House of Mutapa Vision 2020 issue by House Of Mutapa

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

contents 3 - EDITORIAL 4 - COVER STORY - Rachel Nyaradzo Adams - Renowned leadership expert FEATURE 40 - Tawanda Chirewa - UK-club footballer BUSINESS 36 - Paul Bere - The entrepreneur that keeps on giving WRITERS CORNER 12 - Ngoni Diana Johns - Student and published poet 16 - Fitzgerald Mujuru - Servant leader and author ENTERTAINMENT 8 - Nursel Light - Shining bright in gospel 20 - La Dee - Angel of Afro-pop 24 - Cozzy “Kozile” Dube - From football to Afro-jazz YOUNG MUTAPA 28 - Tapiwanashe Mutsimba - Male model & philanthropist 32 - Tanya Muzinda - Award-winning motocross champ *cover designed by rodney r chawota *cover photo by optimass art

Editor In Chief - Rhoda Molife; Creative Design Director - Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota; Marketing Director - Godwin Chireka; Public Relations Director - Simba Harawa; Social Media Marketing Expert - Rumbidzai Chakanza Mamvura HOUSE OF MUTAPA PVT LTD is a Registered Trademark. South Africa. Copyright 2020

Contact - info@houseofmutapa.com 2

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

editorial

elcome to the HoM’s Vision 2020 Edition - the first of the year and of a new decade. It was only in the last two weeks of 2019 that it became apparent we were entering a new decade – not surprising as I’ve never been one to be caught up in trends and catchphrases...or even New Year’s resolutions. I and many in my circle were just hell bent on getting to the end of the year having laid a path and setting a vision for where we wanted to be in 2020. And yes, that is very different from setting resolutions!

ter to them. Their examples tell us that to lead, you don’t have to be of a certain age, from a specific background or in a senior position. Tanya Muzinda at 15 is already a motocross sensation and Tawanda Chirewa at 16 has made history in English football. Ngoni Diana Johns, student and author is driven by motivating and inspiring her younger sisters. You see leadership starts at home. Leadership is also about stepping out of your comfort zone - footballer Cozzie Kozile swapped his boots for a microphone and singers La Dee and Nursel Light left the comfort of their homes and families to follow their dream in South Africa and the UK, respectively. Above all, leadership is about service and Young Mutapa Tapiwanashe Matsimba as well as Paul Bere and Fitzgerald Mujuru – in fact all of our features – embody the spirit of giving so naturally and beautifully too. You see to lead means that you give and share to help others realise their vision because as you manifest yours, you know how good it feels! Why not want that warm, fuzzy feeling for others?

What’s vision and why is it important? It’s more than just seeing but more an embodiment of where you want to be - and it’s something that’s driven by passion and purpose. It’s much more than setting goals and ticking them off - which is kinda like what New Year’s resolutions are about, though often most people don’t tick many of them off at all. It really is about the big picture and where you want to be, but on top of that, really doing purposefully to create results that last beyond the year. It’s about feeling and smelling and behaving the way you want to be and the way you want your existence to be.

I hope, as always, that you’re inspired by this month’s conversations. Realise that you too are very capable of leading to forge a path to what you want to be this next decade. Above all remember that leadership is really about service, both to you and to others. Give yourself what you need so that you don’t break promises to yourself that will allow you to bring your vision to life. To others, share what you can to help them realise their own dreams because in doing so you contribute to making the world a better place and creating something that lasts beyond a decade.

To set and manifest a vision, one must demonstrate leadership – the ability to stand up, stand out and motivate others to bring that vision to life – collectively. It’s about creating an environment where others can thrive and use their different skills to achieve what you as a group have set out to. It’s also about creativity so that actually the journey to the vision is well…fun. As our Marketing Director Godwin said when we chatted about leadership, “It’s about having a flair for innovation.”

“You’ve got to give yourself the freedom to dream – to use your imagination to see and feel what does not yet exist. A vision is not the same as goals or objectives; those come from the head. A vision comes from the heart.” John Graham

Our cover girl, Rachel Nyaradzo Adams, knows all about what it takes to lead. As the founder of Narachi Leadership, she has coached and developed high impact leaders for her entire career, and she has a fresh and powerful take on what leadership looks like. I won’t spoil it for you, so you just have to read on to find out more!

Rhoda Molife

In fact, all those featured in our Vision 2020 Edition have demonstrated remarkable leadership skills to get to where they are with those that mat-

Editor-in-Chief

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

cover story

RACHEL Nyaradzo

ADAMS Striving for LEADERSHIP Excellence in AFRICA

An Exclusive Interview With One of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rising Stars

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

s we begin a new decade, there is no better time to address the ongoing challenges that mar leadership in Africa, be it in the corporate sector or political arena. Zimbabwe’s own Rachel Nyaradzo Adams has single-handedly made it her life’s mission to address these challenges that plague African leadership particularly in the corporate sector. Through her brainchild, Narachi Leadership, she has worked with leaders and organisations from 47 African countries delivering pioneering and innovative programmes and workshops that have dramatically changed the culture and efficacy of those organisations.

was to raise enough money to study at university but it became apparent that she could not study and work at the same time. This was despite being accepted at the University of Richmond. However, she still managed to go to a Bible college and complete a course in Charismatic Preaching. By chance, she met a student on their gap year from high school who posited the idea of her studying at the University of Cape Town where he was planning to study. It so happened that Rachel had saved enough money for a flight, accommodation and tuition for one-and-a-half years, so decided to give it a shot. She completed her undergraduate degree in Media, Writing and Social Anthropology there and later did her Masters in African Studies at Oxford University.

Rising to the Top and the Move Back Home

Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota

After her studies, Rachel rose through the corporate ranks and held some prestigious posts including one as head of the MLP. However it was not ‘till she was working at Yale University as Associate Director for Africa that she felt compelled to use her natural talent and abilities more fully to develop leadership back home in Africa, especially in Zimbabwe. “I moved back to Zimbabwe because I felt a commitment to be engaged with the things that were happening in my country. My issue with Africa has always been that the best of us, when things get hard, we leave. The country is continually being bled of its best talent. And I started to feel a sense of responsibility around that. It just didn’t make sense to me and I thought, well, so then who fixes it? It’s a simple but hard question.”

rodney@houseofmutapa.com Rachel was recently named as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Young Africans of 2019 (Africa Youth Awards). At the peak of her career, she was the Associate Director for Africa at Yale University in the US, where she helped develop strategic partnerships with the continent. Prior to that, she worked at McKinsey and Co where she was the head of the McKinsey Leadership Program (MLP) which she co-designed, implemented and managed. She also worked at the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation as Regional Program Manager for leadership and entrepreneurship for the Gauteng Region. Rachel holds a Master of Science in African Studies from Oxford University, an Honours Degree in Social Anthropology from the University of Cape Town and a Bachelor of Social Science in Anthropology, Media and Writing. She is also a Mandela Rhodes Scholar, a Desmond Tutu Fellow, a Mellon Mays Fellow and a Felix Scholar.

However, Rachel is practical enough to acknowledge that the move back home is not an easy one for most people. Considering the current situation in the country, she sombrely concluded that it was not the best time to return home.

Humble Beginnings

“And so, if somebody today for example, were to ask me, should I come back home? No...and I feel my heart really breaks having to say that. I actually do feel quite teary about that. No...it’s because the conversation that is valid in Zimbabwe at this moment is a political one.”

Rachel was born in Kadoma and raised in Gweru. She went to Cecil John Rhodes Primary School then Thornhill High. Her passion for education started at a young age and she concluded that she was always ‘arts and humanities inclined’. Rachel never knew her father and was raised by a hard-working single mother in the first four years of her life. Later, her mother married a second time and Rachel had a total of 12 siblings.

She sees the issue as being the loss of a conscience in the leadership. “You have a group of leaders who started off well and then I think lost their own conscience. And the thing with losing conscience is that it is interlocked with shame. But people don’t often admit to shame. And then what shame does is it keeps you wanting to prove that ‘I am the best person to do this, you must see that I’m the best person to do this’. And the simple truth of the matter is we have a leadership who do not have the skills and the tools to transform this country”.

“We grew up with some of us together, some of us not because some of us were much older. I was a flower girl at my oldest brother’s wedding so that can tell you the gap. I was four years old when he was getting married.” From her blended family experiences, she developed a keen interest in human dynamics as she experienced so many different personalities. When she was 19, she left for the UK where she lived for three years and studied for a part of those years. Her first job was sweeping floors in a bakery before she graduated to making sandwiches. She was also a spritzer girl in Selfridges and other department stores. Undocumented at the time, her initial aim

Courage In her TED Talk in 2018 Rachel spoke on the ‘Crisis of Courage’ in African youth which she said needed to be addressed, particularly in Zimbabwe. She recalls a conversation she once had with a war veteran. “And he said to me, it stung me. He said,’My generation

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire Thaker-Desai as her Chief Operating Officer. The workload was such that she now required an extra hand. Rachel does not believe in wasting resources and she actually has a perspective on why some big organisations face challenges. “I believe that 50 years from now, the world will wake up to the fact that part of the reason why businesses are finding it so difficult is because organisations are just too large. It’s unsustainable. Industrialisation has taken us on an interesting road where you have these large institutions with so much dysfunctionality within them. I know this because I worked in corporate but I also noticed when I work with corporates and you can just see that they get too big.”

“It’s for me about transformation”

However, Narachi Leadership keeps a close network of consultants who come on board occasionally to do some specific work at specific times. Rachel calls this an ‘ecosystem’. She is however aware of her own limitations. “I cannot take on projects of 20,000 people. That doesn’t make sense but I can certainly run very effective workshops, very effective facilitations, very effective coaching, sometimes even culture transformations for organisations that are below 1000 people.” Despite this Narachi has been able to stamp its foothold firmly in the market. “So McKinsey is bidding - we are also bidding. I’ve just come out of a process with a client in East Africa where it was McKinsey, Bain and me.”

would have never tolerated what this government is doing. The problem is that you guys are cowards and you should be embarrassed. I was 17 when I went to join the armed struggle. The first thing we were told when we got into the forest was that seven out of ten of you will die. And I still went. I’ve watched and I’m too old to fight now, so I’m not fighting anybody. But your generation is so cowardly. You will not even consider what it means to fight for yourselves’.” Rachel feels that the reasons behind this cowardice are complex. “So I think that people found it much easier to rally around an enemy that quote-unquote ‘looks different’. It’s a perception of the brain. It’s easier to register that but it’s much more difficult for you to consider the enemy as somebody who looks like your grandfather. We are challenged at challenging hierarchy.”

Rachel puts her heart and soul into her work to deliver to a high standard. “And so for me, Narachi actually represented and has come to represent even for my clients because they give me this feedback all the time, that if I am in a room, I’m going to give you everything I have. It’s for me about transformation and impact because for me, I believe that if you can transform the person, you can transform the institution that they are in.”

She also feels that the youth are distracted. “For many of us, things get hard, we move. And if we can’t move geographically we move mentally. So if things get hard, I get on my phone, I go on WhatsApp and I watch Olinda or whatever her name is who is very famous at some point. That’s what we do. We’re so disconnected that we don’t feel that upset long enough”. Nonetheless she is certain that violence is not the answer.

Leadership Standards Rachel is inspired by the leadership qualities of icons like Thomas Sankara, Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel Mandela, Martin Luther King and Claudette Colvin, to name a few. “The reality that stood out for me was their courage, the ability to do that thing that was inconvenient because it was right. But I also admire the leaders who can see beyond the now, who are able

“I don’t believe that the movements of the 21st century are violent. Violence is the most primitive thing that we go to, because that’s what our brains know to do. I believe that there is room honestly, for leaders to wake up to their consciences.” Narachi Leadership

“There is room honestly for leaders to wake up to their consciences”

Narachi Leadership provides leadership training and coaching for emerging leaders all over the continent with two branches in South Africa and Zimbabwe. That is the extent to which its reputation in the industry has grown since it was founded four years ago. Rachel is surprised that a lot of her clients initially think it’s an institute of sorts. Far from it - Na-rachi is literally derived from her name. Na is Shona for ‘with’ and Rachi is short for Rachel. Rachi is what her family calls her. So it literally means ‘with Rachel’. She registered the company and worked on her own until recently when she coopted Reena

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“Diversity TRUMPS Ability!”

to think about what is for the greater good. So I think we’re in a world that is plagued with selfishness. We’ve lost that beautiful ability to just be altruistic to just do something.” One such person is Michelle Obama and she recalls meeting her.

corporate world. She has a different angle on this matter. “I’m not a feminist. And I say that because I disagree with some of the tangents that some of these conversations around women take. I think that they are self defeating. All research shows us that diversity trumps ability. So the more diverse people you have in a room, the more likely you are to be able to solve difficult problems.” There should be more opportunities for men and women to learn from each other rather than exclusive clubs where either men only or women only are interacting because there is a chance there will be ‘bashing’ of the opposite sex.

“She’s a highly educated Ivy Leaguer, very smart but I kid you not, if you are with her in a room, she is just so present with whoever she is with. You know, she gives the most warm hugs. She’s not in a hurry. She talks to you, looks you in the eye and she will do it for a line of people. The way I experienced her energy is, here is a person who’s just willing to be altruistic. A good human being, you know? How did we lose that?”

The Future Rachel has been with her partner, Joseph Hundah, for the last 6 years and there are no plans for marriage or kids either. Rachel believes she is too focused on her career and would not make a good mother. “Not everyone is meant to be a mother,” she says. However, she speaks highly of women who still play both professional and motherly roles with ease. Rachel also plans to write a book which she says has been long-awaited and that she finally feels ready to write. On the horizon are also public workshops as well as more collaborations across the board.

Rachel also admires leaders who know when their time is up. She gives the example of David Cameron who left office as Prime Minister in the UK after he felt he could not deliver what he had set out to. Her feeling is that leaders are both born and created born and created in that we all have the innate leadership qualities within us but we also need to spend the ‘10 000 hours’ perfecting them. Women in Management Rachel believes that there have been improvements made when it comes to women attaining leadership posts in Africa - more so in government than in the

“There is power in collaboration”

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

ursel is a Turkish word meaning ‘a flood of bright light’. UK-based gospel artist Nursel Light was given this unique name by her father. She is currently promoting her upcoming EP Living In Victory which comes after her debut 2018 album You Are My God; the latter featured songs such as the vibrant anthem ‘Mira Ipapo’. On her EP are the tracks ‘Living In Victory’ and follow up Afro-pop enthused single ‘Makomborero’. by Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota rodney@houseofmutapa.com Nursel grew up living with her parents and little sister. Her father was a strict, conservative Christian man who was very protective of his daughters teaching them the word of God at every opportunity. On the other hand, her mother was very laid back, softly-spoken and let them be. She discovered her passion for music at the age of three - and it wasn’t just about singing; she was a great dancer too. In fact, she was so good that she pulled crowds at local performances. “I had a great principled upbringing, with a loving family that I love so much and thank God for.” The Christian Walk As a child, Nursel’s family, led by her father, moved from church to church, in search of a place to worship. She then started attending church regularly in 1992, becoming a born-again Christian in 1998. “My Christian walk has had its ups and downs, challenges, failures, rejection, love, successes, crusades, zealous moments, helpless moments. I have had it all. All the different seasons have taught me something and I’m in awe of God’s unfailing and continuous love for me. Following Christ was the best decision I ever made.”

min Dube. Her favourite song? “I love all my songs because they all mean something, but if I had to pick one, it would be ‘Living in Victory’ from the current EP.”

The Musical Journey Nursel moved to the UK in 2003. She was fortunate to live with supportive people who are actually now her in-laws. Life was ‘generally ok’ and she says that the Zimbabwean UK community were very supportive of one another. However, she missed her family every single day, though that didn’t stop her from getting a university degree.

Nursel has faced the same challenges that other musicians face. One is getting her music to the people. The other is getting the support and attention from the media and DJs. “I think this project is my best yet compared to the previous two. Unfortunately I’m struggling on airplay but am pushing and hopeful that something good will happen. After all this is 2020, a year I’m expecting, believing and trusting God to blow my mind, so airplay is coming!”

When she decided to pursue her love of song, opportunities came to her including one to sing with the gospel group Free To Worship. “It was one of the most liberating and exhilarating experiences I have ever had. It helped cement and confirm what I already believed - that I live to minister to God’s people through music.”

Christianity and Social Conscience As a Christian child of Zimbabwe, Nursel is ‘deeply saddened’ by the situation back home. “The deterioration of the country in infrastructure, the absence of or dismal basic public services, healthcare, education, necessities like electricity and water - it’s heartbreaking. I have family and friends living in Zimbabwe. Truthfully it hurts. I never stop believing

Over her career, Nursel has mastered a wide variety of musical sounds and genres but she prefers her Indie rock and ballads. She listens to a range of artists including Hillsong, Mary Mary, Tasha Cobbs, Shingisai Suluma, Minister Mahendere and Benja-

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“I’m in awe of God’s unfailing and continuous love”

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

so I do believe things will get better, I just don’t know when.” As for the scourge of fake pastors, she adds, “It’s God’s word being fulfilled. Jesus warned that there will be plenty of such pastors in the last days so I’m not surprised.”

always some form of balance.” “...This is 2020, a year I’m expecting, believing and trusting God to blow my mind!”

How does she juggle being a mother, musician, professional and wife all at the same time? “It’s hard work but somehow by God’s grace I do manage. Sometimes I consciously make time for any area I feel is lagging behind or starting to suffer, so there is

You can follow Nursel here: Website: https://nurselmusic.co.uk/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/nursel_music/

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

gonie Diana Johns is an inspiring young woman who has captivated the minds of readers and critics with her debut book of poems Chiedza: Reflections on Darkness, Light and the Moments in between. by Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota rodney@houseofmutapa.com Who are the Johns? I am the third of six girls and blessed to have both parents alive. We grew up in Zimbabwe and I, unlike my little sisters, got to experience the great Zimbabwe before it’s current demise. While far from rich, we had an amazing life. Nothing like growing up in a house full of girls, especially singing girls. My father left for the UK in 2001 and though difficult, it was a necessary sacrifice for which we are all eternally grateful. We moved to the UK to join my father in 2012 but my two oldest sisters are still in Africa. You blog and one of your pieces was about the loss of two very close friends in your childhood. How did you cope with that? Though I didn’t get counselling in the form of professional help, I had support from family, friends and as a spiritual woman, I believe God played a part in my healing.

I’ve had my fair share of negativity, from racism and sexism, to pure bad luck and my own self sabotage but I always take all that and channel it into drive, a reason to do better and be better. I’m big on selfdrive because no one can push me further than I can. It’s my life and if I’m not interested in it, how can I expect others to be.

How is your book doing? It’s received great reviews! Has that translated into substantial sales? It warms my heart that I have a book! It’s been doing well and I’m humbled by the sales. Really, I only have myself to blame for not doing more in terms of marketing but I guess I’m in my final year. I will get back to it though. So, yes, the sales have been great, considering that this book was my way of coping as opposed to making money.

I enjoy setting myself one incredibly great goal a year which creates a domino effect. So for example, publishing Chiedza led to a book launch where I met great people and through which I got a BBC radio interview. Then the book sales meant a new car and now here I am in HoM!

That’s right you’re an author whilst a student: I’m currently in my final year of an Accounting and Finance degree and working hard to get a first. Nothing less will do, so God help me.

Are you a feminist? Wow, let me see.

...And you have worn a lot of other hats:

I come from a family of very strong women who have stood the test of time, not deterred by any -ism. These women have shaped my life and set me up for what the world has to offer. I am a woman that believes in Maya Angelou, Ava DuVernay, Chimamanda, Oprah, Michelle Obama, Yara Shahidi to name a few, and what they are doing for this world. I am the daughter of a woman that raised six girls without her husband and built a house from scratch. I am a grand-daughter to women who were great evangelists that were beat down and bruised in the war that liberated Zimbabwe but still managed to raise their families. I am a great-granddaughter of a woman that was known for her charity work and independence. I am a niece to many aunties that did not stand for abuse in the name of submission, migrated to the UK

I’ve always wanted to be financially independent but more so to realise my full potential. I was active in high school as a prefect, head girl and leader in various societies and clubs which all paved the way for me. When I moved to the UK, I did babysitting, worked in JD sports as a Christmas temp and organised the 2014 Brentwood Chamber of Commerce Summer Networking Barbecue. My business partner and I won the Brentwood Enterprise Award for 2014. I’ve also worked as a PA, at the Tavistock and Portman Clinic in Swiss Cottage in mental health, a waitress, a hotel housekeeper and now work part-time in Travelex! How do you keep yourself focused and motivated?

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“I’ve accomplished a lot of things I’m proud of”

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“...Just keep going!”

and helped bring men and women abroad in search of a better life.

silencing the noise. You got this! Have patience. Channel everything. Don’t be afraid to dig deep.

I am a woman that has always been independent and will always be as long as God gives me life. I create opportunities for myself. I am a woman that loves her father deeply and have learnt from many uncles, cousins and male friends about life and respect for others. My favourite author is a man - John Grisham. I look up to my grand-dad who is the most humble person and I wish for half of that humility. I am a woman that likes to be treated and appreciated, although I will not change my surname. So, am I a feminist?

How do you deal with writer’s block? I am currently going through it now. My blog has been neglected and my book is on hold. I love nature as it unwinds and resets me, so when I have a block, I go back to nature and sit or walk for hours. I will be going to the Lake District soon and will take a writing pad along! What are your thoughts on the current situation in Zimbabwe? I could write a book on just my thoughts but to sum it up: heartbreaking!

Share your experience of migrating to the UK. Could I say crazy? I went from being the middle child to the eldest. I was coming from a third world country and integration was necessary but I was 18 not ten. I have loved every up and down because in these few years, I have managed to accomplish a lot of things that I’m proud of. I am grateful to be close to my relatives and to have my father and mother under one roof though I miss my 2 sisters terribly. I love the opportunities that have come with the move.

What can people expect from you in the future? I’m currently working on another book and will also pursue my professional accounting qualifications for a role in finance. I love cooking and will venture into that at some point in the near future. My grandmother used to make the best food for me when I was young and I would love for her to grace my space when I do. My mother is an amazing seamstress and I want to help her share her knowledge and skill in an academy or with a fashion line.

Any words of advice to a young and aspiring writer who wants to make a start?

This year I’m using the mantra, ‘We do without doing and everything gets done.’ I will be stressed writing my second book, working for a first, securing a job and raising a 16-year-old little sister. This will be a reminder to not worry and just keep going!

I recently came across the poet Benjamin Zephaniah who wrote something that stayed with me, ‘Stay Wonder FULL’. This reminded me to keep a curious mind. Just start and don’t stop. Read and learn and repeat. Keep your head down and crack on while

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

itzgerald Mujuru is the author of the Power Thought for Today Book Series with the titles Success Motivation and most recently Winning Ways, as well as This Christian Life. In addition, he has published hundreds of articles on success and personal development.

Tell us a little about your latest book? Yes, my latest book is now available on Amazon. It’s called Winning Ways and was birthed out of the need to remind ourselves that we are winners no matter how many times we’ve fallen or failed. To experience life’s victories, we need to learn how to win, prepare to win and set out to win in anything we undertake. Winners are not born. Anyone who is willing to put in the work can. That is the essence of the book.

He is also a speaker, training facilitator and marketeer with over twenty years’ experience working with a range of organisations and companies as well as the globally known brands DHL and Unilever. Fitzgerald is based in South Africa.

Some words of advice to an aspiring author are… Write your book now! After writing it, please publish it. I know of many authors with unpublished books. It gets easier once you have published the first one.

by Simba Harawa simba@houseofmutapa.com

A challenge faced by aspiring authors is…

Who is Fitzgerald Mujuru?

Your family?

Fear. They will ask themselves questions like, ‘What if I write and nobody likes what I’ve written?’ The fear of failure paralyzes many from venturing out. Keep writing and someone somewhere will find your work useful.

I’m married to Kuda Mujuru and we have a daughter.

Some business tips for young entrepreneurs are…

I’m an author, professional speaker and facilitator, as well as a business consultant. I love speaking, writing and music.

Understand that the only time success comes before work is in the dictionary. Identify your gifts and talents. Craft a vision or goal and go after it with all your faith, determination, hope and tenacity. If you fail, learn and start again.

What is the greatest lesson you’ve learnt from an elder? My late maternal grandfather taught me that wisdom is the principal thing. I remember from the conversations I had with him that he always had wise words about life in general.

How do you explain the concept of leadership? I believe that we’re all leaders. That’s why we talk about leading our lives. At some point, everyone will have one leadership responsibility or another. Some will have formal leadership positions while others, the function without the title. Whatever your station know that leadership is about service. Serve and serve some more.

Tell us a bit about your diasporean experience. Life outside Zimbabwe is obviously different from life back home. Being here has enlarged my vision, my faith and my world-view especially because of the interaction with people from different cultures and seeing how they do what they do. I have enriched my experience as I find new avenues to express my gifts.

Why is leadership important for those not in leadership positions?

You have published more than 200 articles and written three books. What motivates you to keep writing?

It’s about honouring our responsibility to those around us. We must insist on becoming servant leaders because true greatness comes from serving others.

We live in an exciting time filled with complexities and accelerated change in all spheres of life. This Christian Life was written to provide an easy-to-follow approach to Christian living with teachings and answers to questions on how to live in these times. Success Motivation is a manual for successful living that helps you take responsibility for your development. I write articles to help others succeed in the business world. The world and professional practice is evolving. We need to keep reading and we also need to keep writing.

Are leaders born or made? The belief that leaders are born limits most people from believing they can lead. Leaders can be developed and trained. What is needed is one’s yearning for learning. I am a strong advocate for developing leaders through mentorship and deliberate training. That way we pass on what we know to the next generation. If it had not been for the input of those that invested time and wisdom in us, we would not be able to lead.

What stimulated your passion for writing? I have a passion for speaking and imparting wisdom and knowledge to others. Writing is a natural progression from that and allows me to reach people I may never interact with in the flesh. I loved creative writing when I was in school too.

What really is the importance of positive self-talk or affirmation? What you say to yourself is more important than what others say to you. Faith comes by hearing and so does fear. What you say to yourself is responsible

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“Change your confession. Change your life”

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“Leadership is about

service”

hard work?

for faith or fear, strength or weakness, victory or defeat. Change your confession, change your life.

You need both. Passion and hard work are not mutually exclusive. They work together as ingredients for the cake called success. It’s easy to abandon the hard work if you don’t love what you do. If you love what you do and you don’t work hard at it, then no results.

How do you handle criticism when it knocks on your door? I take it positively and as an opportunity to become a better person. We cannot just have cheerleaders because we also need those that will critique and give negative feedback about our work. That is the only way to grow.

How do you wind down after a hard day’s work? I love music so I will create music myself or simply listen to a good song.

Tell us about a situation where you were let down and how rose from it.

What’s one lesson you would like your children to learn?

I’m a musician and there was a time I was singing in a group. We had been rehearsing for a studio recording but some members of the band left the country a few weeks before the recording date. We didn’t change the goal. The easiest thing to do would have been to back out. Instead, we got other guys in who were quick learners, went into the studio and recorded the album.

Life has a purpose and success is a by-product of doing what your Creator wants you to do with it. Twitter: @fitzmujuru Facebook profile: Fitzgerald Mujuru LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fitzmujuru/

What is more important for success - passion or

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

uduzile Ndlovu aka La Dee is the 30-yearold vivacious up-and-coming music queen from the City Of Kings, Bulawayo. ‘La’ stands for ‘lovely angel’, a term of endearment used by her close friends, and ‘Dee’ is short for her first name. She has been diligently pursuing her passion for music with her roots firmly planted in the genre of Maskandi. However she has recently ventured into the South African Afro-pop scene and is eager to share her upcoming releases with the masses.

“I want to deliver...”

by Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota rodney@houseofmutapa.com Tell us about your childhood and upbringing in Zimbabwe. Well it wasn’t that bad compared to the situation now. Back then things were affordable. What or who inspired your passion for singing? Singing has been like a calling to me. My love for music started at an early age and I was even in the church choir. I’d say I was 15 years old when I really realised how much I loved music. I liked Brenda Fasie a lot - one of my inspirations! What’s life like for you in South Africa? Well not so bad! I came here in search for greener pastures, so it’s all work. What drives your passion for Maskandi music? Most of my friends loved Maskandi so I ended up falling in love with it too, so much so that I actually decided to record a full gospel Maskandi album. Your mentor is Jeys Marabini. What makes him a great mentor? I call him my dad because he gave me real advice about the music industry. I learn a lot from him and feel blessed because it’s not easy to find someone who can take their time to actually give guidance to upcoming artists. Which genre is your favourite genre - Maskandi or Afro-pop? Afro-pop because it caters to everyone. What has been your experience of the Zimbabwean music industry? I’m only starting to push my music there now but so far no challenges. Tell us about your family. La Dee is the fifth of seven children to Habapilo and Joram Ndlovu. Your thoughts on where Zimbabwe is right now are...

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“Singing has been like a calling to me”

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“I want to inspire and motivate others”

It has been so sad really and we always pray for a change. It hurts seeing our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers suffering the way they are. We hope things can get better.

ganisation - YWEO - that motivates and encourages young women and single mothers to stand for themselves. It’s still young but I want it to grow. Your top three role models are...

What is your favourite song on the Woza M’meli album?

I can only give you one and that’s my mother.

‘Amagama Abangcwele’.

How do you keep yourself motivated?

We hear you’re engaged. Who is the lucky man?

I pray a lot, work very hard to achieve my goals and help others.

I prefer not to engage on that! Your dream collaboration?

What can your fans and everyone else out there expect from you in the future?

Lindough, Mafikizolo, Jeys Marabini, Seagirl Novuyo, Jah Prayzah...so many! I can say that Lindough and I have a single that will be released at the end of January 2020 - ‘Ngithembelekuwe’.

I want to deliver goodies in the industry. I want to motivate and inspire others. Actually I want someone to look at me and say, ‘Because of her I never gave up.’

Apart from music what else do you do?

Follow La Dee here:

I work as a manager at Danfos Trading and I’m a founder of the Young Woman Empowerment Or-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dudue.nare

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

entertainment Cozzy “Kozile” Dube EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

ozzy ‘Kozile’ Dube is a Kwekwe-bred, semi-professional footballer who played for Lancashire Steel and Bindura United Football Club in Zimbabwe. He is now based in Perth, Australia. In 2019, he traded his boots for the mic and launched a musical career in Afro-jazz, releasing three singles in two months including ‘Ndidaire’. He says he has scores of songs to release. Now 29, he uses his musical and sporting background to encourage underprivileged children in rural schools in Zimbabwe. Find out how the sportsman-turned-singer plans

to bring families together with his music. by Simba Harawa simba@houseofmutapa.com Where did you grow up? I grew up in a small town called Kwekwe. What memories of home do you miss or treasure the most?

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire Playing cards all night with my late mum and playing soccer alongside my best friend Peter Moyo. And how and when did you end up in Australia? I came to Australia to study. When did you get into music? I launched my music career in mid-April 2019. I’m still learning lead guitar though. Which artists influence you? Tongai Moyo, Ronnie Mudhindo, James Chimombe, John Chibadura, Tinei Chikupo, Mukoma Ketai and Biggie Tembo. You live in Perth. How has that influenced your music? Australia is a multicultural nation where you can be whatever you want to be. Perth is the same. My Zimbabwean culture and dance fascinates people so much and the music sound has had a unique impact to the people of different nationalities there. Who is your band? They are still in Zimbabwe at the moment. There’s Keegan the drummer, Walts the bassman, Papa Tongo the lead guitarist, Nyasha the keyboardist and Kukue the backing vocalist. The band is called Trumpet of Revival. Have you toured as a group? I have toured in Zimbabwe yes but not yet internationally. What’s the main difference between playing in a group and fronting a group? Most of the time when you are in a group there is less of a chance that your vocal uniqueness will be heard or picked up. When you’re up front you give the audience all they want to hear. How do you compose your music? Honestly, some of the songs just come in my head when I think about what I went through or what people are going through. Sometimes they come in my dreams and I wake up and record what came to me. My musical genre is Jiti. How would you define your musical signature? The main message in my music is bringing families together. I sing about things that people experience day in and day out. If it’s not a heartfelt song, then there must be a life lesson somewhere in there. The main challenges faced by musicians are… Financial stability to fund their music projects and airplay. You need connections. If you don’t know anyone it’s difficult to get airplay. Some people will expect you to pay them so that they can play your music.

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

Your greatest lesson as a musician is…

Tell us a little about your albums.

Maintain your reputation. For the fans to love and respect you there must be a clean reputation. Most male artists are pulled down by women and the same goes for female artists too. The talent attracts the opposite sex so much.

Uchandifunga is a 10-track album and the other 4 are single tracks that I did before I thought of working on a full album. ‘Zvirimudzimba’ is a single track on that album.

What do you think makes a great musician? The fear of God and fear of sin. Being yourself without copying other artists will take you far. Making good music because good music doesn’t age at all. Your song ‘Amai’ is touching. What’s the back story? It was a direct message or letter to my late mother especially now that I’m in Australia. I think about how she could’ve lived a sweet life with her children after all she went through when she was raising us. It is also a dedication to all mothers who have passed on. Anyone who has lost their mother, young or old, will feel what I am talking about.

Your dream collaboration? I would love to collaborate with Willy Paul from Kenya as well as Leonard Zhakata. I haven’t done any collaborations with artists from another African country but watch this space! An ingredient for success is… Giving to those who are less privileged. Some words to aspiring musicians and Zimbabwean music lovers? Music is a calling. Patience pays. Avoid shortcuts to go up the ladder. Work on your character and maintain a good name because reputation is important. Believe in yourself and keep working hard. Hard

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

Cozzy with fellow artist

Cozzy and kids

work pays more.

havasi Mwari - If it’s not surprising, it’s not God’. God does wonderful things.

To Zimbabwean music lovers, I promise to take you back to that Zimbabwean feel that you had when you used to sit with families and dance together no matter what your ages. We are bringing back old memories. You children born and raised in the diaspora will have a feel of home through our music. Continue supporting us and praying for us. Zvikasashamisa

Follow Cozzy Kozile here: IG: @cozzykozile Facebook: Cozzy Kozile Music Twitter: @CKozile

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ur first feature is Tapiwanashe Mutsimba, 22, a model and philanthropist based in Zimbabwe. What he has achieved so

“Kill them with kindness”

far in a depressed economy shows an unmatched tenacity. It also sends a message to others no matter where they are, that one of the secrets to success, however you define it, is to grab opportunities…and give. by Godwin Chireka godwin@houseofmutapa.com Who is Tapiwanashe? I’m an award-winning model and philanthropist from Masvingo as well as a student of Development Studies at Midlands State University. What’s a motto you live by? ‘Rise above, return hate with love, kill them with kindness and bury them with success.’ Why modelling? I grew up in a family who were already in the industry and that motivated me. My paternal grandmother was a model back in the day. Then there’s James Jim and Melgin Tafirenyika who also inspired me and gave me a lot of guidance.

Have attitudes about male models changed at all? People still have misguided perceptions about being a model and presume that a model must be loose. Yet, modelling is simply another profession and a career like any other. I try to show that modelling offers a lot and can open up lots of different doors. How do you maintain your focus? What motivates you?

“Breaking new ground”

My background. I don’t want the next generation in my family to live the kind of live I’ve lived. On top of that, I want to be a blessing and not a pain to my parents. To me, they’re the roots and I’m the tree; the more they smile because of me, the more blessings l receive. How did you become involved in charity work? It dawned on me that it’s practically always female models that are seen doing charity work, so I recognised that gap. In late 2019, I donated around 400 books to the Henry Murray School of the Deaf in Masvingo using my personal funds. After l’d attended the Miss Disability Pageant there, l was 30

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire Share some of your tips for survival with your peers.

in awe of the intelligence and talent that many of the disadvantaged and disabled had. In fact, I was extremely impressed and so was instantly inspired to help make a difference in their lives and contribute to their welfare so that they could further develop their crafts.

I’d say believe in yourself always and never stop dreaming. Take action and your dreams will come true. Don’t let your past or your social status affect you because you become who you want to be. You really can do whatever you want. One thing that pushes me is knowing that we are the leaders of tomorrow, so we have to get going today!

I want to continue supporting them and others so will be donating again. My goal is to reach thousands and thousands of the less privileged by 2021. I’m open to donations and wouldn’t mind collaborating with other male models and in fact anyone who is moved to support too.

“I want anyone who’s reading this to know that they have something to give. Realising this starts with a single action - identifying a problem - then asking yourself or others how you can help.”

Do you date? What kind of a woman would catch your eye? Yes, l do, but right now I’m working on achieving my goals. For me, the perfect woman would have a good character, be humble, supportive, intelligent and respectful to me and my inner circle and my family, especially my mother. She must be able to complement me inside out. But that will all come after I’ve achieved my goals since l’m a goal getter!

You can follow and contact Tapiwanashe on: Facebook: Tapiwanashe Mutsimba IG: @mtsimbat Email: mtsimbat@gmail.com

“We are the leaders of tomorrow”

What can schools do to better prepare young men for the 21st century? I’d say introducing extra-curricular activities that help us believe in ourselves more like confidence building and public speaking. Other changes might be providing mentors to guide and advise us, creating platforms that allow us to showcase our skills and teaching us about setting and achieving goals. Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Breaking new ground and being a better version of myself. I’m really committed to reaching out and giving what I can to thousands of disadvantaged people in different communities and cultures; that includes them seeing their faces reflected in me. Most of all l want to be the first man of colour to win Mr World before l turn 26. That way, I will have a bigger platform with a wider audience to help make more of a difference. 31

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire by Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota rodney@houseofmutapa.com

t’s unusual to find a girl, especially an African girl, pursuing a sporting career in a male-dominated discipline and doing so well. Zimbabwean Tanya Muzinda, 15, is one such unique girl who has taken the field of motocross by storm. She started racing at the tender age of five under the guidance of and with support from her parents Tawanda and Emma. Her father, Tawanda, is himself a former biker. As her raw talent and enthusiasm for the sport shone through, Tanya caught the eye of former motocross champion, Stefy Bau, who was impressed by Tanya and has since become her mentor. Under Stefy’s guidance, Tanya has gone on to excel at the sport not only in Africa but also in Europe and the US. The Rise to Motocross Stardom Tanya’s first overseas race, where she won a medal, was in the UK. She says this is her favourite country outside Zimbabwe especially because it felt like home to her. “I would definitely love to go back for a holiday and race there again as well.” However, the Muzinda family moved to the US a few years ago. “Life in the US is so different from Zimbabwe. Everything is bigger and more advanced. Motocross is so much bigger here which is the main reason I love it. I’m open to more opportunities to find sponsors and pursue my passion for the sport.” With her success on the track, Tanya’s exposure and popularity has shot up. She’s even featured on both CNN and BBC Sport. Fame and popularity are things that even adults can find extremely daunting but Tanya seems to take it all in her stride. “Fame and popularity did affect me a bit. I wasn’t able to do other things people my age were doing, like going out for parties or just being out with friends because of my busy schedule. I am guided by parents and my manager as well throughout everything I do and that makes it easier now.” And what is that busy schedule? She goes to the gym three times a week. “Not only that, but in motocross it’s also important to be bike fit instead of gym fit. So I have to be consistently on my bike.” She also follows a diet curated especially for her by a personal nutritionist. Often when she is out and about, people ask her for pictures or talk to her about getting into motocross and that she loves. There were moments in the early days of her career when she took negative criticism to heart and at times she felt discouraged. It’s these people who are inspired by her to take up the sport, her fans and her team who have boosted her morale and supported her, something she truly values and appreciates.

‘Stardom’

Giving Back So what does Tanya do off the track? She likes to swim and play around in the water with friends or family. Her family is one of the three most important things in her life. After that comes her phone! Like

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“With persistence and hard work I know I will make it”

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“It was a dream come true”

a normal teenager, in her downtime, she puts her makeup on and takes selfies. Of course the third most important is...the motocross bike. When we asked Tanya what she would have done if she hadn’t chosen motocross, she said she would most probably have been a runner. As a schoolgirl, she broke cross country records and has many medals for running.

they’d depend on are no longer available meaning people can die from hunger. People don’t have accommodation or even a monthly income.” An Award-Winning Star Over the last five years, Tanya has received numerous awards and accolades including the 2017 African Union Sports Council’s Junior Sportswoman of the Year. Other awards include the 2015 Zimbabwe International Women’s Awards Sportswoman of the Year (Birmingham, England), Most Outstanding Young Female rider 65cc Class-2013 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations at Muldersdrift, South Africa, Honorary Ambassador of the European Union to Zimbabwe for Youth, Gender, Sports and Development and 2018 Junior Sportswoman of the Year in South Africa at the Africa Union Sports Council Region Five Annual Sports Awards (RASA). This year, she will be conferred with the 2020 Global Impact Award for Sporting Excellency by the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards to be held in Victoria Falls.

And her activities off the track include bigger things too. Tanya is a strong advocate for young girls and through her philanthropic efforts she has continued to push for their emancipation particularly in rural Zimbabwe. However, she also feels that young boys should be afforded the same advocacy. “As much as we empower and we educate the girl child, if the boy isn’t educated in the same way to respond to an empowered girl it means that we would have not done much. So the boy child should also be exposed to information that will help to make harmony of the environment for both” To drive forward her philanthropic work, Tanya partners with #TEAMTANYA. This is a group of volunteers who give support to the day-to-day running of her activities including a scholarship program for girls’ education and orphanages. They also mobilize support for the work she does for the environment and climate emergencies. Within #TEAMTANYA is #friendsoftanya - these are sponsors that give financial support for all of these activities. Tanya’s commitment to giving back is probably largely driven by her Christian faith. She was baptised at the age of one and her immediate and extended family are Christians too. Before a race, she does a prayer in her helmet for guidance and protection from the Lord. If she’s not racing on a weekend, she will be sure to attend her Roman Catholic church.

Out of all these awards Tanya says the one she values the most is the 2018 RASA Junior Sportswoman of the Year Award. To come out on top in the whole Southern African region was a dream come true. “Never did I imagine myself up on that stage. It was a dream come true. Ever since that day, I knew that my hard work had paid off. Not only that, but it has also encouraged me to do even better.” A Look Ahead We asked Tanya what is the ultimate goal - the big dream - and she didn’t hesitate to answer. She wants to become the first African female to win a woman’s world motocross championship. It has been a goal of hers ever since she was nine years old.

Another driver for Tanya’s philanthropic work is the current economic situation in Zimbabwe, something which saddens her. Even though many people were suffering before now, she feels that it’s so much worse than it ever was. She observed that a few years back, there would be up to 100 riders at a motocross race. Now it’s half that and falling because no one can afford to buy a bike and no one has the money to buy the fuel. “It’s also hard for the people in the suburbs and the rural areas because some of the things

“I know that the road to that isn’t easy but I know that with persistent hard work I will be able to make it.” From what we have seen and heard from Tanya, there is no doubt that she will wear that crown. Her present is bright and her future is sure to sparkle! Photo Credits : AFRO KALA and ACUMEN PICTURES.

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

aul S Bere is a businessman, business coach and financial trainer based in the

custom tools. What’s the upcoming N4LBetter app about?

US. He is the founder of the technology training company, ApolloITPartners, the online Zimbabwean grocery story, oncloudbere and the dating app N4LBetter. In addition to his entrepreneurial projects, Paul collaborates with others to equip Zimbabwean schools with computers and other supplies through his charitable foundation.

N4LBetter will help people make new connections with other Africans out there. We are trying to bring the whole dating app user experience to the next level for better relationships. What has enabled your growth as a business person?

by simba@houseofmutapa.com

I read and learn from others especially through mentorship programs. It helps maintain focus and progression.

Paul tell us about you.

Tell us about some of your charitable projects?

I’m a husband to my beautiful wife, Shamiso, and a father of two handsome boys Musatya and Mukudzei. I’m the fourth child in a family of eight and grew up in Chiredzi.

In summer, we sponsor a soccer tournament in Zimbabwe and have donated soccer equipment, books and pens. My brother and I have also donated computers to schools in Zaka through Big Family Foundation which is actually the brainchild of my brother.

Simba Harawa

One thing you miss about Zimbabwe is…

How is the American dream working for you?

…The food. I recently started importing snacks and other foods from Zimbabwe through https:// www.oncloudbere.com/

I believe it’s a dream that can come true. I used to have three jobs. The first was as a dishwasher earning $7 an hour. The other day I went back to where I used to wash up and I saw a guy who I worked with back then. He’s still there doing the same thing.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt from your family? It’s probably that things don’t always come easy in life so one must work hard and smart to accomplish your goals.

The idea of the American dream is that no matter your background, if you work hard and do the right things you can achieve relative success and live a comfortable life. However, for that to happen, you need to know your goals and purpose and stay focused on that.

One important lesson to teach your children is… …To be resilient. You can fall seven times, but you must get up eight. Failure is part of the success story.

What motivates you?

I also teach my children our mother tongue so that they understand our culture and where they came from.

I get satisfaction from helping others. From my point of view, there are lots of people who need help and guidance both in their professional and personal lives; this is why I founded the coaching service at Nextlevel4better. I’m happy to go the extra mile if I know the community will benefit.

You have various business ventures and one of these is ApolloITPartners right? Yes, it’s a technology training company and through it we trained a lot of Zimbabweans about business start-ups. I founded this project with my partner, and I think up to now, we’ve trained more than a thousand people and organisations from various sectors to help them understand market opportunities, competitors and customers using our range of pre-built and

There are always competing needs for time, as I have to spend time with my children as well. I do my best to balance. What’s one thing that drives you? My faith. I was brought up as a believer. The 37

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

“Live everyday being fearless”

phrase ‘Do not be afraid’ is written in the Bible 365 times. That’s a daily reminder from God to live every day being fearless. Joshua 1:9 tells me to be strong and courageous. So, when faced with misfortune, I always believe that I will overcome. I try to remain courageous and focused. Tell us about your favourite book and what lesson it’s taught you. Malcolm Gladwell’s David and Goliath. The use of the sling was an art that required precision. When you look at life, in general, the little man almost always wins because they do not take anything for granted and stay focused. Some people behave like Goliath. They do the opposite – take things for granted, make presumptions, lose focus and in the end, they lose. You’ve also written a book - The Chronicles of

Benevolent Affection: A Declaration of Love, Tribulations and Hope. Yes, it’s a collection of poems. When I write, I try to have a conversation with the reader. I used to write on pieces of paper whenever something triggered me and share these scribbles with others. They’d say how beautiful they were. So, I decided to put them all together in a book. ‘He Will Wash Away My Tears’ is one of the poems. It’s really profound. I was in the darkest place in my life when I wrote that piece. Now I look back and smile and say ‘Surely, He washed away my tears’. I’m forever grateful. Name 3 people that inspire you. Warren Buffett and his humility. Bill Gates and his charitable work for communities. Barack 38

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire just based on social media. Those social media people will not come and help you when you’re in trouble. Make time for each other as a family. Guide your children. And I’ll say it again, teach our children our languages so they know their roots.

“My beautiful wife”

What’s next for Paul Bere? I’m going to write my second book which will be a collection of short stories. I will also expand my work with the communities back home as well as my projects here in the USA. My goal is to be successful not just financially but also in transforming communities. We should be proud of Zimbabwe and remember that only we can make us better. You can follow Paul here: Instagram: ptsbere He Will Wash Away my Tears I am fighting this thought I’ve been fighting this really hard I want it to go away I want it to disappear Like I never knew it But above all, I have The Almighty Lord For him, everything is possible I pray that we’ll be strong Obama and his gift of leadership.

I pray that I will be made stronger

What piece of advice would you give young people at home?

I always say to myself, “I have to be strong, have to be strong”

Things are tough to back home, so I encourage you to get educated, hustle and keep working hard. Develop and focus on issues that drive you forward. Instead of just sharing jokes and gossip, also use social media to share business ideas.

I have to remind myself I have to keep telling myself that this will pass I have to, I really have to Hope is all I have

…And for those in the diaspora?

So, I will continue to hope that

Everything is accessible so in a way, you can do whatever you want. However, that doesn’t mean that everything you do ends up being productive. Whatever you do today will affect your life in the future.

This will soon come to pass And the Lord will wash away my tears And my life will be so happy So happy!!

For young families in the diaspora?

©Paul Bere

Develop meaningful relationships that are not 39

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire

Rhoda Molife rhoda@houseofmutapa.com On 12 November 2019, Tawanda Chirewa made his first-team debut for Ipswich Town Football Club as the second youngest player in the team’s history at the age of 16 years and 31 days. Tawanda was born in Chelmsford, England to Zimbabwean parents, Tsitsi and Blessing Chirewa and started playing football at the age of eight. His father was and still is a huge fan of the game and when Tawanda started under his father’s watchful eyes, he fell in love with the beautiful game himself. “I started playing football with my father in the nearest park to my house, just learning the basics of the game”

Photo by Lennon Samhungu

It wasn’t long before he mastered some great foot skills and started training at the PASS Academy. Founded in 2002 by ex-professional players, the academy is a soccer training school that invites promising young players for developmental training. Entry is really by invitation only and that shows how talented Tawanda was…and is. Many of their recruits go on to play for professional clubs. So how exactly did he get from PASS to Ipswich? “When I was at the PASS Academy, I played against Ipswich, they liked the look of me, gave me a trial and got signed up.” And there, just like that he became one of the youngest to be signed in the club’s history. And how does it feel to play for a professional team and make history? ‘It feels good. People say there’s going to be pressure, but I don’t really feel it and I’m just trying to improve and be the best I can be. To play for a professional team is a dream come true.”

He’s the youngest of three with two older sisters. “My sisters are proud of me and want me to do everything I can to succeed. They even come with me to training sometimes even if they don’t want to. Thanks Gamu and Chenge!”

The central midfielder is really as cool as that with everything. He’s still at school and trains from 5:30-8 most evenings. When I asked him how he juggles school and training he said, ‘It’s not too bad. I like the routine. But it’s tough doing both and I struggle at times. You just have to be disciplined and stick to the plan because you always have to have a plan B.” And what’s Plan B? “I don’t know right now but it will be something in sport.”

With his family, Tawanda has visited Zimbabwe many times. “I’ve been to Zimbabwe a few times and I speak to my family there often. I love Zimbabwe and will be going there a lot in the future.” Who else inspires Tawanda? “Overall Ronaldo because of his discipline, overall ability and how he rises to the biggest occasions. But positionally I look up to Paul Pogba and Frank Lampard.”

“I like listening to music, going out with my friends and watching Netflix. No I don’t paid yet but when I finish school I will”

So far one of his dreams – playing for a professional club – has come true. What other dreams does this young star have? “I want to play at the highest level, win the most trophies and also win the Ballon D’or which is my ultimate goal.”

There’s no doubt that his family have played a huge part in supporting his dream, starting with his father kicking a ball with him for fun. “They are very proud of me,” he says, “and they are excited to see me grow and improve as a player and a person.

Tawanda wants it all and from what we see, he’ll get it all!

HOUSE OF MUTAPA Striving To Inspire