MAN OF THE MONTH: Mutende Musonda; A man with an Innovation that may help women in rural areas.

African women have been known to be the strongest both spiritually and physically over the years. Evidently, this truth has been seen in the way African women live in rural areas. They face hardships fearlessly and they don't complain because to them, its the lifestyle, that's the way they live. Its amazing how a woman would be pounding some cassava with a baby on her back. Or carrying firewood on her head, baby on her back and a container of water in one hand.

Mr Mutende Musonda

Well, we have one Zambian man who has seen how hard these women work and he has decided to come up with a brilliant idea that would make it easy for women to process cassava. ASW had an online interview with Mr Mutende Musonda, who is currently in the Netherlands for studies.

ASW: Mr Mutende Musonda, glad to have you on African Super Woman. Its indeed an honor to have a chat with you. Tell me about yourself briefly.

Mutende: Thank you. I am a Zambian and I am currently studying my MBA at Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands, specialising in Corporate Strategy and Economic Police. Back home, I studied Agricultural Engineering (BEng) at the University of Zambia. Over the years, I have had a couple of professional training conducted by Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA). These include; The Extension Management Training Course, "Monitoring and Evaluation" at the Farmers Training Institute (FTI), Northern Zambia and this was done by JICA's Rural Extension Services Capacity Advancement Program (RESCAP). I also did "Introduction and Evaluation" under the same program conducted by JICA. Trained and successfully completed the Monitoring Founding Training Course (including basic operations of GIS software for digitalised mapping) by RESCAP at FTI Northern Zambia. Trained in Participatory Village Development in Isolated Areas (PaViDIA) by JICA.

Mr Musonda with the Mayor of Maastricht City

I have done several other trainings conducted by JICA, the Zambian government under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Barcleys Bank, Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, People's Act Fund, Children's Aids Funds (CAF) to mention but a few.

I am working for the government of Zambia at the moment under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives as District Agricultural Coordinator (DACO). I have also worked with Barcleys Bank Zambia (Plc), Children's AIDS Fund USA. I have worked with many other institutions and organisations, the list is long.

Enrolled at Ife University at age 14 and designed her first building at age 23: Meet Nigeria's leading architect

There are some professionals that have been said to be for men. But women disagree with that and they are. coming out and joining these professionals known to be for "men". I recently came across a story of Olajumoke Adenowo, a very successful Nigerian architect. She is a true African Super Woman.

Olajumoke Adenowo

Olajumoke Adenowo is one of Africa's leading female architects. She enrolled into Ife University at the age of 14 and at the age of 19, she had her first degree. At age 23, she designed her first building; the Federal Ministry of Lands in Abuja, Nigeria. At age 25 she opened up her own company called AD Consulting. While she was still in school, she won several awards for her academic work which included best student in design in the BSc.

Its been 21 years since Adenowo went solo and opened her own company and her success over the years can only be a reflection of a dreamer's passion for her work. She has won several awards as an architect. Apart from these achievements, she hosts her own radio show mentoring women and this has seen her receive several recommendations from the likes of the United Nations Information Centre over the years.

Early this year she was on CNN and this is what she said about her organisation called "Awesome Treasures Foundation" which she founded in 1999, which helps mentor women and young girls. She said; "We believe the greatest need of Africa is leadership, vision. Strong people who are ready to give their all to say, 'this is the way', and Awesome Treasures is here to address that need, to raise transformation leaders."

"The passion comes from my clients. I feed off their energy.., I would do anything for my clients to make sure that their buildings come out the way they do." Adenowo

It is women like her who inspired me to create this blog. Well done Adenowo. Looking forward to seeing your dream come true; designing a building that would define Nigeria's identity.

He Defiled Our Bed, Left Me With Two Children And A Broken Rib. This Is Ruth's Story and Her Advice To Women.

Well, they say that everybody has a story. That's true and other stories leave you with a pinch in your spirit, like Ruth's story. I have heard so many stories of abuse in relationships and how many women tend to choose to have a blind eye in the situation. A few would speak up and the hope of making a difference in the society.

Ruth's story can not probably be compared to yours (in case you, who is reading this is going through something worse), but to Ruth, it was the worst situation that she had to face. Well, African Super Women met up with her and she agreed to share her story, with the hope of helping or encouraging another woman going through what she went through. And she also offered some advice to all women.

MY STORY; RUTH

I was born in Lusaka, Zambia in 1980. I always lived in Lusaka with my family till in 2001 when I got married and moved to Mazabuka (a town in Southern Zambia). After a year in marriage, I gave birth to my daughter who is now 13 years old and she is in her eighth grade. In Mazabuka, we were a very happy family, my husband was an elder at church and all was well. He got a job as a taxi driver right there in Mazabuka and that's when I started seeing changes in his behaviour. I wouldn't understand why the change just after getting the job, but I later discovered that he was having an affair.

He changed and he was not the man I had married, the father to my daughter. He had become a monster! He would come bitter and upset all the time and his emotions would get hold of him and he would beat me for no appropriate reasons. I had no saw in my own home, because he would use anything I say against me. Sometimes, his girlfriend would call me just to insult me and tell me to leave. I stayed in my marriage with the hope of him changing. And when my daughter was 7 years old, I conceived again and I gave birth to another daughter. I thought that maybe my husband will change after having my second born, but he became worse. The beatings became worse to an extent of breaking one of my ribs. The abuse continued and nobody was there to help me. As traditionally taught, that we are not to leave our matrimonial home till our husband packs the bags for us and chases us himself, we are to stay in the house. And I followed that till I couldn't stay any longer, I packed my bags, got my kids and I left. (we had come back to Lusaka and he got a job as a bus driver at a time).

"Keeping The Faith" Dinner And Fashion Show

Chola Lungu Mutoni with Faith (owner of the saloon)

On the 30th of April, we had a fundraising. dinner and fashion show for Faith whose saloon was burnt down by her sister in-law. The event was organised by one of the most beautiful woman with a heart of gold in Zambia, Chola Lungu Mutoni, owner of Bella Dona Finishing Classes, Zambia. I was amazed by the story of Faith and I wanted to be part of it. Where women are coming together for a good cause, African Super Woman has to be present :-) .

Faith has been Chola's hairdresser for years and when Faith's saloon got burnt by her sister in-law, she thought of contacting Chola to tell her of the incident. The only way to help her was to rebuild her saloon. Hence the "Keep The Faith" Event organised by Chola Lungu Mutoni herself.

Chola and Musama

"We often underestimate how much we bond with our hairdressers and barbers. We hear their stories, we share our stories, give advice and crack jokes. We have discussions with them for years and we connect". Chola Lungu Mukoni.

The reason for burning Faith's saloon by her sister in-law who was also her employee is not known. But the unfortunate part is that in the process of burning the saloon, Faith's sister in-law burnt herself and a few days later, she died from the burns.

Lynn

We had several Zambian Super Women who helped in making the event a success. we had Musama Chamunda owner of Twa Pandula restaurant in Lusaka who hosted the event and catered for the guests. Lynn Bright owner of Lynn's House of Fashion who showcased her Vintage Collection. We had Chola Lungu Mutoni herself who also showcased her African Print designs. We had Penjani, the gospel artist who performed and shared a WORD, we had Paddy Mukando as the MC, Prince Siame as our photographer. For models, we had myself (Inonge), Kate, Lisa Netsai Marlins who was also the makeup artist. And three more beautiful girls.

The Models wearing Lynn's office collection

We had notable people in the audience who came to support Faith. We had Norena Mutoya Chiteba (founder of KUPES Young Women's Network), Petita Mwanza (Model), Nina Sibonile Hamakowa, Christine. We also had Faith herself who gave a very touching speech, and gave thanks to everyone who was present.

It was a fun night, we had karaoke, fashion show, some shopping, Penjani sang, nice foods. And the night was a success.

In The Name of Fashion; Beyonce Knowels Goes "See-Me-Through" At The Met Gala 2015

Beyonce Knowels wearing a Peekaboo gown at the 2015 Met Gala

 Beyonce knowels, really? Is this the best you can do? Where is your dignity as a lady? Alright people, am not judging but what is this woman wearing? Judge for yourselves.

Beyonce Knowels at the Met Gala