21 QUESTIONS WITH KINGDOM POWERHOUSE & ENTREPRENEUR CHIPO PSWARAYI

You may have seen some of her inspirational posts across social media and been lit up to think beyond what the eye can see nor mind conceive. Chipo Pswarayi to us is a big sister, a passionate Woman of GOD who is fully coming into her own in ministry and as she juggles motherhood, a demanding career and a multitude of gifts that are paving way for her. We are truly honor to have her share her story with us in what we have coined “21 Questions with Chipo Pswarayi” Enjoy.

Who is Chipo Pswarayi?

Chipo Pswarayi is a Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Friend, Wife, Pastor and, most importantly, a Beloved child of The Most High God.

Take us in brief through a day in the life of Chipo?

That’s easy.  Wake up at 05h30.  Pray.  In the shower by 06h30.  Negotiate with my little people about bathing, dressing, eating, walking out of the door etc.  In the car by 07h10.  Drop the kids off at school.  In the office by 08h00 (07h15 when the driver drops the kids off at school without me).  I spend the day doing what an in-house lawyer and Group Company Secretary does.  I love my job!  Leave the office at 17h00.  Thank goodness home is a 2 minute drive from the office!  Cycle for 40mins.  Shower.  Dinner, read a book to the kids, catch up with the kids, tuck the kids in bed by 20h00.  Then I finalise Tsim&Bibi cake orders for the next day and respond to Tsim&Bibi emails.  Work on my church responsibilities largely to do with The Blaze magazine whilst preparing for my home cell etc. all while listening to a teaching.  Then I pray and go to bed around 11h30.  Im pretty routine based, so my week days do not deviate too much from this.  In fact, I prefer to be home in the evenings during the week.

One of the things we find so inspirational about you is your ability to aggressively pursue that which you set your mind to. Where do you get your strength?

The joy of the Lord is my strength.  Seriously.  I found out a few years ago that as long as I choose, my life can move in one direction only – which is forward and upward.  And since then, I have purposed to do all that I can do and be the best that I can, by the Grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  I found out that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and, since then, have been determined to prove that firstly to myself, and then to the rest of the world.  This is so that all may see and know, as I do, that Jesus Christ is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings; that His promises in Him are Yes and Amen, and that we serve a Living and Loving God, who assuredly is coming back for us one day.

Chipo the lawyer: tell us what influenced your desire to become a legal practitioner and what you enjoy most about your career?

It was a very simple decision for me.  My sister became an Accountant, so I would become a Lawyer.  That’s it.  What I enjoy the most is that I (unknowingly at the time) chose a profession that “strengthens my strengths” – I love to write and think and deduce and produce.  And that is what lawyering is about – establish the facts, analyse the facts and reach a conclusion.  I currently serve as the Group Company Secretary at Shanduka Group, with responsibilities that encompass legal and governance.  Being a part of the governance process of a company and sitting in the meetings of the board of directors and its various committees has provided me with the privileged opportunity to gain insight into the running of an organisation.  I love to listen to the decision makers debate issues and reach final positions.  The three persons who have inspired me the most in this regard, and under whose chairmanship I have been privileged to serve, are Honourable Jabulani Moleketi, Mr Martin Kuscus and, now, the Honourable Deputy President of the Republic of South, Cyril Ramaphosa MP.  I really do love what I do.  Getting up to go to work every day is easy.  I enjoy it.  I work with a great bunch of folks.  I believe that there are no coincidences.  So I treasure every moment in everything that I do because the wisdom of God is behind it all.

Chipo the Entrepreneur: Please share with us the inspiration behind Tsim & Bibi, how you started, your product offering and where people can enjoy the sweet delights on offer through your business?

Tsim&Bibi was birthed in me by the Spirit of God.  A great Man of God taught me that even if you were to take a pile of sand and start selling that sand, with the Word of God in you and behind you, you can become the greatest and most successful sand seller in the world.  It’s that simple because the Holy Spirit in you makes everything that you do a success.  So what started for me as simply purchasing a baking book so that I could bake a cake for my daughter’s 1^st birthday, became the foundation of Tsim&Bibi today.  Sarabi’s first birthday cake treats were a huge success and, with that in the bag, I decided that I would bake every cake in the recipe book.  And so I started baking cake after cake.  We ran a home cell from my place at that time.  So every Wednesday I would have them sample my cakes.  And they loved them.  The home cell members repeatedly told me to start selling.  Then one day.  Monde Neer, one of the home cell members, placed the first ever order with Tsim&Bibi – a chocolate cake and a strawberry cheesecake.  And as they say, the rest is history.  For 2 years I supplied the cakes from my home at markets in various malls and to individuals. And the business just kept growing just as the Word of God says.  Eventually, I opened a shop on 01 June 2013. Today, we supply individuals, corporates, weddings, birthday parties, restaurants and so on.  And our offering has increased from our bestselling red velvet cake, to a range of popular cakes.  The feedback has been consistent – moist, delicious cakes with incredible icing.

I am proud of the fact that my team, which comprises of ladies who were once either the helper in my home or the nanny to my kids, are now producing cake masterpieces, by the Grace of God.  I taught them everything that they know, in my kitchen.  And now, admittedly, they are even better than me!  But that’s exactly as things should  be.  My dad manages the business on my behalf, and the business has taken great strides under His leadership.

So what is my point.  I will not stop with Tsim&Bibi unless God were to direct me otherwise.  Because He is the one that gave me the vision and told me to run with it.  He birthed the business.  I know that God has plans for this business, and that there is much more to come.

Do you have plans for expansion or diversification in the realms of business and entrepreneurship?

The Extraordinary Strategist, all Knowing, all Creative God lives in me.  And I have learnt over the years never to limit Him.  I know that by His grace, I can do all things.  So if He opens a door, Im walking through it.  There is enough time because He always makes the time for me.  I already have so much on my plate.  But I can stomach more.  There is always room for more where God is involved.  And yes, Tsim&Bibi is going to grow much more – the business will serve nations by His grace.

Can you pin point (even though we believe there are many) what you deem to be your greatest achievement to date?

Wow!  I have done so many things and made headway in so many aspects of my life.  But since being born again I learnt my most important learning – that it is not I, but Christ.  For I am crucified with Christ.  And yet I nevertheless live, it is not I.  Christ lives in me.  The life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  He loved me and gave Himself for me.  So all the outworkings of His grace in my life are for His glory.  Not mine.  To God be the glory that I have achieved so much already.  For it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God.  My greatest achievement to date was simply to say YES to the call of God upon my life.  To receive Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour.  And to allow Him to work in and through me as He wills.  For His glory.  Being dead to self and alive to Jesus Christ only.

We know that your relationship with God is a huge factor in your life. Please share with us the experience that ultimately led you to start seeking GOD – your “enough is enough” moment.

My relationship with God is not a factor.  It is my life.  Outside of Christ, I am nothing.  In Christ I am everything.  In Him I live, in Him I move, and in Him I have my being.  My marriage was in trouble in 2010 and when all else had failed, I turned to God.  I found out that I do not have to suffer another day because Christ paid the price for me.  That Christ in me is my hope of glory.  And that I have the power to chart my course in life and to create the life that I want.  So I turned to God.  And truly, my life has never been the same again.  It has gone from glory to glory – forward and upward only.  Yes, I got divorced soon after turning to God.  But that is the wisdom of God.  For I remain a wife.  And soon to be married, and to continue the journey in marriage that God began in my life at that point.  To God be the glory!

Do you remember the exact moment that you knew you were officially sold out for Christ?

Yes.  The day that I listened to my first teaching by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome PhD in 2010.  I thought to myself.  This man is speaking truth.  I want what he has.  Because I could see it all over him.  I thought – I want to be as sold out and as convinced as he is.  I want to experience those things that he says he experiences.  Pastor Christ said that all I needed was to turn to Jesus, with all my heart and soul and mind.  So I decided to go after Jesus.  With all my heart and all my soul and all my mind.  And my life has never been the same again.

At QF we believe that a lot of the strength we possess as women is fuelled by witnessing with the testimony of another. Is there any one testimony that impacted your life so greatly that you would accredit it to where you are today in your faith walk?

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome PhD.  Christ in him changed my life forever.  Watching Pastor Chris and his ministry, Christ Embassy.  Being a part of Christ Embassy.  The signs and wonders that I witnessed.  The Word that I received.  The life that this ministry opened my eyes to. Pastor Chris’s example.

And my Pastor, Pastor Douglas Chieza.  Watching him has been truly inspirational – particularly when it comes to character.  And serving in His ministry, WordAblaze.  Pastor Douglas is a proof producer that Jesus Christ is alive and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  That I too can be as filled with the Spirit of God, and purpose do Mighty things on this earth, and show forth the Glory of our God.  The depth of the Word of God in Him is only by the Spirit of God.  “Deep calleth unto deep”, as Pastor Douglas always says.  Truly, we serve a Living and Faithful God.

Chipo Pswarayi, mom of two beautiful children? How has becoming a mom changed you?

I always say.  God gave Tsiamo and Sarabi to me because He knew that the day that I got divorced, only Tsiamo and Sarabi could keep me going.  While he worked in and through me by the power of His Word.  While He healed and restored me and made me whole again.  Because this process takes time.  And so I could not become too discouraged, because every time that I looked down, Tsiamo and Sarabi were looking up at me with a smile.  We are three peas in a pod.  I cannot imagine my life without them.  Watching them grow is such a pleasure.  And learning from them – even little people challenge us.  My life has become about building a home and a life and a legacy for them, and doing this for God’s glory.

How do you balance your various roles; that are being a spouse, parenting, entrepreneurship, career and ministry?

By His Grace.  There are no works for the Child of God.  I do what I need to do, when I need to do it, and to the best of my abilities.  Because my sufficiency is of God.  I am not saying that I am perfect, because the only perfect man is Jesus.  And it is after the example of Jesus Christ that I follow.  But through Christ who strengthens me, I can do all things.

You recently shared with us your call to ministry? How has the journey transformed you?

I was born for such a time as this.  To step into Ministry as I have been called.  Apart from this calling, I have no purpose in life.  In this calling, I am found.  The Chipo that you see today is as a result of Christ in my and me walking in my purpose.  Which is His calling.  I am made in Christ.  I finally have peace, joy and love.  I am finally complete and whole – nothing broken and nothing missing.

What pearls of wisdom can you offer the woman out there who carries the fear of getting started; who harbours doubts and wonders if she can live the life she has been dreaming of for years?

All we need in this life is the Word of God.  Because everything is packaged in the Word of God.  Go after the Word of God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind, and you will be empowered, by His grace, to design and live the life of your dreams now!  We have received a living promise to show forth the goodness of God NOW!  Outside of His Grace, you will have to work for everything – to be liked, to succeed, to receive favour, to be promoted etc.  Because outside of His Grace, you have to rely on your own sufficiency and power and might.  An impossible task!  This is the very reason that Christ came.  We can rest in His promise and let Grace set us on track.  But this is a choice.

Is there a social cause you are passionate about? If yes what do you think we as people could do to raise awareness and alleviate the societal problems in relation to this cause?

Children.  A great Man of God taught me that every child is my child.  Homeless / orphaned children.  That is a cause on my heart.  So I would say that you start where you are and do something from that very place.  Give your time, your money, your energy and your resources to uplifting and empowering children.  And, importantly, give the children the Word of God too.  Because the Word of God is the power of God unto salvation.  Hope for a brighter tomorrow and permanent positive changes.

What do you do to relax?

I am a very fun loving and happy person.  I like to spend time with loved ones, hanging out, eating out etc.  And Im always open to try something new.  I love travelling.  I also love baking.  There are so many fun things to do out there.  Truly, the Word of God knows when He says that we should not forget to enjoy ourselves too in this life!  Visit new places, do it all.  Life was made for our enjoyment.  We must not let these moments pass us by.  We must not become so religious that we forget to live and appreciate the beauty of life.  I love to laugh and dance and just have a blast.  And I will have a blast until Christ comes.

Who is your support system?

My mother, spiritual sister and dear friend, Italia Pswarayi.  My Pastor, spiritual father and dear friend Pastor Douglas Chieza.  And my dear friend, and spiritual sister, Thandiwe Moyana Munzara.  All three sent to me straight from God, to help me do life!

Mundane question but must be asked all the same. Most favourable place you have been to and why?

London is my most favourite place in the whole wide world.  I still have dreams of living there one day.  I love walking in the streets of London, I love the energy, I even love the bad weather….

What mantra do you live by?

Forward and upward!!!  I have been speaking this since the day that I got born again, and will be speaking this until the day that Christ comes.  This is truth.  My life moves in one direction only.  It is not possible to go backwards or downwards.  I am better today than I was yesterday.  I am smaller today than I will be tomorrow.  My life goes from one level of glory to another.  Forwards always, backwards never!  Because, as scripture says, the path of the just is as a shining light, which shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Are there any words that your mom ever said to you that you refer to every once in a while as you navigate through life?

Sjoe.  She has said so much.  Just her continued encouragement to keep the faith.  For, as scripture says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, we walk by faith and not by sight.

Create for us a picture of where you envision Chipo in 10 years.

That’s easy.  God has already shown me.  Married with 4 children, pastoring with my husband, impacting nations and changing the world for Jesus – by the power of the Holy Ghost.  Influencing many, walking in His Anointing and Grace mightily.  Doing big things for Jesus – His work – until the day of Christ.  I know the Word of God much more and am doing much more in 10 years’ time, by His Grace.  And the Word of God dwells richly in my heart, in all wisdom and revelation.  The world ‘aint seen nothing yet from Chipo Pswarayi!  The best is yet to come!