Chakona chakona, amai havaroodzwi.

Word definitions

kona: be unsuccessful

Translation

What has failed has failed, one cannot marry off their mother.

Inspiration

In olden days (and even nowadays) some families married off their daughters in exchange for cattle, grain, or other economic benefits.

Application

Sometimes we just have to accept that something has been unsuccessful, or won’t work. There is no point in keeping on trying to fix it.

Similar Proverbs

1. Charamba charamba, pfuma yamai haikanirwi.

2. Zvikoni zvikoni, mimba haibvi negosoro.