Magazine
Oct/Nov Issue
Bonnie Chimanikire & Ntombizodwa Sibanda:
Julius Muzuva The Founder of Zim
Talent Hunt
The ladies behind the renowned
High Tea
Sithule Tshuma On how Diaspora can play a role in Development
Melgin Tafirenyika Zimbabwe's own Denzel Washington
Mokoomba
Zimbabwe's Global Cultural Ambassadors
Olivia
Kanosvamhira on a roll Down Under
Zimbabwe's Great Business Exports,
Paida H mbelo & William P i Sachiti ISSN 2397-2173
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JULY 2017
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CONTENTS
OCT/NOV 2017
4
Note from publisher/Credits
6
Note from Editor - From Around the World
8
Cover Story - William Pasi Sachiti, A Zimbabwean genius
12
Cover Story - Paida Hlambelo, Leads Vavaki Architect’s Global penetration
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Olivia Kanosvamhira on a roll Down Under
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ZimCon 5 years of Transport and Logistics Business
20
RBM Solicitors turns 10 Years Old
23
Julius Muzuva: The Founder of Zim Talent Hunt
25
Melgin Tarirenyika -Zim’s Denzel Washington
28
Bonnie Chimanikire and Ntombizodwa Sibanda: The ladies behind the renowned High Tea
31
Marshal Gore Zimbabwe’s pionnering Community organiser
33
Sithule Tshuma - On how Diaspora can play a role in development
35
Louis Charema -The Essence of Economic Challenges
36
Ashley Shumba’s struggle to make it in life
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From Deutsch Desk by Kumbi Chipadza
39
Nulece Kanengoni
41
Amai Chisamba’s Appeal to the Diaspora
42
Mokoomba - Zimbabwe’s Global Cultural Ambassadors
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Note from
Publisher
Publisher THE POWER OF THE COLLECTIVE
O
ver the years I have studied the Jewish community, which is widely regarded as arguably the most successful in the world across many spheres of life, including finance, education and scholarship, and the cultural industries. To put this into perspective, less than 0.2% of the world’s population is Jewish, yet 22% of Nobel Prize winners are Jews. Of all the Nobel laureates in economics, 41% are Jewish, as are 11% of the world’s billionaires, and 20% of the world’s richest 50 people. Six of the eight biggest Hollywood studios were founded by Jewish people. In all my interactions with my Jewish friends and networks, I have always been curious to know the reasons behind their success. And many of them have told me that their success derives from foundational values that are rooted in their religion, Judaism. Principally, their religion teaches the key value of brotherhood, that each member of the Jewish People is responsible for the rest. Having pride in where you come from and standing up for your country, investing in knowledge and prioritising education, innovating and thinking outside the box, and believing in the impossible, all go towards explaining the Jewish community’s success. This brings me to my own Zimbabwean community. We’re very intelligent, learned and hardworking wherever we are in the Diaspora. We go out there and succeed in whatever we do. However, despite our achievements as individuals, perhaps the one crucial thing that we lack is that of brotherhood or rather, the collective. As Zimbabweans, we go to other countries such as India in search of efficient and top class health facilities. That Asian giant is a very good example of a country with a successful Diaspora community that has been able to work as a collective.
about 300 million people who form a viable current and future market by travelling for health reasons to Zimbabwe. Having reflected on this project, there is no doubt in my mind that we can pool our resources together and build world class hospitals (and other infrastructure) back home. In fact, we are already doing it at a smaller scale in other areas, giving back to our home country through projects targeted at communities in rural areas, towns and cities. I am happy to say that all over Zimbabwe there is “proof that the country’s diaspora can impact development” back home – to repeat what we mentioned in the last edition of Zimbabwean Abroad magazine. However, we can emulate other exemplary Diaspora communities like India as well as China at a bigger and global scale. Within the Zimbabwe diaspora community, for instance, we have a lot of intelligent high fliers such as Vavaki Architects Limited and William Pasi Sachiti (both UK based), who are topping the world and making headlines with their talents and intelligent contributions to the world. Vavaki Architects have been awarded for exceptionally transforming Kigali’s (Rwanda) innercity landscape while Sachiti is an intelligent young man who originally wanted to use the drone to deliver packages.
Conrad Mwanza
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law Every possible effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this publication is accurate at the time of going to press and neither the publishers not any of the authors, editors or advertisers can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions, however caused. No responsibility for loss or damage occasioned to any person acting, or refraining from action, as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the editors, authors, advertisers, the publisher
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Co Publisher & Group Business Director Louis Charema louis@cmgmedia.co.uk Business Director - Australia Trevor Manyame - trevor@cmgmedia-group.com South Africa Desk - Sibanengi Dube Germany Desk- Kumbi Chipadza USA Desk - Clive Chinzou Editorial Editor Martin Chemhere - martin@zim-abroad.com Sub Editor Yolanda N Chavi Contributor/Content Advisor Sibanengi Dube Photography Cover shoot - Michael Spafford Itai Machipisa Star Baptista Design Baptist Media Website Edwin Bonono Published by CMG International Media Group 27 OldGloucester Street, London, United Kingdom, WC1N 3AX 4 Northgate View Douglas Crescent Johannesburg Tel: UK +44 20 7193 0045 Aus +61 39 013 4845
However, it is Sachiti’s latest contribution to the technological world - that of a driverless car - which has the world talking more positively about Zimbabwean talent. It is inspiring cases such as Sachiti’s as well as many others that inspire me to believe that as Zimbabweans, we do have the skills and human resource to tap into and become a world class country. Ladies and gentleman, we need to harness the lessons from our Jewish counterparts and harness the power of brotherhood and collective action in order to be more effective within our nation and beyond.
India’s health tourism is big with clients coming from outside; Zimbabweans in the Diaspora could do emulate this by building world class health facilities back home. This idea is also very opportune considering that sub-Saharan Africa currently has a growing middle-class numbering
or any of the contributors or sponsors.
Conrad Mwanza conrad@cmgmedia.co.uk
SA +27 11 083 7045 Advertising Enquiries info@zim-abroad.com
EDITOR’S NOTE
The train keeps rolling
Zim Abroad Magazine!
In
this third edition we bring to you loads of exciting stories. We talk bout Vavaki Architects who are bringing in a fresh wave of architectural design and winning accolades for it. We talk about William Pasi Sachiti, a young man gifted with world class skills.
On the entertainment front we have our own Mokoomba band that is making waves across the globe. We are extremely proud of what we as the Zimbabweans are doing. I would like repeat here the call by our publisher for every talent out of Zimbabwe to unite as a collective and make our beautiful country among the best. As you have already seen and you will continue to see in the future editions, Zimbabwe has some of the best skilled people. What we need to do is work as a collective and bring our country to its glory days when the Zimbabwean dollar was at par with the world’s top currencies. Keep supporting us as we cannot do it on our own. We vow to better ourselves as a publication and we are confident we will be around forever with your support. Please spread the word via social media and other platforms and word of mouth. Enjoy your third edition From me your Editor: Martin Chemhere.
@zimabroadmag
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www.zim-abroad.com 7
COVER STORY
William Pasi Sachiti
The Zimbabwean Genius Can you imagine a self-driving car? Yes, this will soon be a reality as this young man is determined to make it happen. He recently spoke with Zim Abroad Magazine in an exclusive interview. 8
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his interview happened after tracking the ever busy and technologically driven young man for some time. In fact cornering him to answer questions was a great source of relief like nailing a big catch for the day. This should not be misinterpreted at all to mean that he dislikes giving interviews or socializing, especially when it comes to enlighten the world about his unique achievement and other fast world gadgets that we are all accustomed to, closely or remotely: The young man usually just doesn’t have time to waste as he is always imagining or experimenting on the next big technological move, connection or medium. He is sharp focused like some of the world’s top engineers today. He is always dreaming of surpassing what is the global norm or thinking of how best to make the world a better place through state-of-the-art-technology. Talking about the driverless car and how it has been received, William Pasi Sachiti said, “I have built an artificially intelligent
car which is able to drive itself to perform deliveries. If you buy something online this car will be able to drive to your house, drop-off your packages or drive to your neighbour’s house and drop off their package. Or essentially does any delivery run. “And if you think of what those delivery drivers do, the car is able to think for itself and do a delivery without human aid. “The car has been received very well. This is both by retailers who love it because it is solving a very real problem for them as well as consumers. Who doesn’t like a car that is going to drive itself to your house?” The driverless vehicle offers the world a viable edge, bringing to people that can afford it or who are on-the-go several advantages such as ample time and space to plan, pursue and execute other important duties in life in this competitive age. Its availability will be a tremendously beneficial sensation as it should provide a big boost to many people, across the world. Many times man worry about time and production and with the car’s coming onto the market it is easily conceivable that the world would be able to achieve more. William Pasi Sachiti said that everything possible was being done so that the world’s first ever artificial intelligence car is expected to hit the streets very soon, as planned or without any major glitches. To this effect he explained: “In the summer of 2017 we were
able to close a couple of investment rounds, this maps the way to start building the actual car on our production facility. We are expecting to complete by the end of this year and have the car on the road probably by spring 2018.” Since such a car is technologically demanding, requiring finesse and step-by-step first time approaches throughout,
and also not easy to fast-track or engage in short cuts in the making of such a world class product, it has taken quite some time to have it as it is being shown to the world right now. Said William Pasi Sachiti, “To come up with this concept
actually took a long time, the reason is early evolution started nearly 6 years ago. This is where I wanted to disrupt delivery of packages but instead the original idea was drones, so much so that I filed a patent for invisible road networks in the sky for drones to be able to navigate to deliver packages. “As time went on I realized maybe drones were not the solution, so I actually enrolled in university to study artificial intelligence robotics so that I could up key credentials so to speak and be able to innovate better. The result was that I was able to develop a concept for automated delivery using a car or instead using road networks which I think are a much better solution.” The above speaks volumes of a young man who yearns for perfection or to deliver a superlative product, or who is never satisfied with what is at hand, always experimenting and questioning whether the end product will be up to standard or viable. A young scientist who always anticipates what the market or consumer will say, ‘Wow’, “Here is technology well represented or surpassed. Or here is what we have or the world has been waiting for or needs or expects to see or use in their daily, time conscious lives.” He revealed that the development of the car is something that has not been without its tests, as it is a genuinely world first and since one could imagine that its components or technology could not be copied or sampled from anywhere.
“I suppose the biggest challenge anyone face in a project like this is that it has never been done before. Nobody has made a car like this as a product,” said William Pasi Sachiti. He alluded: “It is interesting that we recently heard from one of the big companies that were among the most advanced, doing it, which is good, and it’s challenging.” He explained that the future of this car looks bright as it is something of a life transforming effect for the entire world.
“If you think of it there have not really been any big innovations in the world in general which have caused a massive positive effect on human life. What I mean by this is that if you think of any innovations like smart phones and Internet, yes life is better, faster; but are you as a person happy about it and of course about the quality?.” As the world waits for the roll out of its first ever mind puzzling road using driverless delivery vehicle, we expect to have all our lives changed or touched in a way never before imagined or in one way or another whether we like it or not. www.zim-abroad.com 9
If this proud son of Zimbabwean soil went back to his home country today what plans would he put in place for the country?
“Is your cost of living lower as a person? I am very interested in innovations that would drop the cost of living by 90%. For example imagine if you were to produce food at a very small fraction. Imagine producing housing at a very small fraction? This product will not just be for Zimbabwe, it’s about how to make the world a better place, affecting the highest number of people. That’s the sort of innovation I am interested in the future. As an entrepreneur I think beyond Zimbabwe.” With the above response William Pasi Sachiti displays a highly intelligible approach to the country of his birth, as well as human life in general. He has demonstrated a visionary prowess that is something that the world would definitely say, “We are moving along
the right technological direction as a human race.” He grew up in Harare where he attended Greystone Park Primary, Oriel Boys, Speciss College and then NIT in Avondale. He left Zimbabwe at around 16 / 17 years of age and since then he has lived in the UK.
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COVER STORY
PAIDA HLAMBELO
LEADS VAVAKI ARCHITECTS’ GLOBAL PENETRATION
V
avaki Architects Limited is a professional company making heady way in the area of architecture and master planning in the UK and Africa.
Recently the company scooped the prestigious award in Kigali, Rwanda, indicating the hard work and professionalism that Zimbabweans are renowned internationally for. Vavaki Architects Limited is responsible for some of the African continent’s and the world’s best buildings. One of its major projects the Kigali Heights, a Vavaki Architects designed and supervised mixed use development in Kigali, Rwanda, was awarded Africa’s Best Mixed Use Development of the Year Award at the Africa Property Investment Summit held at the Sandton International Convention Centre in August 2017. The infrastructural development was officially opened by His Excellency President Paul Kagame on 6 December 2016 and boasts two floors of retail space housing some of the most prestigious brands in East Africa as well as up to 6 floors of prime office space. It occupies pride of space by the Kimihurura 12
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Roundabout next to the Kigali International Convention Centre. The Kigali award is not the first accolade as Vavaki Architects has been awarded at the Zim Achievers Awards before. “It was indeed very humbling for me and Vavaki Architects to be recognised and awarded the prestigious Zim Achievers Award presented in London in 2014. The same event recognised Vavaki Architects’ exploits in our
Watch some of Vavaki’s Highlights on these links: www.vavaki.com Watch Paida on BBC Focus on Africa: http://youtu.be/PXFEqGUS7Wc
Youtube links: https://youtu.be/UcMxbjaO_sk
Resorts project in africa:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9YCuM
only expect someone that will deliver architectural wizardry innovatively, they are looking for a practice that will integrate their corporate values specifically and nationally in whatever schemes they come up with. He explains that many a time, clients expect a lot of concept development work to be done at risk and only after they are fairly happy with the product offering are they prepared to enter into contractual relationships when revenues would start flowing in. This requires commitment as well as financial frugality as such expectations can be very demanding on the practice’s resources. Thereafter, they expect the architect to be both a technical as well as strategic business partner and advisor. “We have also realised that integrity, originality, authenticity as well as the desire to go the proverbial extra mile are valued by clients,” he noted. Further to their experience in Rwanda, it is now their considered view that Africa is wide open and full of opportunities for architectural practices that are prepared to work hard. “We have realised that Africa is still a green field in as far as infrastructure development is concerned, hence our move to establish our Africa Regional Office in Kigali Rwanda to exploit these. “Kigali is at most only 4 hours away from the furthest African destination. A challenge in this regard though is the fact that doing business in Africa is definitely not the same as doing business in London where we are based for instance. The business dynamics are different, stakeholder relationships play themselves out differently and as such due diligence is called for in order to succeed,” said Paida. Vavaki was formed in Weybridge, UK during 2009.
chosen field as well as the inroads that we had made back into our continent of origin,” said Paida Hlambelo, director of the award winning architectural firm. “The award was indeed an inspiration to us and spurred us to strive for more and better. We are pleased that with the Kigali Heights Award, things appear to be falling into place,” he said. Vavaki Architects is headquartered in Weybridge, UK, were it was formed approximately ten years ago by two young Zimbabwean Architects, Paida Hlambelo and Tendai Mtyasera. The firm is currently establishing its Africa Regional Office that will be based on the 5th Floor of the Award Winning Kigali Heights, in Kigali, Rwanda. While its Corporate Head Office will remain in Weybridge, London, the Africa operations will be run from Kigali, Rwanda. Satellite offices will be maintained in Uganda and Sierra Leone. What does planners look for in a firm in order to support it? According to Paida him and his team’s experience is that first and foremost clients look for a development partner. They do not
Paida concedes that considering the exposure that the firm has had as an architectural practice, the challenges that it has had to navigate, the prestigious commissions / assignments that it has received from clients, the strong partnerships that it has now developed and now enjoy in the course of its doing business, the reception that it continues to receive in the countries where it operates, the vibrant team of young professionals that comprise Vavaki Architects, the much desired accolades that have started flowing in as well as the fact that the practice has weathered the challenges of its formative years and is now able to stand its own among the best in the world, and able to sustain its work force; we can reasonably say Vavaki Architects has been successful. “Further, both my team and myself have grown as professionals buoyed by the nature of assignments that have come our way. To us, success is measured in the factors referred to above, not just financially, and we are happy so far.” The success has not been without its challenges and Paida is pleased to detail them as an example. He notes that to this effect the practice’s formation, its near collapse, challenging African country dynamics, our advisory role on the Earls Court regeneration development in London, winning of the Uganda UPF Scheme as Architects for the Ahadi Consortium, the commissioning of Kigali Heights, the accolades received as well as my appointment on to the Kigali City Master planning Advisory Committee. www.zim-abroad.com 13
While Vavaki has been engaged in several high standard projects there are those that have stood out so far as most memorable projects and Paida supports that observation. “I would say they are three, UPF, Monkey Bay Resort and Kigali Heights. The projects were memorable in the design challenges they individually presented, the diversity of the geographical environments within which they were conceptualized, the categories of the clients, the impact of each scheme within the respective national economies and social strata, complete with the challenges presented to the team with respect to operating across diverse national boundaries as well as planning regimes.” Like every aspirational design firm globally Vavaki has its motivation. “Making a difference through innovation and the creative use of spaces. Unleashing the human creative spirit or genius in creating developments that are least disruptive to their environments and yet appreciated by their owners, users and / or occupants,” noted Paida. Within this scope Vavaki also can pinpoint its biggest projects it has undertaken and the countries and state possibly how they cost in each country and cost in total. In this case the $1 Billion UPF Institutional and Commercial Project Design and bid presentation in Uganda tops all. Paida observes that Rwanda presents by far the most business friendly environment supported by some very well streamlined institutional frameworks. While the UK has some very advanced and well-structured systems and regulations their processes can be very tedious at times. Uganda and Sierra Leone fit the African bill in that the operational environments still need extensive streamlining. There was an instance for example where a project in one of the countries was delayed due to the absence of an enabling legislation? “All in all we have found the jurisdictions within which we are operating to be very accommodative of foreign expertise,” he says.
the diversity of disciplines that have to be integrated to come up with a great design and built solution. This inclusive of very tight deadlines within which they delivered these schemes inculcated in our team the importance of total commitment and pride in what they do. More so winning international design competitions and bids as with the Ahadi Consortium on UPF was a source of pride and confidence boost for the team. With all this amalgamation of world class expertise and frugal competence the Vavaki team is now in a position where it does not hesitate to take on the best in the industry and stand its own. All the above success has not been without challenges especially developing the Vavaki Architects brand with its seemingly incomparable standards and work ethic across Africa and internationally. To this effect Paida notes that adequate resources are always a challenge, they could do with more. Stiff competition against very well established and deep pocketed practices. The conservative nature of clients, in that they tend to stick to their own tried and tested architects making it extremely difficult for new practices such as Vavaki Architects to break through, regardless of the excellent product offering that one may be presenting. International institutional dynamics also need to be carefully managed. Paida was born just outside Masvingo, his father originated from Mwenezi and mother from Chivi. His first 14 years were spent in Gweru where the family lived until they moved to Gaborone, Botswana in 1992. He left Botswana in 1997 for University in the United Kingdom and has not looked back! He did primary schooling at Lundi Park Primary School in Gweru, Junior Certificate at Goromonzi High School, Ordinary Level at Watershed College in Marondera and Advanced Level at St Georges College in Harare.
“A very loving and supportive family, knowing that I have a highly motivated and passionate team to lead, expectant clients to satisfy, nations within which to contribute positively, and a discipline I am very passionate about (architecture, master planning and urban design)”
What architectural projects would you like to see taking shape in Zim? “Having designed and advised on developments in 8 African countries, Zimbabwe’s infrastructure remains the most mature in sub Saharan Africa excluding South Africa, however not much improvementhas happened to the infrastructure in 15years. I would like to see the mordenization of Zimbabwe’s metropolitan areas.
Paida notes that their biggest projects as pointed above taught them the value of team work, gave the appreciation of
“To regenerate and replace mostly colonial buildings and architecture with developments that signify a progressive
What motivates him to wake up daily?
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Zimbabwe, sustainable and are a catalyst for kick starting a growing economy. In the urbanization driveI am also keen to see well planned Urban settlements that foster good social and community cohesion including Well designed education facilities, rural and urban;well-designed sporting and cultural facilities and lifetime sustainable and affordable homes.” What plans would you have for Zim’s architectural design industry / business at large? “Our business name is Vavaki, the meaning of which is lost on anyone except non Zimbabweans. Although we are yet to have a breakthrough opportunity in Zimbabwe, we are very keen and ready to engage in the architectural industry inZimbabwe and play our part in the contribution of the development of our country. Our extensive global experience, and In particular in Africa, will only stand in good stead to benefit and contribute to Zimbabwe’s future. “Vavaki was branded with the goal of being a recognised Zimbabwean brand in the real estate development space making huge contributions in Zimbabwe and across Africa. We are keen to engage in the development dialogue for Zimbabwe with both state and private entities and use our little experience in assisting our country’s development.” What qualifications have you got as Paida in architectural design and master planning? “Bachelor of Arts Degree in Architecture (KIAD), Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Design (Oxford Brookes), and Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Part 3 qualifying me as a Chartered Architect.” What is your role / position in Vavaki Architects and what does it entail? “Lead Designer, Practice Principal. The role is responsible for policy formulation, strategic leadership of the practice, business development, public relations, stakeholder management as well as resource allocation and management.” How do you see Vavaki Architects in the next 5 – 10 years? “Entrenched and fully operational on the African continent.”
www.zim-abroad.com 15
OLIVIA
KANOSVAMHIRA WORKING ACROSS 6 UNIVERSITIES AS AN ACADEMIC
If the practitioners are well abreast with current evidence based best practice then errors can be minimised. This service is to the benefit of the care recipients therefore, BCPA prides in offering continued professional development to nurses,�
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other of one daughter, Olivia
nurses at all levels in different settings.
Olivia strongly understands that the
Kanosvamhira is on a roll
In 2014, Olivia founded Clinical Skills
incident could have been avoided if only
Down Under as a top nursing
Academy (CSA) and put together four
the nurses were abreast with current
professional.
Clinical Skills Booster Workshops which
evidence based best practice.
Better known as Olivia Kanos among
have been endorsed by the Australian
friends and in professional circles, she is
College of Nursing.
She had her fallopian tubes removed
raising the Zim flag with high standards.
by mistake instead of a simple cyst on
The Bindura born lady grew up in Shamva,
With that strong passion for high quality of
her ovary. As a result, this further drove
did her Nursing at Bindura Hospital and
care, Olivia came up with a New Graduate
her passion for safety & quality of care
worked at Parirenyatwa Hospital before
Nurse Program 2015 to take responsibly
by improving continuing professional
migrating to Australia early 2006.
for the mentorship of the newly qualified
development courses for not just nurses
She is forthright and has a strong
nurses who have not been able to secure
but for the whole health care sector.
determination in life: “Here and there
a new-graduation position.
Hence, ‘Advocating for Expertise’ is the
you will find resistance or unnecessary scrutiny due to racism but l am bold and l stand for authenticity.”
motto. This brought the birth of Best Hence, these nurses are finding their own way into the workforce causing
Olivia is the managing director of Clinical
a big threat to patients’ safety as they
Skills Academy Pty Ltd in Australia.
are not under proper mentorship. In
The registered nurse has 17 years of
2016, she developed a sophisticated
Clinical Practice Australia (BCPA) which is a not-for-profit organisation which advocates for patient safety and quality of care. BCPA believes that prevention is better than cure.
clinical experience, and has worked in different areas of specialty which includes
“If the practitioners are well abreast
medical/surgical
community
with current evidence based best
nursing, obstetrics & gynaecology, mental
practice then errors can be minimised.
health, corrective services, immigration
This service is to the benefit of the
detention centers and aged care.
care recipients therefore, BCPA prides
She realized the teacher in her was not
in
getting fully utilized hence decided to
development to nurses,” said the highly
specialize in nursing education. She did
professional nurse.
nursing,
offering
continued
professional
Cert IV TAA (Training and Assessment) in 2009 then completed a Master’s Degree
Learning Management System of her
in Clinical Education with the Australian
own
Catholic University in 2013.
industry which is highly cost effective
specifically
for
the
healthcare
and of high quality which brings a Since 2010, she has worked across 6 Sydney Universities as an academic for the BSc Nursing Degree program. These include the University of Western Sydney,
significant revolution in clinical education in healthcare. She works with highly qualified and experienced educators and technical teams.
Olivia explains that a desire to be of help in the community led to the development of Alpha & Omega Health Care (AOHC) which specialises in providing expert and quality nursing services to the vulnerable Disabled people and Aged care. AOHC is an Approved Provider of the NDIS. Here, here motto is “Together we can make this world a better place.”
Australian Catholic University, University of Technology Sydney, University of
Having the above exposure of being a
Olivia states that by the grace of God
Wollongong, University of Tasmania and
nurse and a teacher for nurses she says
she we will set up the CSA in Zimbabwe
the University of Notre Dame.
she has however been a patient and
to focus on Continuing Professional
a victim of a serious incident in a NSW
Development for the healthcare system.
This formed part of her research in finding a way to bridge the gap and enhance
Hospital.
the effectiveness of clinical education for
Together we can make this world a better place www.zim-abroad.com 17
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to set up our business in. Challenges will always arise, especially in any business’ external environment where one has little control; We are however, solution driven. As a matter of fact, it has made complete business sense and brought about great results to establish a business in SA since most of the goods we transport into Africa are either manufactured here in SA or come through Durban, the busiest port in southern Africa. What do you think are the most critical elements that people look for to determine a good business or service or product? Professionalism, efficiency and teamwork. Hence, we have adopted these as our core values to give our partners value for money. Which SA city are you based? Johannesburg. Which part of Zimbabwe where you born and grew up if you grew up in Zim? I was born in Bulawayo. My father was in the army so we moved between Bulawayo, Kwekwe and Harare. Name the schools that you attended?
ZimCon 5 years of Transport and Logistics Business
I
am a simple passionate, diligent and committed man who subscribes to the power of hard work, innovation and determination. My drive and my passion has been singularly rewarding in business and in life. Determination affords me to keep thrusting forward in dry seasons. When business is bad and the economy is not favorable – passion and commitment enables me to consistently envisage a brighter future. I never cow down to difficult situations, I am optimistic and competitive- I don’t easily take no for an answer & I am never willing to be the tail. I set trends, set up systems – I am a trail blazer. The compelling feeling that “I can do it better” guides my decisions every day. I am also a self-starter and every day I wake up with a vivid feeling that I have to finish what I started. Explain in short your winning the ZAA Male Entrepreneur Award and what the award means to you? Winning the ZAA Male Entrepreneur Award was quite astounding considering there are numerous Zimbabwean entrepreneurs in South Africa who have built giant successful businesses. I attended the event with the intention to take joy with fellow Zimbabweans and network; I was speechless when the announcement was made, my wife had to give a speech on my behalf. Being recognized as the ZAA Male Entrepreneur of the year was personally motivating and inspiring. Tell us the kind of work you do Transport and logistics. We are one of Southern Africa’s rapidly developing transport and logistics businesses. We provide unique transport and logistics solutions throughout the southern African region with unparalleled standard and quality of service delivery. We offer our clients in-house customs clearing, the option to consolidate their shipments at low personalized consol rates, and we have a fleet of different sized trucks ferrying dedicated consignments throughout the SADC region. We also provide value added services such as liaising with suppliers, GIT insurance and daily tracking in order to lift the burden off our clients and ensure our clients have peace of mind that all is catered for. What is the inspiration behind this work? My initial encounter with this industry was as a commodity broker, purchasing goods in South Africa and importing them to Zimbabwe. I had to utilize transporters to move my shipments, and my experience with transporters was not pleasant – the inconsistency and lack of updates, the old broken trucks that resulted in frustration and delays in the delivery of my shipments. This motivated me to co-found
a logistics company that provides excellent, professional, and pliable services to our partners. How long have you been doing this work? Since 2009 but we founded the company in August 2012. We recently celebrated our 5th anniversary and examining our progress, we were amazed at how ZIMCON has transformed into a robust dynamic and progressive company over the few years from its humble beginnings in the winter of 2012. How specialized or sophisticated is your area of work? Transport and logistics is a very simple 1 + 1 = 2 type of business. However, what sets us apart is our belief in “excellence perfected”. I am a perfectionist, and I believe that by pursuing excellence, perfection is attainable. At ZIMCON we give the same measure of billion dollar service to all our clients. We strive to make the most of our resources to ensure that our customers goods are delivered right on time and with excellent professional standard. Hence our expression – “excellence perfected”! Tell us the qualifications you have for this work and which institutions you studied and what years where they obtained? I am an engineer by profession and I have a post grad qualifications in Business Management and Marketing. It is interesting because my Uncle (Sekuru) always said to me, the best career to pursue, is to be a problem solver. I trust in the Logistics industry, this exactly what we have tried to do. What motivates you to wake up daily? An overwhelming desire to flourish and leave a lasting legacy that will be passed onto generations after me. My daughter makes sure I’m up early every day- it’s a play date at 4am!
Selukwe Primary School in Shurugwi & Churchill Boys High School in Harare. When did you leave Zimbabwe? 2009. Tell us how many children you have / if you are married? I am married to Petronella “Chiwi” and we are blessed with one child – Anika Ora. If you where to go back to Zim now what business plans would you have for the country? Zimbabwe is tremendously strategic and central in the SADC region. We have recently established a distribution warehouse in Harare and we are currently in the process of acquiring trucks to surge out of Zimbabwe. We have identified the need to boost exports out of Zimbabwe, thus we have started to contribute to cotton, tobacco and platinum exports. The Mozambique port has also become very popular lately. It’s a gap we intend to fill. How do you see your business in the next 5 - 10 years in SA or Africa or globally? Growth, growth and more growth! In the next few years we should have representation in all the countries in Southern Africa. What immediate plans do you have in place to grow your business? I like to simplify things. Logistics is a paper intensive business. That’s why I have a team of IT gurus working on digitizing the whole business. We are going paperless and in the coming months we should have a fully functional ZIMCON app. What would you like to see happen to African businesses in general in this era of technology? Embrace it ! ! !
What has been the highlight of your profession or in person? Going to school to study engineering and working for a company that makes trailers then realizing that I can actually make a greater significance loading the trailers than making the trailers. How well respected is your business in South Africa? Our clients rely on us to provide transport and logistics solutions. We have a niche market that comprises of colossal and consistent corporates. Our selling point is a relationship rather than a service. As a result, we have earned the respect and loyalty of our partners (clients) who now view us as an extension of their businesses i.e their shipping department. What are the challenges facing your business in SA today and how you like them to be addressed? Honestly, South Africa has been a very strategic country
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R
umbi began by saying that she “feels surprised”, firstly that time has gone so quickly and secondly, that her firm is open and trading with a good following and a good reputation; all the credit going to God for “His grace and favour.” She explained that RBM Solicitors is run by Muchada Bvunzawabaya and Rumbidzai Bvunzawabaya, the latter being “the face of it.” “We run it together.” “I was born in Bikita, Masvingo. So, I am a Karanga girl born in Masvingo and grew up in Bulawayo and got married to a young man from Harare and we have three children.” Her hobbies include reading, writing and travelling to different countries. At the early age of 15 she had the vision to start a law firm. “When I was 15 I decided that I wanted to be a lawyer and have my own firm. So I had the name and knew where I was going from a young age,” she recalls with a fond memory. Rumbi said that life has a way of delivering detours and so coming to the UK was a detour for her. She had to undertake other courses in order to regularize her immigration status. This way she was then able to qualify and set up her practice. She was quick to acknowledge the invaluable support she received from her team members at the Legal Complaints Service who helped her to write her business plan and encouraged her to have the boldness to step out with “faith” and to “just DO IT!” RBM Solicitors continues to service both the Zimbabwean and African communities in the United Kingdom, something that has been a “challenge” and “a great privilege”. In the end the team alongside Rumbi has been “humbled” to make some significant transformation in people’s lives. “It’s been such an amazing journey,” she explained. The next phase of her vision is to initiate Migrant Family Support, an organisation that
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will run parallel to RBM Solicitors and will be providing services to Migrant Families of African origin living in the UK. This will offer services in the areas of Marriage Support, Parenting Support and Bereavement Support. We are inspired by Care for the Family which is a National organisation that supports families but our service will cater for the migrant families as they have different challenges which are a result of social acculturation. The new initiative will aim to achieve several things including educating, empowering and restoring migrant families of African origin living in the UK. Education will cover laws and expectations in the UK. Also included
Migrant Family Support will aim to achieve several things including educating, empowering and restoring migrant families of African origin living in the UK. will be issues of crime, child protection and immigration laws. One of the key focus areas of the new organization will be empowerment. “Under our ‘Empower’ arm we will have bespoke projects which are aimed at empowering men who have become disenfranchised with the move to the UK. Many countries are patriarchal in nature and we have seen that many men struggle to adapt to life in the UK. There is a need to empower them economically and mentally in terms of their mindset. “Restore’ is for the restoration of families who have been affected by migration. Families have been separated for many years and they have suffered immensely because of the process so we seek to help rebuild individuals, marriages and relationships between parents and children. Our Restore arm is based on Christian principles and is delivered through the programmes Freedom, Thrive and Flourish,” she said. RBM will host combined celebrations which they have dubbed ‘Milestones’. This will
include celebrating 10 years of service, as well as officially launching Migrant Family Support as an organisation. “It will be a fundraising dinner. We will have entertainment and an auction with a yacht. Some amazing donations including a luxury cruise on a yacht.” Looking back over the years Rumbi explained that the going has not been easy. “It’s been challenging but very rewarding.” During the last 10 years Rumbi has won 3 awards and has been nominated for one. These include Zimbabwe Achievers Awards 2011, ZIWA - on two occasions one for Business Women of the Year and another for Humanitarian of the Year. She was also nominated for the Women on the Move Award which is a National Award. She refused to be referred to as a ‘well-known community champion in the UK’, saying, “I don’t know about that. I just live my life and get on with the job at hand. I love people especially Zimbabweans. Our people have gone through a lot in the last 20 years and if I can help just one person that gives me so much fulfilment. I do not intentionally seek to be well known so that does not really give me any feelings. I love the saying by a great man who I admire greatly: “Don’t accept the applause of men, and you won’t be destroyed by their criticism.” “So I live for the applause of one,” she said. Her advice to Zimbabweans around the world was: “Zimbabweans are strong people who as a nation have endured a lot. Zimbabweans have held together as a nation in the face of adversity, maintained their unique humour and always been resilient. I would say continue on the way that you are. Do not allow anyone to say that we are a nation of cowards or to look down upon you because of the circumstances in our country. Stay strong and continue being known as a nation of hardworking and good natured people. We will surely overcome the
trials that we are facing as a nation. It is well.”
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AFRICA
CASH AND CARRY
Africa
Cash & Carry a giant Johannesburg headquartered Wholesaler is the answer and solution to consumers of beauty and hair products. The wholesaler’s Marketing Manager Tasneen Williams, proudly presents her shop as the cheapest in South Africa. “We specialise in a range of cosmetics, hair products, health and beauty products, medicinal products, households items, plastic-ware, hardware, crockery, jewellery, variety of braids, confectionery and electronics appliances. Our prices are always the cheapest and have the stocks,” said Williams. Africa Cash & Carry is an independent company established since 1998 with the flagship store situated in Crown Mines in Johannesburg. The shop is located slightly out of Johannesburg Central away from the traffic jam and congestion madness associated with the Central business district. Above that it is in the midst of routes linking South Africa’s freeways. The company also has a branch in Polokwane. The business draws customers from across the globe including Africa, Europe, Far Middle East and Australia. 22
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Williams said her sales team was always open to negotiate bulk deals. “Our friendly staff are keen to assist, serving you with a smile and leaving you satisfied. The company also have a door to door services conducted by reliable contracted freight forwarders. Apart from proving affordable goods, Africa Cash & Carry has offered employed to hundreds of black people and has given a lot of casuals an opportunity to put bread on their family tables. Visit us Address: Head Office Cnr Crownwood Road & Coach Street, Crown Mines Johannesburg, 2025, South Africa Tel: (+27 11) 661 6600, We are open: Monday – Friday 8AM – 5PM, Saturdays 8AM – 1PM Sundays and Public Holidays – Watch the press for more info Polokwane Branch 5 Marmer Street, Magna via, Polokwane, 0699, South Africa Tel:(+27 15) 298 6700 Email: orders@africacnc.co.za www.africacnc.co.za
MEET JULIUS MUZUVA THE MAN BEHIND ZIMTALENT
I carry a lot of peoples’ dreams in some way on my back and I have to make sure that I am in a position to provide a platform that they realize their ambitions. This keeps the engine in me running, through Christ.
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etter known as Juls Muz, he runs the nonprofit making community project under the ZimTalent PBC banner, registered in Zimbabwe.
The project constitutes of a free talent showcasing and advertising platform. The aim of the project is to discover, nurture, develop, protect and place Zimbabwean talent in the appropriate markets. The main mission is to add value to the Zimbabwean talent by exposing and advertising the talent to the world. From musical, film, spoken word, comedy, fine arts, to sports, they hunt for it, expose it and package it for the world to consume using various tools they have in place like the
talent directory website, social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
problem though; no one knew how to contact them.
Recently they launched a ZimTalent app available for downloads on Play Store, App Store and Windows App Store.
“Eventually after 4 months the group was located. The guys helped and featured on the video for the song, Who Run the World, GIRLS”.
ZimTalent Hunt is not a new concept but started when Julius came across this story, “Beyonce saw a video on YouTube of this dance group from Mozambique called Tofo Tofo Boys; she thought their dance was just right for her new video. She asked choreographers to learn the dance and teach others, but no one seemed to master it well. They tried and failed until Beyonce decided to get the guys to come over and teach her dancers their now famous dance. There was a
After reading the above Beyonce story Julius thought of creating a national platform that showcases and advertises all Zim talent. In 2013 the platform was made available. The concept was further developed from just being a listing, competition and promotion enhancing the talent exposure such that the more a talent participates in competitions that are available, they then enhance their exposure therefor the talent hunt or search concept was incorporated as it encourages the raw talent to come out and participate. Julius said, “In the ZimTalent journey so far, we have been blessed with both big and small successes. Just to keep the program running with over 2000 talents on the directory in itself is a success. Getting the Zimbabwean community to rally behind us and mark us as a safe brand is one of the biggest victories we have had. So whether it’s getting corporate partnerships
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to an artist realising their goals and potential through our platform, or new talent joining our portfolio, we celebrate it as a success.” To date, some of the highlights include when the ZimTalent brand was involved in a legal battle with a major media conglomerate Freemantle Media Limited and Simco Limited, a company which oversees and has rights to Pop Idol, Britian’s Got Talent and X Factor over the concept rights of ZimTalent. It was a David versus Goliath scenario with God on their side, and they are grateful to have won the battle.
for encouraging undiscovered talent to come out in the open and showcase.
The motivation for Zim Talent Hunt is the love for Zimbabwe. The Love for Zimbabwean art forms and the need for Zimbabwean talent and art forms to be exposed onto the world stage. Their most memorable projects include two projects that stands out, namely the ZimTalent Voice Search in 2014/15 which yielded 6 albums from unknown talent that had never recorded in a studio before and handing over the albums with 100% ownership at a function officiated by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
a father and a husband, my dreams and every goal. The realisation that I carry a lot of peoples’ dreams in some way on my back and I have to make sure that I am in a position to provide a platform that they realise their ambitions or at least just being there on the platform. These do keep the engine in me running, through Christ.”
There is also the making of the ZimTalent Hunt Riddim. Here there’s the beauty of getting unknown talent and household names in the Zimbabwean music scene to showcase their talent on the same musical riddim. The response from both the underground talent and the seasoned talent was overwhelming that the project ended up having more than 350 tracks recorded on the Riddim and to date more tracks are still being received from underground talent. “Both these sub-projects were filled with pure excitement, said Julius. He noted that ZimTalent has brought unknown talent to the Zimbabwean masses and the world. They have exposed, and have a catalogue of Zimbabwe’s household names in music ranging from the likes of Tocky Vibes, Stunner, 8L, Takura, Adrian Tate, Freeman, Nick Kuraz and the catalogue can go on. Among the above talents, ZimTalent is proud (as with all others) to have as its latest achievement, facilitated a record label deal for leading name Stunner with a UK based label. Julius is particularly buoyant about bagging this groundbreaking deal, saying for the very first time Stunner is now a signed artist. The deal will also see the inimitable Harare artist making a debut international tour starting this December. Almost every established musician in Zimbabwe in the last 5 years has come through the talent development programs offered by ZimTalent through their subsidiary partners. Julius explained that they have had so many personalities who have come through the ZimTalent Hunt mentorship and talent development programs. From artists such as Takura, Farai Muvuti and the Forest Dawn, Gemma Griffiths, Freeman, Killer Trilla, Ninja Lipsy, Doc Vikela, Winky D, Shinsoman, 8L to even personalities such as Fungisai, and Albert Nyathi have worked with ZimTalent. The list is endless. In standup comedy, they have Long John the comedian who had a UK tour last year and now frequenting popular SA comedy shows. In the diaspora, and in particular UK, ZimTalent celebrates success in resuscitating the UK-based artists. “We made sure the UK-based artists were
given platforms on big shows and also showcase on online broadcasters like Jamrock, Pamtengo, and Yami Kami just to mention a few. Artists like Fyah Bantu, Juss Russ, Warhead, and FireFlex benefitted most with DJ Dehwa playing a major role. Tsungai Tsikirai, Lamont Chitepo and Nash Daddy also on spoken word, Munya Usuwana (WordPlay).”
In terms of development, ZimTalent is currently merging with other entities within the African region to create an AfroTalent platform which will nurture and expose talent from Africa. It will also work as an African Talent Directory. This has seen the creation of satellite platforms in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana and many more countries will be coming onboard. Also presently they are working on a project called Africa Rise & Shine, a various artists’ song
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“I say a big thank you to artists who share the same vision and agreed to be part of the cause. The song includes established artists like Trevor Dongo, Stunner, Sani Makhalima, Nox, Lamont, Pah Chihera and Tsungai just to name a few Zimbabwean artists together with artists from Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Mozambique,” said Julius. What motivates Julius Muza? “My spiritual purpose, my role as
So far they have launched the ZimTalent Application which serves as both a platform to nurture and expose Zimbabwean talent and also a talent directory for Zimbabwean creatives. This platform has managed to grow the ZimTalent database tremendously as young creatives are now engaging with the service. It is now easier for someone to book a talent for instance a musician for their event through the ZimTalent App. They also have launched the Myoozika music player app. This Myoozika app is the ultimate Itunes /Soundcloud/Spotify for Zimbabwean music. People can download the application and listen to the latest releases from different genres of African and Caribbean music. The ZimTalent Hunt as a nonprofit project mainly lacks financial backing from both the government and the Zimbabwean corporates. Without their financial backing, it will always take a very long time for them to fully realise their maximum potential and impact. Julius was born and grew up in Mufakose, Harare. He has an IT background, worked in the music and film industry, so forming ZimTalent was a matter of realising a gap in the industry to improve it and make the industry more efficient and accessible to all talent. He said by God’s grace, the nonprofit organization will in future
expand into the African and Caribbean markets.
MELGIN TAFIRENYIKA ZIM/AFRICA’S OWN DENZEL WASHINGTON
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any know Denzel Washington as the face of several blockbuster American movies but do you know that Zimbabwe and Africa has a talented actor and devoted filmmaker who could match our own African Diaspora veteran pound for pound?
feel like I’m doing the job of 10 people whilst l’m alone. It’s not by choice, but l believe building an empire you have to walk tall and there is no shortcut to success,” said the soft spoken gentleman and giant of the screen.
He is non-other than Melgin Tafirenyika, a young talent, smart gentleman full of energy, very humble and down to earth. Melgin is a film writer, actor, director, producer and commercial model rolled into one.
“Many people say l look like Denzel Washington so they call me Zim’s/Africa’s Washington, and this has sometimes worked wonders during my acting career. l can recall getting big gigs because of that,” he explains with vivid confidence that could put the American into a huge challenge.
“It’s not easy to juggle being a triple threat and sometimes l
“So far I’ve written and produced 9 films including titles such
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as I Will Marry Myself, Sour Milk, Deep Thought, Love is Not Enough, My First Boyfriend, Flowers of Dry Thorns, 30 February and Shortlist. Of these titles the most successful has been I Will Marry Myself which has aired on Mzansi Magic, Zambezi Magic, Vox Africa, Sky TV and also selected for the International Images Film Festival (IIFF). The festival is held in
Zimbabwe annually and was founded by internationally acclaimed author, filmmaking stalwart, renowned mentor and role model Tsitsi Dangarembga. The messages in Melgin’s films are mainly about love and marriage because he believes a lot of people have bad perceptions about marriage. “Marriage should be a place of hope, peace and tranquility, but in today’s world it’s the complete opposite,” he says.
future to the land of global entertainment, America. About his biggest career highlights he says it is the movies he has written and sold to television networks and from which proceeds have been invested in his own production company Light Image Productions. He mentions funding as the main challenge, saying this means that getting the right resources is a major hindrance to shoot a movie that will excite the whole world. What would he do if he had access to a US$10 million dollar budget? “I would built a $5 million film studio and shoot a movie that l’ve written 6 years ago Jazzyman telling Mbare (Harare) stories that used to happen when l was young.”
He singles out I Will Marry Myself as his most successful film as it “opened more doors” as a film writer and more so because it It was an experience to feature in played on many different television a South African film production station networks - local and because each production is different international. from the previous one so you He notes that his most memorable basically learn new tricks every commercial is for South African time you are on set and l think that National Blood Service because gives me more experience as a in that shoot he embraces the filmmaker when l’m doing my own characters of Denzel Washington. productions. So far he has featured in more than 30 commercials across Africa including MTN Mobile, Dtsv, Visa Card and several others too many to mention. Perhaps his most important television appearance was being chosen recently to feature in South Africa’s Generations – The Legacy,playing the role of a successful businessman About the role in probably Africa’s most successful soap opera, he says, “It was fun, but at the same time it was work so much experience is needed and strictly business”. “It was an experience to feature in a South African film production because each production is different from the previous one so you basically learn new tricks every time you on set and l think that gives me more experience as a filmmaker when l’m doing my own productions,” he recalls of his recent role. The hunk-like young gentleman says that in South Africa people respect the arts and artists don’t just give their best, but they give their all. The rates are better and the industry is solid and through this experience he is hoping to raise our Zim film industry to match that of Hollywood. Melgin began his career as a model in 2006 when he was young and in 2009 he went to school to study Drama. He quickly points out that the journey is not easy and it will never be easy. “We still facing challenges (in Africa) regarding funding to shoot movies that will compete at the international level of Hollywood”.Talking of Hollywood he foresees a dream move in the near 26
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He reveals that his next film is a somewhat controversial one and titled I Married My Mother and the title is still work in progress. Melgin lives in Johannesburg and is a proud son of Mbare Township, where he was born and bred. There he attended Gwinyai Primary School and left Zimbabwe in 2008.
He does visit home more often because he is setting up a production company so that he shares his experience with up-coming artists and build a better film industry for Zimbabwe. Among his several dreams, one is to revive the Zimbabwean entertainment industry shooting shows like Gringo and those that featured the great and inimitable Paraffin and many more. On the country’s actors he says “We’re getting there, our actors are getting big gigs in Hollywood films (like Tongai Chirisa and Danai Gurira) so every year we’re improving.” The next 5-10 years he would like to be one of the biggest directors ever to come from Africa: #million dollars. Asked which profession he values most between film and modeling, “he says “l would value film making because sometimes in modeling you can get away doing certain things than in film. In filmmaking you can’t cheat talent and experience.” Melgin loves Denzel Washington more so as he has enjoyed Fences the American actor’s new film that came out in the beginning of the year. His advice: The arts and entertainment industry is not easy and it will never be easy, but if l can make it as a filmmaker you can also make it. The best way of making a film is to take your cast, crew and camera and shoot it.”
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The High Tea
BONNIE CHIMANIKIRE & NTOMBIZODWA SIBANDA MEET THE LADIES BEHIND THE RENOWNED HIGH TEA
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wo young Zimbabweans, Bonnie Chimanikire and Ntombizodwa Sibanda launched an international initiative to add sparks in the lives of women trapped in a monotonous ‘missionary’ position kind of life. The High Tea initiative is designed to empower women by getting them to high key events to share their journeys and listen to inspirational talks over good food, drinks and entertainment. Bonnie Chimanikire, a Bulawayo raised lass who came up with The High Tea concept in 2015 told Zim-Abroad Magazine in an exclusive interview in Johannesburg that the idea was a mere ‘delicious excuse for the ladies to dress up, look good and share their stories over a tea and good food.’ “The High Tea is about bringing like minded women together for a common purpose which is to empower, motivate and encourage harmony and inter-dependence among women from different nationalities, backgrounds and races,” said Chimanikire. She added: “We target women in business, aspiring female entrepreneurs, leading women in communities and careers and any woman looking to be among other women in hopes to gain knowledge, unity, support and resources across a wide range of industries & interests.” She added that High Tea events were fun filled and enriching as women get to hear powerful stories from other their counterparts in different areas of their lives. “Enjoy an afternoon filled with learning, pampering, entertainment and amazing prizes from our sponsors. Oh, and of course fashion showcases from Africa’s finest fashion forward designers. It’s an event you don’t want to miss,” said the visibly bubbling Chimanikire. The energetic Sibanda also a legal-eagle in Johannesburg said the idea was not limited to entertainment but promotes business networking, showcasing talents, exhibiting products and exposure of business ideas. The duo have already staged four successful events in both Johannesburg and Harare. They also intend to stage similar events in Zambia, Botswana, UK, Canada and Australia.
Their most successful event was held in Harare at the affluent suburb of Chisipite where they sold 120 tickets. The duo’s high-profile events are supported by powerful sponsors that include Tanganda, Forbes Africa, Elle magazine, Senditoo, Cadco Beauty, SGP Inspirations, Mwanawamambo Accessories, Van Loveran Wines and Scarlet Valour Shoes. Some of the high profile personalities to address their events are Songezo Zibi from South Africa, who is the Head of Communication for Barclays Africa, Karen Mutasa, a Zimbabwe Business entrepreneur, Noreen Makosewe, a Kenya business strategist, Zarinah Hassan, a Ugandan Entrepreneur and wife to international star Diamond Platnumz, Matthew Mensah, Ghanaian Businessman and Entrepreneur and Dr Janet a relationship and family dynamics expert to name a few. The High Tea also offers workshops to women on a number of subjects that range from business, health, cooking, family and relationships. “This equips women with the skills necessary to achieve their goal, maintain their relationships, confidence, beauty and pride” added Chimanikire. She also revealed that they also started a mentorship programme for young women between the age group of 17-22 years for a period of 12 months that will kick-start early next year. “We approached certain industry gurus to mentor these young women. We will supply the young women with cell-phones, tablets and data,” Chimanikire. The High Tea also brought smiles to more than 350 orphans in Tembisa township last December when they staged a surprise christmas party for them. They also intend to step up their charity work by employing volunteers to supervise and help children from child-led homes with their school home-works. “We will have volunteers visiting such homes to make sure that children have done their homes or prepared themselves for tests and examinations,” said Sibanda.
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Marshal Gore Zimbabwe’s Pionnering Community Organiser
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arshall Gore is a devoted Christian born in a humbled family of six in Zimbabwe. He was named Marshall “Machel” by his father who adored the late Samora Machel, FRELIMO and Mozambique’s first Revolutionary leader who liberated Mozambique in 1975 the year he was born. His ancestral roots are in Goromonzi where he has maintained strong links with the community and is involved in several successful charity projects. “I consider myself to be very kind peaceful and sociable. I’m a family man married to a beautiful wife. We have been together for 17 years and we have a 12 year old son”, he said. Academically, he holds a Bachelor of Science (Bsc) Degree, Diploma in MH Nursing and a Diploma in Management Studies and is currently studying for MBA at the Greenwich School of Management parttime. Beside the academic qualifications he has qualifications in journalism and holds an FA Level2 Football Qualification. Marshall’s life has been a roller coaster which has seen him do almost everything for a living, buying and selling, owning grocery shop, temporary teacher, farm manager, industrial worker, maize trader, being a money changer, Combi Driver, support worker, worked as a nurse, care home manager semiprofessional football player, football coach, amateur boxer, TV presenter and football pundit, running a Gochi Gochi Tshisa Nyama (Rollers Club), being a promoter of show and finally making it as a reputable businessman He believes he is an influential and selfless leader in the Zimbabwe (UK) Diaspora Community and the African Diaspora Community. “Over the years I have contributed immensely to good community cohesion by organising national events that have contributed in bringing the Diaspora African communities together in the UK”. He is enjoying the fruits of hard work for several years and many lessons learnt from past failures. He has learnt to turn weaknesses into strength; at present he is involved in several successful business ventures in
the UK and in Africa besides being a Senior Health Executive in the NHS. He sits on the board of several companies; Armstrong Homes Holdings, Horizon Care Solutions Ltd (Director and joint owner) CarePlus Healthcare Group (Director and joint owner), Box Africa Limited (Director and Owner), Gohoguru Farm Ltd (Zim) and Tengai Online (shareholder) Founders Limited & Bhora Africa Limited (Director sole owner). In addition he also owns a decent property portfolio in both the UK and Zimbabwe. Marshall has a passion for football, boxing and community work. He is a strong advocate for philanthropy, youth development, and he subscribes to Pan Africanism. He is the founder of Team Zimbabwe UK, a successful Zimbabwe Diaspora Football organisation which is now working with the English FA and ZIFA, focusing on developing Diaspora football talent for the Zimbabwe national team. He has found satisfaction in building this project since 2012 after the London Olympics. In addition to this, he is also proud of being the Co-Founder and Chairman of the African Football Association (AFA), also of being an Advisor to the English FA on diversity matters. As if this is not enough, this year his credentials were enhanced further following his appointment by the Scottish Government Hub as The SADC Chairman of the Africa Forum Scotland (AFS) an organisation that specializes in helping investment flows into African markets and economies. In addition he was also appointed as President of the Affirmative Action Group Diaspora Chapter by the AAG in Zimbabwe and was also nominated as the African Diaspora Ambassadors of Prostate Cancer UK.
armature boxing tournaments in Zimbabwe and Uganda with the aim of supporting the revival of boxing in the respective countries,” he explains. In addition to promoting and managing boxers Marshal also specialise in supplying, producing content and selling boxing content to TV stations. “We are also experts in live broadcast of boxing matches. At present we are currently working with the 3 biggest boxing champions from Zimbabwe Charles Manyuchi, Derek Chisora and Tamuka Muchapondwa supporting them with branding and negotiating commercial contracts with sponsors.” Bhora Africa Limited is a football management company that specialises in managing, branding and representing football players as agents. It also supports football clubs and football associations to obtain sponsorship. It is actively involved in Sports Tourism consultancy. They recently facilitated the Zimbabwe football Association (ZIFA) to obtain a kit sponsorship deal with a Singapore based company. At present he says they are the official suppliers of the Zimbabwe football kit. Caps United Football Club, are also their client in Zimbabwe. His company also runs a blog that provides latest updates on African Football News. At present we are currently working with ZIFA in partnership with a leading sports group to facilitate the historic tour of an English Premier League Club to Zimbabwe in 2018/19 season. He says if this happens it will be one of his biggest achievements.
His Box Africa Limited is a company founded 2 years ago. It’s a boxing promotion/ management company. Although it is based in the UK it focuses mainly on scouting and developing special rising African boxing talent. At present it has offices in the UK/ Zimbabwe and Uganda where it owns several professional and amateur boxers.
Marshall says the biggest challenge in community sports is mobilising the required financial resources and finding dedicated people to support the work as volunteers. In addition he also faces challenges in trying to educate people especially parents about the importance of sport as a profession. Many parents fail to realise the importance of football as a professional and that it has potential to transform their kids into being wealthy personalities. Sports is now the biggest industry hence our appetite to scout and develop talent in football and boxing.
“We are also in partnership with several reputable boxing stables developing boxing talent in Africa. Over the last 2 years we have held successful
Marshall has worked on several other notable projects to date. He has been at the centre of organising the African Nations Cup UK Football Tournament since 2006. This is the biggest community football
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tournament in the UK and Europe which is supported by the English FA. He also founded Team Zimbabwe UK which has been operating since 2012. It was first instrument in raising funds for the Zimbabwe Olympic Team at the London 2012 Olympics. But he says now they have shifted focus to scouting Zimbabwean football talent abroad for inclusion with into our main national team. Our Under 17 squad has won the last two UK African Nations Cup Tournaments. This was a great achievement complemented by Zifa. Dr Phillip Chiyangwa Zifa President came all the way from Zimbabwe to the UK to congratulate the boys. In addition to this I’ve been appointed as the ZIFA representative in the Diaspora and I’m now working on persuading some of our unknown foreign base football players, the likes of Tendai Darikwa, Kundai Benyu and many more to play for Zimbabwe under the Zimbabwe Diaspora Football Development Strategy. He visits the players and sells brand Zimbabwe to them as well as producing reports every quarter to ZIFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation updating them on my progress. He is also working on a tour to Zimbabwe with our Team Zimbabwe (UK) Under 17 National Team. The Champions are destined to tour
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Zimbabwe December 2017 and to play two high profile games in Harare and Bulawayo with the junior nationals in Zimbabwe. Both Zifa and the Ministry of Tourism and ZTA are on board to support the initiative. Marshall started community building at a very young age in Goromonzi after School. It’s been 23 years since I founded my first community hub. Since then the responsibilities have multiplied from village level to national, continental and now global level. What motivates you to wake up daily? “The gift of life from God, gives me a sense of purpose to please Him by helping others. The bible scripture from Psalms 37vs 25 is my motivation. David says “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” This is where I draw my strength from, the word of God.” He has faced challenges including being undermined by critics who don’t know him personally. These are people who judge me without a good understanding of my persona or knowledge of my work. From an organisation point its lack of funding for projects. Lack of finance is a big hindrance to most of our community projects.
Based in North London he says he likes London for it’s very cosmopolitan and multicultural setting. He left Zim in December 1997, with the hope of playing professional football. If he was to go back to Zim now what plans would he have for the country? “I would like to become an MP in Goromonzi South Constituency my rural area. And to also hold a position of influence in government that can help me to influence good governance. I would endeavour to support government to deliver sustainable community development projects that will eradicate poverty and enable people in Zimbabwe to have good quality life, by making it affordable for ordinary people to access good healthcare, good education, clean water and also affording everyone a chance to have fair access to the economy. “In addition I would also contribute in developing our sports, football in particular. I would like to be involved with Zifa and share my experience with some of the good administrators around today.” Marshall runs a community trust in Zimbabwe’s Goromonzi District known as Goromonzi Kubatana Community Trust. The trust provides social and recreation activities for youth in the rural areas. It also support local schools, by providing them with books
and school fess grants for orphans. The Trust has been running for more than 15 years and continues to grow year by year. One of his biggest and most treasured achievements was to bring electricity and to drill a borehole in my village using personal funds at Chikazhe Village, in Rusike Goromonzi. He says this has changed lives and improved life expectance.
Many parents fail to realise the importance of football as a professional and that it has potential to transform their kids into being wealthy personalities. Sports is now the biggest industry hence our appetite to scout and develop talent in football and boxing
Sithule Tshuma - On how Diaspora can play a role in development Mother of 3 boys, she comes from Lupane, Matabeleland North but grew up in the City of Bulawayo. Her background made her see the suffering of disadvantaged people and communities in both rural and urban set ups.Extremely passionate about uplifting her home country Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwean community in the diaspora.
I
am always out there engaging our community about the importance of Ubuntu / Hunhu, what in English you may call Togetherness or Communalism. I am a business woman,
and I am also the founder of a voluntary social media ladies’ group called QokiZiNdlovukazi – ManinaAmahle Ladies UK.” she said. Presently she is working on her own health and social care company called O. S Care Agency. The company works in partnership with NHS England. She is also currently involved in about 5 of QokiZiNdlovukazi ManinaAmahle Ladies UK projects. These are QokiZiNdlovukazi Hospital project, Qoki Funeral Assistance Group, Qoki Property Group, Qoki Birthday Group and Qoki Lotto Syndicate Group. There is a Qoki Savings Club. She loves promoting Zimbabwean artists, supporting and showcasing the talents they have. “It’s one of those things I feel as a community we must do. We have many talented young Zimbabweans in the diaspora who need our support to make it in their chosen careers. It is my wish that we all promote and support them to do well. I love supporting young models, musicians and actors,” she said. Explaining more her organisation she said QokiZiNdlovukazi...ManinaAmahle, is a Charitable Zimbabwean - UK women only organisation. It was essentially formed to empower women so that they become well aware of socio-economic needs of our diverse communities in the UK and back home in Zimbabwe. www.zim-abroad.com 33
Qoki empowers women by conducting workshops with regards to climbing up the property ladder, buying shares in properties, saving and investments. Projects in Zimbabwe have been mainly charitable work such as blankets donations to district hospitals. “We have so far donated to district hospitals including St. Lukes Hospital, Filabusi; Sipepa Clinic, Gwanda; Maphisa, Silobela; Mpilo Maternity Ward and Mpilo Childrens’ Ward. “We also donated towards the Tsholotsho disaster during the floods this year,” she said. QokiZiNdlovukazi is in the process of being registered here in the UK, both as a Charitable Organisation and a Company Limited by Guarantee. It is currently going through its Constitution to ensure it meets registration requirements and it is what works for members of the group. QokiZiNdlovukazi ManinaAmahle has already made successes through its humanitarian, hospitals and clinics donations, especially in the Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo & Midlands provinces of Zimbabwe where they alleviated acute blanket shortages. “We are trying to make life better by giving back to the community in areas we feel the government is unable to cope due to economic constraints affecting the country. As Qoki, we feel that it is our role as citizens to help our communities if we can. We will continue to help Zimbabwe in various ways that we can,” she said. Their Property Investments (UK) and Funeral Assistance projects have particularly attracted a huge number of Zimbabwean women participants, this way becoming a role model to many Zimbabweans and other nationalities. Qoki has a lot of projects lined up. For example they want to ensure that within the next 18 months all members of the Qoki Property Investment would have bought their own property or raised enough deposit to do so. They are also aiming to help those with a desire to invest in properties back home. To this effect they are engaging local authorities and banks to help members with mortgages or land for constructing their own properties. Qoki was formed just 9 months ago but has grown and done a lot. It therefore foresees immeasurable development, growth and enormous expansion in the coming five years. Sithule explains that it will never be that easy since their projects will need huge donations in small amounts from members. 34
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She is also asking for help from mainstream donor funding organisations.
She lived in Bulawayo up until relocating to the UK.
In the absence of external funding the members will continue giving voluntary contributions. “We are therefore appealing to both local Zimbabwean and international donors and corporate organisations to help us achieve our dreams.
She left Zimbabwe in 2002 where she had attended school at Insukamini and Ingubo Primary schools before going to Tennyson Hlabangana High School in Matabeleland.
QokiZiNdlovukazi (ManinaAmahle) is apolitcal and non-discriminatory, but generally looks at areas of acute humanitarian communities’ needs in Matabeleland and Midlands. Talking about their other projects she said that Qoki has 4 projects and at the moment where Qoki Property Project is doing extremely well. It’s in two categories helping each other buy or build houses back home. They bought a house as a group here in the U.K. They are in the process of renovating it and will subsequently sell it and share profit proceeds. They are also helping each other buy properties here in the UK. This will help members climb up the property ladder. Sithule is motivated by her children. Just by looking at them gives her the drive to keep going. “Looking at them and knowing they have something to be happy for, have all their basic needs, also drives me towards helping those children whose parents are not as lucky as I am. “My children are therefore my source of inspiration in everything I do. They remind me of other people. I am aware some parents can’t do it for their children. That only makes me want to play a small role towards empowering others. “I am happy that at Qoki we all share this communal love and have various personal and communal experiences that individually motivate and drive us to do what we are doing,” she said. Her biggest career highlight was starting her own company O. S Care Agency because I took a leap of faith and here I am today. Like she said above, she likes to support and manage artists and one of her artists won Awards 2016 & 2017. The other one became 1st princess in Miss World Zimbabwe U.K. Based in Manchester, she was born at St Paul, Lupane. She then went on to live in Bulawayo at Lobengula where she did my primary education.
If she went back to Zim today she would try and develop Matebeleland and bring back Bulawayo to its former industrial and cultural glory. “I would like to see our NRZ working as it used to. I would like to see our traditional cultural musicians and dancers promoted and reviving all cultural aspects of Ubuntu. “I would like to see us work together as a country. That is my greatest prayer that as Zimbabweans, we stay united and develop the country. There is nothing that can defeat people who are united and have a passion about their country. “Even Zimbabweans who have relocated and acquired citizenships in other countries continue to show interest in their home country. That is something that needs nursing. I hope that the government will one day come up with a programme where it promotes and encourages those in diaspora to invest easily back home. “Zimbabweans in diaspora are immensely talented, hard working and very much willing to invest and develop their homeland. We can also emulate what other countries such as India and Israel have done. They utilised their diaspora sons and daughters to develop their countries.” In the next 5 years Qoki will have grown and its deeds will be speaking for everyone to see If any individual or any organisation would like to donate or support their hospitals or any part of their work, below are the contact details: Mobile:07479462612 or Email:qokizindlovukazi@outlook.com or website. http://www.qokizindlovukazi.org. www.qokizindlovukazi.org
I would like to see us work together as a country. That is my greatest prayer that as Zimbabweans, we stay united and develop the country. There is nothing that can defeat people who are united and have a passion about their country
The Essence of Economic Challenges No matter how long, night must end in Day!
By Louis Charema
Helen
Keller was born in 1880 and was blind before she was two years old. Despite this debilitating disability, coupled by being female in the grossly patriarchal times, she learned to read and write, and became the first deaf blind person to gain a bachelor degree. Her story was sung but many I saw on my sojourn into my homeland have also survived the odds and thrived regardless of the odds. I saw individuals, both men and women that have taken advantage of various negative scenarios converting them to positive ones and this has left me significantly impressed. Today I sing an ode to those unsung entrepreneurial heroes and survivors par excellence I saw in my homeland. I recently went on a tourist jaunt to my homeland SADC region. My August Summer trip saw me traversing through South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and the land where my umbilical cord lies: Zimbabwe. The journey gave me an epiphany moment as I digressed from sight-seeing and my entrepreneurial eyes suddenly engaged. I saw the challenges, the opportunities, the hurdles and the wondrous stories of survival and thriving in adversity. The journey was a game changer for me. I learnt a practical definition of resilience, the importance of an assessing eye, grasping an opportunity, second guessing and being resolute.Make no mistake, the challenges are real and in plenty supply and no one human being is immune to these BUT, every dark cloud has a silver lining indeed if one knows what to look for when clouds gather.
essentially closed and for a while all cooking oil was imported. On this journey, I was pleasantly surprised to see that cooking oil on shelves is now all Zimbabwean made. New players have risen from the ashes that were part of the Unilever conglomerate. Some entrepreneurs saw a gap and aggressively pushed to open their own companies and are now making profits and contributing to the fiscus. They used an entrepreneur’s eye to see an opening that presented itself in the hardship that followed the mass closure of the international conglomerates present in a lot of Zimbabwe’s business sectors. Like Jacob enterprisingly used coloured sticks to influence the colour of offspring when he had his agreement with Laban to share their livestock (Genesis 30 verses 37-40), so have many Zimbabweans with the challenges they have faced. Big gold mining companies closed and in their place enterprising small-scale miners have pushed national gold production up again, ditto with chrome and even in farming as recently shown by the influx of grain in the national granaries. The point here is that despite the odds many have taken hold of the challenges and created a success story for their lives. Some have chosen to weep and expect a solution to be provided for them but a few have taken matters into their own hands and are building legacies.
The recent economic history of the countries I went to and especially Zimbabwe, has been very challenging indeed. The Zimbabwean economy was based on big business employing hundreds and even thousands per company, mine or farm.
A Zimbabwean Businessman, come President, popularly known as “P.C” in an address on video, jokingly said people are waiting and waiting on the government and ministers to effect changes when they, the people, should be the drivers of any economic turnaround. All over Zimbabwe in my sojourn I saw that society was indeed a mixed cocktail of fortunes, there were those who were dejected and without fight and those who despite the odds were making strides.
With their closure, a great vacuum in employment was created. Out of this vacuum has arisen a new type of businessman, a shrewd character who has survived some of the biggest knocks possible. To quote one sector of industry, the cooking oil industry
After many interactions, I had moments of introspection and it was within these moments that a momentous realization of the import of Mr “P.C”s words rang in my being. There are those that have accepted defeat by the many challenges presented to them by life then there
are those who refuse to concede and have found a way around the challenges. In my many discourses, I uniformly came across an array of causes and reasons for the problems, however, in my discourses with positive players they opened my eyes to a new world of a “survivalist” mentality and strategic thinking. One gentleman I met had only recently opened a small brick production operation, at the advent of shortages and at a time when many small businesses were frowning down at electronic payments he had hurriedly installed points of sale in his business. He had enjoyed a large influx of customers and a surge in profits which had seen him opening another shop and creating a bigger following of loyal customers. He had seen a way around the challenges and not hesitated to work around them when many were dejected and not thinking of a way around their challenge. He survived and essentially thrived because he converted his erstwhile lemons into lemonade. The stories are many and varied but there lies one constant in them all. I saw a marked difference into the approach to challenges in different people as I interacted with them. Many focused on the challenges facing them and broached no solutions whereas others mentioned the same challenges and waxed long and lyrical as it were, on how they had circumvented every single problem. Some had even anticipated problems before they occurred. The bottom line was that they had taken these challenges and made them opportunities, when things were bleak they had known that no night was so long that it did not end in day. These men and women paving success in adversity have done so not by luck or chance, they have been resolute in their quest to overcome; they have worked with what legislation is there, worked with what challenges market forces have thrown at them and have without fail strived to identify every challenge for the opportunity it can be converted in. I returned inspired invigorated and with a wholly different outlook to the essence of challenges. I am, your “Chief of Staff”
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ASHLEY SHUMBA’S STRUGGLE TO MAKE IT IN LIFE In today’s highly competitive life, one has to go through many challenges to make it as there is nothing good that comes without sweat. Ashley Shumba is a typical example. He talks about his life and more.
H
e is based in the U.S. where he’s pursuing studies in Corporate Law as well as running his small scale trucking company Ashley Shumba Trucking. From 1996-1999, he featured at Harare’s Reps Theatre in professional world renowned theatrical productions such as the musical Blood Brothers and a Pantomime Robin Hood & Babes in the Wood. In 1999, Ashley was selected to represent Africa in Europe on an international youth exchange program, sponsored by the European Commission, which saw him traveling extensively in England, France and Holland sharing his knowledge on varied subjects centered on appreciation of cultures. Between 1996-1999, he also undertook film studies at UNESCO in conjunction with the London Film School. Ashley is motivated by achieving dreams as a driving force as well as studying harder to advance himself and earning money for a livelihood. In 2002, he founded and produced
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Miss Southern Africa Beauty Pageant which undoubtedly opened many doors. And also, in 2012 while in Namibia, he successful launched and set up Heal Southern Africa Foundation - an international dynamic charitable organization aiming to reduce poverty. He believes such initiatives have potential to put one on the world map. He says in the U.S. the competition in business or career wise is stiff and aggressive. “Remember America is a place of limitless opportunities so many highly skilled people
nations, all races, all religions, all languages are united in one love. He believes that through self-oneness, the world is obliged to come closer to those who are in real need. For more detail about his business, visit: www.ashley-shumba.com
from all over the world are in the U.S. One has to be focused, determined and legit to excel. Being a Black African, we lack adequate resources to penetrate the business market so we start from scratch with our little hard earned salaries. At one point I had to take 2 jobs, working 80 hours a week in order to raise capital for my trucking company. He is now settled in Los Angeles but bought a house in Pennsylvania and where he also runs his trucking company. Ashley Shumba is married to a U.S. citizen. He was born on 8 March 1977 in Mberengwa, a rural district in Zimbabwe. He went to Chegato Primary, Munene Boarding School, Chegato High School and UNESCO Film Institute.
He left Zimbabwe in 2003 and has lived and worked in Angola, Botswana, England, France, Holland, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and the United States. He notes that in America business opportunities are readily available. The U.S. economy currently is growing and very stable, businesses are doing well, investment is flourishing and people are prospering. In 5 years from now, Ashley Shumba is looking forward to be an established Corporate Lawyer, successful businessman and Real Estate mogul. His wide-range interest is combined with his tireless efforts and personal approach to help the poor and underprivileged in Africa to lead a more hopeful life. He observes that serious problems and shocking events have become everyday news around the world. We could eliminate hunger among children by taking one kid at a time. There are so many talented youngsters that are hungry, don’t go to school, have no shelter, don’t have an adult that cares about them. Ashley would like to promote a global society in which people of all
I would like to promote a global society in which people of all nations, all races, all religions, all languages are united in one love. I believe that through self-oneness, the world is obliged to come closer to those who are in real need. www.zim-abroad.com 37
Herzlich Wilkommen zu Deutschland
From Deutsch Desk by Kumbi Chipadza
As
I write this the German people are voting in Parliamentary
Elections with Chancellor Angela Merkel seeking a fourth term. The relative quietness and tranquillity is a result of a country at peace with itself and an economy that is striving.
The mere mention of the name Germany conjures an image of shock and disgust among Zimbabweans with words like ‘Nazis’ and ‘racists’ quick to come out. Far from it is the present day reality. Germany has seen it all, oppression, suppression and economic depression. Scorned by the world and an embarrassment to Europe due to the persecution of Jews and World War 2 to the separation of the State until the Berlin Wall was demolished in 1989. Today it stands large as a Collosus opening its borders in 2015 to Syrian refugees in a move described by Chancellor Merkel as ‘.. only humane thing to do’. How the roles have reversed. God bless Germany!!!! As Brexit divorce deal is being finalised, Germany has stood up as the new Power in Europe keeping the European Union together. With the third largest export economy in the World, Germany has shaken even incumbent United States of America President, Donald Trump who recently complained about the balance of trade between the two nations. While Germany has been much of an enigma for us as Africans it is high time we took a closer and more intimate look because there are numerous advantages and synergies to be made. The Federation of German Industries has dubbed Africa, ‘.. continent of opportunities’ which as the World’s, fastest growing continent is in need of investment, infrastructure, power and industrialisation which Germany can provide. It is worthy to note that despite Germany being third largest export economy in the world, (103.7 billion Euro, July 2017), only 2% of that is with Africa(here in lies the opportunity). On 23rd March, 2017 in Berlin the German - Africa Business Forum was held which was established to bring together African
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business and political leaders with German preeminent companies to develop fresh commercial and social concepts that shape business. Contrasted with why Germany was not following the footsteps of China in Africa, the CEO of Siemens Nigeria, Onyeche Tifase replied, ‘ In Africa China is looking for a girlfriend, Germany is looking for a wife.’ Thus long term strategy is needed on part of African business and political leaders. The above quote is synonymous with the typical German persona. Germans are generally well organised with order and structure a key for them. They are punctual and straight shooters so while they can seem distant at first sight, and close friendship is not overnight when they do form one, it is genuine. Drawing closer to home and especially to my brothers and sisters in the Tourism industry, in 2016 Germans overtook Britons as the number one tourists to South Africa just showing the strength of their economy. In a nation of over 82million, half the nation goes on holiday twice a year. What if, yes what if, as Zimbabweans we could take some of that South African business? I leave you with a few Deutsch words that are important for your first interaction with Germans, Guten Tag - Good day Guten Abend - Good evening Wie gehts es dir - How are you Geld - Money Tschus - Goodbye
@zimabroadmag Visit: www.zim-abroad.com
NULECE KANENGONI & HUSBAND’S BUSINESS
SOLUTIONS GROUP OF COMPANIES
The
Sphiwithemba projects group is a business solutions driven group of companies providing turnkey solutions. The composition of the companies within the group reflects the diversity of disciplines involved in business and management. The portfolio of expertise includesaccounting, project management and education, training and development in accordance with our clients’ needs in a consulting, service provider and outsourcing capacity. Sphiwithemba Projects is a market-leading and globally managed business development
corporation. It is driven by a team of highly experienced and passionate professionals with over 5years in providing business solutions. “We have built a comprehensive reputation for delivering innovative solutions that are mapped to international industry standards on every level,” said co-founder and tax and accounting management expert Nulece Kanengoni. Basedi in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sphiwithemba upholds an extensive portfolio of business development, organizational development, tax and accounting services and suppliers.
Sphiwithemba Projects provides the services and expertise to help your organization rediscover the business potential of its target market, providing significant competitive advantage and a high ROI, generating more revenue and increased profit. Furthermore, we work to ensure that your organization gains a competitive advantage and experiences increased brand value. In Addition to this, Sphiwithemba Project’s objective will include focusing on improving the visibility of your organization’s brand with purpose being to generate more leads, assess, evaluate and optimize those leads based on the
analytics we produce.
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Sphiwithemba’s strategy will provide the following to your organization: Peer to peer networking coupled with trade secrets Full range of learning capabilities scaled to meet your requirements Find new customers and grow your organizations / business Grow and increase your revenue and profits The company has built has built a vast variety of industry relationships that allows it to creatively leverage off the best of breed solutions and expertise. It has fine-tuned the most effective dissemination of business information to niche markets across Africa. It continuously bridges the skills gap and enhances performance transformations to acquire, maintain and optimize our client skills. It distinguishesitself through engaging design, incomparable service and an unparalleled allegiance to exceeding expectations with each solution delivered. “We are for crafting and executing exceptional developmental experiences that transform organizations’ approach and practices. We research, design and develop all our solutions in great detail with one aim in mind – to help you take your organization to the next level. “Our solutions help you address and solve business problems, open new sales channels, envision new solutions to stagnant markets and promote your products and services in new and exciting ways”. Sphiwithemba Projects strives to render services of the highest quality to its customers. This isachieved through a team approach, the awareness of its employees that their best efforts are essential and, therefore, appreciated, and the knowledge that ultimately everyone will benefit from the company’s successes. To achieve and sustain the highest standard and quality of services, Sphiwithemba Projects promotes the following basic values: Maintaining or improving its position in the market sector concerned only superior quality and service. Promoting positive and constructive relationships with other service providers, particularly with a view to provide a broader spectrum of expertise through capacity building Sustaining the company’s unique and noteworthy products and services through an ongoing commitment to innovation and creativity. Sphiwithemba Projects organogram includes Sphiwithemba Business Solutions (Tax and accounting as well event management services), Sphiwithemba Supplies (packaging, spares, consumables) Sphiwithemba Business Development (Skills training and development as well as business consulting services). The Tax and Accountingunit is a professional firm providing accounting, business consultancy, forensic and tax advisory 40
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services. We strive to be a leading network of independent, high quality accounting and consulting firms, which helps to meet the business and financialneeds of organizations and individuals. Within this unit we are committed to identify, meet and exceed our clients’ expectations by providing a cost effective, efficient and holistic service. We provide a personal service by being readily available to our clients and responding to their needs within a reasonable time. Weestablish strong, lasting relationships based on reputation for adding value.We provide expert and impartial advice and maintain thehighest standards of professional conduct and expertise. The Events Management Unit organizes high level business seminars and conferences focusing on critical industry issues, weddings, media engagements. “Going above and beyond the call of duty in corporate events management, to deliver beyondexpectations, is our standard operating procedure. From a world class extravaganza to an elegant reception dinner, we consider it a personal challenge and leave no stone unturned inachieving unsurpassable impressions. “Each project we take on involves working with you and ourwell-established partners from concept to completion, in order to ensure every detail is in placeand all elements function seamlessly. We achieve this by viewing events planning as a creativeproduction and throwing our full weight behind the engineering and execution of every detail. “From the smallest facetto the bigger picture we are an events management company which is always focused on an event that is unique, different and remembered for years to come,” said Nulece. Included in these event management services is the coordination of all entertainment, soundand lighting requirements, supplier and venue liaison and much more besides. To ensure the execution of truly extraordinary events, we employ our full range of talents. This includes assisting our customers with budgeting and helping to match their needs with our widerange of event management services. This includes working hand in hand with corporate clientswho have very specific requirements in terms of branding and hospitality areas. We offer project management for all of our events, whether they’re in the private or corporate sectors, providingclients with total peace of mind and allowing them to concentrate on their guests. Sphiwithemba Business Developments covers Skills Training and Development. Here focus offersinclude soft skills training and development interventions in management,sales and marketing, secretarial and admin, HR, Strategy and compliance. The following programmes
are some of the programmes we actually offer; Management Programmes, Team Leader and Supervisory Development, Business Management Training, HR Training and Consulting, Finance Courses, Sales, Marketing and Customer Services, Secretarial and Administration Programmes, and Health and Safety, as well as in-house programmes. Under Business Consulting Services the focus is on business solutions consulting, strategic planning, balanced Scorecards, HR Consulting, compliance consulting, business development and team building. There is also the provision of world class solutions to our client’s problems through innovative, well-articulated activities/ideas and by being strategic partners of our clients. “We strive to be recognized as excellent and effective leaders in business consulting in the whole of whole of Southern Africa, in both public and private sector enterprises. As well as thrive in the provision of worldclass solutions to our client’s problems through innovative, well-articulated activities/ ideasand by being strategic partners of our clients,” she said. Nulece studied for a Bachelor in Business Administration (major in Finance) at Solusi University, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She runs the group of companies with her dedicated husband.
We strive to be recognized as excellent and effective leaders in business consulting in the whole of whole of Southern Africa, in both public and private sector enterprises. As well as thrive in the provision of world class solutions to our client’s problems through innovative, well-articulated activities / ideas and by being strategic partners of our clients.
Upholding one’s culture whilst staying abroad
To
my knowledge culture zones in on a particular group of people’s way of life, what we believe and hold dear to our hearts, our values, how we dress, what we eat and what we listen to. Living in a foreign land is never easy. People are often compelled to conform so as to fit into their new environment. Be that as it may we cannot give up on our way of life to fit in. In the wake of globalisation and increased integration amongst nations we need to reaffirm our position in the World. We must be proud to be Zimbabwean, ‘Kudada nezvatiri’. Our rich culture is not tied down to the economy or the negative light our country is cast in the news. Our culture is rooted in the values we hold dear such as reverence for our elders, our local dishes and music to name but a few. In my view maintaining one’s culture while staying abroad can be done by forming a community with other Zimbabweans abroad. Not to shut the world out but to meet and appreciate the best of what Zimbabwean culture has to offer. Finding others who speak the same primary language as you, people who support sportsmen from home/kumusha like Kirsty Coventry who did us proud in previous years and acknowledging Zimbabwean holidays can go a long way in instilling pride in who we are. Across the world Russians, Italians, South Americans and the Chinese are good examples of people who embrace their culture in foreign lands. They have communities where they meet to celebrate unique holidays, eat their local dishes and shops that they sell goods from home to each other. These places and functions are often times also open to other people from different races who wish to celebrate their cultures. There is strength in numbers and when it is done properly and frequently it will be comforting to those who are living abroad. However choosing to congregate must be done with a good heart
Chisamba productions 10th anniversary celebratory dinner party to celebrate Zimbabwean culture and not in a bid to segregate ourselves from the World. We are proud to be Zimbabwean but ultimately we belong to the human race. It is normal to make compromises to fit in the first few months you move to a new place. After the initial culture shock you must be true to yourself and do what you believe is right. Most cultures respect personal choices. For instance in our culture it is honourable for children to help their parents out where and when they can. Even if other cultures may not understand why one may choose to help their parents when they are gainfully employed one must remember that this is the Zimbabwean way. It is rewarding and how most Zimbabwean children are raised and it is a cultural pattern that has not been eroded.
On the 26th of October Chisamba productions will be celebrating 10 years since its inception and the strides the production house has made in the media industry. Renowned for producing programmes such as Mai Chisamba show even though the show has been on the air for the past 2 decades. Chisamba productions and media consultancy has grown from strength to strength over the years. The celebratory dinner shall be held at the exquisite Manna resort in Glen Lorne, Harare in captivating mountainous scenery. The night shall be filled with dancing, food, music and excitement as captains of industry and Zimbabweans from all walks of life come to celebrate this landmark achievement.
These days alienation and loneliness can be fought by showcasing aspects for our culture to others. Through social media and Zimbabwean musicians that are always touring the diaspora it is easy to alert one’s circle of friends about what Zimbabweans have to offer and tell Zimbabwean stories on big platforms. You never know your foreign friend could end up being a bigger fan of Jah prayzah than you and in turn help bridge the gap between your two For opportunities to market organisations cultures. and products, secure a table for a company or purchase individual tickets As a concluding remark i urge Zimbabweans in the diaspora before they sell out please contact Mai to unite and cherish what makes us Zimbabwean. Impart this Chisamba on 0772354215, Patson on knowledge to the young ones who have not been to Zimbabwe 0773359110, Nyaradzo on 0775156743. yet. Tell them of our languages, how we like to sing and dance, our totems and what we value as a nation. Our culture forms our identity in the World and we cannot be ashamed of it.
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The future of the band looks bright, everyday we hope and pray that we will continue to improve and get better. We have the potential to become a headline act for big festivals for example but again we have to keep working.
MOKOOMBA MOKOOMBA BAND GOES GLOBAL PROMOTING ZIMBABWE’S MINORITY LANGUAGUES
MC: How many members are in the band? MG: The band has six members MC: Tell us the names of the members and the instruments they play?
H
ailing from Chinotimba Township, in Victoria Falls, the young band is touring regularly and releasing some of the best traditional music. Can they be the first Zimbabwean band to win a Grammy Award? Zim Abroad Editor Martin Chemhere speaks to Marcus Gora, their manager.
Martin Chemhere (MC): Who is Mokoomba in brief? Marcus Gora (MG) Mokoomba is a multiple awardwinning and top touring music group that hails from Chinotimba township in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. MC: What does the name Mokoomba mean? MG: The name Mokoomba refers to the vibrant life that 42
the Zambezi River gives to the people who live along its shores.
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MG: Mathias Muzaza is the lead singer.Trustworth Samende is the lead guitarist. Abundance Mutori is the bass player. Miti Mugande is the percussionist. Ndaba Coster Moyo is the drummer. Donald Moyo is the keyboard player. MC: What languages does the band use in their songs/messages? MG: The band sings in Luvale, Tonga, Nyanja, Ndebele and Shona. MC: Since winning the Music Crossroads Interregional Festival Competition in Malawi (2008) the
young band has been on a roll performing in international venues never imagined for a young Zim band, what do you think is the reason for this breakthrough? MG: The Music Crossroads Interregional Festival Competition was a good stepping stone for us as a band but we have had to work very hard after that to become a professional outfit able to organize ourselves and try to understand how the industry works while most importantly creating and performing music that is original, interesting and true to who we are.
current one which we have been on the road for five months. MC: Tell us how many albums the band has released and their titles? MG: The band has released three albums to date namely Kweseka (2009), Rising Tide(2012) andLuyando (2017). We have also released an EP titled Umvundla (2011) in collaboration with star Dutch DJ Gregor Salto.
MC: I understand Mokoomba has performed at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, the first and only Zimbabwean band to do so, what was the experience like? MG: Performing at the Apollo Theatre was such a special and incredible experiencefor us because the Apollo Theatre is an iconic venue where the careers of superstars like Michael Jackson and James Brown flourished. It felt for a moment like we were a part of the theatre’s story even though deep inside we knew that we still have a lot of work to do and ways to go. MC: How many countries has the band performed in so far? MG: We have not really sat down and done a count yet but it has to be more that 40 countries around the world. MC: How many tours on average does the band have per year? MG: Per year we usually do about two to three tours with varying durations, sometimes a month, two months or three months depending on demand. The longest stretch we have done on a single tour is the
MC: Name the band’s most popular album to date and main messages in it? MG: All our albums have been successful and have received rave reviews and some awards. Our music is mainly about the intersection between tradition and contemporary life; the wisdom that we can derive from traditional stories that is instructional to our present day lives. Some stories are about love, some about the dangers of not listening or heading advice, some are about traditional ceremonies that are still being practiced by the Tonga and Luvale people, etc. MC: How many awards has the band won son far? MG: To date we have won: Nama – Arts Personality of the Year 2013, Songlines Magazine UK – Best Newcomer 2013, ZIMAA Top Touring
Artist of the Year 2013 Zim Achievers – International Best Touring Artist 2014, ZIMA – Touring Ambassador 2014, Bulawayo Arts Awards – International Ambassador 2017 MC: The band has been exporting mainly Tonga music with such aplomb, tell us the secret? MG: There is no secret as such. Mokoomba has been singing mainly in Luvale, Tonga, Nyanja that are some of the minority languages spoken in Victoria Falls which is a border town. We have always wanted to highlight minority languages because in some places they are being left to die and when they do, all the traditional knowledge is lost as well. So this is our small way of promoting these languages and our audiences appreciate that. On the other hand, the rhythms from our traditional music are infectious and we have incorporated them to create a highly danceable fusion with other genres like Funk, Soukous, Ska and Afro-Latin beats that gives great energy to our concerts. MC: Can you compare the band’s support in Zim and overseas? MG: We have a rapidly growing audience at home and around the world but we are never worried about numbers, we hope we are connecting with audiences that really love what we are doing and will support us in the long term. MC: If you like tell us each members’ music qualifications or if some members studied music? MG: Most of the members in the band are self-taught and some have attended traditional ceremonies where they have learnt a lot of drumming, singing and dance. Two have gone to music school and attained a certificate. www.zim-abroad.com 43
MC: What motivates the band to wake up daily?
solved? MC: How do you see the future of MG: There is very little support for
MG: All the band members in Mokoomba love music and love to play and to be on stage. That love of music is the main motivator and we understand that to share our music widely, it needs to be of a high quality so we are always working to improve the quality so we can reach more people. MC: What is the band’s biggest career highlight(s) and how did that change their career / perspective of the music profession? MG: There have been quite a number of very good moments in our career so it is difficult to name the best or the biggest. We have appeared live on Later with Jools Holland, shared the stage with Senegalese legend
the band so far?
emerging bands in Zimbabwe in general. Most people are content to watch from
MG: The future of the band looks bright,
the sidelines and only come on board
everyday we hope and pray that we will
when success is visible. We have had to
continue to improve and get better. We
struggle to find a formula that works for
have the potential to become a headline
us and we hope we are close to getting
act for big festivals for example but again
it right.
we have to keep working.
MC: How many months is the band on
MC: Tell us if the band is involved in
tour per year?
any social responsibility / giving back in Zim?
MG: On average we tour for about 5 months, some years more, some years
MG: As a band we always try to support
less especially when we take time off to
other emerging artists the best way
work on recording projects.
we can and we also do support some causes and charitable activities but we
MC: Can the band be called a
do so in private because we do not want
Diaspora group due to their long stay
to muddy the thin line between assisting
abroad on tours?
people in need and getting a photo opportunity.
MG: Not at all, we are very much based
Baaba Maal, did the opening show for
in Zimbabwe even though we travel a lot.
MC: How do you see
HIFA 2015 to name a few and it has
In Zimbabwe it is where we create the
the band’s growth in the next 5 – 10
encouraged us to keep going and to do
music and do most of the recordings.
years?
more.
We all carry Zimbabwean passports
MC: Are there any challenges facing
and have to do a lot of visa applications
MG: As a band, we will strive to continue
before touring.
to grow and to get our music known at home and abroad. We might do some
the band at the moment and how are you solving them?
MC: Which is the band’s favourite
major collaboration or stumble on so
venue and why?
good deals but we are patient and are happy to continue to do the work.
MG: We do not have major challenges as a band apart from the fact that the
MG: Our favorite venue is the Apollo
economy at home is not performing well
Theatre because of its fantastic history
MC: Fell free to add any other
and that limits the amount of concerts
and association with some of the best
information you like the public to
and projects we would love to do. We
artists.
know about the band?
very young so we understand each
MC: Name the schools that each of
MG: Mokoomba returns to Zimbabwe
other well and we are quick to solve any
the members attended in Zim?
for three weeks in September where they
have been together ever since we were
will get some rest, do a few concerts
problemswhen they arise. MG: All of the band members went to
and go back to Europe for the last tour
MC: What were the challenges in
school at Chinotimba Primary School
of 2017 promoting their new album
getting the band to where it is now
and Mosi-oa-Tunya High School in
Luyando that was launched in March this
if there were any and how were they
Victoria Falls.
year.
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