Siphelani Chomuzinda

My toughest time was when I became a widow. It was 1998 and I was eighteen. My husband left me with a two-week-old baby. My husband was in the military.

He was taken to the military hospital. They released him the very same day and he came back home alone. The following day he passed away. The military provided me with transport to bring his body to our home area of Murewa.

To lose the one you love most is not easy. I used to cry. People looked down on me – I was now just a single parent. My mother was not working. My father was not working.

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.”With a grant from Camfed, I started my own business raising poultry. The first year was full of ups and downs. After keeping two batches I realised that most people in my area didn’t have money to afford chicken. I moved my business to town. This I found tough but through my determination and commitment and great inspiration from other women, my business has been made easier. I can say that my living standard has changed. I am now able to look after my child and myself.

I am growing up in mind and in business. Now I have touched the stars and I am not going to give up till I reach the moon.

Siphelani Chomuzinda advises and supports other young women in her community who are starting their own businesses.