Zi Birdenter

9.9K posts

Zi Birdenter

Zi Birdenter

@ZiBirdenter

Social activist, Governance, Health and Social Care enthusiast, passionate about justice for all, Chevening alumni

London, United Kingdom Katılım Ekim 2017
4.7K Takip Edilen2.6K Takipçiler
Hopewell Chin’ono
Hopewell Chin’ono@daddyhope·
Landed in Johannesburg this morning, but yoh, what a ride from London. I have been flying for decades, but BA057 made me think I was about to join the ancestors last night. I laughed to myself and thought how people would have been praying in tongues had it been an African airline 🤣🤣🤣 The Airbus A380 is meant to be steady because of its sheer size, but last night it felt like I was on a small aircraft being tossed around in the sky. The turbulence was on another level, relentless and unsettling even for a seasoned traveller like me.
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Ethan Brooks
Ethan Brooks@alt_w_v_g·
Update: didn't realize my parent-teacher conference went viral Until the teacher called my wife saying she saw it My wife asked why strangers on the internet care about our life I said "I don't know. I just write down what happens." She said "that's the problem" She's probably right A follow-up conference has been scheduled This time she requested my wife come alone I was not invited First time I've ever been excluded from a meeting I didn't want to attend It stung more than I expected But I have my wife's calendar synced to my phone Will I attend anyway? Of course Plz fix. Thx. Sent from my iPhone
Ethan Brooks@alt_w_v_g

Had a parent-teacher conference this morning My wife told me not to come I came anyway She said "please just listen and nod" I said "I always listen" She said "you listen like you're sitting in a boardroom looking for something to challenge" That's how listening works Nice classroom Small chairs I am 6'4" and was seated at a desk designed for someone who still believes in Santa Claus My knees touched my chest The teacher introduced herself Shared her identified pronouns I shared my identified adjectives Smart and handsome My wife closed her eyes The teacher had a folder Color-coded tabs I respected the organization She said our son is "a pleasure to have in class" My wife smiled I waited That sentence is never the whole report It's the executive summary before the risk section She said "however" There it is She said he "asks a lot of questions" I said "good" She said "during quiet time" I said "when is quiet time?" She said "it's when students are expected to work independently and in silence" I said "so he's the only one trying to get information and you've structured the environment to prevent it?" My wife put her hand on my arm I continued The teacher said he recently told another student that "sharing pencils doesn't make sense if nobody brings their own" I said "that's an accurate observation" My wife squeezed harder The teacher said she's concerned about his "resistance to group activities" I said "he's not resistant. He just doesn't see the value of doing more work for the same grade." The teacher said he also corrected her math on the whiteboard I said "was he right?" She paused She said "that's not the point" I said "it's a little bit the point" My wife stood up Sat back down Compromise The teacher pulled out an evaluation sheet Categories like "works well with others" and "follows directions" and "respects classroom norms" All subjective Not a number on the page I asked how these are graded She said "based on observation" I said "so one person's opinion with no second review?" She said "it's professional judgment" I said "my auditors say that too. Right before I disagree with them." She looked at my wife My wife said "I'm sorry about him" I said "I'm sitting right here" My wife said "I know" The teacher said overall he's a bright kid and she just wants to make sure he learns to "collaborate" I said "collaboration is important. But so is recognizing when you're the only one doing the work. He'll learn that again in college. And again in the real world. Might as well start now." Nobody spoke The teacher closed her folder She said "I think we've covered everything" I said "one more thing" She braced herself I said "his reading is above grade level. His math is strong. He asks hard questions and corrects mistakes when he sees them. I just want to make sure this school knows what it has." The teacher looked at me differently My wife looked at me differently I said "that's all" We left In the car my wife was quiet Then she said "he's turning into you" I said "is that a good thing?" She didn't answer From the backseat he said "dad, why does the teacher count off for asking questions? Isn't that the whole point of school?" I looked at my wife She looked out the window I said "yes. It is." He said "I don't think she likes when I'm right" I didn't say anything Neither did my wife Small chairs Color-coded tabs No follow-up items But the kid's going to be fine Sent from my iPhone

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King Jay🇿🇼
King Jay🇿🇼@KingJayZim·
🚨 FUL0 WANTED NOTICE 🚨 The @TeamFuloZim Serious Crime Investigation Unit, together with @fulodetectives Fulo Investigation Division and Fulo Interpol, has launched a manhunt for Miss Ziprusha, also known as @destinyzee. She is wanted for questioning in connection with the gross violation of Africa’s sacred staple ,sadza/pap/isitshwala/ugali/nshima. The suspect was captured on video mixing maize meal with amasi (curdled milk) and microwaving the mixture, an act investigators have described as “culinary sabotage of the highest order.” Authorities have classified the offence as Sadza Treason, Section 1: Crimes Against Staple Foods. Members of the public with information on the suspect’s whereabouts are urged to report immediately to @TeamFuloZim Mutorashanga HQ. A reward of two dressed goats and three dressed rabbits is on offer for credible information leading to her arrest. 🐐🐐🐇🐇🐇 END.
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PSAFLIVE
PSAFLIVE@PSAFLIVE·
Samkeliso Mkhatshwa is a young man who invented the Nelson Mandela Statue Dance that went viral worldwide.
PSAFLIVE tweet media
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Nigel Tha SlickPastor
Nigel Tha SlickPastor@thaslickpastor·
Adulting is hard but kunwa mazoe ka 2 same day pasina anokutsiura is such a blessing! 🙏🏽🥹
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Tanaka Zviripayi
Tanaka Zviripayi@NhasiZviripayi·
@thaslickpastor @ZiBirdenter Marova mufundisi. 👏🏼👏🏼before 1979 Iran revolution the Iranian govt yaivapo, yaShah, was pro America ichipa oil to Western companies. Ndizvo zvimwe zvakaita kuti America ne Iran dzivengane pakaitwa revolution naana Ayatolla nekuti vakasvikovharira ma American ku oil
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Nigel Tha SlickPastor
Nigel Tha SlickPastor@thaslickpastor·
Aya atova ma extra lesson nekuti hazvimo my syllabus! 😂 hondo yeku Dubai
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Zi Birdenter
Zi Birdenter@ZiBirdenter·
@MurapaG Boots on the ground. Ndiri kuno. Nditumei bro Givhi. Isai ka yuwesi 500 ndiendeko fast fast
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Gift Murapa
Gift Murapa@MurapaG·
My daughter told me they are being served chunks at school. I am assembling an army to go and fight. Tell me I am not overreacting
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Queen of BaTonga👑
Queen of BaTonga👑@The_Tonga_Queen·
Just a girl from Binga, mountains away from the world.🙏
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MDN NEWS
MDN NEWS@MDNnewss·
Former Botswana president Ian Khama exercises at the age of 73.
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Zi Birdenter
Zi Birdenter@ZiBirdenter·
RT @thaslickpastor: Australia 🇦🇺. We have some unfinished business to settle. See you again, this May.
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Queen of BaTonga👑
Queen of BaTonga👑@The_Tonga_Queen·
Faraiwo neni ma Zimba Masvingo was the biggest outreach, 201 people with albinism came through. Dr @Waynemanana his 14 member team offered surgeries, dermatology, psychosocial support and biopsies on site. Skin cancer will not win, next stop Harare.
Queen of BaTonga👑 tweet mediaQueen of BaTonga👑 tweet mediaQueen of BaTonga👑 tweet mediaQueen of BaTonga👑 tweet media
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Dr PT 👩🏻‍⚕️
Dr PT 👩🏻‍⚕️@chirembaPT·
This right here is why it scares me booking flights through agents 🤦🏾‍♀️👐🏽.. I find it easier dealing with the airline incase of any issues. May all who are travelling be safe 👍
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Tazo
Tazo@TheLifeZoomer·
1994–195 For the first time in my life, I knew what true love felt like. I was jobless, but somehow we still managed bush picnics and romantic adventures on a zero-dollar budget. November 1995-I landed a job at Standard Chartered Bank. Big plans started loading in my mind; Holidays ✅ Shopping ✅ Soft life ✅ Money hadn’t even arrived yet, but mentally I was already spending it 😌 One Sabbath after church, walking her home through a famous bush footpath. The lovers’ route. Away from the public eye. My arm around her waist. Her arm around mine. It was just us. Life was the most beautiful ever. Trees 🌳 Butterflies 🦋 Lizards 🦎 And future wedding plans floating in the air. You know that instinctive check you do before attempting a romantic kiss. Just to make sure no witnesses are present? 😅 I did that check. And boom. Her brother appeared behind us, pacing fast like a man on a mission. The kind of fast that says: “I have seen enough.” I calmly unlocked my arm from her waist and stepped aside, creating a respectable Holy Ghost distance between us. Didn’t alert her. Didn’t panic. Just whispered a silent prayer and prepared for impact. Within moments, he caught up, and flew past us like a Hwange Colliery company bus late for shift. Didn’t say a word. She froze. I froze. We looked at each other in shock. Then he glanced back. We locked eyes. Still frozen. Then he disappeared into the bushes. Just like that. No speech. No drama. Just a passing judgement. We stood there wondering: “What just happened?” Later we realised he was rushing for his 2pm shift at Hwange Colliery, which probably saved my life. Emergency strategy was activated: She would NOT go home until he had left for work. So I escorted her to her aunt’s place on Edinburgh Road and left her safely at the gate. On my way back home, I saw him at the company bus stop. Our eyes met again. I immediately looked away and walked off quickly. Mind you, I was in borrowed tie and socks. Full church drip, sponsored edition. That night I didn’t sleep. No coins for the call box. Just anxiety. The next day she came to see me at the back door of Standard Chartered Bank. She was being sent back to Filabusi the following weekend. No beating. No shouting. Just: “Pack your things.” This was my first week on my first job. And now my love was being deported. I promised her: With my first ever paycheck, I would come to Filabusi to show loyalty. God then introduced me to destiny in the form of two workmates: Japhet Ngwenya and Xakaxwayo (XX) XX was from Silalatshani. My girlfriend was from nearby Sibasa. Divine logistics unlocked. He arranged accommodation for my visit. (If anyone knows XX today please connect us. I owe that man.) Then plot twist. Two weeks before my trip, Hwange Colliery offered me an apprenticeship. Without hesitation, I resigned from the bank before even receiving my first salary. Managers begged me to stay. Japhet and XX tried convincing me. But apprenticeship meant certificate. Bank meant vibes, I reasoned. Decision made. Month end came. Got paid. Quit on a high. I was untouchable 😎 Then I travelled to Filabusi. Kukura Kurerwa Volvo bus to Bulawayo. Then Ncenga Ncenga bus. Which lived up to its name. Four buses later, Breakdown before Danger. Breakdown after Mbalabala. Another breakdown. Finally arrived in a bus with a broken windscreen. Driver wrapped in a cloth ninja-style. Red dust everywhere. My navy suit turned maroon. Hair turned blonde. Teeth turned brick-coloured. Meanwhile, drunk passengers at the back singing: “Mpalanyana Mpalanyana, Zhiya wo Mpalanyana”. Spirits high. Dust higher. I arrived looking like I survived a sandstorm. Remember @Mamoxn’s Nkayi trip, that was me. That was the state I disembarked in😀 to meet my unimpressed girlfriend at Sibasa bus stop 😅 And this the story I was struggling to fit into the actual story. For now feast on this. Actual story on the way. 😀😀
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Tazo
Tazo@TheLifeZoomer·
@ZiBirdenter 😂😂😂😂I wish. Maybe one day when Im rich😀😀
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