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Elliot Ziwira At the Bookstore

Having so far published 43 books since 2017, Imelda Tsumba is launching her latest offering, “The Secret Power of Media” (2022), at the Harare International Conference Centre today, which makes her a serious contender for a niche in the Zimbabwean writers’ Hall of Fame.

 The event will be graced by Janet Manyowa and Takesure Zamar as supporting artistes. 

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.

It is the self who is both the hero and the villain in an epic of one’s own making. 

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 childcare ambassador. The novel was approved and recommended by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for use as supplementary reading material in the humanities. 

Rarely do authors keep the printing press rattling with such frequency and persistence as Tsumba does. We, at the Bookstore, are not usually taken in by motivational writing, particularly so when most writers in the genre pretend to punch above their weight in many areas, but publishing 43 books in such a short period is no easy feat. When such happens, naturally, we begin to take notice.

Tsumba announced her grand arrival on the literary scene when she launched 22 books at the Borrowdale Brooke Clubhouse on March 10, 2017. Since then she never looked back.

In “The Secret Power of Media”, the writer unknots the complex media labyrinth using biblical principles and illustrations. The media, both mainstream and social, has a way of shaping the way citizens think, thus, care must be taken on what is consumed as both information and/or knowledge, Tsumba insists.

 “My perceptive insights are through the lenses of parental eyes,” she tells us At the Bookstore. “I give a bird’s eye view of how to possibly navigate and survive the media jungle in the world we live in today. I was motivated to write this book in order to help the next generation.”

 Tsumba highlights that if good people opt to keep quiet about issues which are detrimental to societal fabric, then evil prevails. Even though children should have access to media, especially social media, since information is power, they must be privy to the downside of the Internet.

 Parents and guardians should impart on their children and wards the negative effects of media platforms accessed through the Internet. Outlets encouraging negative factors like violence, nudity and anything inappropriate are sometimes not censored for under-aged children, Tsumba points out.

 Unfettered exposure to such vices, leads to the upbringing of a generation or generations devoid of the moral bearings required for societal regeneration. It is up to parents and guardians, the author avows, to remain vigilant on what their children and wards watch to determine its appropriateness. They have to guard against media influence on children.

 The book highlights that while appropriate use of the Internet helps in building a technology savvy generation, and an informed populace, the downside should always be emphasised.

 “People perish for lack of knowledge,” Tsumba says.

 When people are only fed with negativity, particularly through the media, they become negative in their thinking, thus, becoming self-defeating prophets. Hence, the media should cultivate positivity.

 Tsumba’s 42nd book, “The Battle of the Mind is Real”, explores the mental lacuna that leads to fatalistic behaviour.

 On the inspiration behind the book, she says: “Everything starts in the mind and it is important to admit that you are agitated and start visualising yourself calm before you get into dangerous territory.

 “For years, I was trapped in my own mental prison, which resulted in my living way below the normal human privileges and freedom,” she says. 

 “Many people, young and old, are probably in a similar situation. Be encouraged, you are not alone. This book will help you get out of that mental rat race and help you live your best life now.”

Tsumba’s 31st book, “Evils of Corruption” (2017), co-authored with guest writer Reginald Gatsi tackles the scourge of corruption.

In the book she 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.

“The Unexpected – How I Dealt with the Sudden Death of My Son”, was inspired by the traumatic experience that came with the death of the author’s 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, she realised that the only way to go was forward.

 “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. 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. 

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.

The 63-year old author 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 (née Kandawasvika) Rusike’s nine children, five boys and four girls, Imelda is married to Pastor Leo Tsumba with whom she shares four children and three grandchildren.

The couple has been married for more than 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.”

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.”

Such is the power of the media in a technologically advancing world—either to build or destroy.