PROFILE: Beverly Nambozo hungers for poetry

Beverly Nambozo’s Liteside

Any three things we don’t know about you?

I am very critical of the church and how it tends to put the verge on the women and the way women are always portrayed to higher standards.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Celebrating every success as it happens with things we have worked hard to achieve.

What is your greatest fear?

I do a lot of long distance swimming but I am always scared of drowning.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My strength only comes after wanting to see results.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I don’t like people who manipulate my kindness and take advantage of the fact that I have a space in my heart to listen.

Which living person do you most admire?

I admire a number of people; especially those who can afford to act so well and make me forget who they are. People like Viola Davis portray personalities in a life changing manner. Judith Adong is another one who has a work ethic of being methodical and is result-oriented.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I like African print a lot but last year I chose to abstain from it. I am a practical spender.

What is the greatest thing you have ever done?

Scoring a distinction at Masters Level at a time I was pregnant in between earning and not earning much. My first book, ‘A thousand voices rising’, went through so much and when it came out, it was a hard job done.

What is your current state of mind?

I am in perfect shape.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

We gossip a lot about people’s social lives; may be because they are bored and haven’t achieved much. We are also so comfortable with the status quo.

What does being powerful mean to you?

Power is about being able to control and being where your decision matters and can cause change.

On what occasion do you lie?

When I have not met someone in a long time, my excuse will always be about attending to kids issues.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I have always had a problem with my belly fat for some reason, it is just a problem. The thing is that when I exercise a lot, I also eat a lot and so I am caught up in that

Which living person do you most despise?

People who harm children and those who demean girls and women.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Being an encouragement to the woman in his life, pushing her to be excellent; and that can be his wife, sister, daughter or mother. I also admire men who acknowledge their wives in public because they are secure.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Confidence in who she is and supportive of other women without being competitive and petty.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

As I grow older, I am loving as much as possible so I can’t point to one

When and where were you happiest?

When my first daughter was born in 2008, I didn’t sleep for two days. Being a mother for the first time, I couldn’t believe a being coming out of me

Which talent would you most like to have?

I have always loved gymnastics as well as jogging; I can do several exercises but I won’t jog for five minutes.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being in a point of self-actualization where I can make a career out of what I love and at the same time be present enough to see my girls grow into the women I desire for them to be.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

As me and complete unfinished business.

Where would you most like to live?

On one of the Caribbean islands; they are great for artistic people.

What is your most treasured possession?

My creative ideas that I put in writing.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

There is a level of self pity where it doesn’t matter who or how many people encourage you after you have written off yourself.

What is your favorite occupation?

Being a creative entrepreneur.

What do you most value in your friends?

Interaction and being available without even having to meet physically.

Who are your favorite writers?

Mel Gibson was a fascinating writer. I like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Abubakar Ibrahim, and Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi. I never have one particular author.

Who is your hero of fiction?

It used to be Enid Blyton.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

I am inspired by Margaret Thatcher for what she did and the policies she put in place. It is people like her who defy the odds, especially in the man’s world and are able to achieve much at such a high level. But also Hannah in the Bible, who was not able to have a child, was scorned by her co wives but came out victorious.

Who are your heroes in real life?

All those who excel.

What is your greatest regret?

What is life without regrets?

How would you like to die?

When I am in the middle of something that I find very exciting and in the presence of my family.

What is your motto?

‘Life is what you make it when you make it with the one who made it and that is God’ and

‘Walk away from mediocrity and excellence will find you’