Viwe — a daughter of God who views herself as His precious jewel

[notice] A monthly column in which Kwakanya Nazo shares stories, interviews and testimonies of young people from all walks of life who are radical for Jesus and live to see change and transformation in and around them.[/notice]

This month on Chosen Kwakes’ corner we speak to Viwe, a daughter of God who views herself as His precious jewel. A young mother of two who has (right in front of her two eyes) seen the Grace and mercy of Christ rewrite her life.

In light of it being Women’s month, Viwe describes being a woman as “being an intercessor, child of God, a nurturer, a strong, gracious, resilient and beautiful ball of boldness”. While being a woman is amazing and good, she also feels as though there are some challenges that come with being women, to mention a few “us as women can become very competitive and society keeps telling us what being women should look like (which changes every second day)” and feeding us with distorted definitions of being beautiful and worthy.

Tell us more about your childhood?
Viwe: What’s still fresh in my mind is a fond memory of growing up in what is termed as a perfect family; a mom, dad and my three siblings. Although my father was an alcoholic, I come from a very loving family.

Who are your siblings?
Viwe: My three sisters — Pumeza, Nosisa and Pindile.

Are both your parents still alive?
Viwe: Sadly, my father passed away in 1993 in the line of duty. My mother, a resilient woman of great faith, is still alive, serving as a nurse in the metro.

Has the kind of relationship you had with your father impacted your relationship with God, in any way?
Viwe: My father and I actually had a very good relationship He was the gentlest person, ever. I have actually never related the love of my father to that of God. I came to terms with my father no longer being alive but later embraced God and all that He came with.

If you could be any woman in the bible, who would you be and why?
Viwe: Definitely Esther, she is the personification of what Grace can do for someone. The odds were stacked against her and she managed  and strived through it all, carried by Grace and being victorious.

You’re obviously born again? How did this come about? How has God transformed your life?
Viwe: I had my first encounter with the Holy Spirit when I was 10 years old at child at Umtata Christian Church and lived a life devoted to Christ since. I grew up and moved to Port Elizabeth where it was lights, camera action and I, unfortunately, allowed life to get the better of me. I became a mother of two daughters, now 10 and 5, out of wedlock and life really could not get any worse. In 2014 I came back to Christ, I repented and have never turned back since, and my life has not been the same since then.

I can see, hear and discern now more than ever. I have seen transformation in how differently I handle certain situations. Although it’s not always easy, it’s all about trusting God man, trusting God!!

What song, currently, would you say is the soundtrack to your life?
Viwe: Already Done by Israel Houghton and New Breed ft. Jonathan McReynolds

A title to a book about your life, and why?
Viwe: Destiny. It is a word I keep hearing a lot lately. More than anything, I had a vision when I was 19 – I saw myself having written a book about my journey. I felt it was from the Lord, and that settled it- LOL.

What are some of your aspirations?
Viwe: To work closely with women who have powerful stories. I believe most (not all) women have a life changing story to tell. It is to also help the poor and destitute but at the right time God will give clarity and direction.

You’re a mother of two, what has that meant to you?
Viwe: It has to be the most beautiful gift ever. The mistakes, the lessons, the disciplining, everything. My daughters have taught me a lot about myself and the beauty that is motherhood. It is through the leading of the Holy Spirit that I am able to teach them and discipline accordingly. They were the first souls I led to Christ, there’s nothing as precious as that. I make sure that my life and desires are in line with the Word of God.

It also means I lay the foundations for my daughters to know that when God has planted a seed in their hearts it is up to them to allow Him to grow it and giving up on God’s dream and promise for their lives is not a plan

What is one of the most precious things about being born again?
Viwe: Being able to approach the throne of God, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that you have a Heavenly Father who loves you and hears you.

Your “pick me up” song?
Viwe: No longer slaves by Bethel Music

Lastly, a word of advice to any young person who feels as though they have made mistakes they are not proud of?
Viwe: Life is a journey of seeking and finding. Don’t be too hard on yourself, condemnation is not of God and not from God. God will give conviction which will come from a place of LOVE.