1. A TALE OF STEELY DETERMINATION [JABULANI MZINYATHI]
This story is written in order to inspire a lot of people young and old who will read it and
those who know it first hand. It is a story of resilience and steely determination. Humility
is one thing that I always regard highly. For that I am grateful to the most high. Having
said that it is vital to thank my mother, late father, wife and children. These have been a
support system I needed as I embarked on this never ending journey. I also salute all
you folks who have provided me with all kinds of support. That I have not singled out
any one of you here is not to downplay your role but the space does not allow that.
After O level at Ascot Secondary School Gweru where I was between 1979 -1982 I
came to Andrew Louw Zintec College in 1983 to train as a primary school teacher. I
have no bitterness about my background. I am not from high society. My father and
mother toiled and sent all seven of us to school to attain at least O level. I did quite well
and attained a Certificate in Education.
In 1987 having attained a Certificate in Education, I was then deployed to Matamba
School as a primary school teacher. I taught at that school but I still had this yearning to
academically improve myself. In 1995/96 I privately studied A level subjects. Initially I
attended lessons at ZDECO but quit and studied by myself. I did sociology, literature in
English and history. I did not do exceptionally well but then I had attained one of my
goals and I was really proud that a teacher, family man could do time management and
strike some success.
Around 1994 I transferred from Matamba School to Mhlahlandlela in Lower Gweru. My
stay there was just about six months only. Having applied to train as a magistrate at the
Judicial College of Zimbabwe I had made the grade after written selection tests and a
panel interview. I did quite well during training. I was actually the fifth best student of the
thirty six or so of us who finally attained the Magistrates Admission Certificate. I was in
the category of non degreed magistrates with many others. This always pricked me
deep inside.
In 2008 I started studying for LLB with the University of South Africa. At some stage I
stopped when there just was no money for the family. I could also have been one of the
pioneers of the LLB Midlands State University programme. Family commitments stood
in the way. I chose my family and put on hold my studies. However the yearning for self
development did not stop. In 2008 I attained a Diploma in Personnel Management
[IPMZ].

2. I then resumed my LLB studies with UNISA. Again in 2009 I took a break as money was
quite tight. From there on I went on studying and in 2014 I completed a law degree [LLB
UNISA]. I am not done yet and I vow to go on studying.