Lingston Zimbuni's story is a testament to the power of hard work and determination. Born into a poor family in the rural Manyamula area of the Mzimba district in Malawi, his early life was marked by hardship and limited opportunities. Yet, he refused to let his circumstances define him, showcasing a resilience that is truly inspiring.
"I was born in 1992. Our family has five of us - four brothers and one sister. I am the youngest. I couldn't complete my education because my parents couldn't support me financially. I only finished Standard Five (Grade 7). Sometimes, we couldn't even afford to eat because of poverty," said Lingston.
With little formal education, Lingston took a bold step and left Malawi for South Africa in search of a better life. It was a difficult move but one that would ultimately change his trajectory. Despite the naysayers, he remained optimistic, saying, "Many people told me that I could not succeed because I was not well educated, but my focus was to try and see if I would fail."
In South Africa, Lingston found work in gardening, a job that requires physical labour and dedication. "From 2014 to 2018, I lost many jobs because of a lack of communication since I couldn't understand English. I remained focused, hoping that one day I would make it, and now I can communicate in English properly," he said. He poured his soul into his work, and slowly but surely, his hard work began to pay off.
Today, Lingston is a proud owner of cows, a motorbike, and several houses in both town and his home village in his country. His success is a far cry from his humble beginnings and a testament to the rewards of perseverance.
"I am very grateful to God because he blessed me with a wife who always encourages me when falling down, and also three children who are so precious to me. Some people have a lot of wealth but don't have children and proper wives. To me, these are my successors. One thing I can tell the world is that 'disability is not inability.' Failing to speak English should not let us down, but keep on trying until we achieve our heart’s desire," said Lingston, his gratitude shining through his words.
"Together with my family today, we are happy, and we are still pushing hard to increase our destiny of changing from poverty to a better life. Today, I can find free manure through my livestock, and farming is very easy. People are hiring my ox cart for their domestic use, and others are renting my houses, and that’s a source of income for me," said Lingston.
Lingston’s journey inspires anyone who has ever felt trapped by circumstances. His story shows that anyone can change fate and achieve prosperity with determination and hard work.
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