{"id":254896,"date":"2026-07-13T03:53:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T00:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1kitap1.com\/en\/braving-the-odds-a-memoir-on-perseverance-finance-and-faith-mizinga-melu\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T03:53:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T00:53:09","slug":"braving-the-odds-a-memoir-on-perseverance-finance-and-faith-mizinga-melu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1kitap1.com\/en\/braving-the-odds-a-memoir-on-perseverance-finance-and-faith-mizinga-melu\/","title":{"rendered":"Braving The Odds A Memoir On Perseverance Finance And Faith – Mizinga Melu"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I spoke to her on the phone to let her know I had arrived. She would come over the weekend to see me. We were all so happy, it felt like Christmas Day. It was a rare occasion when work wasn\u2019t first and foremost on Father\u2019s mind. This time, it weighed heavily on mine. \u2018I have to check in with the bank tomorrow\u2019, I told him.<\/p>\n

\u2018I have to let them know I am here\u2019. \u2018Okay,\u2019 he said. \u2018Tomorrow I will drive you there. We will go first thing in the morning\u2019. When I arrived at Standard Chartered Bank the next day, I was invited to interview immediately. I was nervous, but I felt confident in the skills I\u2019d acquired and my ability to be successful in the position. Rather than the basic questions I had been asked when interviewing for my last position with a bank, this time I was asked more thoughtful and technical questions.<\/p>\n

\u2018What\u2019s your understanding of the various banking departments\u2019? \u2018Explain how a balance sheet works\u2019. \u2018Tell us about your management style\u2019. Then I was given different scenarios in which I\u2019d have to explain how I would respond. \u2018If a client came into the bank and had issues with their account, how would you handle it\u2019? I used examples from my experience working at McDon ald\u2019s and how I saw my managers there handle various situa tions.<\/p>\n

I successfully articulated my depth of understanding, and they were pleased with my responses. They did not waste any time in offering me the position, with the condition that I pass my medicals and get a police clearance. The latter made me laugh, as though my dad had long since retired from the police force, I would never have been able to get anything past him! If I was okay in his perspective, I would be cleared by the police.<\/p>\n

Finally, all the HR bits and pieces were taken care of, and I was officially offered the position of management trainee with Standard Chartered Bank. My original plan had been to stay with Father on the farm, but I quickly realised that taking the bus back and forth from there to Lusaka each day would be long and draining. \u2018Maybe it\u2019s better if I live with Shy\u2019? I suggested to my father, since she and her family lived closer to Lusaka.<\/p>\n

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1. Chapter 1 November Rain 2. Chapter 2 Sweet Mother 3. Chapter 3 Defying Father 4. Chapter 4 Failing Fast 5. Chapter 5 A Breakthrough 10. PART II PROFITS AND LOSS 1. Chapter 6 Home Away from Home 2. Chapter 7 Building My Brand 3. Chapter 8 Lessons in Trust 4. Chapter 9 Turning Points 5. Chapter 10 Cycles of Life 11. PART III DIVERSIFICATION 1. Chapter 11 Regional Responsibility 2. Chapter 12 High Street 3.<\/p>\n

Chapter 13 Bittersweet 4. Chapter 14 A Woman’s Place 5. Chapter 15 It’s Our Time 12. Epilogue 13. Awards 14. Family Album Guide 1. Cover 2. toc 3. TITLE 1kitap1.com\/en Braving the Odds A Memoir on Perseverance, Finance and Faith by Mizinga Melu 1kitap1.com\/en Copyright Braving the Odds Copyright \u00a92021 by Mizinga Melu All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever except as provided by the Copyright and Performance Rights Act, Cap 406 of the Laws of Zambia.<\/p>\n

Contact Web Site: www.mizingamelu.com Published by Duende Press Portland, Oregon USA www.duendepressbooks.com ISBN-13: 978-0-6209151-8-2 ASIN: B08SKJW5Y7 ISBN: 979-8-59477-679-1 (Amazon Print) ISBN – 978-1-63795-618-2 (Paperback) ISBN – 978-1-63795-619-9 (Hardcover) 1kitap1.com\/en Dedication This book is dedicated to my mum, Mary Hachalwa Shansonga (1938- 1981), and my dad, Elijah Shansonga (1932-2002). I am because you were. The values you instilled in me are what successfully brought me to where I am and where God is taking me. Living without you has been extremely hard but you taught me how to \u2018brave the odds\u2019!<\/p>\n

This book is a reflection of the life you taught me to live and I pray that I am making you proud, Mum and Dad. 1kitap1.com\/en Praise for Mizinga Melu\u2019s Praise for Mizinga Melu\u2019s Braving the Odds In Braving the Odds, Mizinga demonstrates and proves that it matters not where you come from; what matters is the opportunity and upside you create out of every circumstance.<\/p>\n

This is an uncensored story of the corporate world, as experienced through the life of a woman who has carved out her own worth by weaving her profession, traditions, and values into a singular brand. A must- read for women of all ages and the men in their lives. – Dolika Banda, Development Finance and Investment Professional This book captures Melu\u2019s journey from a young farm girl in Z ambia to the corporate corridors of African, European, and Am erican boardrooms, all while remaining humble, teachable, and curious.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.<\/em><\/p>\n

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