Issue 5 by KADE CULTURE

KADE THE HOME & AWAY ISSUE Zimbabwe Diaspora Issue 5 Cover Artwork Collaboration: Tino Machakaire

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Artwork by Kade Culture in collaboration with Tino Machakaire.

Zimbabwean Lives Matter! My Zimbabwe, Your Zimbabwe, Our Zimbabwe.

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

r e t t e L s ’ r o t i Ed Welcome to the Kade Culture issue 5, Home and Away - Zimbabwe Diaspora Issue. Firstly, I want to thank you for reading Kade Culture publications and your support is very much appreciated. There have been many ups and downs preparing for this issue; the theme changed continuously, and as a magazine, we did not want to misread the room due to the sensitivity of the situation happening back home in Zimbabwe. As a proud Zimbabwean that I am born and bred, watching and reading about the problems occurring back home, – seeing the Zimbabwe I call home breaking apart with human rights not being respected tore my heart apart. Zimbabwe is my home even being far away, that’s where my heart is, and even in all my plans, I always include Zimbabwe because it merely is HOME! Which is why I collaborated with Tino Machakaire to create a front cover that represents how home is where the heart is, surrounded by different cultures and nature. In this issue 5, there are some Zimbabwean creatives home and away, that celebrate plus incorporate their 4

Zimbabwean culture into their crafts and businesses, despite having migrated from Zimbabwe at a very young age. What I adored the most reading through these features, is how each person embraced their love for Zimbabwe differently and the importance of being a Zimbabwean to them – just like the deep love I have for my. Before being previously crowned as Miss Zimbabwe UK, I have made it my life goal to embrace my culture, support the creative talents that Zimbabwe has home & away, helping out with the little I have and raise my country’s flag high. I hope as Zimbabweans we all come together and continue building one another no matter what part of the world we currently are, and remember that home is where is the heart is. Enjoy reading this new Issue 5 – Home & Away, Zimbabwe Diaspora Issue.

Kuda x

CONTENTS

Get To Know Zovala Studios

The Chilling Glass With Darrel

Zimbabwean Lives Matter By Nigel

@KADECULTURE | KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

How the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter movement has impacted lifestyle and the arts in Zimbabwe and the diaspora. Article By Nigel Chidombwe |

While other countries are battling the deadly coronavirus, Zimbabwe is battling not only the pandemic but a human rights crisis, a sinking economy and a complete breakdown of the rule of law. The usually passive Zimbabwean youth have risen to the occasion, rallying behind the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter on social media, calling for the Zimbabwean government to respect human rights. All hell broke loose when South African musician AKA tweeted about #ZimbabweanLivesMatter which led to celebrities like Burna Boy, Ice Cube and Lecrae, and actresses such as Thandie Newtown, Yara Shahidi and Pear Thusi expressing support for the movement. The #ZimbabweanLivesMatter movement came against the backdrop of economic meltdown in the country due to misgovernance and corruption which has led a lot of Zimbabweans to the diaspora. It is this diaspora which is pushing for change in their native country through the hashtag, besides sustaining the hashtag, the diaspora have also taken to the streets (although in small numbers) in the UK, South Africa and Namibia to protest the clampdown on human rights by the government. The hashtag has since bore some fruit with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) warning the Zimbabwean government not to clampdown on human rights. The African Union followed with a statement urging the government to respect human rights and, also with the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa sending two envoys to try and stabilise the situation. The movement has also impacted how lifestyle and arts in Zimbabwe view human rights. While the aforementioned celebrities have spoken out, there is a deafening silencing within the Zimbabwean social circles. It is understandable why some of Zimbabwean top artists have remained mum on the issue. With citizens being killed, abducted and tortured on a daily basis, they know far too well the consequences of speaking out. Those who have tried to speak out like radio personality

MisRed have either misread the room or failed to articulate the situation on the ground, leading to a backlash from citizens. The movement has also exposed the apathy of the Zimbabwean elite who prior to the hashtag trending had viewed human rights as a political issue resigned to the civil society organizations to fight for. Some of the Zimbabwean elite are related to those in power or are children of those in power, therefore, they are hesitant to speak against the atrocities of their parents, preferring to stick to the old age tactic of pretending that all is well. Through the use of comedy Bustop TV and comedian King Kandoro and Doc Vikela have ridiculed the Zimbabwean government’s failure to turn around the economy and their aggressive response to dissenting opinions. Zimbabwe leading author Tsitsi Dangarembwa who through her art exposes serious social issues was arrested for participating in protest on the 31st of July. Also, Zimbabwean artists like HolyTen have expressed the pain felt by the Zimbabwean youth with how the country is run, leading to drug abuse and a raising suicide rate. Showing more courage than her older counterparts, 16 year old Tanya Muzinda who is a motocross champion has also spoken out against the human rights abuses in the country. In a nutshell, the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter movement has brought attention to how the government is treating its citizens. The arrest and detention of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has made matters worse for the government, with the Church calling the government to order. The impact of the movement is that it has brought the respect of the Constitution and human rights on the talking table once again, whether this will bring sustainable change or not depends on the international community’s willingness to help.

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

@netﬂixsa

Our product of the month is Bhibho an online shop based in the United Kingdom that sells headwraps, headbands and bandannas. We love how Bhibho is a black-owned business and they believe in the female enterprise in Africa and their products cater to women of colour with different hairstyles from bald-headed to full thick hair. Bhibho products make it easy to style your hair differently and their headwraps can also be styled as tops, call it 2 for 1 bargain. Products by Bhibho can be purchased via their website and they offer international and standard UK delivery. Visit www.bhibho.com

@BHIBHO_

SHOP ONLINE

WWW.BHIBHO.COM 8

T R E N D I N G

black hanamizu

DRISSY PARKER

Black Hanamizu is a food blog by Lenny a personal Chef and a lover of art. Lenny is heavily inspired by nature and Japanese cuisines. He incorporates flowers to his dishes to add aesthetic and also they are edible to eat. If you love cooking with flowers plus a simple bold plate, make sure to check out @hanamizu on Twitter for easy to make recipes.

The King of the Late Night Vibes, Drissy Parker has done it again releasing an 8 track perfectly styled studio EP written and produced by himself. Drissy Parker produced 'IT WAS LATE IN THE NIGHT' from top to bottom, the project was mixed & mastered by Jay Kurzweil with Muxomx and Fubu Era as executive producers. At the Zoom launch party of IWLINT, Drissy Parker talks about how the project was inspired by experiences from his past and the late-night aesthetic of music. The first track on the EP is titled 'When Will You Mary' which explains his reasons for not being married, leading to the last track 'We Both Know' which talks about a tragic end to a relationship with no closure available and moving on with no answers. With this project, Drissy Parker hopes for his listeners to start a conversation about love & relationships, and also to open collaborating doors for him with other artist and producers such as his inspiration PARTYNEXTDOOR. 'IT WAS LATE IN THE NIGHT' is available to stream on all digital platforms.

@blackhanamizu Kade Culture | August Newsletter

@drissyparker KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

BLACK HANAMIZU CHEF | @BLACKSAMURAI__

“The idea with hanamizu is complicated simplicity.” Since the launch of Black Hanamizu, how has the brand evolved? I will be honest the launch hasn’t gone as well as I would have liked, but that’s partly my fault. I feel I lacked patience, and I rushed into it without fully comprehending what I wanted to achieve with it. It’s has given me a better focus on what route, in terms of culinary culture I want to pursue. The idea with hanamizu is ‘complicated simplicity’ - I want simple ingredients, that have so much of a story and depth to them. For example, a potato is simple, but when you pour so much love into it in elevates to a higher form, it’s become more than itself. I fully intend to pour my effort into the brand in the coming months. What’s your favourite Japanese Gin, and why?

Roku gin. Everything from the aesthetics of the bottle to the taste. Roku is the number six in Japanese, the Gin is made with six botanicals, and they all work so well together. 10

Art is love made public.’ What made you come to this conclusion? I have to be honest, and this is not an original quote. I borrowed the quote from one of my favourite shows; Sense 8, an underrated one if I must say. The show is about breaking barriers and connecting people. In terms of ‘art is love made public’ its a statement that resonates quite profoundly with me. Anything that you feel proud to show to the public, I believe to a certain extent is Art. And you only show the public what genuinely resonates with you, what you love, and in a sense that is your art form. Art is not painting; Art is a perception of beauty. For example, when you post your girl on a public forum, you are essentially proclaiming that you love her art form enough to show her to the public. As a chef, how do you work under pressure? I’m not going to lie I work better under pressure. When things are too relaxed, I find that I also get relaxed, and I end up making more silly mistakes. When the going gets tough, I find that at times I’m working on autopilot, at that moment I’m the best I can be, my senses become sharpened.

What’s your ordinary day like in the life of Lenny the Black Samurai? Work! I love my job but don’t get me wrong it does take up a lot of my time, and I’m very passionate about that. Apart from cooking, I’m a person that likes to push themselves to greater heights and situations that are generally not comfortable for me. From my yearly six months challenges, where I pick a challenge for six months and see how I react to them. 2 years ago it was a vegan diet, which ended up being more than 6 months because I enjoyed the diet so much and it improved my cooking exponentially. This year it’s piano which I’m also enjoying. I love cooking, but I want more than that. I never want to stop learning and challenging myself, but I also find these challenges make me a better chef, as they focus me and sharpen my creativity.

three women whom I’m still trying to emulate in terms of their skills in the kitchen. These women are indeed the queens and samurai whom I wish to be compared to.

What made you want to specialise in Japanese cuisines? It was three things my older brother, the culture, and the way of the samurai. I had an older brother who used to live in Japan, and as any brother, I was also fascinated by this distant land my brother always spoke of. So naturally, one would want to follow their brother in that world. The Japanese culture is very unselfish, very family-oriented. The Japanese believe you only win together and are always for the betterment of their people as a whole. I have always longed that notion of society. Lastly, most people, when they hear ‘samurai’, they focus on the swordwielding warriors of Japanese folklore. Still, the true definition of a samurai is ‘someone who dedicates their life to their desired art to its fullest extent’. So one can be a samurai of making tea or cooking like me, essential a master of that subject, thereby becoming a samurai.

If you were an ingredient, what would you be and why? Honey. On the surface, I’m very sweet and easy on the eye, but the making of honey (me) is defined by hard work of so many people (bees), at the centre is the queen (in my case queens) who guide my struggles. There is pain and uncertainty in the making of honey.

Growing up did you always have a passion for food, or did you study culinary arts? So not a lot of people know that I was born in a kitchen, literally. My mother gave birth to me in a kitchen. Maybe this is the reason I always find it easy to adapt to any kitchen. I still feel I’m always connected to the arena that I call the kitchen. But the seed for my passion was watered by the women in my life. My grandmother taught me to cook soul food, my birth mother was a fantastic cook, and my stepmother she prepared food for the heart. My profession is a testament and tribute to these

If you were fully resident in Zimbabwe, do you think you could have been a better chef? I don’t think I can answer what could have been; all I can say is that I would have been a different chef. I would have been exposed to different experiences, but who is to say I would have been better or less. It’s easier to say I wouldn’t have been, but I have seen people achieve greatness from lesser situations. When cooking Sadza, what does ‘Sadza riri kukwata’ mean in english? It’s going through a transformation.

Say hello to Black Hanamizu on Twitter

@BLACKHANAMIZU KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

TAI PARKER

Creative Entrepreneur | Innovation Strategist

www.thewondergang.com

Tell us the story behind Tai Parker as a creative? Where does one start? Let’s work our way backwards, I guess. I’m a self-taught multidisciplinary artist. I hover between art, music, fashion and technology. Exploring each field and then finding ways to cross-pollinate. I struggled to categorise myself for the longest because I don’t stick to one craft, but I’ve learnt to not think about it too much and create because it’s the work that speaks for itself. I’ve always been creative as a child, and my mother afforded me lots of stimuli in the form of books of all sorts. Naturally, I had a very hyperactive imagination from early. Books nurtured my curiosity and eagerness to learn about the most random, seemingly unconnected things which came together later in life in unique ways. In terms of education, I don’t have much of formal training in any of my creative endeavours apart from my Computer Science degree, passion and curiosity usually led me to learn and to figure things out by trial and error. What is the process like for you when it comes to collaborating with other creative artists? I love collaboration. It’s one of the pillars of my work. As a self-taught creative, there’s a lot I can’t personally do and don’t have the desire to, but I can appreciate others work and envision what the sum of our skills combined will be. I’m a very strategic thinker, and I guess I play the strategist in most of my collaborations. Usually, it starts with a conversation around their work, the market, and my work. Then I pitch a project proposal (if I’m approaching), we define the goal, our contributions and compensations. Once we agree on all the admin stuff, we generally go back and forth and attack the project as two sides of the same brain sharing ideas. If I’m commissioning work under WonderGang, it’s usually the same. Still, I have to take a bit more responsibility for the result and steer the ship in the right direction in line with the objectives of the project.

How has WonderGang Creative Agency evolved since it was launched? So WonderGang started when I was in university many moons ago as a vehicle to explore and commercialise my creativity and as a way to build a community around other creatives; a gang that can do cool stuff. I originally started with photography and videography for events, then going behind the scenes and profiling creatives. Around 2015 when I started working in Advertising as a Strategist, the brand went on hold, but it was undergoing a metamorphosis mentally. I was learning and soaking up everything in Adland and then the consultancy world after, the business models, concepts, processes. This was when the idea of a different kind of agency started to take root, and WonderGang began to have a purpose. I registered the company in 2018 as a Creative Agency because I wasn’t happy with the way things were done and felt like a lot was left on the table. That’s where I positioned WonderGang to operate: To help brands engage with fans. Anyone and anything is a brand nowadays, and their customers and followers are the fans. This insight and mission gives us the freedom to do any work, not just advertising, web design, or app development. Still, the core of what WonderGang is now is coming in at the conceptualisation stage and using creativity to create innovative pieces of communication, products or services. The closest thing I can compare to what we do nowadays is DONDA, where a set output does not bound us. We’ve made apps, websites, social media campaigns, merchandise, festivals, and consulted for some of the popular apps you use today. Really and truly WonderGang is a coverup and an excuse to sample everything without people thinking I’ve lost the plot.

Who are your role models, and what has been the most valuable piece of advice you have received in your career so far? I’d like to say I have no role models, because, I don’t play a role or even stick to one discipline so who can I look to. I do, however, have “Senseis” - people I learn specific principles from and incorporate them into my work. A self-explanatory one is Kanye West. A brave example of what fearless creativity and self-belief can get you. Best lesson from him is: As long as you believe in your passion, you can enter any field as a rookie and become a master. The rest in music are Wiz Khalifa - independence and individuality, Pharell - taste, Curren$y - humility and work ethic. Outside music I’ll keep it 2 Virgils, Virgil Abloh is still a goat. Jacob Rochester is another multidisciplinary creative like me closer to a peer than an icon, and he inspires me to keep creating. FunnyTummy got me to start painting; Koby Martin has excellent concepts for his exhibitions. Steve Jobs because we have a similar story of being generalists with a vision to impact a shift in human behaviour, he’s probably the biggest sensei on the tech side and Elon Musk on transforming whole industries with innovation. In personal life, Leo Rayman, CEO and mentor when I was at Grey London, and Debbie Bester from Department of Change. The best advice I ever received was from my career coach who told me: “It doesn’t matter what they think you have to believe in your abilities, know your value and make sure you communicate it effectively, that way you shift the power back into your own hands.” If you were fully resident in Zimbabwe, do you think you could have been a better artist? I think being in the motherland would force me to be more resourceful and develop differently. I’d have to fight harder to be an artist compared to when in the diaspora. Would that result in being a better artist? I don’t know.

Feature Continued On Next Page >> |

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

If you could listen to one artist all day, who would it be, and why? I think it would be Kanye West or Wiz because I listen to them all the time and their catalogues inspire my creativity. I paint or write to either one of them, and it gives me the confidence to create something audacious and unique. As I’m writing this, I’m listening to Rolling Papers 2 by Wiz Khalifa.

As a Zimbabwean born creative artist living in the diaspora. What are some challenges you have faced when it comes to expressing your original work? I think in our African culture, artistic endeavours and careers are not encouraged enough or seen as a viable career path. Expressing creative desires is often met with resistance and suggestions to pursue more traditional academic routes. I’ve had to develop my artistry privately as a hobby running parallel to STEM studies and careers. But by way of the law of attraction, I’ve ended up in the creative industry utilising technical skills and learning to embrace my creative side. I’m terms of expression, finding a point of view and voice that’s true to my African heritage has been a journey of figuring out my voice and what I want to say. But once I realised and embraced the Zimbabwean in me, it’s informed my work and made it unique, especially in my art. I feel I have an Afrocentric sensibility built on top of more commercial tastes. An example is a stool I painted in Zulu patterns titled ‘Zulu on my stool’, it’s a striking piece and undeniably inspired by my culture. What advice would you give to other Zimbabwean creatives in the diaspora? The best advice I can give to Zimbabwean creatives globally is to be fearless in your pursuits and not to worry too much what people think. Create as if you were in a vacuum outside of space and time; your best artefacts will be created without being tainted by opinion. I would also encourage you to collaborate with different disciplines to extend the reach and impact of your work. If you’re a graphic designer reach out to fashion designers, if you’re a painter collaborate with a carpenter and so forth. If you were a painting brush, what kind of painting brush would you be and why? Haha, I think I’d be an angular paintbrush because I can switch from a more comprehensive stroke to a more precise line depending on how I hold the brush and that speaks to how I can switch between disciplines and string them together to weave something unique.

Could you tell us about the inspiration behind Mutopo World designs and what makes them unique? So with Mutupo World, the idea came about in a conversation amongst friends on how we don’t have much cultural fashion in Zimbabwe. Locked into this realisation, we meditated on what the future would look like if we were to create an aesthetic style. Naturally, we arrived at a modern expression that still communicates heritage and invites outsiders into the world to learn more and identify with a totem. What makes our designs unique is that we approach this brand as an authentic fashion brand with a 10, 20, and even 50-year vision. We study brands we look up to like BAPE, Daily Paper, Maison Kitsuné and try to aim for that level of artistic quality. So we take our time establishing the brand, it’s values and creating pieces that speak to those playful, inclusive, and cultural ideals. I feel a lot of people give up in the first few years when they haven’t blown yet or run out of money, but most businesses start seeing some form of success after five years that’s when they start cutting through.

TAI PARKER

Say hello on Social Media @TAI_PARKER | @THETAI_PARKER

www.mutupo.world

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

RYAN SHAVA

What is the story behind Ryan Shava as an artist? The story behind Ryan Shava as an artist is more one of self-discovery and awareness. I think that it’s a learning process and creativity is a fluid medium of expression where there are no mistakes but instead attempts at creating an aesthetic honesty with the work. I work with influences on the mind, and this focuses on my handling of materials. A lot of my work is in expressionism and includes notations inspired by Basquiat and street culture in general. I make the art to leave a part of myself in a designated space. The story is only beginning. Tell us about the inspiration behind ‘The Blue Print Collection?’ “The Blueprint” is the name given to my first collection of garments coming out this August in preparation for a creative summer. The name of this collection is very much about the Brand Vision I’m building with the brand. Anaesthetic elegance and sophistication in contemporary garments. I wanted to do my projects outside of art, and it’s been interesting to deal with collaborations with brands I respect, such as Forgive Skateboards and Forbidden Thread, respectively. Has art always been something you have been good at or did you have to learn? I was always a tad bit lucky with the arts because I learned a lot faster. I put in a lot of time without notice, I had about three exhibitions before I decided that this is my career profession. Art is hard to pin down because it’s not easy to wake up a pro for one day and then be an amateur the next day. So now I try to stay “pro” is simply by doing it every day. As any working professional would. In a lot of ways, I’m always learning through the process.

Feature Continued On Next Page >>

KADE STAR FEATURE. KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

“I feel most confident in an exhibition situation.” With your work, what are you trying to communicate with your art? It depends really. It depends on the subject matter of the artwork. I guess a brief synopsis on the entire body of work is based on people throughout time, in exaggerated handling of visible brushstroke using elegant colours in different complementary and contrasting combinations. The artwork that hangs carries some of my touches. I can see myself dancing and performing while painting these artworks.

As an artist, what is your definition of art? Great question and it’s one that surprisingly catches a lot of artists unaware. I share in the ideas of Dada contemporary’s such as Marcel Duchamp when I say that ‘Art’ is anything that the artist says it is. The real question is, who is eligible to call themselves an artist? And to me, anyone that creates and dares to show their work is an artist.

When do you feel most confident? I feel most confident in an exhibition situation. Even if it’s not mine, it is always so beautiful to see the evergrowing creative community at work. I’ve become obsessed with the experience, the free wine, the occasional sushi that the galleries provide on opening nights. They even sometimes have chicken on sticks. Imagine. I love a glass of wine before such occasions. I once read a book called ‘Trigger Warning’ by an Australian author; I can’t seem to remember the name. “The worst fear of an art-collector is a drunken artist: Unless the artist is famous for being drunk.” Where do you go to draw inspiration from, when it comes to your ideas? People, I find the human condition to be such a fascinating thing. “Existing is hard”, but not all the time. There are beautiful moments that need only the colour. I spend a lot of time wandering in the city with a can of spraypaint, just watching the people and leaving them on the walls by the same walkway they walk. I’m inspired by the ordinary, and I’m very much a plain ice-cream kind of guy. 1. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why? I think I’d be an orchid tree, they get so big and look so pretty, you get me.

RYAN SHAVA

CREATIVE ARTIST | @RYAN_SHAVA

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Say hello on Social Media

@SHELLYLOWELL

What inspired Shelly to pursue music? I have always been into music since I could remember, so it’s always felt like me. Having moved around a lot, this is one of the only things that remained consistent throughout my 25 years. I decided to make a go of it last year in 2019 when I started posting covers on social media. I didn’t want ever to regret not having pursued this path. I believe that we are all given talents for a reason, and it would honestly be a shame to let one go to waste. So here I am, making a go of things as I’m still in the very early stages of my music career but enjoying every second of it. I honestly don’t feel I am who I am as an artist yet, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. As once crowned queen for Miss Surrey 2017. What lessons did you learn from being a crowned queen? It is something I’m still happy to have achieved as I was the first black woman to be crowned Miss Surrey in the history of the Miss Great Britain pageant. It showed me that if I put my heart to something, the sky is the limit. It opened my eyes to how much the world is changing; Equality is a social cause that is close to my heart. So being from a migrant background and being chosen to represent a predominantly Caucasian region showed me that racial equality is possible. Another lesson which I took away from this was confidence; I’m an introverted person, so competing in pageants has helped me with my public speaking and onstage presence. I know with the kind of things I have on my plan, I can’t allow my fear of public speaking to become a hindrance.

SHELLY

Although I enjoyed the pageantry, I do feel it was a process of finding what works for me, and it was never really where I belonged, it’s always been music.

How do you plan to empower the younger Zimbabwean generation in the diaspora? I’d like us to see the power in unity. We are a brilliant generation; we have identified where our elders went wrong and had the potential to make a lot of different decisions. I honestly want to encourage Zimbabweans to try and invest back home. We contributed to building up our neighbour’s economies, but now it’s time to work on our own house. We came overseas intending to utilize the resources the West had to offer as they did the same with ours. It’s time we inject them back home. There are a lot of opportunities; we need to work together. There is power in numbers.

LOWELL

What inspired you to start doing music covers on Instagram? I was inspired to post covers on Instagram as I knew this was a platform where I could tap in on an unlimited audience. Social media influences a lot, whether it be politics, fashion etc. There is a lot of power within it, and also, it’s free. I have a degree in Digital Marketing, so I used this to my advantage; I’ve been working on building an online community and building a network with other creatives around the world.

As an artist, what does being Zimbabwean mean to you? I’m incredibly proud of my heritage, I’m proud of being a black woman. Being a Zimbabwean woman to me means; being resilient, hardworking, ambitious and benevolent. A group of strong Zimbabwean women raised me, and they have influenced who I have become and sparked a tenacity within me. I feel that there is so much power in being an immigrant. I sometimes look at where I am in life, regardless of circumstances, i.e. the political situation in Zimbabwe which my generation was born into, We have managed to catch up with our Caucasian counterparts. However, we were set up to fail. That can only be achieved through tenacity.

Which artists would you like to collaborate with and why? For me, it’s about an artist’s vibe, so I’m pretty open to collaborations and experimenting. However, I can admit there are some people that I can say are on my playlists within the Zimbabwean music industry. These are Valeemusic, Rymez, Liberaxe, Simba Tagz, Takura, Tytan, Sharon Rose, Tkae Chidz, Qxnton, Hillzy, 0-25, Garry Mapanzure. Tamy Moyo, Ozay Malone, Shashl and Shasha. I’ve probably missed a few but, these guys are great, and I feel they are giving the Zimbabwean music industry that universal feel. Any new up and coming projects you would like to share with us? I’m working with a few fantastic producers at the moment. COVID has been a bit of a bummer as I couldn’t go to the studio, but luckily I managed to invest in some great software and equipment, and I’m able to work remotely. I intend to release a few singles whilst I’m establishing who Shelly is. I’m not ready for a big body of work yet. Once I’ve built my tribe, I’ll be dropping the big boys. If you were a musical instrument, which one would you be and why? I’d be a guitar, I just started learning how to play, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do! So I’m pleased about that. I feel that the strings are peaceful. I love the way they ring out and how you can alter a chord to suit you. That’s my perspective when it comes to life. I feel that you need to tailor your reality to fit you so that you can reach you full and true potential. KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

PHIWO NDLOVU Photographer | Creative Director

www.phiwondlovu.com

What inspired you to pursue photography? I was always interested in pursuing a career in fine arts since I was probably five years old. I’ve been to Art schools for most of my life, and my family thought I’d be a painter until a friend introduced me to photography at age 15. I dabbled in it for a few years even studied photography in college. When university started, I didn’t take it that seriously, I did a degree in Fashion Design, so photography was something for pocket money shooting events for local magazines. I only started taking it seriously in my last year of university after interning as a designer and hating it. As a photographer, what are some challenges you have faced in the industry, and how have you surmounted them? I would say getting your foot in the door is hard, especially getting those paying jobs. Everyone is down to collab, but when it comes to good-paying jobs that aren’t events, it’s a struggle. In my case, I’ve had to test shoot/collab shoot a lot to create the work I want to be paid to do. It’s only now after about five years taking it seriously; I’m getting a regular income. What does photography mean to you? For me it’s fun. I genuinely enjoy it and trying new techniques shooting with new faces. Photography is to me now what painting portrait was ten years ago; I get to paint faces, it’s just that now I do it in Photoshop and its lot less messy. Which is your favourite lens, and why? The 50 mm lens because it does everything I need and its lightweight.

What skills have you developed throughout your time in the creative industry? I’ve worked in fast fashion since graduating from university, so I’ve done pretty much everything that’s creative in the fashion industry. The biggest skill is to be adaptable one day you may be asked to be a graphic designer or the next it could be videography. I’ve had to learn so much quicker, and it has helped me in developing my own freelance business.

As a Zimbabwean creative living in the diaspora. What are some challenges you have faced when it comes to showcasing your work? I think I’ve faced more challenges as a black-creative woman in general. As is true for most of us, I’ve had to work even harder than my white or male colleagues to secure specific opportunities. Among your works, which one is your favourite? Why? I took this for my friends brand years ago. I used an old school film camera and fell in love with the whole set. The photo is by far my favourite because it gives me contemporary yet vintage 70’s vibes. It could have been taken in the 70’s or 2020. I feel like it’s timeless.

Say hello to Phiwo Ndlovu on Instagram

@PHIWO.NDLOVU

What is the most rewarding part of being a photographer for you? When the editing process is going better than expected, there’s no better feeling for me.

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Leandra Founder and designer of Zovala, based in United Kingdom.

Feature Continued On Next Page >> | KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Zovala Feature |

Firstly, what inspired you to start your fashion brand Zovala? I grew up watching my mother sew , she first taught me how to knit , then cutting patterns, hand stitching and finally I graduated to cutting the thread off her finished pieces. Whilst in secondary I would often make clothes mostly for dance performances and things like that. The point in which I decided it was time to to start my own brand , was when I finally became tired of picturing outfits in my head and never finding them online or in stores. For me, my clothes are a big part of my identity, I use my clothes to showcase how I’m feeling and for me the possibility of being part of someone else’s ability to showcase their identity just sealed the deal. Zovala was born As a fashion designer in your industry, what some of the challenges you are currently facing during this lockdown? At the beginning I’d probably say a challenge I faced was sourcing my materials. I’m personally someone that needs to feel and hold the materials in my hands, sometimes I’ll get inspiration whilst in store. With lockdown happening it meant I had to depend on ordering online which for me was major inconvenient. Another is that a lot of the outfits I design at home, are actually outfits I’m too shy to model for myself, prior to lockdown I had planned to get some models but with the quarantine and lockdown situation I thought it best to hold off.

How did you manage juggling being a designer for Zovala and finishing your university degree? This is a funny question because I feel like I’m still getting my bearings, I have periods of time that I’m on top of everything and I feel really productive , then I get other times where I might struggle to prioritise. I’ve just learnt to note down what I need or want to do and work through the deadlines that I set myself as I go.

For more updates follow | @_zovala 26

What do you consider as the essential facets of the fashion and beauty industry? I think the trends and popularity of “ mainstream “ fashion. I personally break fashion down into two sections. Fashion that is worn through influence of what’s popular and fashion that is worn for personal sense of identity. ( This is not to say you can’t wear clothes that are necessarily considered to be the “ trend” and that be your identity ) but when it comes down to it , the things we wear whether it be cosmetics or clothing, are hugely influenced by what we see as being “ IN”. Being new to the design and fashion industry. What makes your brand and designs unique to what’s already out there? I think what makes me different is that I didn’t see this as business venture , all I knew was that I love making clothes and wearing them & I wanted to share that with other. for me it’s about sharing my love of fashion and passion of making clothes with those that enjoy seeing my work. I do not have a box in which I can fit the types of clothes I make. When people often ask me what I make. I say anything and everything, that because to me, as long as I can picture it. I can make it , I hope to incorporate this into my clothes and I hope it’s received just the same.

What keeps you motivated when you feel like giving up? Honestly speaking, I struggle sometimes but whenever I feel myself giving up , I take it back to the beginning. It’s all about the foundation and for me, my foundation is my love of making something out of nothing, I can start with a piece of fabric that someone else might see as nothing, but to me would be an elegant gown. What colour is money? Money is the colour of the hands of the person that holds it. Money is nothing until you use it, so the hands that hold it are the ones in control. If I say money is Gold , then listen up guys, it’s Gold.

As a Malawian/Zimbabwean entrepreneur living in the diaspora. What are some challenges you have faced to make a footprint for yourself? Well for me , it’s not knowing where to begin that I find to be a challenge .Being a young Malawian/ Zimbabwean in the diaspora for me means I have certain expectations that I feel I have to live up to and honestly I didn’t think Zovala would meet these expectation. Being a young person in the diaspora sometimes we may feel there’s a lot of pressure on us to follow certain career paths because of the “ opportunity “ to be here, but I’m recently finding that I need to do what makes me happy even if it means going agains the grain. .However , with that being said I’ve had overwhelming support from both my friends and family here and back home. Sometimes I feel they believe in my vision more than I do, but I’m grateful for it either way. How do you plan to empower the younger Malawian /Zimbabwean generation in the diaspora? I think for me it’s showing that you can do more than just what is considered to be the “ norm”, yes for me I went to university but honestly speaking there’s so many things in the world you can do or strive to be , there’s no exact blue print to be followed so make it up as you go if you have to, but just make it work for you. Say hello to me @_Zovala on Instagram. I’m currently building my line for release and would love to see what everyone thinks.

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Your style is unique. What inspired your passion for menswear? Thank you! It’s pretty hard to pinpoint a specific source of inspiration, but I’d say what fuelled my passion the most was the ‘feel-good’ factor and for me, I believe part of that involves looking good for yourself first and foremost. What is your creative process, like when it comes to creating content? It’s a fascinating process because half of the time, I can be going through my stuff and come across a clothing item, and from there, I think of so many options to put it together. With less formal styles at times, I can come across a male or female creative, and from there, I can deduce what I can use within menswear that can be inspired by what they may have worn. What other creatives have had the most significant impact on you? When it comes to style, those I think have had the most significant impact on me trying new things fearlessly are @stevenonoja & @xxjmitch on Instagram. Is there a specific brand you would like to work with and why? For someone who’s into casual, smart-casual and formal wear you’d think I have a specific brand I’d love to work, but honestly, I can never pinpoint one but I would like to walk on a runway for formal wear for sure one day. I say that because the opportunities to do so are so limited, and even if they are there, there’s always a selected few, you still see every time. It’d be nice to break through certain barriers and make it known that anyone and everyone can do it.

ANESU. 28

As a menswear enthusiast, what are some of the challenges you are currently facing during this lockdown? One of the biggest challenges has been being unable to go to tailors and get formal wear so because of that I ended up being more into casual wear. So now some ideas that may have been there for formal wear can easily be forgotten with time. The inability to step out in itself was a challenge because some of the inspiration can come whilst you’re out and about in your daily life and when you don’t even have the ability to do that you can hit a dead end.

If you had a choice between two Avengers characters, being Captain America or Black Panther, which would you choose and why? Easy pick, Black Panther. For starters, I can stand Cap lol but Black Panther, he’s a good type of stubborn. The one that makes you never back down till you get what you want because I believe in going after what you desire till you get it but going after it within reason though. If you were fully resident in Zimbabwe, do you think you could have been a better stylist? I can’t necessarily say I’d be a better stylist because access to resources has to be put into account, but I can say I believe the support from other male stylists may be a lot more. I say that because in general women support each other a lot more than males do. If a male and a female were to both, create a style platform, it would be easier. As a male, you’d have to put in 110% to try come near the same engagement which makes me reiterate what I always tell others that if you are doing it, then it has to be because you enjoy it so that you do not get disappointed. Can you give some tips for our male readers when it comes to fashion? If you want to try something, do not have a fear of doing so and sometimes coming out of your comfort zone may be a lot more fun than expected. Don’t fear asking other guys where they may have purchased something or even to work together and create content or try new styles. When it comes to formal wear BESPOKE is the best, it may be expensive and cost you an arm and a leg, but it’s worth it. Don’t focus on the brand but the pleasure in the look.

Say hello on Social Media

@ YXNGBLXCK | @ANXSUU

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

As a premium fashion brand based in the UK. What inspired the name TANGA? TANGA is taken from my surname. In my native ‘Shona’ language, it means and refers to the action of beginning a journey. Although we are based in the UK, Zimbabwe, for me, will always be home as I was born there. I wanted to ensure my origins ran through the DNA of the brand, and the best way I could represent both my family name and the country was by naming the brand TANGA. Starting up, the business has ups and downs. How did you manage to overcome challenges that came your way? Most people will be surprised to know that I initially launched TANGA in 2017 while I was working abroad in Belgium. This was my first attempt at starting a business, and I made countless mistakes mainly driven from trying to do everything on my own. I think the hardest thing for any creative is trusting your ideas with other people. The mental barrier of “I’d rather do it myself,” held me back and adding personal life issues on top of managing a start-up, you can quickly burn out if you go at it alone.

TANGA.

“Chasing perfectionism will prevent you from moving on with your dreams, nine times out of 10 we already have everything we need to start around us, but it’s our minds that prevent us from taking action.”

Two things often drive up’s & down’s, both in business & life, something you can control & stuff you can’t control. In November last year, when I was planning to re-launch my brand, my Dad advised me that in business, you should never commit to one supplier or partner. In practice, this means you should always have a plan B. So when a situation none of us could control hit (COVID-19) having a backup meant I was able to adapt quickly and still launch on time. For me, the best way to manage the downs is excellent preparation, never assume things will go according to plan and always have a backup. In the unfortunate case where you don’t have a backup, always look for the lesson in the situation. Having a student mind-set will help you stay positive during the downs as you accept that as a student, you don’t know everything, and this is just another opportunity to learn.

Your Mantra is ‘Start Where You Are.’ As a brand, how have you achieved this? Our Mantra ‘Start Where You Are’ was birthed from our belief that the only thing standing between you & your dreams is the ability to Start. Contrary to popular belief, in life, there is no such thing as perfect timing. You don’t have to be great to start, but you need to begin to become great. As a brand, we have achieved this by using any resources accessible to us. I am a firm believer in learning a new skill and using what you have before paying someone else for it, especially as a start-up with a small budget. I created all branding elements myself; I created all product designs myself (the first designs were made with PowerPoint as I couldn’t afford Photoshop), I designed the website myself. When I launched our first head wear collection, I couldn’t afford a professional photographer, so I took the photo’s using my iPhone. Surprisingly TANGA’s visual direction has been something I’ve received the most compliments on. Chasing perfectionism will prevent you from moving on with your dreams, nine times out of ten we already have everything we need to start around us, but it’s our minds that prevent us from taking action. If you were to choose an influencer or celebrity to be the face of your brand, who would it be and why? I’m going to break the rules and pick two, first would be Karim Benzema, footballer for Real Madrid and second, I would pick Devin Haney, Pro-Boxer. If you follow Karim Benzema on social media, you would instantly know he has an excellent eye for fashion. His lifestyle and aesthetic attract my target customer, so having him as the face of my brand would help boost our community growth. I also picked Devin Haney as I respect his story of determination and hard work. Devin is young, active and black – having the right representation of a positive young black man will serve to inspire the younger Black generation to stay true to themselves and chase their dreams.

Feature Continued On Next Page >> |

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

TANGA COLLECTION www.tangacollection.com

What is the creative process like for TANGA Collection when coming up with product ideas? My creative process often starts when I’ve been inspired by something I’ve read, seen or experienced. I love learning, and I actively study Business Philosophy, heritage brands, art and pop-culture to understand the history of fashion better. This has given me tremendous respect for all creatives in the industry we are trying to break into. Whilst researching on my topic of inspiration, I naturally find a core message which resonates with me. This core message will then direct the designs, materials & the visual direction of the Collection. I am very conscious of the dangers of fast fashion on our environment, so I am committed to making sure that every Collection we deliver has a purpose and not solely created by trends sake. Where do you see TANGA Collection in 3 years, and how do you plan on diversifying your products? In 3 years, I see TANGA Collection holding a strong online brand presence driven by a committed community. I see TANGA delivering a two statement Collections year on year with a consistent line of essentials. I plan on diversifying my product range by focusing on quality and design. In a world of fast fashion, quality has been compromised and what makes TANGA different is our commitment to quality. In 3 years I plan on having an in-house designer dedicated to delivering the TANGA vision with excellence, and I aim to boost our marketing efforts by establishing a reliable brand name with pop-ups, in-store concessions and partner events. As a Zimbabwean living in the diaspora running a business. What advice would you give to future Zimbabwean business owners? My advice for future Zimbabwean business owners would be never forget your heritage. We are all Zimbabweans first, no matter our present location. We have a responsibility to represent our country with excellence, integrity and honesty because the world is watching. How we conduct ourselves today will affect how the next Zimbabwean Business Owner will be perceived.

Say hello on Social Media

@TANGACOLLECTION KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Chelsea

Deon. Feature Continued Next Page >>

KADE STAR FEATURE. KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Chelsea Deon. “I recently graduated in Chemistry. I enjoy anything to do with arts; music, art, dance, fashion. I am a very creative person, and I just haven’t had the chance to showcase that during my time at university. I am such a foodie; I eat anything but pork.”

How did you manage juggling university and building up your creative brand on social media? I genuinely don’t know the answer to this question because right now I’m struggling to juggle work and social media, mostly with my upcoming YouTube channel. But I would say, with the university it was easy because I went to a lot of events, so I had an excuse to put outfits together, but when you’re working you’re always in work clothes. If you were to go back in time, what advice would you give to your younger self? I would tell myself that you’re that bitch (sorry for the language) don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Just because you care about someone a lot does not mean they care as much back, don’t sacrifice your peace for anybody. During COVID-19 lockdown, what have you learned the most about yourself? That I love being outside, I am not a homebody when I’m being forced to be. The future is not determined; the world is so unpredictable that you need to put yourself first and make yourself happy in everything you do. One thing you cannot live without in your bag? Lip balm, I can’t deal with dry lips.

What inspired you to become an influencer and stylist? It genuinely happened so naturally, I wouldn’t consider myself an influencer as I think the label holds so much weight I don’t think I am at that level. But I remember at the begin of university I just wore anything, I’ve always loved clothes but never saw myself as someone who could look a certain way. It came about me telling myself I wanted to work on my style and honestly till this day it is still a work progress. The past year living with my cousin, who has a similar taste to me, had taught me to be confident in myself and what I wear. When I look good, I feel good, so I feel like I can do good. That’s how I want to be able to make other people think. I get so frustrated when my friends and people I know with different body shapes and heights etc. don’t think they can dress a certain way because of these things when they can; they need to have the confidence to try. It’s a working progress, but this feeling of helping someone with their confidence is what inspires me to want to style and put outfits together for others.

What advice would you give to our readers when it comes to creating content and working with brands? No matter how big or small you are don’t allow disrespect; your content is your work, treat it like a job, no pay no content. Enjoy making your content don’t just do it for the sake of doing it because if you don’t love it, it shows.

As a LEM Queens representative, what has been your biggest lesson and achievement since being part of the brand? LEM has taught me so much; I think the biggest one was confidence. A lot of people wouldn’t believe me. Still, I used to be so shy in regards to taking pictures, my body. When I joined LEM, I was putting myself out of my comfort zone—being surrounded by other women who want to succeed made me realize that I really can be a boss babe too. Just because you are succeeding does not mean other people can’t succeed also, there is plenty of room on the table for everyone. How do you deal with anxiety and protecting your mental health? My mental health this year has been a big challenge, and I didn’t realize until recently. I’ve learnt a lot about myself by actually just letting myself be upset about things and accepting that I am not okay. I used to be someone who bottled a lot of stuff, and it was scary because one day I would break down and I wouldn’t know why. Prayer is such a powerful tool, and if you are religious, I would advise you to pray; pray for peace, clarity and guidance. Take time off social media even if it’s for a day or a month is helps because your mental health is never worth any money or materialistic things for you to be sacrificing it.

Say hello to Chelsea on Instagram

@CHELSEADON

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

WinnetNatasha WinnetNatasha is our Kade Star Feature for this issue! We love her authentic style, which is like no other. Get to know more about WinnetNatasha in this feature interview we did with her.

Feature Continued Next Page >>

KADE STAR FEATURE. 38

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

What is the story behind WinnetNatasha? I’ve always loved fashion; ever since I can remember, I loved dressing up and putting on shows for my family. When I was young, I thought that I would be a model when I grew up but unfortunately stopped growing at 5’5. My fashion dreams were put on hold when I couldn’t go to university and study fashion, but instead, I opted to go into Psychology, but when you love something, you always go back. I’ve had a blog on and off over the years. I’ve just always loved documenting my style and taking pictures. I’m also one of those people that has their hands in so many jars it’s crazy, I want to be and do everything. WinnetNatasha is just about bringing the love I have for creative and art direction together with fashion. You recently started your YouTube channel this year. What are some of the challenges that you have faced as a new YouTuber? Lockdown had me thinking, “I have all this extra time on my hands, how can I use it, creatively?” I had been seeing people create fantastic content left right and centre, but I have this fear of not being able to do something perfectly first time around, so I always hesitated. With a blog, you can’t see how many views I get or how many subscribers I have so it always felt safe for me. However, Youtube is so public, and I was scared nobody would subscribe; I didn’t have crazy story-times to share, and I know my style isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. The content part for me comes quite easily. I know what I want to create; I just get worried that nobody cared. I had to overcome that by telling myself; I can create the content I know will guarantee views and subscribers but not be true to myself or do what is right to me and whoever loves my content will support it. I have people that’ll ask me when’s the next one coming out, and I’ll be like oh, people are paying attention? What is your creative process like when it comes to styling and filming your content? I tend to centre my looks around one piece, I buy a lot of random things, and I have the vision of how I want to style it even before I have the other components of the outfit. In terms of YouTube, I have concepts; I ask myself what vibe do I want, what’s the story? I see clothes and try to create the story from there then start looking for all the pieces that will bring that vision to life. It takes me a while to put together a YouTube look book because I’m very particular with the set, the filming style, and even the weather has to match the “film” I want to create. It annoys the people around me because I’ll put off filming for silly reasons, but in my head it’s methodical. 40

WinnetNatasha as a brand is unique and aesthetic. Could you define it? Yikes, I wish I could define it too. I’m still trying to pin it down myself. I’ve always loved vintage pieces; I’ve been thrifting for years because I love wearing pieces, not everyone will have. I also love the androgynous look, and I love dressing in men’s fashion, if there’s a tailored suit, count me in. In a campaign I did with ASOS I was categorised as “Modern Luxe” let’s just run with that. Is there a specific brand you would like to work with and why? I don’t have a specific brand I have my eye on; currently. I’m a growing brand, so I’m open to collaborating with anyone as long as it aligns with my brand. I love Sister Jane a lot; I think they are OG WinnetNatasha; vintage pieces with a modern twist. As a fashion lover, who would you describe as your style icon? Honestly, this question always leaves me blank, a lot of people have fantastic style, but I think Kollin Carter is my favourite stylist at the moment. I tend to look at shoots/celebs then try to see who their stylist is as opposed to seeing them as the style icons, and I like the people behind the scenes. Being Zimbabwean and living in the diaspora. What are some challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome these? I grew up in a place where people who looked like me were rare, and it left me feeling like I stuck out awkwardly. Even when I went to university, I was around other black people but not that many Zimbabweans. Things like this seem trivial, but it’s nice to be around people that understand that black experience and within that, the 1st generation Zimbabwean immigrant experience. I love being around people that I can share a language and culture with which is why I love my Instagram; I’ve connected with so many other Zimbabwean creatives, and it makes me feel seen. It also helps with staying in touch and not forgetting where you come from.

Which other Social Media Influencers would you collaborate with? I’ve made it a point to collab with Zimbabwean creatives, and there are so many that are doing amazing things in the industry. I want Zimbabwean models to style in Zimbabwean brands, photographed and filmed by Zimbabwean photographers and directors with soundtracks from Zimbabwean musicians. Here is a cheeky one. If you were a cake, what flavour would you be and why? I would be a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting because the Zimbabwean in me wants to add peanut butter to everything! What advice would you give to other Zimbabwean creatives in the diaspora? Share your knowledge! There are so many amazing Zimbabwean creatives here and being from a smaller country, building a network of support is vital in elevating each other. A problem I had in convincing my parents that I wanted to be in fashion is that they did not know someone like me succeeding in that field. I didn’t even know the career I’m in right now existed until I was in it, now I can tell others that you don’t even necessarily need the traditional route to have a perfect starting point. It’s essential to bring people in, especially when you feel that something may not be for you but another person would suit it better.

Say hello on Youtube and Instagram

@ WINNETNATASHA

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Say hello on Youtube and Instagram

@ WINNETNATASHA

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

The Chilling Class

Darrel “Sometimes the recipes don’t work, on other occasions, they come out better than expected, and that’s what I love.”

Firstly, tell us what inspired you to start The Chilling Glass? I was transitioning between jobs before the coronavirus lockdown was imposed and like the majority of people in the country, I was put on furlough and subsequently had a lot more time on my hands. I started making cocktails bi-weekly and decided to launch The Chilling Glass using some of the recipes and cocktail ideas I would make. During my time at university, I used to work in various bars, pubs and events. Where I picked up a wide range of knowledge, techniques making and serving drinks anyway, and it seemed natural to match up to professional experience in Film & TV Production with my experience in hospitality. Since launching The Chilling Glass, how has the brand evolved? Primarily, The Chilling Glass was launched as a hobby. It was just a way to keep myself busy, but the response and support the page has had so far has allowed me to be a bit more ambitious in terms of the output of the page. I’ve hosted several private online masterclasses and catered for small gatherings when lockdown measures were eased. Lastly, I’m now looking at the logistics of selling a limited range of pre-made cocktails. Do social media comments have a positive or negative impact on your brand? On the whole, we have generally had positive comments which I believe has allowed the page to grow as fast as it has. As a creative in your industry, what some of the challenges you are currently facing during this lockdown? The Chilling Glass is a relatively new brand, so I guess it might not feel the impact as much as a well-established brand. I would have loved to have cocktail masterclass sessions in person, but with the pandemic, it’s highly

unlikely that’ll be able to happen anytime soon. However, once things begin to go back to normal, this is something I’ll be seriously looking to establish throughout the UK. Which beverage or glassware brands would you like to collaborate with and why? I’m open to collaborating with a wide variety of brands, but we would love to feature and showcase Black-Owned brands. The beverage market is heavily saturated; I’d like to introduce our audience to black-owned brands that they might not necessarily be aware of. If you could pick between mixology or photography which one do you enjoy more? It would have to be the mixology for me, and I get to experiment with different flavour profiles. Sometimes the recipes don’t work, on other occasions, they come out better than expected, and that’s what I love. I do love photography, though because it enhances the overall presentation of the cocktails. What is your best cocktail that you have featured on The Chilling Glass? I like all the cocktails that have featured on The Chilling Glass, but the highlight would have to be the Whiskey Sour, it was selected as part of Death & Co (my favourite cocktail recipe book) drinks of the week. Social Media is always evolving. How do you plan to keep your content entertaining and creative for your audience? Once things begin to go back to normal, I’ll be looking to work with videographers to produce video tutorials presented by me where I discuss their historical backgrounds of the drinks and why they are popular.

Feature Continued On Next Page >> |

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

THE CHILLING GLASS

FOGCUTTER FIZZ

WHISKEY SOUR

RASPBERRY & APPLE SPRITZ

How does The Chilling Glass plan to empower the younger Zimbabwean generation in the diaspora? I think the main thing is to encourage Zimbabweans to venture out and try new things, and also, don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone a little bit. I was a bit discouraged at first thinking too many people have done it so maybe I shouldn’t, but I’m enjoying the journey so far. Also, to enjoy alcohol safely and responsibly, show them various ways to enhance their drinks by adding a few ingredients If you were an alcoholic beverage, which one would you be and why? I would have to say Rum. It comes in many forms such as Dark, Spiced, Golden, Light and Flavoured. In my opinion, it’s the most versatile spirit, as it can be used in a wide range of cocktails. It’s multifaceted, and that is who I am as a person.

Say hello on Social Media

@THECHILLINGGLASS

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

MELLISON BAKES Pastry Chef | @mellisonbakes

Firstly, tell us about yourself and what inspired you to get into pastry? Funny enough, I went to university to study law, but I eventually dropped out. Initially, I was only interested in regular culinary arts, I got the opportunity to work in a kitchen that also sponsored me to go to college and learn pastry, and so I’m grateful for that. After seeing the process and the precision it took create desserts and pastries, I was in love!! I mean, who would not be in love with making their ice cream! As a qualified Pastry Chef, what are some challenges that you have faced to get where you are today? Some challenges I have faced have been my parents at the start, they are great supporters now and are proud of what I do, but at first, it was a challenge. I mean they are Zimbabwean after all, so I do not blame them; they only want what is best. However, that change from law school to being a chef did not sit well at first! So to them, being a chef did not seem like a promising career, and the hours were very different and new. Nevertheless, look at them now! If you were a cake topping, what kind of cake topping would you be and why? Ohh cake topping. That is a hard one; I think I would be a macaroon; you can flavour them however you want; the shapes with it are endless, and macaroons are also elite and delicious haha. When it comes to baking, what’s one thing you would like to learn or improve? I would love to learn to improve my fondant skills. Everyone says it is easy but yohhh not to me. That is something I would like to improve on and continue improving on wedding cakes.

What are some of your most significant accomplishments so far as a Chef? So far I would say some of my significant accomplishments are; firstly, having won the Liverpool Hospitality Award for Young Chef of the year 2019, I am genuinely proud of that. I have had my African menu to celebrate black history month- with sadza on the menu in a Hilton Hotel restaurant, and I’m proud that this is something I now get to do every year. Also creating my dessert menu with a dessert named after me- the trio by Chef Mercy that was a caramel and chocolate trio of chocolate brownie, chocolate ice cream and a chocolate salted caramel mousse, which was pretty, cool. For my business side, I would say when I first got my wedding cake order.

Words of encouragement to upcoming Zimbabwean Pastry Chefs? Just Do it, and do it with God. You do not have to pack your bags and kill yourself working in London just because it’s the best, start where you are, and you will never know what opportunities are there. Also, practice practice practice! Do not compare yourself to someone who’s been in the industry for ten years+, and if you’re lucky enough find a mentor usually someone at work but in a higher position to you.

When do you feel most confident, and how do you deal with pressure? I feel most confident during my service at work (restaurant eating times), and I know the customers will be pleased with the food. Even in my business, when I know that the cake is coming out amazing. I deal with pressure by crying! I know it’s weird, but not every day do I cry though but if a cake decides to fall apart and the customer is coming to collect it in 15 minutes, would you not cry too? However, If I’m under pressure at work, I have to take a moment and clean my space- clear space, clear mind. That helps me a lot when I feel overwhelmed and always finished by a little prayer, “Lord, please help me”, and then I remember who I am. What does being Zimbabwean and living in the diaspora mean to you? In a nutshell, I’ve been placed in a better position to help other people. Being Zimbabwean and in the diaspora is just a challenge of its own, but I believe being in the diaspora is a chance to change our community, and be able to give back to it. I am proud of my heritage and always want to help anywhere I can, hence my black history month menu and on the Mellison side- assisting young women to start their entrepreneur journey in baking.

Say hello on Instagram @MEME_ALLISON KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Tell us what inspired the name Cute-Icle Nails? I wanted something simple, catchy and unique—a name that will be welcoming to everyone, different people from different backgrounds and races. As a qualified nail technician, what are some challenges that you have faced? As a qualified nail tech, I’ve faced many challenges. One of the biggest challenges was people not respecting my pricelist. By that, I mean clients wanted to negotiate my pricelist just because I’m African-Zimbabwean, but when they go to “NSS” salons they pay whatever their nails cost.

Cute-Icle Nails MCR Say hello to Cute-Icle Nails on Instagram

@CUTEICLENAILSMCR

How do juggle motherhood and being an entrepreneur? Being a mum and an entrepreneur is hard, but I’ve found a strategy that works well for me, my baby and my business. I’ve been blessed with a good baby. So most of the times when I’m doing nails my baby is usually sleeping, and he’s up mid-afternoon by that time I would be doing my last client and then after I play my role as a mummy. If you could pick a nail shape and colour which best describes you what would it be and why? I love stiletto nail shape! Not a lot of people ask for it, only the brave, bold ones as the nails have to be pointy and sharp. I think ombré is my favourite nail design. I love how two or more colours can blend and look very good. Where do you see Cute-Icle Nails in 3 years, and how do you plan on diversifying your creative technique? In 3 years I see Cuticle Nails Mcr very far haha. I’m currently home-based and in 3years time - God willingly I’ll have my own beauty Salon Academy somewhere in Manchester and hopefully be able to offer more Beauty treatments under one roof.

| @CUTEICLENAILSMCR

f you were to choose an influencer or celebrity to be the face of your brand, who would it be and why? If I were to choose an influencer to be the face of my brand, it would be Rutendo Mrs Biston. I love how she is plus she’s my homegirl—Sister from the homeland. What advice would you give to other Zimbabwean entrepreneurs in the diaspora? I always say this to anyone that don’t give up. One day things might be going well; the next day things can be different but never give up. Who are your role models, and what has been the most valuable piece of advice you have received in your career so far? I’ve got a couple of role models in this beauty industry, and they’re all from the US. I like how UK nail techs do their nails, but American nail technicians are on another level. Most of them are between the ages of 17-21, and that’s what motivates me even more. They’re young and ambitious. One of them is “@nailfanatic” on Instagram. I’ve been following her for quite a long time now, she’s only 21 and got a daughter, but that doesn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams and slaying those nails.

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

get to know

HULIO DRAWS

Can you describe the first time you realised being an artist was something you had to do? The first time I realised being an artist was for me, was several years ago when I was going through social media daily noticing that there aren’t many influential and unique digital artists in Zimbabwe. At that moment in time, this gave me the motivation to start creating art more frequently. What is your favourite piece of work that you have created? I have 3; I would say my recent Zimbabwean Lives Matter piece along with my Naruto pieces I did for Davo and Tory Lanez. Your work recently got noticed by Chris Brown. How did this make you, and what impact has this made towards your creativity? Chris Brown noticing my work, changed everything for me! After drawing and posting the Bart Simpson piece, I was lucky enough to get a direct message and reposts on both his black-pyramid page and his main page, as well as having my work painted on the front of his house. All this from my first attempt at creating a piece for him. I even received a tag from him on a repost he made of my black panther piece dedicated to the late Chadwick Boseman; which is something that rarely if not never happens for small-time artists even those overseas. So after having such a positive outcome from my Bart Simpson piece, I switched the theme of my page from a dark and mysterious vibe to a more vibrant and colourful one, and I noticed most people took a liking to that.

As a creative in your industry, what some of the challenges you are currently facing during this lockdown? As a creative in Zimbabwe, I can safely say that support does not come easy! You need to have a unique talent, love, as well as a great passion for art if you wish to excel and be successful. I only started gaining real support from a local audience after my first initial reposts from Chris Brown. I must say that it is something I hope to change in the future, to make sure that artists and other creatives don’t feel like they need to overachieve to gain support from their people. How does art represent you as a young Zimbabwean creative? My art gives me a platform to showcase what the average Zimbabwean teenager is capable of doing. It gives me a sense of individuality and uniqueness that I feel can’t be seen in other areas that Zimbabwean teens tend to support more than the art itself. Art, for me, represents my inner thoughts and my general interpretation of the things around me. If you were a colour, what type of colour would you be and why? If I were a colour, I would be black. I say this because black can easily influence and change the colours and tones of others to match its own appearance in the same way that I would like to influence other Zimbabwean artists, not to match my own style of art but to match the passion that I have for art as well as my hunger to put it out there.

You seem to design mainly animation figures a lot, why the animation figures?After being noticed by Chris Brown, I decided to slightly shift and try out more cartoonish styles of drawing because one, I enjoy making them more than doing regular portraits of people and two because it’s more appealing to a broader audience. Which artists have you always looked up to? I have always looked up to a large number of artists. My main four that inspired me to draw in the first place are iimoona, akaithedesigner, ceethekreator and bosslogic. I admire them for different reasons, mainly because of their hard-working mentally and consistent celebrity recognition, and others because of their originality and sheer craftsmanship of their work.

Say hello on Social Media

@ HULIODRAWS | @YKHULIO KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Get to know

ValeeMusic Musician | Artist

As a musician, what has been the highlight of your career so far? As a musician, there are at a lot of milestones, which I see as significant turning points in my career. This year has proved to be a massive blessing for me. Especially with my last single Watora Moyo; I am pleased with the doors it opened for me: Like being interviewed on WBLS Radio in New York City, Trace Africa and getting more than 100K views on YouTube in one month! I also look at my ZimFest performance in 2019, along with my BBC Africa interview for my single at the time - Mina Nawe; as significant highlights of my music career. Beyoncé credited you for the Black is King. How did this make you feel and what was the experience like for you? The experience was amazing. Even as an additional cast member that attention to detail and inclusivity for all of us, for a major film: ‘Black is King’ by Beyoncé is commendable! It’s a film for Black, African Culture but it’s also a film that will shift views of the wider community, especially on a platform as big as Disney. I represent the Young African dreamer, who continues to break barriers and show that making your dreams a reality is indeed possible! I am thankful to the Southern African community and my fans everywhere for cheering me on for recognition in the project. I’m grateful and hope this leads to even more significant steps. Who do you make music for and why? I make music for everyone. I feel that my music is a fusion of lots of different sounds, and this might be down to my background. Being born in Zimbabwe and being from the UK has influenced my style of music. I fuse Afrobeats, SA house/Amapiano, Dancehall & Pop to create the style that you hear in my songs. I love African music, and in the future, I would like to incorporate more sounds into my music; like the Kora and Mbira. I hope to make music that can be loved by people worldwide.

As UK Afro Pop newcomer, what are some challenges you have faced, and how have you overcome these? For me, challenges are just a part of the process. I’m motivated to overcome obstacles and knock down barriers whilst opening doors for others. As an Afro Pop newcomer, some challenges I face include pushing a sound that most people are not yet used to. But I think it’s possible as I feel the Afrobeats scene has already opened up that space for us. Also, being a woman creates a challenge for others; women are continually fighting for respect and to be taken seriously. My goal is to be ‘That’ woman who has a voice even in a room full of men. But it doesn’t stop there, we need more women voices in these spaces, and I hope to open doors for my sisters along the way. Tell us about your Watora Moyo song. What is the inspiration behind it? Watora Moyo was a fantastic project which was produced by Inkredible Muzik with the video directed by Marc Neilson and Gemma Griffiths on the production. I feel that it’s done so well and continues to do so. But I also just released my latest single Sondela featuring Charlie Kay. For this one; I decided to tell a story about love. Most people can relate to being hurt before and being in love before. Sondela is both the perfect song for the end of summer and beginning of fall. It’s about hope and opening yourself up to love again. It’s my most emotional record yet and shows my vocals. I’m excited for the world to hear this one.

Feature Continued On Next Page >>

KADE MUSIC FEATURE.

Afro-fusion is the future! My main goal is to continue bringing my culture and my roots to the world. And for my people, I want to show them a more contemporary style to our traditional music. With the digital and social media age, the world is fast becoming a global village, and the music we share is a big part of that!

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Growing up in London. What does being Zimbabwean mean to you? I’m a British Zimbabwean, and I went to school here in the UK. I fell in love here, made friends here, so the UK is very much a big part of me. And I also love my Southern African culture; this is why I infuse and blend different styles into my music. Whether it’s through my lyrics or in the way that I dress; my music tells who I am. I love London; it’s a melting pot! A city with different cultures and people are free to express their individuality. I have to wanderlust so no matter where I grew up you’d most likely find me travelling quite a bit. If it weren’t for lockdown, I’d probably be on a beach somewhere, trying different foods and listening to music. I’m a global citizen, and I celebrate language & culture through my music. Rumour has it that you will be releasing your forthcoming EP ‘Ying Yang.’ Could you share with us some surprises to except? So my EP is still untitled. The beauty of lockdown is that I’ve revisited my work, added some new things and taken some things out. It’s my first body of work, so I want to share the best of me with my fans, and I’m glad that they continue to rock with me. If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose and why? Definitely invisible. I wouldn’t mind being a fly on the wall in certain rooms & conversations. Words of encouragement to other young upcoming female artists? Suppose you want to be an artist I would say work hard, don’t give up on your dream. Make sure every day you’re doing at least one thing to achieve your goals, that’s all it is; consistency, and you’ll get you there.

You can watch Watora Moyo and listen to Sondela on YouTube.

ValeeMusic Say hello on Social Media

@VALEE_MUSIC | @VALEEMUSIC

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Vallie Visuals Travel Vlogger | Stylist What inspired you to get into styling and to travel? I wanted to challenge my thought process and put myself in environments that would force me to adapt. Evolving has always driven me to want to see what’s outside my perception of reality. From culture and the details which shape experiences in new environments, being immersed in other communities and meeting new people, I couldn’t get enough of it, and I just wanted to be more than stagnant. When I got my British passport, two weeks later I was out! I took my first solo trip to Amsterdam, and I knew I wanted to do this every single day if I could! The serenity within in the journey to the destination, the clarity that comes with allowing other people to show you their way of life, couldn’t help but inspire me to continue to see more of God’s creation! Now styling, I’m an aesthetics babe! That’s honestly it. A true boujee babe can fulfil her destiny on a sustainable budget, honey and I love things easy on the eye. Expressing myself through clothes, I believe it’s the most natural outlet for people to get a glimpse of knowing who you are, without giving them unlimited access. There’s the mystery in the way someone can carry themselves when they are feeling themselves! Bringing a vision to life through Styling and Interior meant I could turn a ‘blank canvas’ into a story only I wrote, and I am obsessed. I’m known among my friends for being able to find clothing or alternatives just by pictures and in a great time too. Style evolves with age and vision differs every single time. Everyone deserves the opportunity to make their ideas their reality, sometimes they need a little help, for visions without execution are just hallucinations, and that’d be a waste. 58

As a visual blogger, how was COVID 19 lockdown affected your content? When I say Covid-19 broke my travelling heart, we can only hold hands and cry together. Because of it being my final year of university, I was ready for HENJOYMENT after. All of the trips that had been planned and in process, including volunteering in Fiji for a month (I know, hold hands and cry), completely went out of the window and it took a long minute to adapt to this year’s reality, I’m not going anywhere. I do believe it allowed me to understand where I want to go moving forward and where I want to take my content and brand. And alongside that, I could start to explore the UK in itself, and in this UK, one can hike! Adapting and finding new ways to experience things allowed me to appreciate a plane seat so much more. One thing you wish you did before lockdown and why? 24 hours in Paris! For the longest time, I always have wanted to catch a flight or the Eurotrain to Paris, and do up jollification for 24

hours and head home! Paris looks like a stunning place, but with what it offers, I felt like 24 hours would be enough to experience everything, so I wanted to test the theory. Being in the final year, finding the time wasn’t easy, so I just pushed it to the back of my mind, but it’s happening before the end of the year, hold me to it. If I flop, let’s all mind the business that pays us.

Feature Continued On Next Page >> |

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

At what age did you realise that you want to travel the world? Probably 17/18, just before I went to university. I was supposed to go on to study Radiography, and I couldn’t see myself being held to one place once I finished my degree. I wanted to see the world, and if there was something that could allow me to do that with more flexibility and opportunity, I needed to have that, and for me, that was International Business. Couldn’t be more opposite, I know. Having a degree with more accessibility worldwide, meant that was more feasible, for me. How did you manage juggling university and travelling abroad? I didn’t, haha! I wanted to do it, travel long weekend getaways, but I couldn’t. I have a habit of taking on too many projects, wearing myself out and becoming overwhelmed. At the same time, no one sent me to do that. Between deadlines, work, outside commitments, it wasn’t something I needed to take on voluntarily. So, unless it was holidays and long period breaks, I couldn’t entertain it because where I’m supposed to be at that time is the university, so I may as well align with that for the time being. I did manage to study in Madrid, Spain for five months and that was the ultimate experience because I was at university, but also got the opportunity to live out alone in a new country, so that one worked out exceptionally well! I am the Sangria connoisseur now, argue with your neighbour otherwise. How do you deal with the pressure that comes with social media? I am a serial deactivator. I have only so much capacity for social media just because I know how much I can consume before it starts to alter my perception of things. Not in a weak-minded way, but being spoonfed continuously so much to consume, will have you forgetting how to use your brain. I don’t think humans are made to consume the magnitude of information we consume online in such short periods. It starts to weigh you down if you don’t allow yourself time to be present and initiate your conversations outside your phone. I am learning to use it more for the purpose I want, not the one where I am force-fed content I don’t care for into my 60 subconscious.

What does being a Zimbabwean creative mean to you? Being a Zimbabwean creative is everything. It’s allowing my culture, my upbringing, my experiences around Zimbabweans to enhance my footprint as a person of substance. It’s being underestimated against the stereotypes and letting your actions, your words to speak to the person you are. They can dislike you, but if you do what you do, well, they can not respect you. And with that, hold you too high regard next to your nation. What advice would you give to other Zimbabwean creatives in the diaspora? Be unapologetically yourself; there’s the currency in your authenticity and don’t watch what others are doing. You’d be surprised how much ambition you possess when you focus on the fruit God gave you and less on the success of others in your field of the venture. Investing in yourself and never compromising on your vision, whichever route you have to take. I’m realising more so, you don’t have to be original anymore in this world of continuous competition, but in your lane, be good at what you do! You can always find me on Instagram @vallievisuals, great things are coming, so I’d stay tuned if I were you, just saying. It’s only the beginning, baby loves.

Say hello on Social Media

@VALLIEVISUALS

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

Our beauty product of the month is Waanaka Beauty which is founded by a Zimbabwean young lady based in the United Kingdom. We love how their products are vegan friendly and organic for skincare and natural hair. Waanaka Beauty also offers free UK Shipping on their website when you spent more than £10.99 and it is also a unisex product for both hair and skin care. Visit www.waanakabeauty.com for information on their products.

www.waanakabeauty.com |

KADE CULTURE | ISSUE5

@KADECULTURE |