Living the Dream
Kennedy Munjanja, an immigrant from South Africa, recently moved to America to pursue his dreams.
Kennedy Munjanja, 30, was working his regular shift at Kentucky Fried Chicken, a fast-food chain, when a man, frustrated with his order, threw a spoon at him. Munjanja, surprised, turned to the man and asked, “Did you just throw a spoon at me?” The man simply gave him a dirty look and stormed off.
While an altercation like that is rare for Munjanja, it is not uncommon for a customer to get angry and yell at him. “If there is one thing that frustrates me about working at KFC, it’s that,” he said. “You have to endure being insulted,” by someone who doesn’t really know him. Customers often believe they are above him simply because they are on the other side of the counter.
What customers often don’t know is that Munjanja is a practicing lawyer who recently moved to the United States from South Africa. He knew what he wanted his life to look like, even as a young boy. He dreamed of moving to America, becoming a lawyer, and running his own record label. Now, at the age of 30, he has taken the first step of accomplishing his goals by moving to America.
“I’ve really always wanted to be here,” Munjanja said. “It is difficult, coming from a place of prestige, getting a qualification, and then stepping down and working at a KFC,” he continued.
It certainly has been humbling for him. He knew that the transition from South Africa to America would be a difficult one; he is grateful that he is here. But he isn’t just doing this for himself. He is determined to become a success for his five younger siblings in Zimbabwe, who look up to him.
In addition to seeing himself becoming an American, Munjanja knew he wanted to be a lawyer since he was an 11-year-old. “I just heard the word and I was like, ‘that!’” he said. “I want to be that!” As he grew up, the more he learned about the profession, the more he wanted to pursue it.
Today, he is a practicing freelance lawyer, working for South African clients remotely. In order to practice in the states, though, he will need to return to school, study American law, and retake the bar exam.
“There are a lot more opportunities here to do more,” Munjanja explained. To him, the possibility of making it as a lawyer seemed more realistic in America than it did in South Africa. “Although it would take a little more time to get there,” he noted. While he knows what he wants to be, he is still unsure of how he will get there. Although his daily circumstances can become frustrating, he handles it gracefully. Mudiwa Kayio, 29, who has known Munjanja for over a year said, “I’ve never heard him complain about anything.” Adversity is something that comes naturally to Munjanja; he does his best to maintain a positive attitude.
While Munjanja is currently living one of his lifelong dreams, it hasn’t stopped him from continuing to think about what lies ahead. Before he left South Africa, he started his own record label called Love Christ, Love Life. While it is still in its early stages, he hopes it will grow into his very own musical empire; he wants to discover new artists and produce music one day. When he becomes a lawyer, he plans on using part of his income to help fund his label.
Munjanja discovered his love for music when he was in eighth grade. “That’s when I discovered that I actually have a gift for music,” he said. As a strong Christian, it is one of his favorite ways to connect with God. Today, Munjanja primarily uses his music in church as a part of the praise and worship band. While he can sing and play several instruments, his favorite instrument is the drums. “I can’t live without it,” he stated, smiling. “I just can’t imagine a world without music.”
Zach Logsdon, 25, has been close friends with Munjanja for almost five years. Over the course of their friendship, Logsdon has watched Munjanja achieve his dreams and aim for more. He admires Munjanja’s problem-solving skills and positive outlook on life. “He’s got the mind of a 30-year-old,” he said. “But he has the heart of a kid.”