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Beaven Tapureta : Bookshelf

In the past in this column I have reviewed some books assorted under the motivational literature category, books that fall in the genre of what is sometimes called inspirational or life writing. This literary discipline includes some autobiographies, Christian-based life guides and other multiple kinds of writing that coach people principles of leadership, success, relationships and many life matters. It is certainly a growing philosophic spark on the literary horizon of Zimbabwe, with devout yet differently gifted disciples.

However, one of recent trends of particular interest is that there is a brainy young generation entering the scene, influencing this genre.

This generation is led by authors such as James T Nyamajiwa, Simba Nyamadzawo, Charles Mungoshi Jnr, Patony Musendo, Dr. Patson Dzamara, Tendai Maduwa and South Africa-based Tafadzwa Mazibuko, and many others.

They double as authors and motivational speakers who also are called leadership, life and success coaches. They follow in the footsteps of the gurus in this genre such as Arthur Marara, Rabison Shumba, Milton Kamwendo, Jonah Mungoshi and others.

These writers are not identical but are gifted in their analytic look at life, basing their views on Christianity, real personal experiences, and other sources. Insight, sometimes, is what differentiates them! Female writers in this genre such as Tafadzwa Mazibuko (author of “A Dream That Was Worth Fighting For”, 2015) and Susan Mapara Peters aka Sue Peters (author of “The Test of Success”, 2015) love the autobiographical, a not-too-formulaic telling of their lives. All in all, this new crop of authors does not haunt the reader with a barrage of those general or theoretical life and leadership skills but they analyse the “general” in life to come up with the unusual nuggets which they reflect back at society with brilliant authorship!

A new inspirational speaker Simba Nyamadzawo, author of “Faithpreneurship” (2015, Infinite Inspiration Group) describes motivational writing, his passionate literary area, as “literature based on the commonly accepted principles of success and is meant to encourage and guide people to achieve significance, greatness and fulfilment in what they do”.

His book Faithpreneurship, paced as intelligently as to suit the busy schedule of any leader, overspills with practical knowledge particularly when the reader is familiar with its local social milieu.

Leadership exists in all areas of a person’s life and yet one question we ask: why some leaders leave a legacy while others disappoint. If you are young and in leadership at whatever level, could be family, church, community, organisation, company or province, the book, mixing religious and non-religious insights, compels you to do some self-scrutiny.

A young founder of Infinite Inspiration Group, a locally based leadership and business development institute, Nyamadzawo uses his writing voice with grace and impact as each word, each reference or anecdote given, and almost each word used, counts. Faithpreneurship is a modern Christian-based concept. The word quickly conjures a permutation of faith and entrepreneurship.

Nyamadzawo, who encourages 21st century young leaders to adopt the concept, defines it as “a Christo-centric approach to life and business where one integrates his faith in everything he does”.

From time immemorial humanity has shone with men and women who have been raised in different, many of them poor, backgrounds but have accomplished great memorable things that we continue to cherish today. Yet, how disheartening it is to note that the spirit with which the legends lived their lives hardly exists in the young generation. The need for re-igniting the spirit is the force of Nyamadzawo’s passion. For him, as he says, leadership is the greatest and urgent need in his generation, leaders who are solution bearers, peace makers and architects of the future.

“I want to spend my life inspiring others, building leaders and connecting great people together. I want to serve and see my generation succeeding,” says Nyamadzawo who will be turning 29 years in September.

The chapter on leadership highlights major characteristics of a good leader which distinguishes him (the leader) from a manager. The author examines the lives of Biblical figures, renowned heroes and heroines such as Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa and Martin Luther King.

Furthermore, Nyamadzawo seem to prove that leadership is not just an individual but “a team”. He uses the Great Zimbabwe monument as an example.

“This giant structure of stone artwork, testament of architectural ingenuity, is a world renowned tourist site which is arguably an evidence of faith, collaboration, diligence, determination and leadership,” the author says in the book.

In the other chapters Nyamadzawo speaks on the elements that nurture a good leader, these are mentorship, purpose, mind, wisdom, attitude, success, prayer, networking and time.

Again, it is his intense investigation of reality which equips a reader with new perceptions in leadership matters.

Mentorship is commonly misunderstood. Normally young people (including our beloved new artists!) have randomly named certain people as their mentors without being close to these people or comprehending what it all takes to say you have a mentor.

The author explains something valuable particularly to young people looking for the experienced to be their role models.

For instance, the author, aware of how leadership has also made use of modern technology, warns: If you have a Facebook account and you want to be like Dr Strive Masiyiwa yet you do not follow his posts, he is not your model. You do not like him. You envy what he has. If you want a powerful music ministry and you are encouraging piracy that’s a bad seed you are sowing.

There is no stammering in “Faithpreneurship” but the writer offers a clearly defined map for those traversing to change their different worlds.

That Nyamadzawo draws from many sources including biographies, books, Bible verses, his own life experiences, attests to his wide-reading habit and keen eye for life details.

As a chess maestro also, he believes the game has many lessons about success. He says, in the chapter about success, “I love chess because I find it interesting and educational at the same time. The unique game of chess has been named as the most complicated game by the Guinness World Records. Chess has really shaped my pattern and approach to both business and personal life and this amazing game taught me a lot when it comes to strategy, analysis, calculations, sequence and so forth.”

Born in September 1987, Simba Nyamadzawo grew up in Domboshava. He was educated at Chiwashawasha Primary School and Chinhoyi High School. In the past five years, he has been consulted by many individuals and organisations on issues to do with entrepreneurship, leadership and personal development.