HOUSE OF MUTAPA MAY 2021 ISSUE by House Of Mutapa

HOUSE OF MUTAPA

CONTENTS 3 - Editorial 4 - What Makes A Visionary Leader? 10 - Gender-Based Violence During COVID-19 12 - Food & Drink Home-Cured Smoked Salmon by The Consultant Chef Wine With Taps: New World versus Old World

18 - Meet The Soulful Jewel: NåGuG 22 - 2021 Guide To Financial Freedom Selina Flavius, Fin-preneur

26 - Saving The Children Tsitsi Chawatama-Kwambana, Chair of UK Charity Save the Children

28 - Featured Photographer Condry Calvin Mlilo

32 - The Afrobeats Dance Explosion 36 - Your Social Capital And Your Goals

COVER & MAGAZINE LAYOUTS DESIGNED BY R R CHAWOTA. COVER PICTURE BY IMAGE 1ST PHOTOGRAPHY Editor In Chief - Rhoda Molife; Creative Design Director - Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota; Chairman - Godwin Chireka; Public Relations Director - Simba Harawa; Public Relations Executive - Vannesa Moosa; Social Media Intern - Noma Zimvu HOUSE OF MUTAPA PVT LTD is a Registered Trademark. South Africa. Copyright 2021.

Contact - info@houseofmutapa.com HOUSE OF MUTAPA

EDITORIAL

ere’s your May edition!

can achieve lasting financial fitness for ourselves and the next generation. Alongside finance, we We’re in total admiration also feature leadership and effective networking of our cover feature, the with articles from business consultants Fitzgerearthy and soulful singer ald Mujuru based in South Africa, Nigel Forgenie that is NåGuG. She has from Trinidad and coach Cynthia Chirinda also got to be one of music’s in South Africa. Someone that exemplifies effecfinest hidden gems and tive leadership is the new chair of the UK charity we reckon that now is Save The Children, Tsitsi Chawatama-Kwamher time to shine for all bana. Read about how her urge to champion to see. It’s a joy for us to for children has allowed her to do just that on a share her story with you global level. and we urge you to support her and share the We hope you enjoy exploring this issue and good news of her talent. please do feel free to share your thoughts with The last year has undoubtedly taken its toll on us and each other on our social media platforms all of us in more ways than we could have fath- here: omed. One lesson many of us have learnt is the IG: houseofmutapa importance of being financially secure in the now and for the future. To give us some tips on how to Facebook & LinkedIn: House of Mutapa achieve financial freedom is Selina Flavius, the British author of Black Girl Finance: Let’s Talk Twitter: @MutapaOf Money. This is one of the first publications on Rhoda personal finance by a Black British author. In the article on page 22, Selina talks about how we Editor-in-Chief HOUSE OF MUTAPA

HOUSE OF MUTAPA

When the world is in the midst of change, when adversity and opportunity are almost indistinguishable, this is the time for visionary leadership and when leaders need to look beyond the survival needs of those they’re serving. ~ Chip Conley

HOUSE OF MUTAPA

Self-Mastery to Self-Leadership By

Fitzgerald Mujuru

itzgerald Mujuru is a South African-based author, marketing consultant, professional speaker and sales effectiveness trainer and has worked with several global brands, corporates and entrepreneurs. He is particularly passionate about developing leaders and has mentored and coached individuals and teams with strategies for team and personal effectiveness. In March 2021, he published his fourth book, Achieve More - Igniting Life Through Self-Leadership. Fitzgerald is also a regular contributor to HoM magazine. Here, digital publisher Oscar Habeenzu reviews Fitzgerald’s latest book.

tering self. With this book, Fitzgerald shows how much more can be achieved by understanding the power of self-leadership - of self mastery. He first sets the scene by clearly defining what self-leadership means then asks the reader to set the foundation by discovering who they are and their purpose. He then walks them through a series of steps that include self-acceptance, self-management, self-motivation and self-discipline. The steps are illustrated with relatable life examples that shows the reader how to really take charge of their lives and develop the confidence to pursue and achieve anything they want, be it personally or professionally.

Achieve More - Igniting Life Through Self-Leadership is written for anyone regardless of their background, vocation or occupation, supporting When it comes to leadership and being a leader, the principle that development of self is the key most of us think of an appointment, position, or to achieving whatever goals one has set. It has title that confers power or authority. We think of less to do with the external. Someone who has a leader as someone who is the figurehead or mastered self is one who is confident, motivated spokesperson for a group or organisation without and holds a steadfast belief in their own abilities. much thought to what it takes to get there. When With this cocktail, a transformation towards sucwe consider books on leadership and personal cess is inevitable. development, many speak to taking responsibil- Achieve More - Igniting Life Through ity for one’s own success without clearly stating Self-Leadership is available here: https:// what tools are needed to do so. What we often www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08W59H7XK/ don’t fully appreciate is that all leadership starts ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0 with self-leadership – the ability to lead oneself towards set goals, to be productive and to re- Follow Fitzgerald Mujuru on LinkedIn, IG and alise and maximise one’s potential by applying Amazon oneself effectively at any task. It starts with masHOUSE OF MUTAPA

Leaders Mentor LEADERS

sal but rather context specific. The fact is that in many instances the ‘Peter Principle’ is evident in Nigel Forgenie that we promote or elect people to positions that nigelforgenie@gmail. render them incompetent. com It is often touted by throne sitters that a leaderThe prolonged levels of ship ‘vacuum’ exists. It is also well-known that economic uncertainty ascension to a position or office does not autocreated by globally im- matically birth leadership. The alacrity to fill the pacting events such as BREXIT, the US-China leadership void is fuelled by a business environtrade war, the freefall in energy prices and of ment that is volatile, uncertain, complex and amcourse, the mother of all, the COVID-19 pan- biguous (VUCA to use a trendy managerial acdemic, has put the brakes on global growth. This ronym) and an ‘effective’ leader’’ is seen as the has sparked a global recession, resulting in in- key which unravels challenging paths to secure creased government debt, permanent business desired organisational outcomes. closures and mass unemployment. Many organisations take refuge in the promisDuring crises like these, the performance of es of modern-day management gurus and the leaders comes under great scrutiny thanks in movements they spawn. The plethora of adverpart to social media and the superstorm of a media industry that exists today. Any misstep on their part, unless arrested with matrix-style swoop recovery, is not tolerated; with a swift kick in the pants, they are soon thrown back into the murky pond from whence they arose. However, the truth is for many leaders, these missteps are not always entirely their fault. y

Robert Whittington, a 15th century grammarian used the phrase, ‘A man for all seasons’, to describe a person who is prepared to cope with any contingency and whose behavior is always appropriate for whatever the occasion. Following on from this, one may be tempted to make the analogy that a leader is for all seasons, ignoring the fact that effective leadership is not univer-

A Leader Is One Who Knows The Way, Goes The Way, And Shows The Way John C. Maxwell

HOUSE OF MUTAPA

tisements for enrollment in leadership programs suggest that leadership can be taught. If this were indeed so then it begs the question, why is there still the existence of a leadership vacuum - remembering that the key unlocks the VUCA. Peter Drucker, in his book The Effective Executive is of the view that managerial effectiveness can be learnt but is not convinced that it can be taught. I believe that the same can be said about leadership. ‘Leadership can be learned but it cannot be taught’, at least not in the mass-produced way in which it is dished out. The notion that leadership can be taught proposes that the development of a curriculum supported by a theoretical framework that highlights leadership competencies is the silver bullet for leadership creation. This can only be seen as absurd. Similar words were echoed by Graeme Salaman in his writings on Competences of Managers, Competences of Leaders. If leadership cannot be taught but can be learnt, then the process of learning in most instances has to be context-specific, and perhaps with the aid of a mentor-leader who not only has the requisite experiences in the same context but who also has a track record in the game. Lions train lions, ducks train ducks, leaders mentor leaders, hence ‘mentor-leaders’. The importance of context cannot be overstated. For example, the African lion and the Asian lion, both hyper-carnivores, may look similar, yet the evolutionary differences in their size and hunting habits are due to contextual differences - elements of which include terrain, environment and prey. To survive in Africa, the Asian lion would have to adapt its skills and learn new survival strategies to match

Prime Minister Mia Mottley

Leaders Should Influence Others In Such A Way That It Builds People Up, Encourages And Educates Them So They Can Duplicate This Attitude In Others Bob Cohen those of its counterpart’s - thus contextual environment. Here too, the necessary skills can be passed on through mentorship over time or the Asian lion would starve and die. Let’s look to a human example. In my corner of the world, in recent times, a Caribbean leader that has stood out is the Prime Minister of Barbados, The Honorable Mia Mottley. She shapes the world’s view of post-colonial leadership through her vision for her country, and by extension the Caribbean. Prime Minister Mottley’s ability is no fluke. The contextual environment in which she excels was shaped through mentorship. A competent Queen’s Counsel, she became the Attorney General of Barbados, possibly shadowing her father who himself had been an attorney general of Bermuda. Her tenacity was reported by Tony Best of The Nation newspaper (2008): “as the attorney-general, she hauled the Trinidadians before an international tribunal that ended up giving Barbados a sizeable portion of its neighbour’s marine boundaries, which the island hopes to exploit for oil, gas or both.” As a third-generation politician, she had the benefit of standing on the shoulders of her grandfather who was deemed ‘a political powerhouse’ as an assemblyman and a mayor of Bridgetown, and her father who also sat in the House of Assembly. The power she now wields was not bestowed upon her. On the contrary her successes were the results of long fought battles and triumphs over failures. Her halo shines so bright that it has attracted the respect of many. In 2019 she was awarded The Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart -

HOUSE OF MUTAPA

8 Photo Credit - casaclimate.org

EGH - by the government of Kenya, and in 2020 The Order of Roraima - OR - of Guyana. She was recently nominated to Chair of the Development Committee for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

executive director and principal consultant at Trainers’ Edge Ltd. Trainers and Consultants in Trinidad and Tobago. His background is in strategic planning, talent management and training and development. In addition, he is a small business venture enthusiast and enjoys seeking new entrepreneurial opportunities where the rewards may be the returns on the businesses themselves.

The Prime Minister of Barbados is just one example of many. For us to survive in the post COVID-19 era it is necessary for our successful leaders in both the private and public sectors to upskill our future leaders through mentorship. Nigel is currently in the penultimate stages of Leaders must mentor leaders. completing his DBA in strategy and strategic implementation failure in small island developNigel Forgenie, BSc, MBA is currently the ing states.

HOUSE OF MUTAPA

Gender-Based Violence During COVID-19

y Vannesa Moosa vannesasach@gmail. com

All around the world, the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has been like no other and left no one spared. One unforeseen scourge of these unprecedented times has been the rise of domestic violence and in particular gender-based violence (GBV).

ed Nations Women a few years ago and which called on male champions to speak up against GBV. “It is unfortunate that we didn’t see this coming with the lockdowns, but it’s here. What we need to do as a nation, as a people, is work together. It’s high time that we include men and boys in the discourse of gender-based violence because we know that they are the main instigators and perpetrators”.

#Mukadzihashungurudzwe seeks to motivate and educate men and boys alongside women Now one man has stepped up the fight against and girls about the impact of GBV and in parthis scourge. He is Collen Magobeya, Director of ticular, how it can slow the progress of nations. the Perch Trust. In late 2020, he started a move- Through community outreach programmes and ment in response to the crisis and launched activities the objective is to educate, encourage the campaign, #mukadzihashungurudzwe or and empower people to do their part in eliminat#umfazikahlukumezwa, which urges all Zim- ing this type of violence. babweans to stand up and join the fight against all forms of GBV. The project was inspired by Here is what the campaign actively advocates the He or She Campaign launched by The Unit- for: HOUSE OF MUTAPA 10

• Stand against rape culture Name it for what it is and shame it

• Listen to and believe survivors

When a woman, child or man shares their story of violence, it’s a critical first step to breaking the cycle of abuse; give them the safe space needed to speak and be heard

• Know the signs of abuse and how you can help

There are many forms of abuse and all can have serious physical and emotional effects; learn about the ways to help victims find safety and support

• Call for responses and services fit for purpose

Services for survivors are essential. Shelters, hotlines, counselling and any constructive support needs to be available for those in need especially during crises

• Know the data and demand more of it

To effectively combat GBV, we need to understand the issue; relevant data collection is key to implementing successful prevention measures and providing survivors with the right support

• Teach the next generation and learn from them

The examples we set for the younger generation shape the way they think about gender, respect and human rights; start conversations about gender roles early and challenge the traditional opinions about what men and women can and cannot do

• Hold each other accountable

Violence can take many forms, anywhere; call it out when you see it; catcalling, inappropriate sexual comments and sexist jokes are never okay.

The Perch Media Trust uses visuals and audio to communicate and advocate for the government and stakeholders to afford attention to topical issues that affect marginalised communities in Zimbabwe.

HOUSE OF MUTAPA

Food & Drink The Food Consultant

ungai Muzorewa is a training, marketing and consultant chef based in Johannesburg South Africa. Born in Roma, Lesotho to Zimbabwean parents, he first trained in the UK before obtaining a BSc

fusion of African and French cuisine; whilst in countries like Angola and Mozambique he also adopted the African/Portuguese cuisine. Now having lived in South Africa for the last 12 years he gets to indulge in the myriad of culinary influences in what he calls the gastronomical melting pot of the world.

in Hospitality Administration at Southern New Hampshire University, USA.

Though his career has now taken a new direction in commercial kitchen designing, training and marketing, cooking remains his first love. He also works alongside NOSH Food Rescue in Jo’burg to provide food and food hampers for those in need.

His love for gastronomy led him to a career in the kitchen that has seen him travel and cook in Europe and throughout Africa and the islands in his now 25+ years as a chef. Whilst living in Cote d’Ivoire for several years he fell in love with the local market - Marche de Cocody – and the HOUSE OF MUTAPA

Check out The Consultant Chef’s home-cured salmon salad here:

Home-Cured Smoked Salmon & Mango Salad With a Lemon Vinaigrette Curing the Salmon 1. Make a curing mix by combining equal parts salt and sugar in a bowl. This will need to be in large enough quantities to completely cover the fish. 2. Place the salmon in a shallow dish and generously cover with the dry cure, rubbing it all over the top, bottom and sides of the fish. 3. Cover with cling film and transfer to the fridge to cure for anywhere between 1–24 hours, depending on how strong a cure you would like. Whilst curing, make the vinaigrette 4. When ready remove from the fridge and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Pat dry with kitchen paper. Slice thinly when serving.

The Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

½ tsp grated lemon zest

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp sugar

½ tsp mustard

3-4 tbsp olive oil

salt (sea salt is best) and black pepper to taste

Method: 1. In a small bowl, mix the lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, mustard and salt until the sugar and salt are dissolved. 2. Mix in 3 tbsp of oil, pouring in slowly. 3. Season with more salt and black pepper to taste. 4. Add a 4th tbsp of oil if needed.

Prepping the Salad

Use quantities to suit your taste and enough for your guests 1. Slice cucumber thinly. 2. Slice mango. 3. Cut lemon for garnish into wedges. 4. Wash rocket leaf. 5. Set all aside.

Putting it All Together 1. Assemble all ingredients on a plate as desired. 2. Sprinkle the lemon vinaigrette. 3. Garnish with lemon wedges.

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 13

WINE WITH TAPS

New World versus Old World

y Taps Shinya taps@thepalateportfolio.com

Welcome, wine lovers, to the fist in a series on all things wine. Whether a novice or a connoisseur, this series written especially for HoM will demystify the age-old beverage which is usually thought of as one reserved for the elite. We’re not only going to discuss the origins of wine but also the terminology around it, how to pair with meals and eventually how to develop our wine tasting palates. So sit back, HOUSE OF MUTAPA

perhaps with a glass of your favourite one and let’s start with some basics. Old World versus New World: What Does It All Mean? In a nutshell, the difference boils down to geography. Old World refers to the first and traditional winemaking regions of the world - those that ‘got it right’ and spread it around the globe. These regions are countries in Europe with notable leaders being France, Spain and Italy. Others are Germany, Austria, Portugal, Hungary and Romania. New world is essentially everywhere else, primarily the colonies of the Old World nations. These are countries that imported grape cultivars (see

The Language of Wine below) from the grape vine known as vitis vinifera in Europe, as well as the techniques to make wine. The key ones are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Argentina and Chile. Many more countries have joined the list and in Africa these are Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Morocco and Algeria. Other regions include Asia with China and India leading, while in South America, Mexico and Brazil are quite prominent. Note that we rarely hear of the Ancient World; there is no doubt that winemaking had started long before the Old World had caught on, in countries such as Egypt, Greece and those of the Middle East. What Is The Difference? Apart from geography, other differences define what is an Old World versus a New World wine, and these lie in the way the grapes are cultivated, the taste and alcohol content which all depend to some extent on climate, the winemaking process and the regional rules and regulations. Let’s look at some of these . Climate, taste & alcohol content In general, Old World wines are of lighter body, with a lower alcohol content, higher acidity and more earthy and spicy flavours. Most are between 12% to 13.5% alcohol content. New World wine tends to be full-bodied with higher alcohol content, lower acidity and fruity flavours. All these features are largely dictated by climate. In New World climes, there is generally more sunshine resulting in riper fruit, which means more sugar and more alcohol. Let me indulge you with a story of my personal experience. The first wine I ever drank was a New World in the early ‘90s. It was made in Zimbabwe by Mukuyu Wineries and Meadows Estate. I thought it was quite pleasant – really, not bad at all. However, when I moved to Switzerland my wine journey took a definite detour. I was in the Valais region and there I discovered Chasselas, Gamay, Amigne, Petite Arvine, Muscat, Hermitage and Pinot Noir - all different varietals. Of all these, I only knew Pinot Noir. The best Pinot Noir in Valais actually comes from a village called Salgesch (Salquenen to French speakers). I later found how closely related it was to the wines of Burgundy, based on sharing the same cultivars. While in Switzerland, I visited the mecca of the wine world - Bordeaux. Here and in the rest of France, I discovered so much more: the various regional blends from the Rhone Valley to the Loire to Bordeaux to Champagne and even on to

Cognac. The winemaking process was incredible with very little mechanisation; almost everything was done manually. Since then, I have tasted wine from Italy, Spain, Hungary, Germany, Austria and most of the New World. There is definitely beautiful wine being made all over the world but there is something about an Amarone, a Rioja and a Bordeaux. A Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is fantastic too, but I would sooner pick up a bottle of Pouilly Fuissée from France. Don’t worry so much about the names – we will talk about that later! What I’m trying to say is that ultimately, wine is subjective and that’s fine. Either you are true to your palate or you are fed what must become your truth - the choice is yours. For me, the smoothness, roundness and balanced structure achieved by Old World wine still holds the top position. And to be fair, even within the Old World, when I want a serious sparkling wine, my first choice is by far a younger, truly suave sparkling wine called Franciacorta from Italy. I pick that over Champagne any day because that wine is never led by acidity! That’s a big statement to make and a lot of wine lovers may be shocked with that, but taste a Franciacorta, then we discuss! The Language of Wine cultivars – varieties of grapes that have been selectively cultivated through cuttings as opposed to being an actual botanical variety varietal – describes a wine made from a single grape variety viticulture – the cultivation (farming) of grape vines vintage - the year on the label that indicated when the grapes were harvested Winemaking In the New World, winemakers are more likely to experiment, and so winemaking processes vary a lot. There is more of a willingness to advance viticulture and incorporate modern technology. On the other hand, the Old World is tied up in traHOUSE OF MUTAPA 15

ditional methods; to be fair it is heavily restricted, though this is changing slowly. The New World has been instrumental in simplifying wine, particularly by putting varietal wines to the forefront. A number of New World countries also enjoy a certain level of climate pattern consistency, meaning that vintages (the year on the label communicating when the grapes were harvested) remain much closer to each other than in the Old World. The result is that one is not tied to vintage charts like we were with Old World wines. These are little cards that would list up to 30 vintages and were highly valued; all serious wine lovers kept one in their wallet or purse because they told us which vintages were good ones meaning we had to drink them.

HOUSE OF MUTAPA

Regional rules and regulations Here is an example of how highly regulated winemaking can be. In France for example, there are regions which specify which varietals one can grow, the maximum number of vines that can be planted per hectare, the tonnage that can be harvested per hectare, whether irrigation is permitted and even the harvest date. One couldn’t go to a region like Bordeaux and decide to make a Zinfandel and expect to label it Bordeaux. This would be illegal, but in fact, these kinds of regulations mean that there is a signature taste for this region. Of course there are exceptions to these ‘rules’ and there is no doubt that both worlds produce

beautiful wine. They each have advantages and disadvantages and offer something the other doesn’t. As a wine lover, your only business is to explore and discover the treasures that lie within both because I think there is not one that is better than the other. If you look at the pictures of the two cars, they both look good and can transport you in style. Perhaps each would have a specific purpose, but both will get you to where you want to be in style. And so it is the same with wine. Have you tasted wine from both worlds? Do you think you have a preference? If so, why? Share your thoughts with us and I invite you to continue the journey to wine discovery.

experience in the hotel and wine industries. He trained in Switzerland as a hotelier and in winemaking, distillation and wine business management at the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University and The Cape Wine Academy. He was also wine director and general manager of the Stanley & Livingstone Hotel at Victoria Falls and has curated and managed wine lists for restaurants and private collectors; in addition, he has trained wine stewards and operated corporate wine bars. Follow Taps and The Wine Portfolio here:

Facebook: The Palate Portfolio Taps Shinya is the founder and wine director at The Palate Portfolio and has over 25 years’ Website: www.thepalateportfolio.co.zw

Photo Credit - DextDee

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 17

COVER STORY

NaGuG ~

Soulful Jewel

Model: NåGuG Musica Images by: James Bell Photography Clothing & Styling: KUZARI tech Hair: Braid Couture Artist, Angela Plummer Makeup: Busola B MUA Shoot Co-ordinator: Mussah Molife

Left: Dancer, Kerri Deaguiar, BOP Dance. Centre: NåGuG Musica Right: Dancer, Emmanuella Idris, Blck Flmngo and BOP Dance. Makeup: Signature Faces, Emmanuella Eguavoen

HOUSE OF MUTAPA

Model: NåGuG Musica Images by: James Bell Photography

y Rhoda Molife molahmedia@gmail. com

Clothing & Styling: KUZARI tech Hair: Braid Couture Artist, Angela Plummer Makeup: Busola B MUA Shoot Co-ordinator: Mussah Molife

NåGuG is the singer that you need to know about in 2021. We’ve known of this priceless jewel for years and now it’s time for those of you who don’t to find out who she is. Read on for more! NåGuG is Tendai Nelson, a professional in the pharmaceutical industry, wife, mother of three and someone passionate about her music. NåGuG is derived from her middle name, Gugan, which also means jewel. Initially she wanted to use this as her stage name but found out that it was also the name of an Indian city. She therefore flipped it backwards to become Nagug then played with the letters to create a visually unique brand. Coincidentally, Nagug is also a name that ancient Africa was once known by. She grew up in Zimbabwe between her home in Waterfalls, Harare, boarding schools and kumusha which for her and her family was Manicaland. Her father was a transporter and farmer whilst her mother was a retired public health professional; her mother was also one of the first black women registered to drive back in 1950s Manicaland. As she had much older siblings, NåGuG was in some ways like an only child and reaped the benefits that came with older parents who were expert at raising children yet still strict thus ensuring that she knew the life yekumusha. “ ‘You never know where you end up married’, was something my mother always said. So, I’m very much that girl from rural Zimbabwe.”

“My upbringing has influenced my view on life. I was very privileged to never see my parents work for others, but instead witness them giving opportunity and growth to others through their businesses.” Home was a Christian home meaning singing was a way of life. Both parents and her siblings sang and before she was born, her mother and some of those siblings sang on the church circuit. Beautiful melodies and harmonies filled the home all day, every day and combined with sing-

ing and music at church, NåGuG developed an interest in the voice as an instrument. “I mimicked Disney singers from the cartoons I watched on TV as well as the voices I heard on the radio. But I did all that in private.” One day though, her now late sister overheard her, told their mother that her little sister could really sing, and by that weekend, she had rehearsed to sing in church. At the age of 12 she was reading music and performing a large repertoire of songs. Throughout her teens she sang in several choirs and groups as well as performed solo. NåGuG came to the UK after her A’ Levels to initially study fashion and design. She however ended up in healthcare and has built a consistent career in the field whilst nurturing her musical talent and raising her three children with her husband. She says it takes perseverance to juggle family, work and music and some days she does not sleep because she’s making music, styling or working on a brand-related project.

“Making music is very expensive and takes time. With a full-time job, studying and family responsibilities it takes so much discipline and passion to keep it going.” HOUSE OF MUTAPA 19

Let’s find out more about her music. Her style is pure soul with a voice that is rich and warm, and characterised by dynamic phrasing. “I perform as though I’m telling a story.” She is influenced by her extensive exposure to a wide range of genres and artists from Africa and around the world but first and foremost, she loves acapella. “Acapella is led by vocals and accompanied by vocal harmonies and natural sounds like claps, finger clicks, whistles as well percussion instruments. Our own Zimbabwean traditional music and other ethnomusicology come from this. For me, the best vocalists in music have mastered acapella.” Her lyrics are either an observation or an expression of her experiences and serve to encourage listeners, including herself, to get to know themselves better and to be inspired.

‘Secret of Life’ – Conversations With My Mother NåGuG has previous releases under her birth name, before her rebranding in 2016. This year she has released some of her work from back then including ‘Secret of Life’, a song she wrote based on conversations with her mother. She worked on the single with Grammy-nominated producers Pascal Guyon and Simon Gogerly. How did they connect? “I got a random direct message on Twitter from someone recommending Pascal as a producer. I’d been looking for a producer that could understand my ideas and help bring them to life. When I reviewed Pascal’s experience, I was very impressed. He’d worked with people like Anthony Hamilton and Leona Lewis and had studied Cuban music.” She took a leap of faith and contacted him. He heard her samples and immediately said he could work with her. “This was such a boost for me. It didn’t matter that he was based in Los Angeles; we were going to make it work and it did.” They teamed up with Simon Gogerly who also worked on her upcoming releases, ‘Back To The Beginning’ and ‘Earth Child’. The video for ‘Secret to Life’, which was shot just before the UK’s most recent lockdown in November 2020, is pure grandeur in honour of her mother who was like a queen to all – her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “She was the centre of the family with a substantial sphere of influence.” So NåGuG chose a royal concept as the theme for the shoot. She also wanted to illustrate the legacy her mother had left behind and so has representation of four generations with the youngest being NåGuG’s HOUSE OF MUTAPA 20

daughters. The styling represented African royalty and was led by her sister Shylet Nyabunze of KUZARI, whilst braid couture artist, Angela Plummer created the regal-like hairstyles. The dancers were courtesy of Dollie Henry, renowned jazz dance choreographer and founder of BOP Jazz Theatre, London’s best jazz dance theatre. The whole production was co-ordinated by former Zimbabwe International Women’s Awards (ZIWA) Event Co-ordinator Mussah Molife and photographed by James Bell Photography. There has been more music released since ‘Secret to Life’ earlier this year and these include ‘No More Lonely’, a dance single with German-based producers Sven Kuhmann and MCR; ‘Simuka’, an anthem of sorts; and ‘Back to the Beginning.’ All these works except ‘No More Lonely’ were actually completed in 2015/16 but for NåGuG, it was not the right time to release them. “I had it before Wakanda and Queen B. It just takes time and finances to develop as an independent artist as you have to wear various hats.”

Model: NåGuG Musica Images by: James Bell Photography Clothing & Styling: KUZARI tech Hair: Braid Couture Artist, Angela Plummer Makeup: Busola B MUA Shoot Co-ordinator: Mussah Molife

There is a grace that allows and ensures success. Find ways to stay in its realm

Photo Credit - wearephotography.co.uk

We can see that NåGuG is nothing if not patient and persistent. She has been nurturing her craft for years with grace and determination. How has she done it? “With music, to achieve quality work, you need to be patient. As a perfectionist, I’ve learnt the hard way that I need to let go a little bit. This year, I’ve done that; it’s not easy to allow collective input and I’m learning to trust others.” Collaboration is certainly key.

Website: www.nagug.com

So what can we expect next from this soulful jewel? Well for one, there is a collaboration in the works with Zimbabwean choreographer and dancer, as well as HoM November 2020 cover feature John Cole. And… when do we get the album is the question! “Hopefully at the end of 2021 or early 2022.” We cannot wait!

Video links:

Social Media: NaGuG on Facebook NaGUG on Twitter NaGuG on Instagram NaGuG on Youtube Secret of Life Video Back To The Beginning Video Closed Sessions Videos

Also featured in the video of ‘Secret of Life’ are Now you know about NåGuG, follow her and her actresses Annah B Machingura, Matilda Mukosmusic on the links below and watch this star rise. era and Mary Mukosera HOUSE OF MUTAPA 21

2021 Guide To Financial Freedom Selina Flavius, Fin-preneur

Photo Credit - @photoprosperity

by Rhoda Molife molahmedia@gmail.com Selina Flavius created Black Girl Finance, a financial coaching company dedicated to Black women and girls in the UK. She has also contributed to discussions within the UK media including The Guardian Newspaper, Diversity Q and BBC Women’s Hour to highlight the issues of the gender, ethnicity and racial wealth gaps. For Selina, the intersection of these three issues means that it’s more important than ever for Black women to take charge of their personal finances. She also hosts the Black Girl Finance Podcast, has written one of the first personal finance books by a Black Briton - Black Girl Finance: Let’s Talk Money, and is the founder of Black Girl Finance Festival, which launched this year as a series of workshops covering various finance topics and run by black female financiers for black women.

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 22

When did you launch Black Girl Finance? The Black Girl Finance financial coaching service was launched in April 2019. … And why did you start it? I wanted to create a safe space for Black women to talk about money and financial goals, and to provide clear resources and strategies to reach those goals. I grew up in a household that didn’t talk about money, so I wanted to create a platform that spoke about it unapologetically. What’s been your own financial journey? In my Black Caribbean background, conversations around money just didn’t happen. We were always told to get a good job and to save but the strategies to do so were never taught. So you can imagine that discussing tackling debt and investing would not even have come close to the agenda. For a long time I struggled with paying off debt and I spent a long time wanting to invest but never getting started because I had no idea how to.

Getting on the property ladder in my 20s was one achievement and finally investing was another. You’ve spoken about how our upbringing affects our financial attitude. What are some common themes in families and finances? Based on my work, the lack of conversations about money is a recurring theme. A belief that investing is not for ‘us’, scepticism around insurance and not seeking financial advice are a few others. How have you seen those themes change from your parents to your generation and to your son’s generation? My mum read an extract from my book and she commented that there were two things you did not speak to your children about in her generation - one was your age and the other was money. Now with my son, it’s the total opposite. We have conversations about managing his credit score, saving and investing. He knows that he can come to me to discuss anything money-related. Right now, he is very much into digital assets such as cryptocurrency. Why don’t people like to discuss money?! Lots of reasons that range from growing up in an environment where money conversations were traditionally led by the men of the household; or an environment where money conversations were thought of as being distasteful, rude and uncouth. Remember too that in the workplace, especially in the UK, conversations about salary are discouraged. Against this backdrop of silence, it can be hard to view financial conversations as being normal.

What pushed you to a financial makeover? It was when I hit a financial rock bottom, which I talk about in my book. At that point, I knew I had to do things differently, and from that day forward my relationship with my finances changed. I do things very differently now – I even speak differently about money. For example, you will never hear me say I’m broke. To me speaking negatively over my finances was disempowering and I encourage the women I coach to break that habit too. What’s been your greatest financial achievement? I’ve had different financial goals over the years and ticking them off one by one has felt great.

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 23

What can we do to normalise conversations around financial fitness… the same way we talk about physical fitness, or what’s happening to who or who’s doing what?! We have to find those safe spaces that allow us to speak freely and honestly about our financial circumstances and goals. We do this at Black Girl Finance. Normalising people who look like us in financial spaces is important; seeking financial advice from someone who looks like you and who understands the nuances of your background is also important.

£3000 credit card debt at standard interest rate. Two – the lifestyle creep, which is as you earn more, you spend more; why not invest the uplift in salary instead? And a big no-no is being a constant consumer and never an owner. It has never been easier to invest in the companies that we constantly use. Do this instead. One thing we can expect to see from BGF this year is… … Another Black Girl Finance Fest event and our newly launched membership.

How should we prepare our teen and young adult children to have healthy and robust financial attitudes?

For more on Selina Flavius and Black Girl Finance got to:

Speaking about money to children before they hit their teenage years is key, because there is research that shows our attitudes towards money are shaped from around seven or eight years old. These days, our young people are the early adopters of fintech apps that allow them to not just save but invest into riskier financial assets. This exposure to the financial markets means that as parents and carers we need to be comfortable with advising them on how to navigate this new and easily-accessible world that we never had easy access to ourselves.

IG: @blackgirlfinanceuk

Website: www.blackgirlfinance.co.uk To purchase Black Girl Finance: Let’s Talk Money https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Girl-FinanceLets-Money/dp/152941427X Black Girl Finance has featured in The Guardian, Ft advisor, BBC 1Xtra Talks, Bloomberg QuickTalk and BBC Womans Hour

The inspiration behind the book Black Girl Finance: Let’s Talk Money is… … To highlight and tackle the gender and ethnicity pay gaps that exist and to empower women to take full control of their finances and their future. What can a reader expect from the book? Great tips on how to manage all areas of personal finance from budgeting to saving to investing and creating assets – and it’s written by a Black woman especially for Black women. I also share some of my personal journey and those of some of the women I’ve coached who were happy to share theirs. Three top money tips for 2021 are… …Pay yourself first – which is a fancy way of saying save and save at least 10%. The COVID19 pandemic has been a sharp reminder of the importance of having an emergency fund. Next, decide on a budget and stick to it. And three, start investing early because the earlier you start, the earlier you start to benefit. Three money no-nos are… … Not having a clear strategy to pay off debt. Research shows it can take 27 years to pay off a HOUSE OF MUTAPA 24 Photo Credit - @brandyourselfphotography

CONDRY CALVIN MLILO PHOTOGRAPHY

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 25

SAVING THE CHILDREN

Tsitsi Chawatama HOUSE OF MUTAPA 26

y Rhoda Molife molahmedia@gmail. com

In January 2021, the UK children’s charity Save the Children announced their new chair as Zimbabwean doctor, Tsitsi Chawatama-Kwambana. Save the Children, whose patron is Princess Royal Anne, was established in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1919 to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic opportunities, as well as providing emergency aid in natural disasters, war and other conflicts. At 102 years old, it is now a global movement made up of 29 national member organisations which work in 120 countries. The organisation promotes policy changes to gain more rights for young people and co-ordinates emergency-relief efforts, helping to protect children from the post effects of war and violence. Though born in the UK, Tsitsi grew up in Zimbabwe. After completing high school there, she returned to study medicine at the University of Leicester, qualifying in 2004. She’d always wanted to work with children in some way and so trained in paediatrics at the Children’s Hospital in Sheffield. Along the way she acquired post-graduate qualifications in infectious diseases and international child health in London. She then spent a year working as a senior paediatrician in Ethiopia courtesy of funding from UNICEF and support from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). “Although a tough year, working in a new environment that was in sharp contrast to working in London, I learnt a great deal, made great friends and learnt valuable lessons.” Tsitsi returned to

London in 2012, completed her paediatric training there in 2015 and is now a consultant paediatrician at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Trust in general paediatrics and paediatric infectious diseases. Tsitsi is not new to the voluntary sector. After a stint as a trustee, she became the vice-chair of AFRUCA - Safeguarding Children which promotes the protection of children from black and other minority ethnic groups in the UK, Europe and Africa. She is also a trustee of Sentebale, which was founded by Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, and which supports vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana. Finally she is also a trustee of UK-Med, which responds to health emergencies around the world. For Tsitsi, this appointment has been both a personal and professional achievement. Not only had she always wanted to work with children, she’d also wanted to do this on a global level and use all the skills and expertise she’d garnered from her range of experiences. She now works for Chelsea & Westminster NHS Trust half the time and the rest she’s making a meaningful and global impact on the protection of the world’s greatest asset – it’s children. “I’ve created the life I’ve always wanted, doing what I love doing, understanding what it means to protect children and doing something about it, paying it forward and having global influence.” For more go to: LinkedIn: Tsitsi Chawatama https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/ https://afruca.org/ https://sentebale.org/ HOUSE OF MUTAPA 27

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 28

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

Condry Calvin Mlilo by Rhoda Molife molahmedia@gmail.com Our photographer in the spotlight this month is the incredibly talented Bulawayo-born Condry Calvin Mlilo, a fashion and beauty photographer based London. How he started I was always curious about photography and played with cameras a lot in my early teens. I think, in hindsight, that curiosity grew into a passion. How he trained It was really a teenage hobby. Then I thought why not take it up a level, so I studied photography at the University of East London and got my BA in Photography in 2011. His style I’d say it’s true, it’s vibrant and it’s full of texture. Memorable shoot or collaboration I’ve been lucky to travel around the world and shoot for lots of different clients. I travelled all over Morocco in 2017 shooting in amazing locations for a hair stylist. Then a stroke of good fortune led to a job in Los Angeles in 2019 were I also shot a campaign for a clothing brand. Just being out in these amazing locations is mind blowing. Where he’d next like to shoot I would love to travel throughout Africa over a long period of time and document culture, fashion and history. Zimbabwe is calling and one day I’ll be back home capturing some great moments. Top tips for aspiring photographers Run your own race. Don’t be scared to make mistakes and when you make them, own them. Never undervalue yourself. Be realistic, understand the brief and be open to criticism. Check out Condry’s simply stunning images throughout this edition and follow him here: IG: @condrycalvinmlilo Twitter @condrycalvmlilo Website : www.condrycalvinmlilo.com

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 29

CONDRY CALVIN MLILO PHOTOGRAPHYY

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 30

CONDRY CALVIN MLILO PHOTOGRAPHY

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 31

The

AFROBEATS DANCE

EXPLOSION HOUSE OF MUTAPA 32

y Rhoda Molife molahmedia@gmail.com

Every generation and indeed every decade has its dance craze - from the twist of the ‘60s, the electric slide of the ‘70s, the moonwalk of the ‘80s, the hammer of the 90s, the dutty wine and skanky leg of the noughties and the naenae of the 2010s. In the 2020s, it is no different and with the power of social media, the current dance craze that has catapulted itself into the hearts, homes and pelvises of millions is afrobeats dance and its many moves. So what is this movement that regularly spawns viral videos.

sic from Nigerian artists Davido and Mr Eazi and Tanzanian Diamond Platinumz probably have had the most influence on afrobeats first but of course now there are more on that list from all over Africa. Some of the top afrobeats dancers include Incredible Zigi, Dancegod Lloyd, Izzy Odigie, Yoofie Greene, Charlito and Kirikou Vrais and the award-winning choreographer, Sherrie Silver. Tiktok and Instragram are flooded with clips of all manner of afrobeats dancers - professional and amateur. Here are four facts about the dance phenomenon that is going to be around for a long time. Afrobeat and Afrobeats are technically not the same

Afrobeat is a term coined by renowned 1960s Nigerian musician, singer and bandleader, the great Well, afrobeats dance is a diverse style originat- Fela Kuti, who pioneered this musical genre and ing predominantly from Sub-Saharan Africa. It spread it around the world. It’s all about jazzy evolved from traditional African dance styles and tones, long instrumentals and big bands. followed hot on the heels of the rise of afrobest ats music – we can’t talk about the dance with- Afrobeats is a 21 century phenomenon born out out the music. It’s now a part of modern musical of West Africa again and that combines a range history that Drake’s 2016 ‘One Dance’ featuring of musical genres including dancehall, highlife, Wizkid and Kyla helped gift afrobeats music and British pop, R&B, hip-hop, house and soca. with that afrobeats dance to the rest of the world. Afrobeats dance really took off with the help Of course we all know that both had long been of Fuse ODG and the azonto popular across the continent since the 90s. Mu- When award-winning Ghanaian-British singer

American artist Beyonce in “AlGermaine Acgony ready” music video performing onstage featuring Ghanaian artist Shatta Wale

Photo Credit - ecoledessables.org

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 33

Sherrie Silver

Burna Boy in concert doing the Zanku dance

Photo Credit - sherriesilver.com

Fuse ODG travelled to Ghana in 2011, he discovered the azonto dance and was inspired by the western African beats. On returning to London he fused this with his ‘UK thing’ as he called it. He later released the single ‘Azonto’ which really raised the profile of afrobeats dance especially in the UK. London is often thought of as the afrobeats capital alongside Lagos, but in actual fact, Parisians, both African and European embraced the music and dance genres long before Londoners. The queen of modern African dance is Germaine Acogny One cannot write a piece on any kind of African dance without acknowledging this queen. Germain Acogny was born in Benin and raised in Senegal. She pioneered modern African dance and established schools in both Senegal and France. In February 2021, she received one of the highest honours for dance in the world, the Lion d’or for Dance (Golden Lion for Dance) by the Venice Biennale Afrobeats dance moves and choreographers HOUSE OF MUTAPA 34

are standard in music videos of some of the world’s biggest musical artists This list here could be long but some of my favourites are the pilolo dance featured in Janet Jackson’s performance of ‘Made for Now’ that featured on the Jimmy Fallon Show in the US. Rwandan-born Sherrie Silver is the award-winning choreographer behind Childish Gambino’s viral video for ‘This Is America’ back in 2018. She has also choreographed for Rihanna, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj and infused afrobeats dance on multiple collaborations including with Victoria’s Secret, Google and Nike. Afrobeats dance is a staple in the videos and on stage performances of multiple other performers. This is no means a definitive article on this global phenomenon; we could dedicate an entire issue on afrobeats dance moves, then another on the afrobeats dancers and yet another on afrobeats music itself, to cover talent from all over the African continent and the rest of the world. Let this be a little taster for you and a push to go find out more!

CONDRY CALVIN MLILO PHOTOGRAPHY

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 35

Photo Credit - Getty Images

Your Social Capital And

Your Goals HOUSE OF MUTAPA 36

y Cynthia Chirinda cynthia@cynthiac.net

Why do some people prosper while others struggle? The difference is more than what they know. It’s also about who they know. Successful people know how to improve their wealth, health and happiness by creating rich social capital through tapping the hidden resources in their business, professional and personal networks. Social capital is a combination of words that don’t seem to belong together. How can ‘social’ be ‘capital’? Capital is an economic concept for a tangible element of production that can be created through investment and used when needed. How can this relate to the term social which cannot be ‘used up’, and that is broad and intangible? Throughout human history the importance and value of social relationships has been intuitively understood and nurtured. However, in the ego-driven, individualistic, self-interested and rational modern era, social factors have been consistently underestimated, undervalued, and under prioritised. ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ The core intuition of social capital is that being social has benefits. This doesn’t seem like a ground-breaking discovery, or one that should require a term to capture or communicate its meaning. Humans are social by nature; we have evolved to be so, and it is a defining characteristic of what it means to be human. It’s not difficult to understand that we, and society in general, benefit from being social: helping, sharing, and caring about our fellow humans. Being social is being human and our society and economy is inescapably linked to sociability.

value and do not feel afraid of mobilizing it by reaching out to your connections. There’s much debate about the various forms that social capital takes, but one fairly straightforward approach divides it into three main categories:

Bonds - links to people based on a sense of common identity, e.g., family, close friends and people who share our culture or ethnicity Bridges - links that stretch beyond a shared sense of identity, e.g., distant friends, colleagues and associates Linkages - links to people or groups further up or lower down the social ladder

The potential benefits of social capital can be seen by looking at social bonds. Friends and family can help us in lots of ways – emotionally, socially and economically. Social capital is not about using and abusing the knowledge and resources of your connections. If you do this, you will end up damaging your relationships leaving you alone and/or only surrounded by people whose goal is to exploit you. How Can You Use Your Social Capital? Here are seven ways to build your social capital and advance your goals 1. Network proactively This provides an advantage by supporting you with a powerful collection of people who are willing and able to speak for you on an ongoing basis. The network is there for you when you need it because you’ve built the social capital.

The African proverb, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’, am2. Be strategic plifies the relevance of social capital. The fact that the social has been framed as capital is an Strategic networking is more than socialising indictment on modern culture and values. and swapping business cards; it’s creating solid relationships to support your aspirations. Identify Types of Social Capital who you know and who you need to know to help The expertise of your connections makes up you reach your goal and build a power network your social capital. Do not underestimate its to support your advancement. HOUSE OF MUTAPA 37

3. Create a diverse network In order to network effectively, you need to move out of your comfort zone and identify people who can help your career, not just those people you like. Highly open networks with a diverse set of individuals who don’t know one another is often associated with accelerated goal achievement. 4. Pay it forward and leverage relationships Identifying the right people, those people who have power and influence and who are willing to recommend you, is the first step. Building and nurturing relationships of trust is next. The third important step is to leverage the relationships by paying it forward - being willing to help others and asking for assistance when you need it.

speak for you and create the visibility you need to succeed. Cynthia Chirinda is an organisational and personal development consultant, a life coach, author and strategist. Her published books speak to matters that position individuals and leaders to achieve their significant goals. If you are considering improving your career, personal effectiveness, communication skills, relationships, focus, faith and happiness then her Wholeness Incorporated Coaching will offer you strategies you can implement to review your progress and achieve your goals. Connect with Cynthia here: E-mail: cynthia@cynthiac.net

5. Set aside dedicated time each week to network

LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube: Cynthia Chirinda

Schedule at least one networking meeting per week. Make it your intention to have lunch or coffee with colleagues and key stakeholders. Put it in your calendar or it won’t happen!

Twitter: cynthiayahc

6. Keep in touch with former colleagues and alums While it’s important to build a network of contacts to support your career goals, it’s equally important to nurture the relationships you already have. Former colleagues, bosses and alums already know the value you offer and can recommend you for new opportunities. It pays to stay in touch. 7. Focus your social media networking efforts One would think that because we are constantly connected online, that networking in this manner is easy. Online professional networking is not without challenges. It is difficult to cut through all the noise. The number of people who connect with us is daunting and as a result, it can be easy to lose our strategic focus. The point is that the number of contacts in your online network is not nearly as important as the quality. Though we are frequently told about the importance of networking, we are not necessarily taught how to network in a strategic manner to support our goals and aspirations. The best way to move ahead is to build and nurture mutually beneficial relationships with people who can HOUSE OF MUTAPA 38

Website: www.cynthiac.net

CONDRY CALVIN MLILO PHOTOGRAPHY

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 39