From the market gardens of Domboshava to gracing W...

From the market gardens of Domboshava to gracing World Economic Forum podium

Edmore Zvinonzwa

The art of public speaking is one that requires exceptional skills that makes your audiences hooked to whatever topic the speaker is tackling. It is an art aimed at transforming audiences’ mentality whether it is targeted at students or corporate audiences.

For Simbarashe Nyamadzawo, who was born on September 28, 1987 in Harare and grew up with a stammer in Domboshava – a rural settlement located about 30 kilometres from the capital – developing into a public speaker was something he never even imagined because of the stammer.

Simba attended Chishawasha Primary School for his primary education before proceeding to Chinhoyi High School for his secondary education.

It was at Chinhoyi High that Simba tried out his luck with the Debating Club and had to endure being mocked by fellow students because of his stammer.

Somehow, determination and hard work, coupled with a strong passion and perseverance led to Simba overlooking this natural weakness and continued in pursuit of his dream.

“I remember being picked as the key speaker for the Club at Chinhoyi High and other students laughed at me because of my stammer. I decided never to give up. I became the laughing stock of the entire school, including Form One girls who could not help but giggle at my attempts to fluently read my little speech. From assembly time until late that afternoon, I was mocked and cartooned at every turn,” Simba recalls.

True, he never gave up and added a feather to his cap through inspirational writing and later a combination of both fiction and motivation. For him the combination was more effective as it sort of gave practical situations in motivating others as opposed to the prescriptive and proscriptive approach that was fashionable then.

Simba is the founder of Infinite Inspiration Group (IIG) a Harare-based Leadership & Motivation Company. Through his company IIG, which is a registered consultancy firm, Simba has invested more than 10 000 hours in assisting hundreds of entrepreneurs across different industries set up and run their organisations.

He is also the founder of BATSIRAI AFRICA FOUNDATION, a social enterprise created to see a progressive and developed Africa using leadership principles and social innovation.

Gumiguru Inc, a registered company with interests in management consultancy, marketing, publish, training and development, was also founded by the enterprising Simba.

The inspirational writer and speaker has convened and done seminars with some of the country’s most notable speakers and thought leaders. The speakers in question include now South Africa-based author and motivational writer, Rabison Shumba, Cynthia Hakutangwi, Tsitsi Mutendi, Jonah Mungoshi, Kudzai Mubaiwa, the late Patson Dzamara, ChroistopherMugaga, Munyaradzi Gwatidzo, Arthur Marara, NicholasBhero, Tinashe Nyaruwanga, Tonderai Mandaza and Himesh Trivedi among others.

The award-winning speaker is also a published author with the following titles under his belt: Mazvita (2019), Tatenda (2018), Success Within Reach (2015), Faithpreneurship (2015), Emerge, Leadership Wisdom, Keys for Inspiration, Mazvita and Ndadzoka.

This is a catalogue that defines real growth and when you realise that Simba has not stopped yet you then begin to toy around with the term success.

Simba’s stories inspire hope, redefines success and invites the reader to a new world of possibilities through teachings and important nuggets on how one can rise above to the occasion and succeed.

Among the nuggets shared by the charismatic author include building relationships and people skills, seeking mentorship, managing time and most importantly prayer and the book is filled by various scriptural references which matches most of the aspects covered.

Simba's target is those who feel rejected and his books will turn their rejection into redirection.

Most of his books are for those who want to follow their passion and those ready to defy their circumstances and humble beginnings and explore a new world of possibilities.

Somehow, Simba believes the most successful person is not the one who has climbed the highest mountain but one who has come out of the deepest valley.

The writer is also Youth Ambassador for USAid for outstanding performance as one of the beneficiaries of USAid.

For over a decade, Simba has been sharing his wisdom with business, academic and church audiences including on TV, radio, newspapers and magazines in Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa among other countries.

He says in his own words: “I want to spend my life inspiring nations, building leaders and serving my generation.” He is one of the few speakers whose message has a universal appeal and a leadership bias.

In the past, Simba has spoken at platforms at the American Embassy PAS, Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants, Muzinda Hub, iZone Hub, BOOST, Zimbabwe Youth Council, University Of Zimbabwe, Midlands State University (School of Business and Leadership), Junior Chamber International, Rotary Club, Roman Catholic, Methodist Church, Celebration Ministries, Heartfelt International Ministries , New Life, Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe Church, ZAOGA, Light House and many other religious institutions.

Outside business, Simba is using principles of social innovation to spearhead a number of community development projects and outreaches aimed at giving children from less developed communities access to education, food and other basic needs.

Simba is an avid follower of Zig Ziglar and his famous quote “Where you start is not as important as where you finish” and has invested more than five years’ in consulting with hundreds of entrepreneurs and organisations across different industries.

The success story of the village boy from Domboshava is best summed up in Emerge as the speaker and writer rises against all odds to master the world stage, ironically, after failing Mathematics and being ridiculed by the whole school to becoming an award-winning author, speaker and leader who now is on the cusp of gracing the world stage at the World Economic Forum.

Named an “Iconic Pace Setter” recently and for the accolades and honours he has been receiving, Simba - without doubt - reflects one of Africa’s success stories of men who defy the odds, challenge their backgrounds and circumstances and march towards global recognition.

Besides Genius Kadungure, better known during his lifetime as Ginimbi, the late millionaire socialite who is famous for building a multi-million-dollar mansion in Domboshava, Simba’s style and consistency in expressing his pride in African roots, particularly village life in Domboshava undoubtedly self-appoints and crowns him as the undisputable brand ambassador of Domboshava.

“I grew up in Domboshava just 30km north of Harare, in a village surrounded by granite hills. The village is famous for its balancing rocks. Local and foreign tourists alike come from wide afar to tour the monumental Domboshava Caves and climb the famous Ngomakurira Hills.

“Domboshava is known for its horticulture. Several of our neighbours grow enough vegetables to feed their families and to sell at the markets such as Mbare Musika to sustain themselves,” said Simba.

Most of his stories seem to have been motivated by the hardships he encountered as a village boy, from sacrifices, which his mother Amai Wadzanai, made to fend for them as well as several moments when he experienced the downside of life, the failures, rejection and painful moments, including battling tuberculosis, to turning lemon into lemonade.