Restaurant Manager, Positive Thinker, Cape Town, South Africa

With so much talent and dignity, Ms. Samantha Chaukura runs a restaurant in Cape Town. Ms. Chaukura’s choice of words and her honesty, when talking about her background and the experiences which got her here, offer so much insight and hope. Sam powered through adversity and overcame a lot, relying on her own instincts and lessons she picked up from her late mother. Truly a beautifully kind individual, with time I hope to learn more about and from Sam.

- Olga Shmaidenko, Founder of WOW Woman.

1. Name

My name is Samantha Tarisai Chaukura.

2. Where is your hometown?

I’m from Domboshawa, Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I am a restaurant manager. l wake up, say a prayer, check work emails, practice yoga or play tennis and eat breakfast. I then go to work as my shift starts at 11:00 a.m. On my day off I enjoy playing tennis at the Greenpoint Tennis Club here in Cape Town.

4. What did you study in school?

I received a Commis Chef training in assisting in the food preparation process and cooking.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the moment for you that changed your life (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

Life wasn’t easy. l lost my daddy when my mom was two months pregnant. l lost my mom when l was 15 years young. l completed my O-level in 2014, then l couldn’t continue to go to A-level because my uncle couldn’t afford to pay fees. That’s when l came to Cape Town, in 2015 to look after my cousin’s baby. That was quite a hard time, l didn’t know what to do, and that’s why l just came to South Africa. In 2016, l completed an Assistant Chef course and did my apprenticeship at CTICC (Cape Town International Convention Centre). In 2017, l found work at the Poke Co. restaurant, as a general worker. In 2019, I was promoted to a kitchen supervisor. In 2021, l began my studies at the South African Chefs Academy; l achieved Commis Chef diploma. I was promoted to a Manager in 2022.

Being a restaurant manager really changed my life. You have to prioritize what to focus on, how to solve issues, how to lead people who are sometimes older than you and how to make adjustments along the way.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I never really pictured anything, but l remember at one point, I wanted to be a dietitian.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

Yes, in 2021 life knocked me down to such extend that l cut my long hair and had to make some tough decisions. Then, in the middle of 2022, I had a heart break; at the time I didn’t know that’s what it was and realized only after three consecutive months of illness. During that time I started to write in a journal; I also prayed by asking God to heal my heart and give me more strength. Also, l tried paragliding to overcome pain and fear.

8. Advice for other women?

• Pray and ask God to guide you.

• Make mistakes and learn from them.

• Focus on what matters, because your life is only in your hands.

• You’re able to do everything you wish as long you have goals and plans on how to reach those goals.

• Always trust the process and be patient.

• Bitterness can destroy you; forgive, heal and enjoy life.

• Being a woman can’t stop you to do great things

9. Knowing what we know now in the current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

Yes, women can; through working hard and making our voices heard.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

When am practicing yoga and listening to my body what it needs and relaxing my mind.

11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

Yoga and playing tennis because sometimes at work I have to0 much pressure all l just want to relax ,calm my soul and refresh .

12. Have you travelled solo? If so, which were some of the most memorable destinations and why? Why do you travel and would you recommend it to women?

Yes, to Durban, because l just wanted to get out of town and take a break from work. I wanted to know myself more, wanted to make big decisions without any distractions. l wanted to grow from this experience, to learn and to meet new people.

Yes, l recommend for other women to travel solo - you only go the places you want to, you are in charge of everything. You also get to be in silence, when you most need it. Travelling solo will make you feel empowered.

14. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

I have no fear because of all the bad things l’ve encountered in life.

15. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

Nothing.

16. What/who inspires you?

A Zimbabwean comedian Tarisai Cleopatra Munetsiwa, who is also known as Madam Boss.

17. What are you hopeful about?

I hope to live a better life and to be able to support my family. I’m hopeful that women’s voices will be heard around the world and women will be given more opportunities to lead.

18. What are some ingredients to a good life? How did the global pandemic change your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

Enjoy every moment and stop worrying about tomorrow. You need to make yourself happy first, don’t wait for someone to else to do it. Don’t run away from your problems, solve them. Focus on what matters. Make final decisions, own them. Don’t react to every situation because then you’ll give it power.

The pandemic changed my life and taught me that I shouldn’t have procrastinated so much in life (because suddenly we couldn’t do many things we put off for later). The pandemic taught me that we can plan but we never know what the future holds; whatever I plan for in life, I have to be able to adjust my plans. The pandemic also taught me about spending money, to buy only necessary things and not waste money on impulse purchases.

- I am strong because all challenges l faced have made me the woman l am today.

- I am patient in everything l do. I always remain calm whether dealing with problems or difficult people.

- I am caring. l feel everyone deserves to be loved equally, whether it’s your family members, strangers, coworkers or friends - it shouldn’t matter what they do or don’t have.

20. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self? What advice would your 14-year-old self give you in return?

I would tell her: “Life’s sweet, so enjoy every moment. Allow God to always lead you on your life’s path. Don’t expect anything from people, because you’ll be disappointed. Just know, that it’s only you; life is in your hands and noone else’s. Don’t regret anything, just make final decisions for yourself”.

A 14-year-older me would tell me to remain humble and grateful.

21. What are you reading now? (What books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

“The Heart of a Woman” by Maya Angelou.

“Single, Married, Separated, and Life After Divorce” by Myles Munroe.

“Fascinating Womanhood” by Helen Andelin.

22. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, about why you admire them?

My WOW Women are:

• My mom, before she passed away, taught me to work hard, nothing in life is for free. Don’t expect anything in return when you do a good deed for someone. She taught me to listen and make decisions.

• My sister, who doesn’t tolerate drama, she minds her own business and works hard.

• My cousin, who showed me that your background doesn’t determine your future; if you have a plan and a goal you can achieve anything.

23. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

Instagram: @samachax

Bonus Quick Round Qs:

1. What and who is worth suffering for? My sister

2. What would you do if you knew that nobody would judge you? Nothing different to what I’m doing now.

3. If you didn't have to work anymore what would you do with your days? Travelling different countries.

4. If you could relive one year in your life, which one would it be? 2012 just to say thank to my mom for everything she has done for me.

5. What bothers you most about people? What do you love most about people? What bothers me people who take advantage and people who don’t appreciate. l love people who think of others, I love people who don’t lead a fake life and those who always tell the truth no matter how much it hurts to hear it.