Mvura bvongodzeki ndiyo garani
Muddy or troubled waters are the ones that soon settle down.
Tsanagudzo
Zvinhu zvinotanga zvakaoma kana zvakagosha zvisati zvanaka.
What the Words Say
Muddy or troubled waters are the ones that soon settle down.
What It Means
Rough and difficult times usually precede stable and peaceful times. Turbulence precedes calm. A similar but not exact match in english is the night is darkest before dawn.
Cultural Context
Using the imagery of muddy or turbulent waters, our elders observed that these waters usually settle soon after. The waters are used here as sign of troubled times which finally settle and end up in a state of peace. Often in life we take a particular route in order to achieve something and due to that path being unknown or not taken by others before, we will meet difficulties that we never envisaged. However like the river that will go through turbulent times, our perseverance may lead us to the path where stability returns and sometimes to even more fruitful times.
How It's Used
The proverb is used to comfort those experiencing turbulent times and hardships by reminding them that those challenges are not permanent and may be a precursor to stability and peace. It is also be used to encourage persistence, perseverance and/or patience in difficult times.