The motto on the badge of my primary school in Harare was “persevere”. I remember not knowing what it meant, but finding it strange that my Grade 2 teacher, Mrs Vere, had her name in on the school logo. Clearly she was quite important.

As I grew older I learnt the meaning of the word, and I have held on to it quite tightly ever since. Two very important events yesterday brought it back, and were quintessential examples of it.

The first was the resignation of Robert Mugabe as president. It reminded me that Zimbabwean people are the embodiment of perseverance. Many have stayed in the country despite the economic woes. Many have left but still send money back to support their families or are involved in various other ways. Through all the hardship, Zimbabweans have been resilient, and they have persevered.

The second event was much closer to home. My brother received his exam results and he had passed the last course of his degree. He will now graduate in March next year.

My brother’s journey is the greatest example of perseverance I will ever know. He has been through mental illness, heartbreak and our intense family drama. He has failed many courses, but each time he dusts himself off and gets back and does it again. He made it through the final course on his fifth attempt, and this time he received a distinction in the subject.

I am so deeply proud of what he has achieved. And I take inspiration from it. I have learnt that being resilient isn’t just about being fierce, it’s sometimes the quiet voice that says “I’ll try again.”

I think if we were ever to have a family crest, it would have the same motto on it as our alma mater, Highlands School, does:

Persevere

Image is from my recent visit to Pretoria, where my brother and I managed to fit in a very quick coffee before the meeting I was going to.

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