IT is no exaggeration to say Vipyenge and Zuwulanie Mtonga have been through a lot together since birth. Most notably, one of them was on the verge of not reaching adulthood when she was a baby, and they both survived a terrible car accident in 2012 that left them bedridden for three months.
Their story is grounded in surviving a horrific accident and being the daughters of a well-known Zambian late professor; both rose to business success through hard work. However, it is a vivid life testimony that is inspirational and very emotional.
Sisters Vipyenge and Zuwulanie, who are identical, are the daughters of Miriam Mwale Mtonga and the late Professor Mapopa Mtonga, a former lecturer and dean at the University of Zambia and the Zambia Open University, respectively.
Their father was a well-known professor of media, performing arts, and fine arts in the entire nation who completed his education at UNZA in 1968, Ghana for his MA studies, and the Republic of Ireland for his Ph.D.
The sisters were born five minutes apart on August 11, at the University Teaching Hospital and are the family’s eighth children and their only set of twins. Vipyenge was born and almost didn’t make it; for her, life was spent in and out of hospitals with shifting hues.
“As a twin, I was on the verge of not reaching adulthood when I was a baby. I was once so depleted of oxygen that I changed colours; I was in and out of the hospital, but I always thanked God that we were both alive.” Vipyenge said.
However, Vipyenge and Zuwulanie had a terrible year in 2012, which brings back unpleasant memories. On Friday, April 13, the sisters were involved in a terrible car accident at Manda Hill Great East Road that claimed one life and that they said they would never forget, but for all the right reasons.
“We were unable to walk for three months, and my twin sister lost her memory due to the impact being on her head, which was really difficult for mom, who was nursing us alone at the time.” Vipyenge said.
Since the crash, both Zuwulanie and Vipyenge have had surgery, with the younger’s pelvises fractured and Vipyenge’s intestines removed and operated on before being released from the University Teaching Hospital.
In the meantime, the twin sisters both earned degrees from UNZA in 2019: the younger twin, Zuwulanie, earned a degree in library information science and development studies, while the older twin, Vipyenge, earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental education.
Prior to attending Rhodes Park for their eighth and tenth grades, which they later completed at Katete Girls Secondary School, they received their elementary education at Masambililo Primary School.
Apparently, they are both self-employed and run different types of businesses, such as poultry, cosmetics, tobacco farming, and maize and soya beans. It’s been said that it was miraculous for Vipyenge and Zuwulanie to be born as twins.
Despite being identical, they are so close and support one another constantly. They are both aware of the struggles that the other person experiences, which makes them stronger than their siblings in general.
By Walusungu Silweya