Oral history interview with Israel Chichena Murapa

00:10 Introductions

00:46 Early years, where born etc.

01:11 Employment in Harare and enrolment at night school classes

02:47 Marriage

03:24 Job as Clerical Officer at Andrew Fleming Hospital

03:47 Executive Officer position in the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1983

04:55 Senior Executive Officer at the Ministry of Health in 1984

06:49 Appointed Principal Executive Officer. Recalls a typical work day

07:34 Appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer and what that role entailed

09:00 Successfully applied for a scholarship and came to Manchester in 1993 to undertake a Postgraduate Diploma. First employee in Human Resources to go overseas for further training.

10:43 Recalls the responsibilities of Acting Chief Executive role while in Zimbabwe

12:09 Disappointment by the negative attitude towards his move to the UK from the Chief Executive

14:33 While studying in Manchester it was recommended to proceed to the Masters’ programme. Offered a place, pending authorisation from Zimbabwe.

16:10 Childhood

19:17 Continuation of migration journey. Waiting for response from Harare to proceed to MA which was to be funded by British Council through Ministry of Health.

21:44 Refusal letter from the Ministry of Health regarding MA (1994) and given the instruction to return home by 1st October or he would be discharged from his post. Ongoing squabbling with bosses to get permission to go and pursue the MA in the academic year of 1995-1996.

29:10 1996 nurses strike: those who studied at Harare Hospital, Israel’s interaction with the strikers and repercussions

30:33 Workplace conflict

33:31 Family build a house in Harare

34:03 Committed to go back to the UK to pursue MA

39:00 It was the last chance to join the University in Manchester to study for the MA. November 1996 resigned from work to go to the UK to pursue MA

43:55 Difficulties on arriving in UK

46:15 University accommodation

47:57 Graduated in Masters in Human Resource Management in December 1997.

48:38 [Interviewer asks if Israel returned back to Zimbabwe after his studies] Stayed in the UK as being ‘discharged’ from his job was seen as a crime.

50:30 Zimbabwean traditions

52:19 Upholds all aspects of culture including food - Zimbabwean staple food such as Sadza. (cornmeal porridge)

53:50 Totem is a general one, moyo, chirandu, gono. A sense of belonging, originating from the bull. It is a totem which embraces everybody.

55:21 Looking to the future, upon deaths wants to be taken to Zimbabwe to be buried near parents

56:00 20 years in UK but not detached from Zimbabwe.

56:18 Children should know their origins and their culture, “language moulds our behaviour” you can speak English and still remain African.

59:00 Challenges of living in a foreign country especially while trying to uphold cultures and traditions.

1:00:40 End of interview

1:01:05 Thanks are exchanged [short conversation in Shona]

1.01.20 End of recording