zimfinalpush
| Get off your comfort zone |
| Written by Peter Moyo | |
| Wednesday, 11 April 2007 | |
 Am not the type that reads what I have written but if I remember very well, the last time you read this column, I was writing about making it in Mzansi. And let me tell you that if you are serious about coming down here, then GET OUT YOUR BLOODY COMFORT ZONE! Ya, things don't just come on a silver platter. and before I go ahead, many of you might have been discouraged by my last drivel, where I painted a picture of doom and gloom. Well, if you are to check where I am today, a leading television producer for a company which is very soon to get a pay tv license, then you shouldn't be really discouraged. And all this in a space of two years? Come'n you can do better. I came to South Africa on 2 October 2003, by 10 November 2004, I was already on my way to joining e.tv and becoming a producer - having left my comfortable two bedroomed rented flat at Chinamano heights in Harare, swapping in for a one room in university student quarters - leaving an office as Arts Editor of The Standard newspaper, for a desk at the Sunday World tabloid where I did not know whether I would be paid at the end of the month and I struggled to get my stories published. That was insumountable but what you have to realise is that, I was leaving my comfort zone. I was the best paid Arts Editor, even better paid than most of my pears at Standard at the time, yet here I was, on a bus taking me to South Africa and never to return to Zimbabwean journalism ever again. You could never have guessed where I would end up. I had never been in broadcasting before, had been poorly trained for it at CCOSA college. It was more like back to square one. But within me, I knew this was a temporary measure. My road was quite clear before me and I knew fate had my best interests at heart. I was going to come back to the top again and everyone would know about Peter Moyo again. I knew where I was going, but the road ws not immediately before me. Yes, it is okay to use other Zimbabweans as a stepping stone into Mzansi but my past experiences tell me, try as much to avoid that. Yes, use them to get contacts, to get the know how of the way things are this side, but not as a way of trying to get it the easy way. It always backfires on you. Trust me on that. My adventure to South Africa followed careful planning and a plan B. My first plan was to get to a newspaper and freelance, stay in the cheapest accommodation I could find, so as to lessen my financial burden. Paying R700/m meant I could stretch my one month MISA grant to six months. It also meant that I could afford a work permit. Freelance work would also make sure I made enough for extra cover while I job hunted. And as a word of encouragement, I became a television producer within one a half years of settling in South Africa. However, I only got a work contract, getting me R8000/m about seven months into my stay - that was at Mnet New Media - thanx to another Zimbo who was working there who tipped me of a job opening there. But I had to go an prove myself in the interview and clinch the job as an online writer for Project Fame, the one Kudzai Sevenzo participated in. It was a four months contract, so my job hunting was not over. You see I was lucky to get a Zimbo who could tip you of such an opportunity. I have had nasty experience with Zimbos who would go their way to make sure you don't get a job at their companies. At one time I applied for a job where this Zimbo was working and had the power to check CVs etc. He was the one checking all CVs and forwarding them to the bosses. Well, a receptionist had told me my CV had been recieved but later, my Zimbo brother told me there was no such reciept of my CV. Had he spiked it? he only knows and he has been notorious for decampaigning other Zimbos who want to join the company? Does he feel threatened or he is self deficient in some way? But all I can say is, though the Zimbo brother has been here for more than 10 years, I have by far eclipsed him in many ways. And there are some Zimbo brothers who when they link you with a job, they rush to tell all and sundry that they are the ones who got you hooked up, forgeting you had to prove yourself in the interview. I have helped so many Zimbos, some who wanted to get permits, some who wanted accommodation to come do interviews and some who wanted jobs and I tipped them on openings at my company but I would never feel they owed me in some way. What I have realised is that this has largely paid off for me, especially when I fell into problems. e.g my recent adventure in Zimbabwe where I had to pack my life in a plastic bag and run away with it is one such incident. When peniless Peter Moyo got into South Africa at Mesina, with no cent to proceed to Joburg, a phone call to these dudes I had helped found me with more than R1000 deposited into my credit card. I thank them for that But do not ever mistake a Zimbo's good will as a must. Hanzi kubva peter paakaenda Joni ava kudada. He doesn't want us to come crash at his house as we look for jobs etc. But then, hey bro, you never used to crash at my house when I was in Zim, why do you think I owe it to you now to come around? There are some Zimbos who have this mentality but don't get me wrong, there are people who I let crash at my house, but not all and sundry. I would gladly give you all the advice on how to make it here, who to talk to, where to apply for jobs etc and even help you find accommodation - with your money. eish, its getting late, lets talk again later... |
Peace and Tranquility???
 Peace and Tranquility??? |
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