Gabriel Manyeruke's strive for success

**Marondera-based educator and writer, Gabriel Manyeruke**

Edmore Zvinonzwa

Passion has always been the driver in the achievement of individual pursuits whatever aspect you may want to look at. Whereas educational and professional qualifications may be handy, they alone are not enough as passion - coupled with drive, humility, hard work, perseverance and preparedness to learn - to produce success in an individual.

For Gabriel Manyeruke, a 29-year-old Geography teacher at Wise Owl High School in Marondera, who is currently studying for a certificate as a Life Coach, humanity must be prepared to wrestle life challenges and remain committed to greatness.

“Life is full of inevitable setbacks, constraints and discouragement in all forms that may deter growth and fulfilment of our dreams. Despite this, God has a greater plans with us as He speaks in Jeremiah 29:11. With God, passion, determination, planning and hard work, nothing is impossible to achieve. Live a purpose-driven life. Keep working on your dreams and one day, you will smile in the corridors of success,” says Manyeruke.

The Wise Owl High School teacher says he enrolled with Mutare Teachers’ College for a Diploma in Education in 2018 before proceeding to Bindura University of Science Education in 2021 for a Degree in Geography and Environmental Management.

“I am a teacher by profession, happily married and blessed with a beautiful one-year old girl. I am also an upcoming farmer, who is into poultry farming and I hope to grow in this business,” said Manyeruke who says he will soon grow into the most sought-after writer taking into account that his inspiration comes from the Holy scriptures and prolific local and international motivational writers such Milton Kamwendo, Arthur Marara, Les Brown and TD Jakes.

His desire, he says, is to encourage others to strive for the best and remain committed to a life of purpose.

“I chose motivational writing out of passion to share and cross-pollinate ideas. For me, motivational writing is more like a hobby.

“So, I will continue with motivational writing touching on the issues that affect our happiness, productivity and relationships in different spheres of life. I believe my purpose is to encourage, give hope and energy to people in different situations of life,” he added.

The terrain has not been with all rosy, though, Manyeruke reckons.

“I grew up liking to read a variety of sources of information and I was also a good writer. At school, I remember my teachers complimenting my skills in writing and the vocabulary that I preferred to use. In 2018, I developed the idea to write and publish a book. This was not easy for me to find professional publishers in this fraternity. I also couldn't get financial support from anyone. When I started working, I was then able to raise money that was needed for me to self-publish my first book. In 2022, I eventually managed.

“I also believe that those who want to self-publish are also facing financial constraints and lack of external support in their work.

“Self-publishing requires enough money to get through the process,” he says.

Manyeruke says his book, although it is his first one, is not doing badly on the market.

“On the market, I think my book is performing very well. I have already made considerable dividends. Mostly people that know me are supporting my work. I am planning to get it officially launched because I believe launching a book is the best way to go as it helps to connect with immediate readers as well as forming book clubs for endorsements.

“However, I also think in this era of technology one should also consider other platforms. In this vein, I think Amazon is one of the best platforms to reach out to many readers across the world. I am, therefore in the process of uploading my book on Amazon,” Manyeruke says.

Manyeruke says he has found motivational writing effective in communicating his ideas, although social media has brought in so many other aspects like visual effects for messages to be stronger.

“Motivational writing has been effective because the message lasts longer. However, in this era of social media, people are now much more concerned about motivation with visual effects. I believe good writers are great speakers too. I now want to create or find platforms where I will get to speak and share my ideas. I think that’s more effective in reaching out than motivational writing alone,” says the Becoming a Personality-Driven Human Being: Unveiling the Best of Yourself writer.

The young teacher advocates for living a purpose-driven life, something that makes his message a must for teenagers. He says without a “plan”, every action taken is futile; every attempt is a mere shot in the dark.

“My message mainly targets young people who might be hopeless because of challenges of life, and those that are meandering in a maze of mediocrity. I want to make them cognisant of the fact that, with God, proper planning, hard work and a positive mindset, nothing is impossible to achieve.” The author grew up reading novels and newspapers. “I believe success and greatness are never a fluke in life but something predetermined. You have to plan your life and act fearlessly with great determination. Aim for the moon. If you miss, you will land among the stars,” says Manyeruke.

The writer says he is clear about where he is going. “I see myself as a great speaker and author making long-lasting impact in the fraternity of education. With the passion and determination that I have, I am confident and optimistic that the room for growth and development is big enough for me. I also see myself as a successful entrepreneur in commercial farming as I have a strong interest in agriculture."