Lessons in lockdown: Life is a journey filled with lessons

By Ncane Maziya

Mbabane, 5 February: Over the past year I experienced rough and tough lessons through my journey. Facing so many challenges both at work and my life has taught me a lot.  As the saying goes, “the road will not be always smooth, in fact throughout our travels we encounter many challenges some of these challenges will test our courage, strengths, and faith.”

The challenges did not stop me from implementing the most important activities. I have learnt that stress should not be a deterrent. Talking about your problems to someone helps you to relieve stress.  Some of the challenges tested my courage, strength and faith.  I am overcoming all challenges as I walk through the journey of my life. I took all the challenges I have faced so far as a test that I am determined to pass.

I have also learnt to be cautious about trusting unconditionally. My experience in trusting someone led me to stress and suffering. This affected my work and crushed all plans.

The COVID 19 pandemic crushed all programme implementation plans until September 2020 when we went into partial lockdown.  I learned how difficult it is to strategise and plan for the “next move” to achieve one’s goal.  Despite the challenges, we managed to implement a few programmes including the national summit and the launch of Women in Local Economic development (WLED) network.

We held an encouraging and fruitful Listen and Learn workshop with Gender Focal Persons (GFPs). They gave me encouraging advice on sustaining the Eswatini Centres of Excellence (COE) for Gender in Local Government programme.  One could see that the programme has opened their eyes. Instead of focusing on one programme, the GFP have integrated these into one action plan. That has made their work easier. The COE programme has also expanded to include Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and entrepreneurship.

My journey has given me strength to  keep pushing. As the saying goes: “Life is a journey filled with lessons, hardships, heartaches, joys, celebrations and special moments that will ultimately lead us to our destination, our purpose in life”.

(Ncane Maziya is GL Eswatini Local Action for Gender Justice facilitator)