I am still pinching myself – is it real that I have just completed my doctoral journey – achieving a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership? God’s grace and mercy enabled me to endure and cope with the challenges along this incredible journey.

My parents, with limited education – my father having completed only the 9th grade and my mother the 8th grade – raised me in abject poverty within one of the poorest high-density townships in Harare, Zimbabwe. My father’s alcoholism led to physical and verbal abuse directed at my mother, my siblings, and me. I remember going to bed hungry on countless nights, wearing hand-me-downs from my cousins. At the age of 16, I even contemplated ending my life. However, everything changed when I experienced salvation and spiritual transformation during a Scripture Union camp. This transformation instilled hope in me – hope for a brighter future. Despite my love for learning, I had to forego the opportunity to attend university so that I could work and financially support my three siblings, for whose care I was responsible.

Today, as I celebrate this achievement, I dedicate it to my dear mother, Fiellah Masango, who endured tremendous hardship to raise us, her children. She could have walked away from it all, but she chose to stay in a challenging marriage to be there for us. I love you so much, Mom. I also extend this dedication to my wife, Rutendo, for her unwavering support during my doctoral journey. I am grateful that she took care of our girls, even during vacations, so I could spend time at the library and focus on my studies. This academic accomplishment has pushed me to new levels of understanding, and without her prayers, encouragement, and emotional care, navigating the unfamiliar terrain of writing a dissertation would have been immensely difficult.

To my children, Fiela and Tanaka, I dedicate this dissertation as well. Your unwavering support and cheering have been invaluable, and I hope I have made you proud! I must express my gratitude to The Salvation Army for providing me with the opportunity to embark on this doctoral journey. Lastly, I dedicate my degree to all my teachers in Zimbabwe who believed in me; they were a source of knowledge and inspiration. Thank you for your unwavering belief in me. I am still pinching myself – is it real? Yes, it is. Thank you, Jesus!