EDITOR'S LETTER - Talk To Me @ceekups
Dear You, This edition of Effuse celebrates the amazing work that young Zimbabweans in the diaspora have been achieving. Not only are we celebrating their hard work but also celebrating Zimbabwe's Independence Day at 36 years. The front cover features Tinotenda Chinyani who is a Zimbabwean born model, currently studying in South Africa. Being Zimbabwean born and living in the diaspora, has been a great experience raising my country's flag high through the hard work I have put in. I am very proud to be Zimbabwean and proud to celebrate my country's culture each day. This 6th edition of effuse magazine, is yet another stepping stone for us and watching the brand grow each and everyday is a bless足 ing. Like I always say, success never comes easy unless you work hard for it. Opportunities will always come but as an individual it is important for you to be open minded and be hungry for what you want to achieve. In this edition we are also celebrating our second year anniversary since our first issue release in 2014. Celebrating and dedicating this issue to Zimbabwe's Independence, has taught me that with time everything can be achieved and God does know the best for you. Join me in this 6th edition of Effuse and help me celebrate two years of hard working and creativity. Thank you to the readers and followers who are always supporting us. Happy Independenc e Day to Zimbabwe! Until next time keep thriving to be better and greater. Always put your mind towards what you want to achieve in life! Thank you. C.K
Tinotenda Chinyani is a young, motivated, ambitious, and hardworking individual who's driven by his dreams. I've always had too much energy for my own good even since I was young so I decided from an early age to use this energy to better myself and be a blessing to those around me. I've always perceived the world differently to others and I try to reflect this through my photography. Giving back has been close to my heart since I joined interact in high school as I feel there's no greater gift in giving to those who can never return the favour. On a less serious note I'm fun loving, affectionate guy. I enjoy being outdoors and interacting with people. Food is my first love and gym will always be bae but basketball has been a passion of mine since I first stepped on the court at the age of 12. Early on in life my father instilled upon me the joys and benefits of traveling and since then traveling has been always been something I thoroughly enjoy. Growing up in Zimbabwe wasn't easy as I feel socially and in a few other aspects we haven't quite progressed like other nations have but in the same light I'm grateful for the environment that nurtured me as it taught me to be grounded and understand that there's more to the world than your own personal surroundings. Zimbabwe taught me tradition, culture and respect in addition to this, what it means to be a respectable figure in the eyes of society. I feel struggle is humbling but more importantly it builds character. Zimbabwe taught me what it means to survive in times of difficulty but most of all to make the most of your resources even when in scarce supply. When it comes to being home sick not necessarily, but I owe this all to my support system and my biggest fans who will always be my family. The constant communication makes me feel like I'm right there with them so the distance is hardly felt. Being home on major holidays gives me time to reflect and get back to the real me and this is invaluable to staying focused and consistent in everything I do. When it comes to the life that I've envisioned for myself I've always detested the idea of working a 9-5 and still see myself working in a role which requires me to work flexible hours and involves traveling and engaging with others outside the office at a professional level.
The idea of brand management and creating brands has always appealed and interested me and I hope to work in the field one day. In addition to this I have started a business plan on a venue I hope to start soon after I graduate which will change the way people perceive the party experience. Charity is near and dear to my heart and to honour this I would like to start a foundation to help the disadvantaged targeting the youth with focus on developing their talents and interests as I feel one must be more than just educated to be the best possible version of themselves. Property development has always intrigued me and I hope to take it on as a side interest if time allows for it. Finally modelling will always be a passion for me and I will continue to do it for as long as time as allows for it but I'd never rely on it to be my main source of income. Being crowned Mr Monash in 2014 was in all aspects a humbling experience. I owe this firstly to those who genuinely believed in me and secondly because it showed me there's nothing I can't achieve when I focus my energy. Being Mr Monash gave me much needed exposure but above all gave me the influence to help make a difference within the culture at Monash and more so to my fellow students and the community around me. I feel the biggest obstacle I challenged was self-doubt convincing myself I was worthy and ready for the criticism that follows with being in the public eye. Another challenge that really affected me during that time was realizing who my true friends were and who really did have my best interests at heart, because if there's one thing I've learnt along the way is that success breeds enemies and that people will pretend and befriend you solely based on what you can do for them. Handling these issues wasn't easy in the beginning because I've never been good at sharing how I feel with others so once I decided to open up and tell those who cared about me how I really felt it made a world of difference. A healthy support system was truly the difference between me crumbling under depression and realizing I had everything I needed to succeed. I feel the biggest challenge I've had to endure was balancing it all, it's never easy balancing studying, working and maintaining a social life all at once especially when you have 2 assignments due in one week, a shoot that needs to be done and a close friend's birthday all in the same week.