Trigger warning: The following story contains details about domestic violence.
Gospel Artist Ashelly Manzunzu is living her dream. Not only does she have the opportunity to perform for tourists who visit the Disney World Animal Kingdom, she released her first album in 2013 (Zvakazarurwa) and is enjoying the success of two recent singles – Vanogona and Ndiye Mwari.
“Yes, I’m a gospel artist, but I’m also flexible and sing about social issues such as child abuse,domestic violence and climate change…everything referring to the word of God,” Ashelly told The Weight She Carries.
Up until recently, Ashelly was a single mother of four children from her previous marriage which was characterized by abuse and pain.
Ashelly began singing in her church choir in Zimbabwe as a child and was raised in a Christian home. By the time she was a teenager, she was extremely passionate about music.
She had her first baby at a young age but believed things were going to change for the better.
When her mother passed away, she decided to relocate to Botswana to find a job to sustain herself and her child. Life in a foreign land was not rosy and she faced many hardships.
“I faced a lot of challenges and this resulted in me getting desperate,” Ashelly told The Weight She Carries. “I ended up with a man who promised to marry me. At first, things where fine and I praised God thinking that finally I had found someone who would help me, love me and support my ministry.”
Bliss was short-lived and her husband began to change.
“He became wild,” she said. “That was the beginning of my nightmare.”
Ashelly said she faced all forms of abuse at the hands of the man she planned to spend forever with.
“I was abused physically and emotionally…being beaten up like an animal. Clothes and other property that belonged to me and my children were being destroyed and burned. I was so confused, but I thought change was certain,” she said.
When her second baby was on the way, the abuse worsened. At the time, Ashelly told herself that she was an orphan and even if she wanted to leave, there would be no place to go. So she chose to stay despite the bad treatment.
Time flew and baby number three came.
“He started bringing his girlfriends into our home. My children and I were treated like slaves. Sometimes the kids would be told to wake up around 1 a.m. and forced to march like soldiers. Other times we would be told to stand in a shower for the whole night as punishment,” Ashelly said.
She lived in fear, not knowing what each day would bring. Her husband ended up having children with some of the women he brought to the house.
Ashelly became physically weak and lost a lot of weight. There was no peace in the home, and she would often opt to sleep outside.
One day, her husband disappeared with the kids and Ashelly spent the whole night not knowing where he was. It was emotional torture.
“I was only told in the morning that he is along the highway coming home. I followed him and I saw him carrying my 1-year-old son. My daughter was walking next to him,” Ashelly said. “When I took my son, he was crying a lot. I checked and noticed puncture wounds on his buttocks. I looked at his hands and saw thorns, which meant the thorns had being used to prick my child.”
The experience was extremely painful.
People living around her knew of her predicament as she often sought guidance and a shoulder to lean on from her pastors. They always encouraged her to keep praying. Helpless, she clung to her faith.
“There is a time I used to call the police but I got tired. Neighbors used to help me but they lost hope. The only plan now was to find an unfinished building to sleep in at night with my kids and go back home when it was daylight. My daughter once said, ‘Mum, why can’t we leave this man? Let’s just walk away. Even if we die (it’s better) than to live like this.’” – Ashelly Manzunzu
Ashelly became pregnant with her fourth child after being violated by her husband.
“He forced me, and I said, ‘God, I’m going to abort this baby,’” Ashelly said.
She ultimately made the decision to keep her child, but the situation at home continued to deteriorate.
She was disheartened by the fact that most of the people she knew who had no regard for God were all getting married and prospering, but she loved God and yet her life was going haywire.
One night, Ashelly dreamt that a particular woman was involved with her husband.Sure enough, the following week, she received confirmation that her husband had impregnated the lady who appeared in her dream.
That was the final blow.
Ashelly felt impressed to leave her husband for good.
“Being a single mother is not glamorous at all. It’s so difficult. I faced rejection – no one to give a hand or just to give comforting words. I have been up and down with my children, asking people to assist me so that I work, but most people would advise me to go and live in the village. I vowed to not lose my path but do the right thing so as to fend for my children.”
– Ashelly Manzunzu
It was a difficult transition but her weeping turned to joy.
“I ended up in the USA after a complete stranger approached me on social media and commended me for my music,” she said. “My videos were submitted to Disney in USA, it was grace.”
Disney loved her music and signed her up to perform regularly for tourists visiting the resort.
“Futhermore, God blessed me and gave me a husband, whom from the onset, loved my children as though they were his – loved them more than their own biological father and provided them with all they desired,” she said. “I met my husband, Mr Hove, whilst shopping in Harare (Zimbabwe). “It took us years of knowing each other before we finally got married. This was agreed upon during a very long conversation.”
In August 2018, Ashelly, a single mother of four, tied the knot with her fiancé – a single father of three.
“His family is a blessing, and he has also received a blessing in me,” she said. “I thank God for answering my prayer and giving me the love that I had longed for.I’m healthy and happy with my children. God gave me a real man, a man who (understands) true love.”
Ashelly’s advise to single mothers:
- Dreams are powerful, God can reveal your tomorrow through a dream.
- Love your children and work hard for them.
- As a single mum, you must learn to forgive and forget. Sometimes due to bitterness, you end up taking all the frustration out on your beautiful children, which is very, very bad.
- Let God fight your battles.
- Your children should grow up knowing that there is love and respect out there.
- Never allow bitterness to take away your blessings.
- Always know that despite the bad experiences and mistakes, you are worthy of a great love that will come at God’s appointed time.
