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Mashudu Mambo
IF ever one needs a living example that true love exists and that one’s past does not necessarily shape their future, then search no further and read the inspiring love story of two ex-divorcees Joyce Chanza and Kennedy Nyakudziwanza.
Theirs is a story of hope, love and the path to finding the right life partner. It has been 29 years since Chanza and Nyakudziwana separated from their previous partners — for totally different reasons — and later found each other, got married and their relationship is still going strong.
The couple is blessed with seven children, 21 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Kennedy met his wife at a friend’s birthday party and from the first glance, he knew that she was his soulmate.
“I met my wife at a birthday party in 1994, where we had been invited by a mutual friend and at first glance l knew that she was the woman that l wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Joyce was dancing like all the other people at the party but her composure drew me to her. I started getting to know her better and after a year we started dating, got married in 2003 and we have been inseparable since,” he said.
Kennedy stated that they have ground rules in their relationship and this has promoted stability in their home.
“In our marriage, we believe that we plan everything together, when l was working my wife knew the amount that l earned and we planned how to manage the finances and build our home,” he said.
Joyce said she knew that her husband was the one when she realised that he brought peace and contentment to her.
“It took us some years to finally get married and this was because of our previous broken marriages so we needed to get to know each other better before settling down. The first thing that l liked about my husband was that he was different, he respected me, never insulted or assaulted me. He is a peaceful man and this trait made me fall in love with him,” she said.
She said the secret to their long lasting marriage has been respect and mutual understanding.
“We have been together for the past 29 years and this is because we respect each other. In our home everything belongs to us, we do not divide the house or property, we believe that everything that we have is ours. Loyalty has also played a crucial role in binding us together because we have no passwords to our phones and no one has secrets,” she said.
Joyce added that she believes that gender equality has played a role in increasing the divorce rates in the country.
“I believe that gender equality must not take a central role in a marriage because even the Bible emphasises on submission. Women must submit to their husbands, they must kneel when serving them with food and communicate with them on their whereabouts.
“A number of marriages fail because people feel pressured to get married before understanding their partner and when they are married they start regretting their decision,” she said.
Online Reporter