Giveth Mambo graduated from Young Africa in 2013. She was 23yrs old. Giveth completed a National Foundation Certificate in Car Mechanics. Giveth worked hard to challenge gender bias to get to where she is now. She believes in hard work saying that “young people should not sit at home, they have to be responsible and work for their success”. Through hard work and dedication, Giveth has paved her own future and success. 

Giveth worked in a garage in Harare. Giveth explained, “It is difficult being a young girl in Zimbabwe, where good role models are rare. We have to depend on our own emotional strength to make good and positive choices. There is no support for us. Many young women have a poor attitude towards life and believe that they need someone to take care of them. They do not realise the importance of establishing their own independence.” 

Giveth’s father told her, “Giveth, always remember that you have to make the best choices for yourself”. Those words stayed with her like a magic spell.  She knew the importance of being independent, making one’s own life and to be treated with respect by family and society.

It was unusual to be a car mechanic but it didn’t stop Giveth. Giveth said, “I did not want the stereotypical profession that was expected of me. I believe that the influence of gender role stereotypes in Zimbabwe promotes low self-esteem, lack of confidence and lack of support at home and in the work place. I wanted to break the stereotype and become empowered to make my own decisions and choose a career that would be challenging. It was an easy choice to make but it was a difficult one to fulfill.” 

Giveth’s father supported her wholeheartedly but her mother had reservations. When Giveth began  class she highlights, “I was pleasantly surprised and inspired as there were six girls enrolled in the course. Our teacher Mr. Mugai was very encouraging and patient with us. He respected us for our keen interest in motor mechanics.”