Living in the Diaspora (Part 1)
By STRIVE MASIYIWA
"Whatever you do, do it with dignity; you do not need to add anything to yourself, you are good enough as you are, for God's purpose in your life. Focus on developing yourself in God. Even as you study, and improve your skills do it with the focus, that you want to be a greater blessing to your world."
Dr Chris Oyakhilome
Dr Chris Oyakhilome
I have spent the greater part of my 54 years on this earth, living in the diaspora.
I left my homeland Zimbabwe, then the rebel colony Rhodesia, for the first time, when I was only seven years old. I did not return, home until I was 23 years old.
I left again 15 years ago.
This means I have lived in the so called "diaspora" for a total of 32 years of my life!
I left my homeland Zimbabwe, then the rebel colony Rhodesia, for the first time, when I was only seven years old. I did not return, home until I was 23 years old.
I left again 15 years ago.
This means I have lived in the so called "diaspora" for a total of 32 years of my life!
There are many reasons, why people go and live in the Diaspora:
Sometimes, it is political, as it was for me, when I was growing up. Sometimes it is economic; sometimes it is professional, because your job takes you there.
Sometimes, it is political, as it was for me, when I was growing up. Sometimes it is economic; sometimes it is professional, because your job takes you there.
I know what it is to live in the Diaspora. Imagine, I once carried documents, which stated that I was a refugee, to avoid being arbitrarily deported!
It can be a fearful thing particularly if you are living on the economic margins. I'm not in that situation today, but I have an idea of it. And my heart and prayers are always with those who live in the diaspora, no matter whether they are Africans, or from other nations. Including those displaced by war, in places like Syria, the Sahel region, and the Horne of Africa.
I know many of them, are avid followers of this platform.
It can be a fearful thing particularly if you are living on the economic margins. I'm not in that situation today, but I have an idea of it. And my heart and prayers are always with those who live in the diaspora, no matter whether they are Africans, or from other nations. Including those displaced by war, in places like Syria, the Sahel region, and the Horne of Africa.
I know many of them, are avid followers of this platform.
My discussion in this series, is not about why people live in the diaspora, but about the role they play in building "two" nations at the same time. I also want to discuss how you can prosper, and improve your situation, even whilst living and working in the diaspora.
I was compelled to write about this issue, after meeting two young Africans, (one from Angola, and another from Zimbabwe), who work in South Africa. As members of this forum, I was inspired by their persistence and determination to improve the lives of their families.
These are our Nation Builders: building two nations, at the same time.
Wow!
Let's talk.
I was compelled to write about this issue, after meeting two young Africans, (one from Angola, and another from Zimbabwe), who work in South Africa. As members of this forum, I was inspired by their persistence and determination to improve the lives of their families.
These are our Nation Builders: building two nations, at the same time.
Wow!
Let's talk.
To be continued…
