

At the Bookstore, we are not usually taken in by motivational writing, especially so when most partakers of the genre purport to punch above their weight in a plethora of areas, but when one publishes 40 books within five years, then naturally we begin to take notice.

The 62-year-old writer announced her grand arrival on the literary scene in 2017, when she launched 22 books at the Borrowdale Brooke Clubhouse on March 10 of the same year.

She would later launch 11 more books in less than three months.

Tsumba may have her own idiosyncratic style and glitches, like any other artist, but she is that tornado which hits one with such force that one feels pained and soothed.

Pained in that one becomes a catalyst of their hardships; soothed in that one becomes the reagent out of it all.

What is only required is the willingness to walk on the podium and claim the big prize without having to listen to presumed eulogies from others besides the self. Tsumba’s first novel, and 38th book “Abortion has Consequences” was launched on August 5, 2019, at Mabelreign Girls High School in Harare, at an event graced by the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is also the country’s health and child care ambassador.

The same book was launched at Meikles Hotel’s Stewart Room by the then Ministry Of Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva on August 30, 2019.

Other guest speakers at the launch were Apostle Langton Gatsi of One Way Ministries and Mrs Agnes Kwenda of Bulawayo-based Precious Life Foundation Trust. Tsumba’s 31st book, “Evils of Corruption” (2017), co-authored with guest writer Reginald Gatsi tackles the scourge of corruption.

In the book, Tsumba lays out the reasons for corruption, such as greed, lack of personal ethical sensitivity, slackness in customer service, dearth of boldness, privation of accountability and escalation of poverty.

She offers solutions as well.

Through taking the reader to task, she reminds the world’s citizenry of the essence of God’s divine intervention in Man’s travails.

True, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10), Tsumba concurs.

Hence, corruption can be defeated if the battle against it is anchored in God’s word.

“Evils of Corruption” is must read book for senior civil servants, members of the judiciary, corporate managers, musicians, pastors and the general populace keen on becoming their brothers’ keepers, because: “when you start loving your neighbour as yourself, corruption will run away from your environment.”

Prefaced by Professor Hope C. Sadza, the book was launched at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club on June 16, 2017, at an event attended by such luminaries like the founder and Vice Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa (WUA), deputy director in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Ms Tariro Chipeperera, and talented guitarist and crooner, Tariro NeGitare, among others. In writing one of her books, “The Unexpected — How I Dealt with the Sudden Death of My Son”, Tsumba was motivated by the traumatic experience that came with the death of her first son, Tafadzwa on November 10, 2010.

The book gives insights into how people can prepare for death, cope during a funeral and afterwards.

Some of her other titles are; “Who Messed You Up-Turn Your Mess Into A Message”, “The Seasoning In Life’s Cuisine — It’s All About Relationships”, “We Can Resist Temptation, No One Is Exempt”, “Do You Have An Orphan Spirit”, “The Joys Of Raising A Teenager”, “The Seven Spirits Of God”, “Marriage God’s Plan”, “Faith — The Currency Of Those Who Believe”, “The Power Of Giving”, “Event Management Guide” And “Debt Is Like A Python — It Will Choke You Until You Die”.

On the journey to becoming a published writer, Tsumba says she is grateful to God who has kept her spirit going even when the chips were down.

Having experienced both ups and downs, she intimates, the writer realised that the only way to go was forward.

“I have come to realise that both ups and downs are necessary for growth,” she says, “for one learns from the downs and becomes a better person, and enjoys the ups which seasons one’s walk on this side of heaven.”

Through motivational writing, which she considers “therapeutic”, Tsumba, who is the founder and chief executive officer of Legacy Urithi International, a non-profit organisation that publishes her works, encourages her readers not to give up on themselves.

“Having gone through the dark and come out, I enjoy helping people during their dark days, because I know there is strength in them to overcome,” she says. “Life challenges are international, not just local, so anyone who gets hold of my books will have incentive to enjoy life and continue living,” she says.

Moving abreast with global trends in the advent of the Information Revolution, Tsumba sells her books on Amazon.

Enthusiastically, she says: “We are in a rapid, digital communications technology era, and this is the way we have chosen to market our books. We are currently working on digital and audio copies. Hard copies are available and people can get copies on request.”

For Tsumba, writing is an occupation, as such it should be taken seriously.

“I work six days a week from 8am; break for tea, break for lunch and finish at 4.30pm. I work half day on Saturday, and am off on Sunday,” she reveals.

Having realised that people are “too busy” to read books “that take weeks to finish”, the writer has structured her books in such a way that one is done reading in a matter of hours.

Tsumba, who considers herself a mother and mentor to citizens of many nations, a spirit evident in her works, is driven by the founding principles of her firm, Legacy Urithi International.

It is that unwavering spirit that has earned her national accolades, and veneration in local and international media — both print and broadcast.

She is a recipient of two prestigious awards, namely; Woman of the Year Award 2018 for special recognition in business leadership excellence, and Organisation of the Year Award 2018, at the Zimbabwe National Women’s Awards, which is the highest honour bestowed upon any woman in Zimbabwe. In the same year, she was awarded a certificate of recognition by Woman Excel, and also featured in the “Woman Excel -The Book of Successful Zimbabwean Women: Advancing through Relationships, Volume 2:2018”.

On March 9, 2019, she was afforded an opportunity to launch her book, “HIV/AIDS Is No Longer a Death Sentence”, at the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) International Women’s Day gathering.

Tsumba was born in Manjonjo village under Chief Chiwara in Goromonzi District, where she grew up. She attended Munamba Primary School before transferring to Amaveni Primary School in Kwekwe. She later attended Senga Primary School in Gweru.

She did her secondary schooling at Visitation Makumbi Mission in Domboshava. One of the late Tayengwa and Rebecca (nee Kandawasvika) Rusike’s nine children, five boys and four girls, Tsumba is married to Pastor Leo Tsumba with four children and three granddaughters.

She has been married for 40 years now. Passionate about raising leaders for the next generation through guidance and counselling, Tsumba studied for a Masters’ degree in Christian Counselling with Logos Christian College, United States of America.

She is also an alumni of the Haggai Institute.

To both published and aspiring writers Tsumba advices: “Make sure writing is a passion, because creativity and ideas will flow freely. Be a reader, because when you read a lot, you will not be short of ideas.

“Be a team player and work with people who are skilled in their areas, for example graphic designers for covers, editors and publishers, etc.

“Enjoy what you do and never stop learning.”

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey