Today HEALTH WEALTH SPIRIT
BEAUTY
Zim’s “Macho” musician
THE MAN WHO WROTE A SONG FOR BEYONCE
Valentines Day Demystified 3341462738748484784738484764
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 1
A production of Tsimba Media Editor Makosi B Musambasi
Makosi
Assistant Editor Tawanda Kasuso
Design and Layout Terrence Ndlovu Shephered Chandomba Editorial Team Robert Mukondiwa Ray Mwando Tawanda Kasuso Marketing and Advertising Tatenda Musambasi 0775751914 Email makosimiracle@googlemail.com Connect us with facebook
Editors note... The most successful people, if you check, have found a way of serving the most people! Bill Gates serves you with Microsoft, Jobs served with iPhone, Zuckerberg serves with facebook...you cannot cheat service on your way to the top...find a way of being useful and bam you gat it! Success, ironically, never comes from taking, it comes from giving...how then do you expect to be useful to millions of people yet you can't be useful to those around you? Don't run away from solving problems when people come to you for help, in most cases, people's problems can be your opportunities‎! Joseph...for instance, upon interpreting the dreams of the butler and the baker in the prison created a contact out of them and
when the time came he became prime minister of Egypt! Look it honey, stop waiting for so and so to introduce you to their connections...solve problems and they will have no choice but to call for you! I love you for reading Makosi Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone. Hello hello hello! I'm very excited about our second edition on Makosi Today the magazine! Thank you guys for all the motivation and comments from last edition! Before I start my love letter to you...allow me to say HAPPY VALENTINE'S... Everyone thinks, breathes and lives to succeed! Today I talk to you on the little I know about success!
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t is an old age question that every couple battles with: Is it possible for two people, male and female to just be friends with no strings attached? Can two people just be friends without being romantically involved? Is the 'friends zone' practical in our Zimbabwean society? These questions have constantly been the subject of debate in different societies today. The answer to this no one knows, but there are definitely some pointers that people should be wary of in such types of friendships. It is true that opposite sex friendships stand on shaky ground half the time but the evidence that men and women can never be just friends is too overwhelming.
Can it be more than the ... ...’Friends zone'? Briee Meza
In the movie "When Harry met Sally", actor Billy Crystal said that men and women cannot be friends because the sexual attraction part always gets in the way. It is not just about the movies but various international studies that have been carried out show that opposite sex friendships account for 15% of affairs in married couples. If men are from Mars and women are from Venus, it may help to explain why men and women can never be friends. A friend of mine told me that all the blame should be put on any red-blooded, heterosexual man and woman. Point to the jealous that plagues any rational person when a significant other befriends someone of the opposite sex. But can we take this juvenile line of thinking associated with teenagers and say truly a man and a woman can never be just friends? Wrong, the belief that men and women can never be friends comes from another era in which women were at home and men were in the workplaces and the only way they could get together was for romance. However society has changed and the paradigm shift has now seen the two sexes working together, sharing interests and continued to pg8
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Demystifying Valentines Day STAFF REPORTER f you are in love with your partner , then everyday should be Valentines Day. Why choose a single day out of 365 to you're your love. Zimbabweans like other 'modern world' join the rest of the international community to celebrate the Valentine's Day every year on February 14. A survey done in Harare revealed that at least 90 percent of the lovers who celebrate this day know not the background of this day nor do they have any idea what they will be celebrating about or if the day bears any relevancy to Zimbabwe cultural situation. Some people who spoke to this publication, said they took Valentine's Day as a day set aside to celebrate love but were ignorant of its origins or meaning. “I know they are some out there who feel that Valentine's Day is not worthy celebrating. To me it is a special day for one and my only love. It is important to just sacrifice a single day for the whole year to show your loved one that you really care. I don't know the origin of the day, but to me it's a special day,” said Amos Moyo who works for a local city bank. Betty Sibanda who works at a Harare fast food outlet said people who say that the day is not worthy celebrating are old fashioned. “Those who say that the day is just a farce are not in touch with modern trends. Remember we are living in a global village so we must move with times. To me it's a very special day I show my love to my spouse, “said Sibanda. However some people who were interviewed called on Zimbabweans to abide by the culture and desist from perpetualizing everything that comes from western countries. “The problem with some of us is that we try by
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all means to glorify everything that is Western.There is no point to say I will give all my love on Valentine's Day….we need to show love to our spouses everyday of the year..why should we celebrate a day whose origins we don't know?Its high time we desist from following everything that is foreign….we must embrace our way of life which is purely African,” said David Mutema, a social commentator. Menard Ncube, a pastor with Living Blood Church in Harare said the bible calls on to show love daily. “Its folly for some people to say, at Valentine's Day, we celebrate love.The bible clearly state that you must love your neighbour regardless of what conditions.In the same way, we need to show love daily whether to your spouse, neighbours or colleagues.Some people pretend as if they love their spouses and shower them with love on this day.After the day has departed, they again return to their cheating ways.In short I am saying we need to love each other every day of our life,”said pastor Ncube. ORIGINS OF VALENTINE'S DAY: A PAGAN FESTIVAL IN FEBRUARY While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burialwhich probably occurred around A.D. 270others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
Hair there and everywhere: Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 4
The story of Grace Mugabe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
By Robert Mukondiwa he adage has been that beauty has to be skin deep; that it is in the eyes of the beholder, and most notably that those who posses it are not yet even born!Either way, as we live in the here and now, many things have been used as yardstick of defining beauty. Nails, facial features, waistline, the bust, posterior you name it. And now the issue of hair has once again come into the fray. With the advent of Brazilian hair to complement weave and other synthetic hairs, the African woman finds herself forking out hundreds of dollars, even thousands a year each, to acquire the hair and with it the Western standard of hair beauty. But can one not attain fully fledge beauty without having to purchase hair from the South Americans? Can African original hair not achieve that highest stage of aesthetic development that women in Africa can feel comfortable with? Zimbabwe's First Lady Grace Mugabe has done it. With her thick bound hairy caterpillars with a colour scheme blended betwixt oak, redwood, and ashen to ebony, she decided to go for the Afrocentric dreadlocks. Proudly African she is!
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The world and history are pregnant with revolutions. The fall of the Berlin Wall brought the Cold War crushing down, Hiroshima ended World War 2, and death of an Archduke sparked a war of the world. And when Grace Mugabe sauntered for the first time in public with her dreadlocks at the heart of the last decade she sparked a fashion revolution in her wake! The walls of prejudice around sporting dreadlocks exploded and were torn down never again to rise. The question is what is beauty amongst the feminine of African origin with regards hair. Grace had beauty in spite of not having weave or extensions and that did not diminish her in her 'dreadlock' years. The locks helped accentuate her features and looks. Running alongside her face, they helped draw attention to her face and how much of a thief she really is. Yes, that painting she stole from Picasso and used for a face; a true African beauty and amazingly graceful African looks. Natural African hair manipulated to compete on the global stage. Through them people caught attention of her more intricate features. A velvety smooth skin and rich creamy caramel undertones of a palate finished off in a godly craft that gives her the colour of wild honey. continued to pg10
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of Africa's 'weapons of mass destruction ....Masiyiwa and Dankote lead the fight
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he continent of Africa has for long possessed 'weapons of mass destruction' in the form of poverty, hunger, diseases and inflation. This was caused mainly by the political history and liberation struggles that left the economies facing challenges. However, despite the challenges that Africa has faced in every realm, there are several individuals who have stood out and went on to amass wealth through providing services that fight these 'weapons of mass destruction'. In this edition of Makosi Today, we picked out two astute businessmen who have tried by all means possible to help Africa through their business ventures that add value to their respective countries of birth and beyond. These two men are Aliko Dankote from Nigeria and Strive Masiyiwa from Zimbabwe. The two businessmen were born in the same era with Strive being welcomed to the beautiful land of Zimbabwe (then called
Rhodesia) in 1961 four years before the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by colonial master Ian Smith! Dangote was born four years earlier in the Kano State of Nigeria. As of January 2015, Dangote had an estimated net worth of $18.6 billion while Strive is at 1, 4 billion according to Forbes. Both businessmen have almost similar backgrounds although they decided to venture into different sectors . The common denominator in their business ventures is that they all champion the betterment of the ordinary African through employment creation and contribution to their respective countries of origin's Gross Domestic Product. Both businessmen did not come from poor backgrounds and yet they did not act like spoilt brats who waited for 'daddy's money' and floss it in the clubs like most of today's youths who flaunts their parents' hard earned money! Strive 's father was a miner in Zambia where he had gone in search of greener pastures. His mother was an entrepreneur with interests in retail sales, small-scale farming, and transportation. At the age of 12, Strive migrated to the United Kingdom where he went to a private school before studiying towards a degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the University of Wales in 1983(Cum Laude). Patriotic as he was ,he did not forget his roots. He flew back to the country in 1984 to invest the knowledge he had gained abroad and try and advance the country. That was much he could do for his country and he did not dare ask what the country could do for him. He worked for the Post Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Corporation (PTC)which is now Tel One. continued to pg12
Shoes craze
goes
Why do women love shoes?
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viral
Diamonds are said to be women's best friends but this friendship is under threat from shoes!
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ver the years a larger constituent of women have developed a deep obsession with shoes such that they can part with whatever amount of money as long as they get that shoe they are longing for. A simple stroll at Sam Levy's Village in Borrowdale, Joina City n Harare, Nkulumane Complex or Bulawayo Centre you will see that there is at least three shoe boutiques and the pricing is 'scary'. Besides the high cost of women shoes, owners of shoe boutiques in Harare and Bulawayo are making a killing and smiling all the way to the bank. Popular upmarket boutique Jan Jam owner Cynthia Bizure Sithole owns more than 100 pairs of shoes and she failed to explain why. “I just love shoes and to tell you what, I have some shoes that I own but haven't even worn,” said Cynthia. If one goes to cocktail parties you will find a competition of who has the highest hills -its
Staff Reporter
like one chick is saying I'm climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and the next says I am on top of Mt Everest! Talk about spiked heels with exotic names like Louboutin- they have become objects of desire and chicks have gone shoe crazy in Z i m b a b w e a n d t h e w o r l d o v e r. According to psychologists there's some serious mood-boosting that goes on when one puts on new outfits and the same goes with shoes. “As you know even new clothes boost one's mood and shoes have the same effect. “"Shoes are a collector's items, whether women realize they perceive them that way or not. Its like a stamp collector , it gives you some special feeling," said Vimbai Zvirikuzhe a social sciences student at the Midlands S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y . “As a result, collecting each type of shoe continued to pg20
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Africa's 'weapons of mass destruction ....Masiyiwa and Dankote lead the fight In 1998 , his founded his telecommunications company Econet and won a licence to operate cell phone services in the country and he has never looked back. He owes his success to God and urged fellow Africans not to remain “baby Christians” “The licence came when I was a baby C h r i s t i a n . “You must not be a baby Christian all your life. “Sadly, some people remain baby Christians,” he was quoted as saying in a
through a facility managed by the African Development Bank, to boost efforts to equip, train and deploy African health workers to fight the epidemic. Through the Capernum Trust , his wife Tsitsi has managed to pay tuition fees for Zimbabwean disadvantaged students on scholarships. There were speculative reports last year when coincidentally a previously pot hole riddle road that passes through his in laws' house in Hillside was repaired in record time. Interestingly, this came as good news for
recorded testimony to a packed congregation in South Africa. In his attempt to fight the 'weapons of mass destruction' in Africa, Strive funds one of the largest orphan care programs in Africa, run by Capernaum Trust. Established in 1999, initially as the social investment arm of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the Trust is currently responsible for over 40,000 orphans across Africa. Last year when the ugly hand of the deadly Ebola disease descended its mass destruction on Africa, Strive along with Dangote , Patrice Motsepe and other wealthy African business leaders mobilised resources to fight the epidemic. They agreed to establish a fund under the auspices of the African Union Foundation
people who like outdoor braiis as the road leads to the popular Harare barbeque spot popularly known as Kuhuku!! Dangote Africa's top donor Like Strive, Dangote is also a soldier in the same struggle to champion the growth of Africa's economy and assist the underprivileged thus earning him the nickname 'Top Donor' in some circles. How did he earn his wealth? Well , like Strive he was not born in a poor family so his is not a typical from rags to riches story. The only difference is he isa master of value addition and he used the resources at his disposal to catapult himself to be one of the wealthiest man in Africa and in the world. According to reports in renowned Nigerian publications, Dangote had an entreprenual continued to pg12
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Can it be more than the ...
...’friends zone'? ...Contnd
socializing together. This cultural shift has helped people to see that though it may be tricky; men and women can successfully be close friends. What is more interesting is that there are more good reasons for the two parties to do so. In our African culture, our societies have long pointed out that the only relations that are approved between opposite sexes are romantic ones because they are productive and people have babies to continue the life cycle. True, but absurd! Part of this confusion over the relationships stems from the way the media portrays these relationships. In "When Harry met Sally" what the movie successfully did was to convince a whole group of moviegoers that sex always comes between friends. But that is not the only movie, almost every time you see a male-female friendship; it winds up in a whirl-wind romance. Take our local drama Studio 263, Vimbai Jari was befriended by Tom Mbambo and where did it end? Talk about The Bold and The Beautiful's Taylor and Chip, on Generations Sharon and Samuel. The list is endless. These cultural images are hard to overcome and this is why society looks at any relation between opposite sexes to lead to romance. A popular saying that says everything under the sun is marked and approved by society caught my attention as I was going through an interesting novel just the other day and I realized, if these beliefs had been cultivated by the media into society then the situation could be reversed.
So if one is truly to assess all the evidence and ask again if men and women can be friends, the answer would be absolutely! Men and women can be friends, it depends on the different stages the individuals are in their lives or the practicalities involved such as marriage and living too far apart. Often when men and women are friends, they have already diffused the sexual energies that they used to generate and they often find themselves at ease with each other. Sometimes some people would have worked closely together, or met through families, or have simply known each other since their childhood. Whatever the circumstances, the familiarity makes them feel like brother and sister. They can be themselves with each other. Should you however find yourself in an exclusive relationship, and you do not want to introduce your new friend to your mate, you have to ask yourself, "Is this just friendship?" or is he or she a friend with possibilities? Attraction and compatibility are the building blocks for close relationships, so the bridge from friendship to romance is already built. The big question is when, if ever, it will be crossed. The bottom line is that men and women can be friends, but the bridge to romance and the possibility of crossing it always exists. ///END.
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At home with Prophet Passion ‌..champion of Zim religious tourism Tawanda Kasuso
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e is tall, slim, young and charismatic. He is an enigma who has hosted world renowned preachers like Bishop Noel Jones, shared the pulpit with Benny Hinn and has had private audiences with parliamentarians and Hollywood superstars. Yet with such a decorated 'career' , twenty something year old Prophet Passion Java remains humble and simple. Although he prefers a low profile lifestyle- far from media scrutiny- Makosi Today news crew managed to convince him to chat off the pulpit. As the news crew walked into his Borrowdale Brook mansion- the number 1 address in the capital city- we were greeted by his lovely wife Jasmine. She can easily pass off for a supermodel and she led us to the lounge overlooking a blooming garden of roses where her feminine touch was evident. The tranquility at his residence truly befits a 'man of God'.
Prophet Passion is the founder of Kingdom Embassy Ministries with branches in Harare, South Africa and Dallas, Texas. As we spoke to the couple over a cup of hot coffee, his wife Jasmine was busy packing her husband's luggage as he was supposed to fly out to the United States on the next morning. The couple introduced the news crew to their three year old son who is bubbly with energy and has his father's captivating smile. So what do they do when not in front of the pulpit? "Well, my day is predictable I wake in the morning and pray for a brighter day. "I take a jog to keep fit as you know your body is the temple of God. "I read my emails and then assist my wife with her studies "I then call my business associates as we deliberate on the performance of our enterprises and explore new ideas and possible ventures. "I then prepare for my lunch time sermon,' narrated Prophet Passion. continued to pg12
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Now if Grace Mugabe, with the ability and financial capability to get any sort of extensions from any part of the world decided to go natural and can be described in much the same way as Peter Starstedt can describe his beauties in the Caucasian woman, then why has Africa decided to pay for the hair of unknowns in the name of enhancing their beauty? And Africa has been paying through the nose amidst revelations that Africa consumes at least $US1 billion per year purchasing artificial and human hair to stitch on and look like the Western stereotypical beauty. And this is just South Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon. Either way, the first lady of Zimbabwe has since cut off her locks and is now sporting short natural hair, but still the hair, ethnic, original, manicured crop of hair still brings out her looks. Tawanda Nyamungoma who claims to have been one of Grace Mugabe's hair stylists said Grace liked the natural dreadlocks and he was one of the best in styling them. “I have a whole list of celebrities and high profile citizens that I style among them the First Lady (Grace Mugabe). “My specialty is dreadlocks and the First Ladt liked the way I style,� said Tawanda better known as Tee One then. Unfortunately Tee One passed on (MHSRIP). Whether 'haired' or 'unhaired', one person has still managed to show that hair-assisted beauty can still be attained and captured without the discarded hair from extras on Telemundo. But with influential people like Beyonce The main 'sources' of the hair are Brazil, Peru and India, although the general name given is 'Brazilian' hair. Even in the West amongst the proud women of African origin, the dreadlocks sported by Tracy Chapman help enhance and expose her palate; a skin like black coffee with a little bit of cream and sweet brown sugar, while her
juicy full dusk-red lips take centre stage- the lead role. Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, living and dead epitomes of Western beauty would all have nothing on the African origin beauty complete with African hair. And yet the fad of importing Brazilian hair isn't in the South of Africa alone. Nigeria has been plagued by the import of hair as well. That wavy, exotic, if not curious smelling imported hair has also landed on her shores. Yet while many part with a fortune to buy hair alien to Africa's shores, there are some with a pure undying love for all things original African. Take Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for example , she is one of Nigeria's finest writers and she has travelled all over the world. She has a love for her natural African look. Her hair, her face, her lines. And with that natural hair she is the epitome of African proud beauty. Divinity in motion much like the motions of her pen on paper as she writes in her work as an assertive strong and influential African author. The Remy hair has not been associated with her. But with her natural hair on her head, she has proved that the head does not carry water but brains. She has so many achievements including contributing into Beyonce's song Flawless in 2013. The song went on to be nominated for a Grammy. Chimamanda has shared her experiences of being an African feminist, and her views on gender construction and sexuality. Coincidentally, many people who do buy the hair have one concern. They don't ask whether it is safe. Whether it is healthy. Whether wearing someone's hair (potentially dead) may bring bad luck in an extremely superstitious world. Rather, they ask if it will not fall off during sex! And that's according to hairpiece and wig salespeople in countries surveyed. It's a story of beauty and the beastly; difference that's a hair's breadth!!
Hair there and everywhere:
WHEN BLOODLESS CIRCUMCISION CAME TO ZIMBABWE.
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Tsungayi Hatitye
I wanted it so bad I could have flown to Rwanda if I had gotten the money.
I blame it on Ochola
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blame it all on my friend Ochola from Ibadan, Nigeria who laughed at my hooded manhood when he bumped into me at the ablution at our favourite Harare drinking spot after a hard day of hustling at his electronics shop at Harare’s market square shopping complex. ‘Why do you Zimbabwean men like to keep it like that?’ He laughed, ‘It’s unhygienic especially in this hot weather. Where I come from they remove it while you are still a baby.” I tried to pretend I wasn’t hurt by his comments and replied, ‘Because it’s mine Igwe and I am neither Nigerian nor a baby. Don’t forget you came here to sell stuff from Dubai not to teach me your culture. ’ But in my heart of hearts I knew I have always wanted to circumcised because of its much touted benefits but the possibility of walking around with a bandage on my penis and dipping it in saltwater for six weeks has always terrified me; so when I opened a newspaper and saw a story about an Israeli company experimenting with non-surgical, which to me meant bloodless circumcision I was seduced and started researching it and discovered clinical trials were going on in Rwanda but could not find much information about it on the net.
Then about a month later in April 2011 I saw a newspaper advert to the effect that clinical trials for non-surgical circumcision were being conducted at Harare Central Hospital’s Spilhaus family planning and male circumcision centre and immediately found my feet carrying me there on the 20th of the same month. I never thought I would find so many women working in a male circumcision clinic and looking like they were enjoying it and that did not put me off because fact is I would rather have a female more than a man touch my penis. The scariest part of the deal was that I would have to go through a New Start clinic for a rapid HIV test. It was 32 years since the day I was born and I had never had one till that day. Before the test, I went through what they call ‘counseling’- in my opinion I do not dare call counseling a process whereby a beautiful stranger whose qualification for doing the job you do not know asks you a string of questions among which are; do you masturbate? How often do you have sex? Have you ever paid for sex? My friends consider me a nutcase, but I am not willing to share with you here how I answered those questions, all I can certainly say is that I left the two young ladies who were interviewing me with tears of laughter in their eyes. What I’m happy to tell you is that when the HIV test results came less than 20 minutes later they were good news. Before the ‘counseling’ I sat in a class with at least 20 other individuals including minors accompanied by their mothers to learn about the benefits of losing your foreskin to the hands of a trained person(no one reminded the ignorant that Harare Central was a teaching hospital and that procedures could end up being done by supervised trainees.) The class informed us on the choice between continued to pg17
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 12 On his spare time he likes to go out for fishing. "I like fishing a lot and I make sure that every weekend if I am not going to the Prayer Mountain I go to the dam within the Borrowdale Brook to fish. "I am not only a fisher of men , but I also love white meat (fish) its healthy," said Prophet Passion with a giggle. During the conversation, Jasmine would constantly come and put her h a n d s a r o u n d t h e yo u t h fu l preacher's shoulders. But how did he meet this 'angel'. "Well it's a long story but I would say God gave me the eyes to see .I know beauty when I see it and my wife is an embodiment of beauty, she is a gift from God. 'She has been supportive and understanding ever since we started the ministry. continued to pg16
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page of 3 Africa's 'weapons mass destruction ....Masiyiwa and Dankote lead the fight
flair ever since childhood though he grew up ina wealthy family. During his primary school days , he is said to have been a 'hustler' buying cartons of sweets and sell them just to make extra money. At a university, he studied business in Cairo Egypt. After varsity, he was loyal to his roots and he returned home and borrowed 500 000Naira from his uncle at the age of 21. That was the beginning of a new journey that has seen him form the Dangote Group that was first established as a small trading firm in 1977. Today, it is a multi billion dollar conglomerate with its operations dotted across West Africa. His main cash cow is in sugar refinery although he has enlarged his line of businesses to also cover food processing, cement manufacturing, and freight. Despite all the wealth , Dangote is regarded Africa's biggest philanthropist. He doesn't take care of Nigeria only but assists the needy across Africa. “Africans must begin to take responsibilities by shaping the condition of its people. “We already have a foundation which will do all these things, but I am trying to see what we can do to encourage, not only Nigerians, but other A f r i c a n s . ” “I am not going to give all my money to charity, but I am going to try my best and give part of that money to charity. I am working hard on it,” he was quoted as saying. During the Ebola crisis last year, through the Dangote Foundation he committed almost a million greenbacks towards the fight against Ebola. If Africa could breed more Dangotes and Strives we can compete with the fast rising economies like China. There is a need for change in mindset. However, some would argue that we wouldn't know how Strive would have pulled through say he had borne his idea fast forward twenty years after the 'Black Day' in Zimbabwe when the economu took a downturn. There are certainlty many Strives and great thinkers in our streets but the environment is not enabling. It has become more of a rent seeking economy where some millionaires do not even have registered companies. We pray for the successful implementation of the new economic blue print Zim Asset. In the here and now, Strive and Dangote lead as others follow ( we wish more Africans follow suit)!
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Health is Wealth
Tips to healthy life By Editor
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iving a healthy lifestyle can be very difficult, what makes it a lot easier is to be around people who have the same fitness ambitions as you so that you can support each other. This article is to help you find and connect with some #fitfriends. Let Your Friends know your goals Let your friends and family know of your goals and see if any one of them are willing to support you by joining you for a weekly workout! You will never know until you ask. Social Media as a training partner Use social media to connect with fit friends! My instagram handle is @officialmakosi, my fitness journey is well documented there it might inspire you! I have a couple of friends I chat with on whatsapp about our workouts and diet plans! Having someone to be accountable to really works! Watch Your diet Outside family and friends, let people at work know so they don't offer you fast food, chocolate or frozen food! Until next time, remember one apple a day keeps the doctor away Makosi
Zimb ab we w inn ' s Gr a e r Br ian S m ho ko my Awar sets t d he pa ce Tawanda Kasuso hen God leads nothing is impossible and such is the story of Zimbabwean born producer Brian Soko who carved history by becoming the first Zimbabwean to win a gong at the prestigious Grammy award held in Los Angeles this month. Soko won a Grammy for co-producing American diva Beyonce's hit song Drunk In Love. Zimbabwe has produced so many big musicians like Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi and Stella Chiweswhe , but Soko has proved against all odds that the sky is the limit. He has set the pace and trend for local music. Although little is known about what Soko was up to during his stay in the country, impeccable sources revealed that he always had a passion for music. What is confirmed about Soko (at least for now!) is that he was born and bred in
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Zim babwe where his father works as a banker. He later took the great trek to South Africa where his parents sought greener pastures. 'They moved to South Africa where his parents and older brother Prince stayed briefly,� revealed a source who claimed to be privy to Soko's history but decided to keep the information under the lid (at least for now!). After a short stay in South Africa, Soko went under his brother Prince's tutelage after the family's relocation to the United States. This is where he nurtured his art of hip hop. I digress. No doubt Zimbos listened to hip-hop ever since the days of Run DMC. The genre was popularised by the late Chiwoniso Maraire who teamed up with Metaphysics (now based in Germany) and Tony Chihota nd formed an outfit called a Piece of Ebony. That was the first hip hop group in the country and since then hip hop grew in leaps and bounds. Later on we have had the likes of Munya Maraire doing it big in the cut throat American hip hop industry. And now back to Soko. Fast forward two decades later after the ground had been set by a Piece of Ebony, Soko has proved that Zim music can penetrate the world. After studying sound engineering at a college in Florida, Soko met up with some
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From musician to businesswoman The story of Southern Africa’s best female musician
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ost African musicians have made fortune and fame, travelled to Europe with all the glitz and glamour but they have died paupers. So many sad tales of such musicians have been told with the Brenda Fassie being one of the most notable example. At her peak, Fassie was one of Africa’s finest divas anra at the awards ceremony that was held in Lagd she was equally wealthy but when she passed on her major investment was on drugs.
city, Cindy’s corner caters for the high end market and most of the outfits were designed by Cindy. She never went to design school, it is in her blood she said. “My first passion was fashion and design when I was growing up and music was secondary.
That drugs killed Fassie is an open secret.
“I would design clothes and style my friends until one day in 2005 my friend Lorraine Dunduru pressured me to record a song.
That is history and the new crop of African artistes seem to have taken note of the failures of their predecessors and they cannot let history repeat itself.
“I was surprised that people like my voice and that’s how I started music,” retraced Cindy who is known for her hits Nerudo, Parere Moyo among others.
Zimbabwean soul musician Cindy Mufaro Munyavi, who is basking in the glory of winning the prestigious AFRIMMA award for the best female musician ion Southern Africa has vowed to rewrite history against all odds.
A transition from music to start a fashion business was not a Herculean task for Cindy since the two arts intertwine. “Music and fashion go hand in glove.
She managed to pip victory outclassing South Africa’s Zahara and Lira at an awards ceremony that was held in Lagos, Nigeria.
“I would design and style stuff for myself for live shows and did that to my friends as well,” she narrated.
Cindy made a massive transformation from being a mere musician to a successful entrepreneur.
Getting the start up capital to set up a business in an inflationary environment was a major task for Cindy.
She owns a thriving clothing boutique called Cindy’s corner.
She couldn’t get easy access to loans because the banks wanted collateral and then she had an 8-5 job staying with her parents in the low density suburb of Waterfalls where she grew
Located in the heart of Zimbabwe’s capital
continued to pg21
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 16
"You know I travel a lot but she understands," said Prophet Passion. As he takes us to his library which is filled with motivational books and Christian material, a car hoots at the gate and a young man in his mid twenties gets in driving a blue Jaguar "That is my cousin and that car is one among my fleet of cars. "I like fast and comfortable cars," explained Prophet Passion. When asked to explain about his source of wealth and how he manages to live in such a plush neighbourhood and own such a fleet of luxurious cars he was initially evasive. Was it not in contradiction with Mark 10:23 which says: "How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! Prophet Passion laughed. "Please read the Bible well. Note the word 'hard'. "Wealth is not evil by itself. Some of the greatest saints in the bible were wealthy. "Jesus did not say it is impossible to enter heaven, but that it is hard simply because if you can't handle, money gives most people a false sense of comfort and protection. God is the owner of "our" wealth. We are merely stewards. He gives it to us to meet our needs and many of our wants. He expects us to share it with others and with Him! We can thank the Lord for His goodness. "I have other enterprises that I run and I pray so hard that they flourish," replied Prophet Passion as he displayed serious gestures to stress his point.
puts a different face and speaks with a passion. Prophet Passion owns a television channel K-TV which beams across the world. The channel is available on the free to air frequency.(KTV IntelSat 20, frequency 12.722, position 68.5, symbol rate 26.657) Chronicling his history in church, he said he grew up in a Christian family in Chitungwiza where he attended Tabernacles of Grace founded by his brother Apostle Java. In 2010, he started interdenominational services at the Aquatic Complex where thousands of people flocked. He then moved to Cape Town, South Africa where he also grabbed headlines for his ability to tell a stranger's identity number. He then earned the nickname 'ID Prophet' and when he returned to Zimbabwe in 2012, he continued with same miracles and started Kingdom Embassy. He opened a branch along Samora Machel Avenue where he held lunchtime services that were always filled to capacity. Since then, the church has generated a large following. He recently opened a new branch in Dallas , Texas in the United States with the assistance of Bishop Noel Jones. With his 'chariot of fire' , he has toured United States, Jamaica, South Africa, Mozambique as guest preacher at major conferences. In June, he will host a crusade with popular televangelist Pastor Benny Hinn in South Africa. He is also planning to tour Nigeria.
When it comes to issues to do with the Bible, he
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 17
WHEN BLOODLESS CIRCUMCISION CAME TO ZIMBABWE.
traditional type of circumcision – which was thoroughly explained by a middle aged woman whose professional credentials no one bothered to ask or explain – and the clinical trial non-surgical circumcision which we were duly informed is not suitable for all types of penises, therefore we would have to be assessed for suitability. Traditional type of circumcision – which was thoroughly explained by a middle aged woman whose professional credentials no one bothered to ask or explain – and the clinical trial nonsurgical circumcision which we were duly informed is not suitable for all types of penises, therefore we would have to be assessed for suitability. After the class and counseling, it was time to begin the process. I walked into a room - where there were three young gentlemen one young woman and their middle aged lady trainer, all in civilian clothes (perhaps for the purpose of removing an institutionalized feel and adding modern cool to the clinic.) but frankly, I would rather have people in traditional hospital-wear and epaulets for the simple reason that they let you know whether you are dealing with a doctor , nurse or trainee – I was told to shut the door and drop my trousers to the knee, hold my penis out, pull the foreskin back, turn it around. I did as requested. ‘Super, ‘said the senior lady. ‘You’re suitable’. The door was immediately opened and I was taken over by a dignified lady in floral blouse, she was careful to introduce herself by her married title before asking me to follow her to private rooms where it was fully and clearly explained to me that what I was going to go through were clinical trials that were preceded by others in Rwanda and that I was free to withdraw if I felt like and would be paid U.S $6 per scheduled visit starting now of which there would be thirteen scheduled visits over 90 days. I am asked a series of research questions including level of education and how often I have sex and if I enjoy it. Next, I found myself sitting in a waiting room with males of all ages; pre-teen boys
accompanied by their mothers or fathers; all waiting for their turns to lose their foreskins. I heard the agonized screams of a pre-teen males emanating out of the procedure room. They were certainly going through the traditional circumcision because the nonsurgical clinical trials are open only to over 18’s. I wiled up time by imagining the psychological effect the screams have on other little boys waiting for their turn. 18’s. I wiled up time by imagining the psychological effect the screams have on other little boys waiting for their turn. As I waited out my turn, I read the brochure cum consent form that I have already signed.’ Am I mad or what?’ I asked myself. ‘Or am I an adventurer of sorts. This is a clinical trial damn it; and I have already consented to having a camera and video recording of the procedure. Damn! Am I a fool, exhibitionist or what? Now I’m just one step away from becoming a porn star.’ I laughed at myself. I knew these were just nerves. My subconscious was looking for an excuse to back out. After an anxious wait, four gentlemen wearing t-shirts, three of them with baseball caps carrying the logos of over half a dozen non-governmental organizations passed through the waiting room. They were jovial and seemed to be returning from lunch or other happy occasion. There was an air of competency about them. Three of them greet us in one of the Bantu languages not too dissimilar Swahili. Something told me they were the Rwandans who had come to share their experience with their local counterparts. Three adults including myself who wanted to go through the PrePex™ non-surgical circumcision were immediately called into the procedure room. I found myself sitting on a bed surrounded by curtains, there were three gentlemen and one lady not much older than me. There was none of the traditional white dresses or overcoats, everyone was dressed as if they could just as well be going out for afternoon golf. Again I guessed the idea was to make the clinic atmosphere young continued to pg19
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 18
Zimbabwe's Grammy Award winner Brian Shoko sets the pace
bro thers who shared the same passion. With their common denominator being purely the love for music, the four formed an outfit they coined 'The Order'. They were like soldiers in a war to conquer the world through music. 'The Order' was made up of four brothers in the same struggle and the Grammy victory proved that they are conquerors. Besides the Grammy award, Soko articulated on his Twitter that they have since produced music for Lil Wayne from Cash Money Records, Drake, Future and Rich Gang. To date, Soko and his team have won three Billboard music awards - Most Performed Song 2014 R&B/Hip-Hop Award Song for Lil Wayne's No Worries, Billboard No 1 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song for BeyoncĂŠ's Drunk In Love and Billboard No 1 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay for BeyoncĂŠ's Drunk In Love. Soko is also ploughing back the rich experience he has gotten in the United States back home. Sometime last year he flew back to South Africa where worked with rapper Cassper Nyovest. (Nyovest is expected to perform in Zimbabwe on theday we launch this edition). Soko is the one who produced Nyovest's hit song Phumakin. The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe must surely hold an event to celebrate such a mega success. This is not Soko's victory, this is victory fopr the nation and a wake up call for the government to invest more in the arts. Had Soko stayed in the country, he wouldn't have fully explored his creative capabilities. There as so many Sokos in the high density areas of Mbare, Mufakose, Glen-Norah and so on. Africa has talent ..look at Nigeria's PSquare, Davido and the heights they have reached!!!
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 22
WHEN BLOODLESS CIRCUMCISION CAME TO ZIMBABWE.
upwardly mobile and relaxed but it only made me feel like I was involved in donor games . Standing on a stool towering over me was a camera wielding young man. I am asked in a mixture of Swahili and English by a jovial Rwandese gentleman to drop my trousers and underwear to the knees. A tall slim brown haired white woman in brown slacks is dashing from cubicle to cubicle to monitor three or four PrePex™ device installation procedures at the same time. The local lady among the procedures at the same time. The local lady among the gentlemen introduces herself as Rejoice and tells me she is going to do my procedure. I lie back on the bed and her gloved hand takes my penis, which she cleans with what she tells me is red Betadine solution.The cameraman is clicking away. The Rwandese gent is advising the lady doing the procedure every step of the way. This is the price you pay for having procedures done in teaching hospitals. Penile measurements are taken. Rejoice marks my circumcision line with a marker. She is advised by the Rwandese on the appropriate size of PrePex™system. In simple terms, the procedure involves taking a solid plastic rim with a groove and inserting it inside the foreskin around the head of the penis and then an elastic rubber ring is fitted around it on the outside in such a way it squeezes the foreskin falling within its diameter tightly into the groove of the rim inside the foreskin. For easy visualisation, think of a car wheel and how the tyre and tube fit around the rim. The pressure of the rubber ring against the foreskin squeezed between it and the rim cuts of the blood supply to the foreskin that closes off the head of the penis therefore necrotising it in such a way that after 7 days it is expected to have dried off. Rejoice has delicate hands, I like how she goes about the procedure, reassuring me and telling me what she is doing and why she is doing it every step of the way. I cannot say the process is entirely painless, I feel a pinched every now and then as she goes through the four stages of fitting
the rubber ring on the outside to squeeze the foreskin into the rim. But the pain is bearable, anesthetic would not be justified. The day 1 procedure is completed. I am given a small pack of Paracetamol tablets in case I might later need them and advised to come back in two days for review. I am also given a card with a list of doctors’ numbers to call in case of emergency. I am advised to try by all means not to get erections as they will cause pain. I use public transport and get home without any discomfort . But this and the next night the pain levels are high and I have to use the Paracetamol. But the pain is not so extreme that I have to use the doctors, numbers I was given. It is good that I have not gone through life expecting clinic visits to cause no pain. I tell them this at the day 2 review which basically just consisted of dropping my trousers to the knees in front of another young lady different from the one who did the initial procedure. pain. I use public transport and get home without any discomfort . But this and the next night the pain levels are high and I have to use the Paracetamol. But the pain is not so extreme that I have to use the doctors, numbers I was given. It is good that I have not gone through life expecting clinic visits to cause no pain. I tell them this at the day 2 review which basically just consisted of dropping my trousers to the knees in front of another young lady different from the one who did the initial procedure. Its 27th April and its my day 7. This is the day when perhaps the most important part of the procedure will be performed. I arrive early, well before 8 a.m. so that I can pursue other interests later in the day. I am in the group of the first three to be called into the procedure room. We go into our separate cubicles. I am a whole lot disturbed that the removal procedure is going to be performed by another set of people different from those who performed the first. I had hoped for Rejoice because I had learnt to trust her gentleness.
continued to pg21
There is an authoritative matronly woman
Physical fitness H from Zimbabwe's Vitruvian man.
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 19
Lifestyle Reporter Health is Wealth! is name starts with a 'V' and ironically he is a mirror image of the Vitruvian man. The man that Leonardo Davinci drew to symbolise the ideal body of a strong man! Before he charmed the world with his touching lyrics and lyricism. Before he composed songs that broke the hymen on some of society's then uncomfortable talking points. Before he was a rising star in the art of music. He was one other thing- a bodybuilder with a passion. That is the other side of Victor Kunonga that is hardly explored. A side that lies beneath the African print shirt and chinos as he croons on stage. And Victor has advice on how to have a balanced life as a fitness freak that looks more 'fitness' than freak. Unbeknown to many, Victor is a marvel of modern day human engineering thanks to a strict diet and proportional discipline in weight lifting that has seen him strike a physical balance. “My intention was to pursue the sport and discipline of my choice and tone myself in a level way. I have always wanted to look good and fit. Body building has always been a passion of mine,” says Victor. What he has effectively done is the reconstruction and reconfiguring of every tricep and bicep in his body to mould a physical Alpha male to the highest point consistent with the art of body building. He created a toned balance that is neither short of tone nor over the top in muscular build. In fact, he has made himself Zimbabwe's own equivalent of the Leonardo Davinci famed Vetruvian man, perfect too symmetry. “It's a discipline. Something I have always loved from my youth as a student at Northlea High School in Bulawayo,” the soft spoken Victor confesses after a rigorous concert after
continued to pg24
...Victor Kunonga proves to be more than just a musical man
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 20 provides a mini-adrenaline rush similar to the satisfaction of a sculptor or artist when het creates a unique piece,” she added. Some specialists suggested that shoes also offer some 'sexual heeling'. “High heels can raise sex appeal and confidence to the person wearing them. “When you are in high heels the butt lifts, and the back arches and women know men find this sexy. “To some women high heels are a symbol of power that's why you see most female business executives always don high heels at
board meetings. Shoes have turned out to be not just mere accessories but the keys to women's confidence. Power women who have been spotted wearing high heels at social events include NICOZ chief executive Grace Muradzikwa, Traverze Travel and Tours CEO Zodwa Mtunzi, radio presenter Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa who is believed to own more than 100 pairs of shoes and so on . Guys must discard the myth that if you buy a woman shoes, she will 'walk' out of your life. Buy them shoes and they will never walk away.
Why do women love shoes? who is barking orders at a nervous 20 something probably single woman who is chosen to do my procedure. I wish I could choose my circumcisionist. Some are involved in loud conversations unrelated to the business going on. One trainee is speaking about his hangover. The matronly woman orders the nervous young woman who does not introduce herself to begin the procedure. All I know is that I feel sharp pain as the rubber ring is removed using a scalpel. The pain is too much. I cannot bear to look at what is going on as I did in the insertion procedure. I frown and cannot suppress my groans. There are also groans emanating from adjoining partitions. As I groan the staff members milling around the room peep over each other’s shoulders to see what’s going on. The tall brunette dashes in takes a look. Tells the young woman to stop; dashes off to look at the next cubicle. The matronly woman gives a few instructions about finger movements to the young woman and orders her to continue; warns her that doctor Gwatidzo and company will fail her if she does not improve. I scream that I feel extremely pinched. After hesitation and questions about
WHEN BLOODLESS CIRCUMCISION CAME TO ZIMBABWE. conflicting instructions from two different superiors she continues after being firmly told by the matronly woman to continue as she also has authority. She continues whatever she is doing that I cannot bear to look at, I am in serious pain. She mumbles words which I guess to be attempted reassurance. She receives more instructions. After about 5 minutes, my penis is dressed in gauze, now I can bear to look. The pain has slightly subsided. I am relieved to be told to get up and dress as the procedure is now over. I am given a 10 pack of Paracetamol. I immediately chew 2 as I do not have the time to look for water. I am told to come for a review in two days’ time. I remind my informer that it will be a Sunday. Come on Monday then is the reply. A middle aged father who has come for his day 35 review and has brought his 11 year old son for company reassures me that all the pain would be gone within one hour and it turned out to be true. But then as I walked out of the room the matron came running after me and told me that I would have to go without sex for the next three months. I blamed it all on my good friend Ochola.
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 21
From musician to businesswoman The story of Southern Africa’s best female musician
up. However wherever there is a will there is a way. “I had hard times accessing capital to start my business but I kept saving the money I got from live shows and corporate shows paid better.
related ventures. Music will remain the pillar of her life as it feeds into her fashion business- there is a symbiotic relationship between her music and fashion business.
“I delayed opening the shop because the capital was not enough in my standards.
“There is no business like showbizzness, you need passion to drive you in this business and with perseverance you can easily make it,” said Cindy.
“I later realized that how long would I wait and I used the little I had saved to start the business,” recalled Cindy.
“Cindy’s corner must be able to be stylists for the next Miss Zimbabwe ,”saidCindy with a giggle as we signed off the interview.
One year down the line her business is thriving and she is getting clients from as far as Nigeria and United Kingdom through her marketing strategy on social media. “My manager Elton Bryce and the Bryce Nation crew organized shows for me in West Africa and in our region and many people would admire my outfits and made enquiries,” explained the 29 year old diva.
“I was surprised that people like my voice and that’s how I started music,” retraced Cindy who is known for her hits Nerudo, Parere Moyo among others. A transition from music to start a fashion business was not a Herculean task for Cindy since the two arts intertwine. “Music and fashion go hand in glove.
She also sells ‘thro backs’ in refrence to clothes she might have worn once off at a show and these have been big sales. Cindy has a squeaky clean image and is the ideal poster girl of Zimbabwean music fashion and music and her victory in Lagos at the Afrrima was a victory for the country. Cindy urged other musicians to have fall back plans in case their music careers suffers premature deaths. She says the Afrimma victory will help her breakthrough the continental market and at the same time spread wings of her business. She waxed lyrical at Nigerian music consumers as to how they treasure their own “When I went for the Afrimma awards I stayed in Nigera for a couple of days and the music lovers there put their local artistes first. “Even the musicians I spoke to said they are not the best neither do they agree to be second best to Western music. “That is the key to their success, they support their own,” reasoned Cindy. Cindy said 2015 she was aiming at expanding her business and venture into other fashion
“I would design and style stuff for myself for live shows and did that to my friends as well,” she narrated. Getting the start up capital to set up a business in an inflationary environment was a major task for Cindy. She couldn’t get easy access to loans because the banks wanted collateral and then she had an 8-5 job staying with her parents in the low density suburb of Waterfalls where she grew up. However wherever there is a will there is a way. “I had hard times accessing capital to start my business but I kept saving the money I got from live shows and corporate shows paid better. “I delayed opening the shop because the capital was not enough in my standards. “I later realized that how long would I wait and I used the little I had saved to start the business,” recalled Cindy. One year down the line her business is thriving and she is getting clients from as far continued to pg23
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 23
From musician to businesswoman The story of Southern Africa’s best female musician
as Nigeria and United Kingdom through her marketing strategy on social media. marketing strategy on social media. “My manager Elton Bryce and the Bryce Nation crew organized shows for me in West Africa and in our region and many people would admire my outfits and made enquiries,” explained the 29 year old diva. She also sells ‘thro backs’ in refrence to clothes she might have worn once off at a show and these have been big sales. Cindy has a squeaky clean image and is the ideal poster girl of Zimbabwean music fashion and music and her victory in Lagos at the Afrrima was a victory for the country. Cindy urged other musicians to have fall back plans in case their music careers suffers premature deaths. She says the Afrimma victory will help her breakthrough the continental market and at the same time spread wings of her business. She waxed lyrical at Nigerian music consumers as to how they treasure their own “When I went for the Afrimma awards I stayed in Nigera for a couple of days and the music lovers there put their local artistes first. “Even the musicians I spoke to said they are
not the best neither do they agree to be second best to Western music. “That is the key to their success, they support their own,” reasoned Cindy. Cindy said 2015 she was aiming at expanding her business and venture into other fashion related ventures. Music will remain the pillar of her life as it feeds into her fashion businessthere is a symbiotic relationship between her music and fashion business. “There is no business like showbizzness, you need passion to drive you in this business and with perseverance you can easily make it,” said Cindy. “Cindy’s corner must be able to be stylists for the next Miss Zimbabwe ,”saidCindy with a
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 24
Physical fitness from Zimbabwe's Vitruvian man. which he barely shows fatigue. Even as a primary school student Victor says the interest had grown while he was at Hugh Beadle Primary in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city. To him less is ore and he doesn't want to become a Frankenstein with disproportionate large muscle without proportional even tone. “Proportionality is key,” says Victor. And if art were deity, then Victor would be an Olympic type well built god of music. The discipline of music-making permeating into his interest in health and fitness all rolled up into a tortilla of his balanced conduct and calm demeanour. Talking about fitness with Victor is an Odyssey into rounded health. His physical obsession, albeit well camaoflouged, transcends into mental wellbeing. And stability which aids him as an artiste, a creator, a musician. And it all gets interesting. Victor reckons we all need to hit the gym for that dose of mental wellbeing and to strike a balance that would make us more competitive and more productive. “Just lifting iron regularly a day. Taking a jog, a couple of sit up and press up and deep breathing routines and you have no idea how much fresher you will feel. You don't have to even overdo it. It's all down to discipline and knowing what you body requires. If you listen to your body with a disciplined ear you will hear it tell you when you have exercised enough. Everything is good in moderation,” advises Victor. “You will find yourself a calm being able to make level headed decisions,” he says. And indeed he has a calming effect to those he talks to. As calm as sipping mint and water on a sweltering summer's day.
“Don't overindulge. Some compete and have a large build but maintaining the body demands discipline and long hours in the gym. The best is to commit just enough time to tone your body and appreciate the work of art the human body can become,” he says. Those who like to adhere to the 'go big or go home' saying can do so, Victor agrees. It's their prerogative. But for the everyday man (and indeed woman), pumping iron modestly is the best advice he gives. There is need to be burn those calories! And with others ending up looking disproportionate making the hunchback of Notre Dame look like an Adonis, the advice of moderation seems to be the best advice body toners can take from a man who has managed to maintain a proportional work of art under his shirt for several decades now. Victor Kunonga has become more than a musician and a body builder. He has become an architect that makes his body a sweating, living, breathing work of art; a human canvas that even Rembrandt56 would want to work on and run his paints, oils and brushes against. For the health conscious who want to pursue a body balanced lifestyle that breeds both health and beauty, Victor and his advice and routine provide a role model. And his advice is probably the bible of body building for the moderates!
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 25
Orange Day comes to Zim ……ray of hope to the end of Gender Based Violence in Africa
Staff Reporter The day February 24 saw a beam of light as the government and non-governmental organisations working towards women’s empowerment pledged their support for the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV), during the official launch of Orange Day, a campaign for the elimination of violence against women and girls. Acting Minister of Women’s Affairs Gender and Community Development, Chris Mushowe, officially launched the Orange Day commemorations in Zimbabwe at an event organised by several women pressure groups fronted by Nyaradzo Mashayamombe’s Tag A Life International and the Embassy of Denmark. The minister highlighted that his ministry is making efforts to see the successful implementation of the National GBV Strategy through their four ‘P’s campaign whose thrust is towards pre ve ntion, prote ction, programmes and participation. He added that the new constitutional provisions – which including the adoption of quotas for female politicians and the mooting of a Gender Commission – were a clear indication of the government’s support to end GBV.
initiative by the government to launch Orange Day in the country. Sisters Keepers Foundation founder Makosi Musambasi castigated the stripping incident in which a Harare based tout physically attacked a woman who was wearing clothes he deemed ‘improper’ and scanty. Orange Day is an initiative of the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, as a follow up to the annual 16 Days of Activism against GBV. The first commemorations were held on the 25th of November 2014, which coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. A monthly event, the UN encourages countries around globe to show solidarity and commitment to ending violence against women and girls every 25th day of the month. In March 2015, governments and civil society from all over the world will convene at the UN Headquarters in New York to discuss progress on the implementation of commitments to women and girls 20 years on from the Beijing Platform for Action to which Zimbabwe is a party.
The women’s groups were worried that they were being subjected to violence at their homes yet they live in an independent country. “Was independence just for men?” asked Mashayamombe. Other organisations like Sisters Keepers Foundation also threw their weight at the
Stop e against c n e l o i v n wome
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 26
Ray Mwando While Zimbabwe’s economic blues continues, with most manufacturing firms operating at 30% capacity and struggling remain afloat, it’s not all doom and gloom for all companies in the country. Zvishavane based platinum mine, Mimosa under the stewardship of Winston Chitando has a different story all together. Chitando is the executive chairman of Mimosa Holdings and Mimosa Mining Company. The mine was declared the safest mine in Africa by Aquarius Platinum Limited board chairman Nicholas Sibley. Mimosa mine is a 50/50 joint venture between Aquarius Platinum and Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats). The Platinum mine’s quarterly production increased by 3% to 677,305 tonnes for the 2015 second quarter to attain a new quarterly production record of 60,842 PGM ozs. Despite a spike in production, the mine’s revenue decreased in line with lower metal prices. However, the head grade deteriorated slightly to 3.63 g/t, despite recoveries improved to 78%. Aquarius Platinum Limited board chairman Nicholas Sibley last year heaped praise on Chitando and management for guiding the mine to solid performances. “In Zimbabwe, Mimosa has made good progress under the management of Winston Chitando. The mine and concentrator operated throughout the year at greater than design capacity. “Production of concentrate containing 221,358 of 4E ounces and 3,329 tons of nickel was achieved. This is a record for the mine,” Sibley told shareholders. Apart from production efficiencies hailed
Chitando’s achievement at Mimosa in maintaining safety performance. “Safety is, as always, a priority and we are very proud of Winston and his team’s achievement at Mimosa in maintaining safety performance. Mimosa is among the safest, if not the safest, underground platinum mine in the world,” he added. Post dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy caused increases in local costs but Mimosa continues to be profitable and to remit dividends to Aquarius without hindrance. Sibley also credits Chitando for concluding Mimosa’s voluntary labour rationalisation exercise in June this year, which successfully reduced on mine operations costs by 5%. In all, 137 employees accepted the retrenchment packages offered to give an employee complement of 1,550 at the end of the year. This resulted in an overall decline in the employee count of 8%. Contacted for comment, Chitando said he was humbled to be credited with stirring Mimosa to greater solid performance and safety which he said was achieved through team coherence and adherence to impeccable safety standards. continued to pg28
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 27 completing various courses. The programmes were skewed towards total person development premised on the fact that a successful individual in his own life is also successful at work. Equipped with the right mindset, the Mimosa Team has constantly managed to deliver an excellent performance. Production has been consistent with steadystate throughput and safety records that reflect considerable improvement. For its remarkable achievements after going through the SMI programme, Mimosa was recognised as the Success Motivation International World Client of the Year 2013. Chitando was appointed managing director of Mimosa Mining Company effective October 1, 2007. continued from pg26
“There is no substitute for hard work. This is a philosophy that has served me faithfully, grooming me into a person of note.” Under Chitando’s stewardship, Mimosa’s heart and essence has been focused on people. Since inception, Mimosa, has embraced a culture of building relationships with all its stakeholders, both internally and externally. The mine believes in the long term future partnership with its stakeholders, thus creating initiatives with benefits that will leave lasting legacies. This saw the mine transforming the lives of communities not only in Zvishavane but nationwide through the provision of clean water and investments mostly in health and education. Chitando firmly believes that development of supervisory and leadership skills is key to achieving its vision of remaining in the lowest cost quartile of platinum producers and providing growth and superior returns to its stakeholders. In 2009, Mimosa partnered Success Motivation International (SMI) in training and developing supervisory and leadership skills of middle and senior management. Between January 2009 and September 2013, a total of 239 participants went through the SMI training programmes, with most of them
In May 2013, Mimosa restructured in line with va r i o u s n a t i o n a l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l developments in the mining sector, necessitating Chitando’s appointment to the position of executive chairman of Mimosa Holdings and Mimosa Mining Company, a position which he holds to date. Upon completing a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the University of Zimbabwe in November 1984, Chitando joined Anglo American Corporation as a graduate trainee in December of the same year where he worked for 11 years.
During this period he rose through the ranks to hold various positions and directorships in a number of industrial and mining companies which were part of the Anglo American group.
At the time he left the group to join Zimasco at the Kwekwe Division in 1997, he held the position of Divisional Commercial Manager in the Mining and Industrial Division.
From January 1998 until September 2007, Chitando was an Executive Director with responsibility for Finance for both Zimasco (Pvt) Ltd and Mimosa Mining Company.
Makosi Today, 2015 | Page 28
Demons to Angels Kaseke turns from loathed to patron saint of Zimbabwe tourism Staff Reporter
must visit countries for tourists in the year 2015.
It was less than a decade ago when tourism was on the tip of the tongues of Zimbabweans.
Karikoga Kaseke is still the head of ZTA and the ZTA itself has transformed from being an obscure government ‘shelf company’ to a vibrant institution in Zimbabwe.
The traffic flow of tourists into the country declined despite the country boasting of an excellent flora and fauna. The West was issuing travel warnings to its citizens against visiting Zimbabwe. The Nyanga Mountains were forlorn. The sacred spirits in the walls of Great Zimbabwe were haunted-lonely. And the majestic Victoria Falls was spraying spectacular mist water fountains and conjuring rainbows to pretty much the ghost of David Livingstone’s shadow as his colonial statue looked down upon them. Nobody was coming and something had to be done fast.
Needless to say the ‘demon’ Kaseke is now a much loved man, affectionately known by his co-workers, the media and those in the tourism industry as ‘Chief’ or simply ‘KK’. What has changed so much. The answer is probably ‘everything’. Assuming office, Kaseke was as embattled as the organisation he was taking over and the industry he was tasked to prop up. A man with his back against the wall is aggressive and he went on an aggressive marketing strategy, much of which was rather abstract.
Then government had a plan and seconded one Karikoga Kaseke to be the chief welcoming figure of the world to Zimbabwe, to market the country and bring the tourist arrivals back to their heyday figures and even better. There was only one problem; this man was hardly liked by his own people and especially a media that seemed intent on making sure that Kaseke’s image was soiled and broken. How could this man, fighting his own image attacks be the best architect to bring Zimbabwe back on the map as the head of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) He had his work cut out for him. Made out as a demon by the media, would he be up for the challenge? He had his work cut out for him. Today, tourist arrivals are at a magnificent high, the country’s image has been transformed with both the New York Times and CNN naming Zimbabwe amongst the
Many castigated his approach of using noncore methods to bring attention to Zimbabwe’s presence on the map. Beauty pageants like Miss Zimbabwe and Miss Tourism brought attention to Zimbabwe’s thighs...and by default Zimbabwe itself. Concerts by people like American Rn B star Joe Thomas and partnering in events like the Akon Read Deal show held on September 4 2011. continued to pg29
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The Akon show caused Zimbabwe to be seen as a safe destination to hold international concerts by internationally acclaimed names and therefore safe for the tourists in spite of what international governments said. Sporting events, most notably the Brazil versus Zimbabwe encounter ahead of the 2010 Fifa Football World Cup also helped bring attention to Zimbabwe being a safe and warm host. Suddenly although these events were not linked to the core of tourism, they sent the right message. Zimbabwe was open and safe for the business of tourism. They had called him a philanderer and even accused him of eying the girls in the beauty pageants. If he was indeed a great connoisseur for the beauty of the fairer sex, he put that to good use. Bringing the Brazil type hot, sultry, super charged carnivals to
Zimbabwe, Kaseke no doubt used that as his master stroke. With syrupy skin and shining ornaments, the exotic women of the South American continent have lined up the streets of Harare for two years now in the carnival. It’s an event that has become Zimbabwe’s Mardi Gras. Everything is there, sassiness, skin, and drool. And endless amount of drool. Oh and the oestrogen and testosterone! All because of the Kaseke eye for talent and beauty which is not an ‘obvious’ tourism dish but part of a wide array of ingredients that put together the ‘real deal’. With such strategies, ‘KK’ has become the big-kahuna, something his predecessors failed to achieve. ZTA, unlike in the past, has a pilot. It is no longer on autopilot as before. And the ultimate rule of appreciation for beauty has always been blurred. Look but don’t touch. Touch but don’t taste. Taste but don’t swallow! Karikoga Kaseke has continued to pg30
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proven the genius that many did not know this man with a military background would be.
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And his naughty stiff wit helps make him an affable man. A man with the curve ball that he tosses when one least expects. Kaseke is a humourist in spite of his outside facade of being a hard scary man. He keeps a soft cuddly kitten locked up inside off him. With a poker face that tries not to betray that he is a funny man with a comedian inside of him. He who pretends to be schmaltzy but is in fact a classy individual in his quietest moments. At the Durban tourism indaba of 2012, Kaseke went to a vibrant club in the metropolis. Curiously somewhat teetotaller and non smoker, he sat all night just to understand the aesthetics of the best clubbing life in order to encourage his own Zimbabwean club owners to adopt the tourist friendly practices. Here is someone who may not be the clubbing man but is willing to spend endless hours sipping on Coca Cola just to make sure he learns a thing or two about what he does not know or appreciate for the sake of his job. His industry. His passion! Today, Zimbabwe has now started to exhibit in the big events in Spain, The Netherlands, and continues to be a big name in London’s annual World Travel Market WTM although unfortunately the British government still tries to play politics against Kaseke; he was denied a visa to be part of his delegation to the 2014 edition. Still, that does not stop the juggernaut of Kaseke’s charm offensive. Durban knows when Zimbabwe comes to exhibit. With gems like the Victoria Falls, Nyanga Mountains, Great Zimbabwe, Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens, Lake Kariba, Kaseke is not short of ammunition in his arsenal to market to the world. To write invites on. To brag about! And in the tourism world, he has become the Alpha Male not least because of the beauty of his country and its endless opportunities. There is even low low talk of him privately wanting to get into the airline industry. Leading from the front one would say! When he came to the scene, one would think he couldn’t smile. With a stiff upper lip, his lips hardly moved. Almost a decade later, his eyes twinkle and he loosens his lips...and
then you know the big man of Zimbabwean tourism is smiling. If only just! Perhaps if one looks on his shoulders they will see bruises. Burn marks from the rope as he hauled his image and that of Zimbabwe from obscurity to its current high pedestal after the successful hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) meeting jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia. Although he splits credit always with his parent ministry, there is no doubt that the modest master of magic spells in image transformation Kaseke, or KK, deserves a lot of note for his efforts. In little less than a decade, Karikoga Kaseke has managed to flip the Dan Brown book round. He transformed his image and that of brand Zimbabwe from bad to god. Hated to loved. From being a demon to an angel. Suddenly he is the patron saint of Zimbabwean tourism. And of course his principal the Minister of Tourism Engineer Walter Mzembi was there to get his (Kaseke)’s back whenever he was slipping and falling!