Ambuya Mlambo

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Ambuya Mlambo (born 1922) is a revolutionary Zimbabwean children's broadcaster, broadcasting radio and television programs for children before and after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. She is to children in Zimbabwe as Mr Rogers was to children in the United States.

[edit] Biography

Ambuya Mlambo was raised in an orphanage run by Christian missionaries after the death of her mother: her father dropped her off at the orphanage at the age of five along with her younger sister. Despite colonial iniquities and growing up in the harsh conditions of an orphanage she graduated with a teaching diploma but was not allowed to teach by the British settlers. Ultimately she returned to school and beat the odds by receiving a diploma in Nursing and would serve as a nurse and midwife for black Zimbabweans (then Southern Rhodesia). She distinguished herself as one one of the very few women of that time who would excel in education despite racism and sexism that was rampant during that time. She began broadcasting children's programs on a local channel in the late sixties. Her show were both educational and entertaining. She would write children's stories and read them on air. Often you would find children in the townships of Zimbabwe singing, dancing, and laughing along with her in front of a radio as they listened to her crisp and distinguishable voice. The name "Ambuya" means grandmother as she became known as everyone's grandmother. This was primarily because in the midst of the laughing and joking, she tell the kids about good behavior - like a grandmother would do - she was every child's Grandmother. After independence she began to broadcast her shows on TV. The children's shows were either recorded in the studio with children from the community or were broadcast at schools. Her radio and TV show's included Farai Vana Vadiki, Potonjere, Look and Learn, and Crystal Sweets Corner - some were in English and some were in Shona. She also made appearances in several TV shows as an actress. While on or off air she loves broadcasting to the children primarily because she truly loves children. Besides raising her own 6 children, she raised nearly 8 other children in her household.

She married John Mlambo (died 1975) and had 6 children. She has 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. At the age of 76 she was honored with a doctorate in Arts by the University of Zimbabwe. She continues to work with organizations that support children's causes. After independence in 1980 she remained in the humble low-income township of Mbare while most Zimbabweans moved to more affluent areas. This humble lady has dedicated her life to spreading joy and has lived a full life that most Zimbabweans can be proud of. On July 16, 2007 Ambuya Mlambo along with the Tumbuka Dance Company opened the 50th anniversary of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe with a dance and act that focused on humility and tolerance.^[1]

[edit] External links

"Zimbabwe: Who are the Deserving National Heroes", Zimbabwe International News, August 3 2007: Ambuya Mlambo is one of the "influential personalities" that have made "a meaningful contributions..a positive impact that drives people to change their lifestyles in a positive sense."
Itayi Garande, on Ambuya Mlambo as a notable Zimbabwean hero, The Zimbabwe Guardian