Kanyathi: A proud sower of the word

Standard People
BY SIMBARASHE MANHANGO Comfortably seated on her rocking chair in a classy and spacious office with cream walls adorned with portraits of her family and educational qualifications, it is apparent that Apostle Florence Kanyathi is more than just a lady of the cloth.

Her divine journey started in 1989 when she was in high school and she is proud to be a product of the Scripture Union.

It might sound as if she now brags about how life has been good to her through pursuing religious work but she insists: “I knew that sooner or later God would give me the wherewithal to get me where I am today but it was a result of a lot of hard work.”

Kanyathi, recently ordained Apostle for Zoe Life Changing Ministries, is a graduate from Calvary University in the United Kingdom and holder of a degree in Religious Studies.

She is obsessed with writing books, a passion she developed after realising her potential.

Having started writing in 2001, her first book was published in 2009 and to date she has more than 15 publications.

Among her motivational book titles are Woman of Substance and Excellence, From Ashes to Beauty, Wisdom Nuggets and Acquire What You Require.Her desire and passion to see others learn is the force that continuously drives her to write and her ideologies are deeply rooted in her courage and in the belief that books uncover the truth rather than hide it from the people.

“Long ago I learnt of a devastating stereotype that said ‘If you want to hide something from an African put it into a book’ and I felt this misconception was misleading.

“This influenced me to write books and the passion I have for others to learn of the amazing things God has in store for everyone keeps me writing.“Circumstances in my life have also changed me and the way I perceive things,” she said.

Her journey has not always  been rosy and only last year she just survived after her diabetic condition worsened leading to her being admitted in the intensive care unit at the Avenues Clinic.

Her strong will to live saw her starting to write a book titled Surviving in the Valley while recovering in bed at the clinic.

“It was a trying and tough time of my life but I managed to sail through with the help of the Almighty,” she said.

Besides their biological two daughters, their Mandara home shelters lots of children who they have adopted.

“Our home is more of a hospital for the sick, a true house of miracles that is unlimited and more like a comforting zone.

“We wish to see our children prosper and follow our footsteps. I want them to be writers that can reach out to other people.”