Naume Ndoro-Kusotera, a pharmacist and mental health advocate, adds author to her resume with the launch of her timely book, Forgiveness & Healing, in Harare last weekend.
At a time when division, hurt, and anger seem to dominate global discourse, Naume’s book offers a beacon of hope, guiding readers through the complex process of forgiveness and healing.
“Wow! This book is very timely in an age where there is so much anger, bitterness, and hatred. Many are stuck in prisons of unforgiveness and are not moving forward in life,” said Andrew and Tsungai Reid from Champions for Life, endorsing the book.
In an interview with Rugare Mubika of BusinessBeat24, Naume shares her inspiration for writing the book, her experiences as a mental health advocate, and her hopes for how her book will impact readers.
Below are excerpts from the discussion.
RM: Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your professional life?
NK: I am a mother of three beautiful children and am married to a loving and supportive husband, Dr. Tapiwanashe Kusotera. I am a pharmacist by profession with a specialization in Health Economics, and I currently work in Pharmacy Benefit Management within the Health Insurance sector.
I am also a teacher of the word and a counselor in training, offering practical, word-based teachings that apply to everyday life and provide tools to help others overcome challenges. My website and social media pages, branded Wholeness with Me, share content based on biblical principles aimed at supporting individuals on their mental and emotional wellbeing journeys.
My TV program also airs under the same name. I am motivated by seeing people thrive and operate in their God-given gifts. My teachings focus on growth, self-discovery, healing, individuality, and positivity.
RM: What inspired you to write about forgiveness and healing, and how has your personal journey influenced your perspective on these topics?
NK: As I mentioned earlier, I am a teacher of the word and a counselor in training. Forgiveness is a subject that comes up often in many settings — in the community, the church, and entertainment spaces. Yet, despite its prevalence, it is also common to hear how many people are struggling with the concept. This reveals a gap.
This realization motivated me to study the word of God to better understand what it says about forgiveness. I wanted to provide light through God’s word and offer practical teachings on how to navigate through pain and unforgiveness.
As humans, we are wired to connect with each other; we thrive in relationships. Yet, this is also where hurt and pain are experienced. We are all imperfect. I will hurt myself with unmet or unrealistic expectations, and others will inevitably hurt me as well, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
The book takes readers through principles of forgiveness that they can apply in any situation. When we forgive, we can return to the heartbeat of what makes relationships grow. In the friction caused by our differences and inevitable hurts, forgiveness is the oil that lubricates relationships.
My motivation for writing this book is not so much personal, but to help others thrive in their lives by providing the tools to navigate pain and hurt. Unforgiveness traps us in a moment of time when an offense or hurt occurred.
RM: What do you hope readers will take away from your book, and how do you envision it impacting their lives?
NK: Anyone who reads this book will become equipped to manage emotions, pain, and hurt. Readers will also learn how to respond when they are the ones who have offended someone, as well as what that journey looks like.
The book can even prepare readers with tools and principles on how to respond to hurt and pain before encountering offense. You don’t have to be struggling with unforgiveness to find value in the book’s teachings. We live in communities where we must interact with others, so pain and hurt are inevitable, as we are all imperfect.
The book also shares stories of different people who encountered hurt and pain, showing their journeys and how they overcame. Each story is followed by teachings that address myths and misconceptions about forgiveness, with truth based on what the word of God says.
Sometimes, we remain in unforgiveness because of things we have heard about how to practice forgiveness that may not be true, but which bind us to unrealistic ideals.
For example, there is a myth that “time heals all wounds.” The truth is that time does not heal wounds; healing occurs when we actively work on processing our hurt and pain.
Forgiveness is an issue close to my heart. I believe it impacts us spiritually as well. The devil uses unforgiveness as a door through which to enter people’s lives, destroy relationships, and, for some, even deposit stress-related diseases from unresolved pain.
Unforgiveness destroys families — the very places of our heartbeat and the institutions from which we are supposed to draw strength and support. This book aims to help people navigate these issues, offering tools to work through unforgiveness, and find healing and peace.
RM: How do you see your book contributing to the broader conversation around forgiveness, healing, and personal growth?
NK: The book contributes to the broader conversation by guiding people toward a path of healing they can embrace. It is a tool that can serve as a bridge for people struggling with hurt, especially those who may not have access to counseling services. Readers can work on their issues at home and come out on the other side having achieved growth, wholeness, and wellness.
As a tool, the book empowers readers to take responsibility for their healing and free themselves from the trap of unforgiveness. In our social media discussions, the help offered can sometimes be superficial or diluted by the vast amounts of information we are bombarded with every day. The book encourages us to step away from the noise and have an in-depth conversation, one that we can take at our own pace and revisit throughout our lives.
As more people experience healing through this process, my prayer is that the stories we hear in public spaces will be testimonies of the healing and wholeness that come from taking responsibility for our own healing. Pain and hurt trap us in a moment of time when an offense occurred, preventing growth and maturity. Forgiveness releases us, allowing us to grow and start telling new stories of hope.
The experiences shared in the book show that readers are not alone in their journeys. Others have faced similar pain and have overcome. It’s important to remember: Your wound may not be your fault, but your healing is your responsibility — Denise Frohman.
RM: Are you working on any future projects related to forgiveness and healing, and if so, can you share some details?
NK: The initial goal is to make the book available to any Zimbabwean who needs it, whether in Hwange, Binga, Mhondoro, Harare, or elsewhere. We are currently working on a Shona version of the book, as well as an audio version for the visually impaired or anyone who prefers to listen rather than read. Lastly, we are working on a workbook to make the book a complete counseling tool. All of this is expected to be available next year.