“I was born in Shamva where my father at the time was working as a truck driver for a trucking company called Dunstan Transport. However, I grew up in Mufakose Harare where he had already bought a house in 1969 which is where I grew up. I feel like I’m Zimbabwean because my mother was from here and I also feel like I’m Malawian because my father was from there. Growing up we were ashamed of our roots because we were called ‘mubvakure’- meaning one from far or ‘mubrandaya.’ People used to look down on us and you could not even say you were from Malawi. Being from Malawi was something to be ashamed of. To others like me, who have a Zimbabwean and a Malawian parent, I say we belong to both Malawi and Zimbabwe.”
"I would consider having dual citizenship. I feel shortchanged because I can’t speak my father's language." © Angela Jimu
A passport size photograph of Lucius Jimu. Until his death in 1996, Lucius still held his Malawian citizenship. Lucius was buried in Zimbabwe. Picture courtesy of the Jimu family.
"I wish my father had been strict so that we could learn the language so I would be able to communicate effectively with people in Malwi when I go there." © Angela Jimu
"This is the street I grew up on. There were many men from Malawi who also lived on the street." © Angela Jimu