EUNICE NJAMBI MATHU; THE MEDIA CONSORT

THE MEDIA CONSORT

At least once in our lifetime, we have been privileged to grab a copy of the Parents Magazine from the many available newsstands and shopping malls countrywide, all thanks to our visionary, one Eunice Njambi Mathu, OGW, the founder and editor-in-chief of Parents Magazine Africa. For close to five decades, Eunice has dedicated her life to helping countless families deal with both nuclear and extended relationships, through granting them solid guidance on the need for peace, love, and unity within the family. This is why she is an inspiration to and for us all, and also the reason why she is an honorary in this segment of black history month.

Eunice Mathu is popularly known within the media fraternity, as a journalist, a writer, as well as the mastermind behind Parents Africa, the most popular and longest running print magazine in Kenya. Yet, long before Eunice established the famous magazine, she was an employee tasked with the work of developing the Consumer Digest, a cooperate magazine for the East Africa Industries, now known as Unilever Kenya. It was from this creation that she decided to build her now renowned publication, of which the first print publication was in July of 1986. Even though Eunice had a lucrative job that would have lasted her well into retirement, she instead found the courage to follow after her dreams, by resigning from her job that ensured a monthly stipend, in order to turn her aspirations into reality. I believe that it only takes one courageous move, an act of bravery, and faith in the unseen, to follow your dream wherever it takes you. Hence, Eunice followed her purpose, thereby transforming it into a legacy.

As a result, Parents Magazine has been commercialized in every vicinity. Make a trip to any reception, beauty parlour, or lounge, and I bet you that a copy of Parents Magazine will be plastered upon coffee tables or popping off the display shelves in many executive offices across the nation. It does not even matter how old the Parents issue is but as long as it is a super brand, it will have many pick it up for a long read, either out of familiarity or habit. Moreover, the notable magazine has a new print every month, and also available on e-paper. Although the digital age has made it easier to access information at our fingertips, I prefer to read the magazine in hard cover, perusing the new crispy pages, admiring the colourful images but mostly, reading the various well-researched articles inscribed by experienced writers.

But what is the magazine all about? To sum it up, the publication centres on the importance of the family unit. At the time of its commencement, there was a vacuum in that there was not readily available information on matters of building solid foundations for lasting relationships. Therefore, Eunice took it upon herself to bridge the gap, by bringing on board knowledgeable minds, to write on topical issues that touched on the family unit, and more so focused on the parents. Moreover, this mainstream magazine was the first in the nation to discuss sexual topics, at a time when such discourses were deemed as taboo and therefore not suitable for public consumption. Nonetheless, the magazine was majorly embraced with every print, as many of its readers were keen on absorbing the available information for their own use, as well as for their own good.

The magazine is still on print and even now available on newsstands near your locality, therefore grab a copy when you can. Since the establishment of the Parents Magazine, Eunice has been hard at work for thirty six years, faithfully playing the role of an editor, one who is keen on educating, informing and transforming the lives of the general public. Additionally, Eunice adorns many hats, with many foundations under her belt, inclusive of the following organizations, of which she is the founder member, namely; Bodywise Fitness, the Kenya Women Finance Trust, the Public Relations Society of Kenya, and the Media Owners Association among others. Eunice is not set on retiring anytime soon, with her tight schedule, numerous responsibilities, coupled with futuristic endeavours, and perhaps other pending inventions at the back burner. Who knows?

Lastly, I am fully persuaded that Eunice Mathu has drunk from the fountain of youth, aging gracefully, and looking as if her ticker is set on backwards, and as if she is Sixty, going onto fourty. I also need some of that magic portion, in order to freeze at least fifteen years off me, by reducing the sagging, deleting visible wrinkles, upgrading my hair and makeup, and switching up my entire wardrobe. Unfortunately, the gym will not do for me though, as I am sedentary and anti-exercise. All in all, Eunice look like she has not aged a day after her fortieth birthday, a gift she can thank her lucky stars for.

Here is to Eunice Njambi Mathu; thank you for taking a chance to live out your dreams, risking your whole life in pursuit of your purpose, imparting wisdom on us, and thereby improving our family lives. For this reason, we will be forever grateful to you.