Talk:Ambuya Mlambo

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Ambuya Mlambo is a revolutionary children's broadcaster who had radio and television programs for children before and after the Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. She is to children in Zimbabwe as Mr Rogers was to children in the USA. Born in 1922, she was raised in an orphanage run by Christian missionaries after the death of her mother and her father dropped her off at the orphanage at the age of 5 along with her younger sister. Despite colonial iniquities and growing up in the harsh conditions of an orphanage she graduated with a teaching diploma but was not allowed to teach by the British settlers. Ultimately she returned to school and beat the odds by receiving a diploma in Nursing and would serve as a nurse and midwife for black Zimbabweans (then Southern Rhodesia). She distinguished herself as one one of the very few women of that time who would excel in education despite racism and sexism that was rampant during that time. She began broadcasting children's programs on a local channel in the late sixties. Her show were both educational and entertaining. She would write children's stories and read them on air. Often you would find children in the townships of Zimbabwe singing, dancing, and laughing along with her in front of a radio as they listened to her crisp and distinguishable voice. The name "Ambuya" means grandmother as she became known as everyone's grandmother. This was primarily because in the midst of the laughing and joking, she tell the kids about good behavior - like a grandmother would do - she was every child's Grandmother. After independance she began to broadcast her shows on TV. The children's shows were either recorded in the studio with children from the community or were broadcast at schools. Her radio and TV show's included Varai Vana Vadiki, Potonjere, Look and Learn, and Crystal Sweets Corner - some were in English and some were in Shona. She also made appearances in several TV shows as an actress. While on or off air she loves broadcasting to the children primarily because she truly loves children. Besides raising her own 6 children, she raised nearly 8 other children in her household.

She married John Mlambo (died 1975) and had 6 children. She has 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. At the age of 76 she was honored with a doctorate in Arts by the University of Zimbabwe. She continues to work with organizations that support children's causes. After independence in 1980 she remained in the humble low-income township of Mbare while most Zimbabwean's moved to the more affluent part of time. This humble lady who has dedicated her life to spreading joy and has lived a full life that most Zimbabweans can be proud of.

Hsgate 21:41, 11 September 2007 (UTC)


 * This is just the article again. In order to avoid deletion, you'll need to provide several reliable sources to verify that this person meets the notability criteria.  Remember, we aren't in Zimbabwe, and without real sources, we can't tell whether this person really is important in Zimbabwean television, or not. -FisherQueen (Talk) 21:53, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

Since this is a living biograpphy it is difficult for me to find sources...However, I found a few that may help to make my point.

Article published on the website [Zimbabwe International News] on August 3 2007 entitled "Zimbabwe: Who are the Deserving National Heroes" the author mentions Ambuya Mlambo as one of the "influential personalities" that have made "a meaningful contributions..a positive impact that drives people to change their lifestyles in a positive sense."

Also another article published today...Zimbabwe's News Website "[The Zimbabwe Guardian]" by editor Itayi Garande also mentions Ambuya Mlambo as a notable Zimbabwean hero on the Arts List.

On July 16, 2007 Ambuya Mlambo along with the Tumbuka Dance Company openeed the 50th anniversary of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe with a dance and act that focused on humility and tolerance. Source is the Herald NewspaperThe article described her as a veretan broadcaster. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Hsgate (talk • contribs) 18:29, 13 September 2007 (UTC)