In this Edition of the Writers Space Africa Magazine, I had a chat with Stella Gonye Tshuma, the Zimbabwean author of Peace in the storm who currently resides in Namibia with her family. Read on as she shares snippets of her life and career with us. – Blessing Peter Titus (PPBlessing)
PPBlessing: Who is Stella?
SGT: Stella is a Zimbabwean from a growth point called Nembudzia in Gokwe North. A God-loving lady, wife to Shawn and mother to two beautiful girls. I’m a dental therapist by profession but as I grew older I embarked on a journey of self-discovery. I then stumbled into something bigger. I have evolved into a Certified Life coach, author, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
PPBlessing: What brought about this evolution?
SGT: I had this deep feeling inside of me that I had more in me and I believed I had a bigger purpose than being in the dental practice day and night. So I may say I had become tired of being in the same place for a long time. I yearned for more! Fortunately, around that same time – that’s in 2016 – Munatsi Sande who was my Church pastor published his book Greatness Awaits. As I read that book it spoke to me and I was blessed to be among the first group of people who were mentored by Coach Natsi himself using that book. That mentorship brought clarity to my thoughts and I began to prayerfully seek answers from God. I found my purpose and I began to take small steps toward being what God created me to be.
PPBlessing: How exactly were you able to find your purpose?
SGT: One thing I would like to bring out is that we are all born with a purpose. So my journey began with me taking time to be with myself and God (Me time) asking quality questions. The book I mentioned earlier on has within it reflection questions that I had to think about and answer. Questions like Who am I? What am I good at? What can I do with what I’m good at? What is holding me back and so forth. So as I dug deeper into my thoughts and my past, there were patterns I could trace. Some of the things within my purpose, I was already doing but I was operating from ignorance.
So I started pursuing my interests, I started to look for things that move my heart and realised compassion and teaching were attributes within me and I was already practising them.
PPBlessing: Could you shed more light on your work as a Certified Life coach, dental therapist, author, entrepreneur and philanthropist?
SGT: I believe being in dentistry was my first calling because it’s something that was inspired by an accident that I had which almost cost me 4 of my anterior teeth. We travelled 150 km through a rainy night to get to the nearest hospital with a dentist. I was 9 years old and when the dentist came I was pleasantly surprised to see she was a woman. That dentist refused to extract my teeth, she said she will save them. I had wires for 6 months and my smile was restored. I’m truly grateful. From that day I said I’m going to also save other people’s teeth.
So as a dental therapist I offer primary oral health care. We treat oral diseases, dental fillings on rotten teeth, cleaning, teeth extractions, and oral health education.
As a coach, I mentor and walk the journey to self-discovery and development with my mentee. I’m all about positive thinking, pursuing purpose and living a fulfilling life that God created me to live.
Being an author came by surprise. God being God, I wrote and published my first book in April. It’s titled Peace in the storm. I also write daily devotions which I share on my Facebook page – Voice of Hope.
My husband and I have a printing company Reproprint. I also do this and that whenever I see an opportunity. I’m also into buying and selling various products.
As a philanthropist, I co-founded African Community Health Trust which is an organisation that provides free medical and dental treatments through outreach programs. We have helped thousands of people in Zimbabwe.
PPBlessing: Wow! That’s a whole lot of work. It sounds both interesting and time consuming. Congratulations on the book too. I’m happy you made me a proud owner of one.
SGT: Thank you very much and I hope and pray the book will inspire and motivate you.
PPBlessing: How do you manage all you do in those various fields and take care of your family?
SGT: It is really a lot and sometimes I pray for a 30-hour day but when you love what you do, you make it work. I work 9-5 but I’m a morning person so waking up earlier allows me to do most of my writing and meditation. After work it’s family time, homework with kids, cooking and watching a bit of TV together.
So it’s all about planning. However, I also struggle especially when I’m writing a book because it needs more time than I do when writing devotions. To top it all, I don’t have a helper at home. So we all help each other as a family around the house.
PPBlessing: Well done. More grace and strength
SGT: Thank you. I need it.
PPBlessing: If you were to describe yourself with a word, what would that be?
SGT: Powerhouse
PPBlessing: Let’s talk about your book, Peace in the storm. What inspired it?
SGT: The book was inspired by a storm. In 2018, we got into a financial storm as a family. However, I was already mentoring people on greatness and then I was broke and lost all my other side hustles. It was at that moment that I had more time on my hands. My prayers, meditations and time with God were longer. It was in seeking answers that I had all these thoughts filling my mind and I always have my journal with me. I started writing down my thoughts and because of coaching, I began to share the inspiration on Facebook and realised I was not alone. A lot of people were in the same storm. As I wrote more to encourage others, I realised I was encouraging myself as well.
My Mentor remarked that my writing was really good, and I should consider writing a book. My mother-in-law, Noma, and a friend also told me the same and in my heart, I said, “God has spoken I’m going to write a book” and behold peace in the storm was birthed.
As I wrote the script I realised I needed to share more on various storms of life using people who have gone through difficult times. I then approached friends and acquaintances whom I knew had powerful stories of survival. Thankfully, they readily agreed to share their experiences. Peace in the storm contains real stories about losing loved ones, living with disabilities, cancer diagnosis, failing exams and becoming homeless. These stories are relatable and make this book more powerful. I believe it equips readers with nuggets on how to deal with the storms of life and become storm riders.
PPBlessing: Was this when you first started writing or you’ve been writing before then?
SGT: Yes, that’s when I started writing professionally. It’s something that came as a surprise to me but now I write like I was born writing.
PPBlessing: How about unprofessionally?
SGT: Unprofessionally, I’m that girl who grew up with a diary as a best friend. I was very reserved so I used to write down my thoughts, frustrations, and good memories in my diary.
PPBlessing: How can one get a copy of Peace in the storm?
SGT: Peace in the storm is available in Zimbabwe at Zi-collection. Booth 3 . Galaxy mall Corner First and Jason Moyo, Harare. +263718672501 is the number to contact.
In Namibia, it is available at Don Bosco parish book shop, Rundu. +264813374000 is the contact number.
In South Africa, you can call +27 73 522 9343. Alternatively, one can buy the e-book or order a hard copy from amazon.com from this link – https://tinyurl.com/mtn88pch
PPBlessing: What is the inspiration behind your Facebook page, Voice of hope?
SGT: In my book Peace in the storm, I share parts of my life which stood out for me. So Voice of Hope was birthed when the covid lockdown began. I had not yet published the book and as I reflected on my next step as an author and encourager, I realised that my life is a testimony of God’s grace and His unconditional love. I realised I went through all the storms so I can become The Voice of hope to those in despair.
Voice of hope was my way of reaching out and encouraging others through the word of God, that whatever is happening around us God, is still with us, holding our hands and embracing us with His love.
PPBlessing: Interesting. Why do you want to be a voice of hope to people?
SGT: We are living in a troubled world. Social, economic, and political challenges and our future looks bleak. Stress, Depression, and mental breakdowns are the order of the day. My prayer as the Voice of Hope is always that the messages I share will bring hope and light to the darkness that surrounds so many in our communities. To remind them that there is light within them that need to be lit by their Creator.
PPBlessing: What do you mean by the word of God?
SGT: Most of my messages in Voice of Hope are inspired by scriptures from the Bible which is the word of God.
PPBlessing: Why not psychology since you are dealing with humans?
SGT: I have studied a bit of psychology in college and as a life coach, but I believe the greatest principles that can bring about satisfactory results are found in the Bible.
And when you use the word of God you are not operating in your intellect but you are backed up by God himself the creator of the person you are trying to help.
PPBlessing: What do you hope to achieve with your writing?
SGT: I hope and desire to transform lives, to give people a different perspective on facing life and its challenges. I pray to touch lives through my inspirational motivational writing. Above all, I hope for people who read my work to live a life of peace, joy and love whether in good or bad seasons.
PPBlessing: Amen. So far, how much of these have you been able to achieve?
SGT: It’s difficult to measure but I believe I’m impacting lives. I have had times when people I know and even those I don’t know personally have sent messages of appreciation or shared a testimony or sought mentorship as a result of what I shared.
PPBlessing: Looking back, if you were to give a message to yourself 10 years ago, what would the message be?
SGT: I would say you are fearfully and wonderfully made, never look down on yourself because of your background. There is a seed of greatness in you and the world is waiting for you to bear fruit that will save lives.
PPBlessing: Apart from mentees from your coaching, do you have mentees in the other things you do?
SGT: I do have mentees in the dental field as well, as I used to be a Dental Therapy tutor.
I have also had to walk with some individuals who needed to find peace and healing after they read my book Peace in the storm.
PPBlessing: How about Mentors?
SGT: Yes I have mentors. Coach Sande has been a great influence on my growth. I also have spiritual mentors. Through technology/social media I have learnt a lot from other mentors whom I may never meet like Terri Savelle Foy, Priscilla Shirer, and Joyce Meyer. I learn through their teachings.
PPBlessing: How about in the writing field?
SGT: In the writing field I had to learn as I go but my Coach also guided me because he is an author too. However, currently, I have taken interest in reading books by African authors.
PPBlessing: Who are your favourite authors?
SGT: Chinua Achebe is on top of my list followed by Danielle Steel then Dan Brown.
PPBlessing: Why them? I expected C.S Lewis, Myles Munroe, and other Writers who mirror God in their work.
SGT: I know it’s an unusual list considering my content. Chinua Achebe has a way with words and expressions and I admire him for being a great African writer. I love love stories and Danielle Steel is great for that. Dan Brown is so creative that when you read his books you can’t put them down. I like the thrill that comes with his storylines. It feels so real that I prefer reading the book to watching the films of those books. As I began my writing journey, I have become intentional about the books I buy. I have completely switched what I read. I have a collection of TD Jake’s, Joel Osteen, Napoleon Hill, Robert Kiyosaki, etc
PPBlessing: Should we expect more books from you?
SGT: Definitely you should expect more. I have completed the script for a 31-day devotional inspired by Peace in the storm. By God’s grace, it will be published before the end of the year. I’m also working on my second book which will be published 2023.
PPBlessing: Congratulations already. What’s the title of this new book?
SGT: Still working on the title but it’s on forgiveness.
PPBlessing: What will you tell people going through a turbulent phase at the moment?
SGT: Life is filled with seasons of trials and tribulations but I want to assure you that the season you are in will not stay forever. No matter how dark the night may be, the morning will surely come with the rising sun. Sometimes what was meant to harm you, God turns it into a testimony of your victory.
Take a step back and look at your difficult situation from a different perspective. You may realise that :
– the storm may have come to pave a way for you to your destiny.
– the turbulence may come to sift and purify you so that the gold in you will be exposed.
Destinies, testimonies, healing, unity, promotion, and life’s purpose may be birthed from difficult times. Peace does not come from the absence of problems but true peace will be found when you are in that fire. And that peace is free for you and me. Jesus said “my peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you” John 14:27. Open your heart and receive this unconditional peace and you will become a storm rider.
PPBlessing: Seeing that you seem to like scriptures so much, what’s your favourite Bible verse?
SGT: Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. This summarizes my life. I’m a product of grace. Even though my mom died when I was 1-year old, I never lacked. I was well provided for, I was even spoilt. God has been watching over me and He still does to this day.
PPBlessing: Aside from devotionals, inspirational and motivational writing, what other genres do you write?
SGT: I’m thinking of venturing into poetry. I was inspired by brother Comfort Nyati’s Poetic manual and also, reading the poetry pieces in the WSA magazine has challenged me. I have been trying my hand at it.
PPBlessing: That’s beautiful. Hope you have submitted to the magazine
SGT: Not too confident yet.
PPBlessing: Eish! What confidence do you need when you’ve published a book already?
SGT: It’s a different way of writing. The toying around with words and phrases. It intrigues me. Mind you I was a science student from the beginning and never took up literature in school
PPBlessing: Well, as you mentioned earlier, you’re a born writer. So do submit, please.
SGT: I will definitely do so.
PPBlessing: How many books do you hope to have published in the next 10 years?
SGT : 10 books and 10 devotionals
PPBlessing: One for each year?
SGT: Yes that’s my goal.
PPBlessing: Godspeed. Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you our esteemed readers for staying with us through this chat. Until next month, keep reading the Writers Space Africa Magazine.
Read about Adétutù Adedoyin – Winner of the 2021 African Writers Award in Creative Nonfiction
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Waaal , Sgt , I am inspired by your work, enthusiastic art, and above all, being God fearing. May God bless you 🙏.