6th ZimAbroad - UK Edition

6th edition

Shingai Shonhiwa is coming home

A Special Women’s Edition

CONTENTS 04 Note from the Pubisher 06 Note from the editor 06 Shingai Shonhiwa is coming home 14 In conversation with Samantha Tapfumaneyi 18 Building the future through research and development 22 Inspiring community development home and away with Patience 28 Codilia Gapare From Masvingo to global media coverage and

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41 No more bad hair days with Nguni Organics

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51 Dr Melanie Abas: Friend of Zimbabwe

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Note from the

Publisher

Publisher Conrad Mwanza conrad@cmgmediagroup.co.uk Whatsapp +44 74 6677 4433 Co Publisher Group Business Director Louis Charema louis@cmgmediagroup.co.uk

THESE ARE SPECIAL TIMES…

M

y dream has always been to succeed and seeing others flourishing gives me much pleasure and motivation to go further than the boundaries and limitations set before me. The key to achieving goals goes beyond just standing up and getting counted but also flocking with those who believe in the power of the collective when needed.

It is one of the reasons why Zim-Abroad Magazine is committed to telling our undiluted stories in all the glory of their success, the struggles, the fails are outlined as clearly as the breakthroughs, because people are in different stages of their journeys and one's story lends much needed light in another's dark spell, in the knowledge that there is always a way. Across all of our five editions we have taken great care to highlight and celebrate our established Zimbabwean profiles and also announce our up and coming personalities, businesses and initiatives in equal measure.

We celebrate all Zimbabwean stories and where our flag flies high we will be there to cheer it on and support. It is because of this that I am excited to present our special edition which is wholly devoted to outstanding women and the light they cast on society. Join us on this 6th edition which ushers us into a realm where the pillars of our society from different walks of life and circumstances continue to defy the odds even in the face of great opposition.

The truth of the matter is that the importance and influence of women in breaking barriers of society, defying stereotypes and absolutely busting ignorant myths cannot be celebrated enough with just a #WCW hashtag or a Women's Month or even this special edition. It goes beyond and above that and in our own small way in celebrating a year in which the trail has been well and soundly blazed by the people who represent each and every one of us.

From what is arguably the biggest underdog sport story in our country this year, the ZimGems' exploits at their debut Netball World Cup to Dr Tererai Trent's statue unveiling in New York City, the world has taken notice of the Zimbabwean story. The likes of Danai Gurira and Codilia Gapare have had the limelight on them and the musical stars such as Shingai and Berita have been heard far and with their music cutting across barriers.

The greatness does not only end with the mainstream coverage, remember the enduring image of the golden hearted grandmother from Mbare who walked all the way to Eastlea with a large load of pots that she makes and sells, to donate to the victims of Cyclone Idai? Do you also see the quiet determination of that young lady who is taking care of her younger siblings because the parents are far away trying to make a living? These are just but a few examples of the various strides taking place in our societies and whilst some are celebrated on a national, even global scale, this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are still more stories to be told and ideas to be exchanged and it is our sincere prayer and hope that in sharing this special edition with you we might all look around us and be inspired to also put our hands to the plough and keep on going for that Zimbabwean story that sets us apart.

Sales Manager Ebson Hungwe ebson@cmgmediagroup.co.uk, Advertising +44 20 7993 4817 WhatsApp +44 730 83 84413 Zim: +263 78

852 6980 SA: +27 79 260 1523

Editor Tinashe Mukono tinashe@cmgmediagroup.co.uk, Creative Director Lulama Xalipi lulama@cmgmediagroup.co.uk Group Project Manager Loraine Chauluka loraine@cmgmediagroup.co.uk Group Graphic Designer Kudakwashe Dube kuda@cmgmediagroup.co.uk Digital and Social Media Manager Nyasha Ancillar Website Jonathan Kanjanga Published by CMG INTERNATIONAL MEDIA GROUP

Yours Sincerely

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 or any of the contributors or sponsors.

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A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

Note from the

Editor Tinashe Mukono Editor

Hello Everyone...

The year is in its ďŹ nal stretch and as usual our Zimbabwean contingent abroad has been doing the most and as is our custom we are here to celebrate those achievements, amplify the feel good stories and revel in the joys of being alive in this day.

In this special edition, our sixth, we literally 'got your six' as the military saying goes and are proud to present a ďŹ rst in our corner; a whole special edition casting the spotlight on women who have dared to dream and achieve, setting legacies that will last long after them.

We focus on their work and endeavours not only to make themselves better people but the impact they have made on humanity as a whole. This special edition has more than just a little sentiment to it.

We get an intimate insight into the lives of a diverse group of women who have overcome various challenges, women who rose above unbelievable circumstances to become beacons of hope and agents of positive change, setting an inspirational tone to our everyday Zimbabwean stories.

From career professionals to innovators, entertainers, researchers and community leaders and a whole interconnected generation of phenomenal people, we toast to them. Their stories are unique but may not be different to yours and mine, as at the end of the day we are all warriors rising above situations that otherwise would have destroyed us. So here is to the warriors brave enough to tell all our stories‌

Editor

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SHINGAI SHONHIWA IS COMING HOME

S

Shingai is known to many people as the fearless and energetic Noisettes front woman whose music has found its way into many hearts, delivering electrifying performances that leave lasting memories in the minds of their legions of adoring fans worldwide. With a string of charting hits and over a million copies of their album sold around the world, the Noisettes have dazzled on tours and festivals in over 25 countries around the globe.

Founded in 2007 by Shingai with Daniel Smith, the band went on to release an acclaimed independent EP before getting signed by Motown Universal and going on to stardom.

Shingai has since then inevitably spread her wings into a solo project in her debut album Ancient Voices. Shingai has been in Zimbabwe many times and performed at the prestigious Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) in 2013 and collaborating with the late great Chiwoniso Maraire and the England born and bred star who always looks forward to visiting the country, has announced her homecoming in typical style.

“I was born and raised in London but always pined for more childhood experiences in Zimbabwe. I lived with Gogo in Malawi for the best part a year at around 9 years old and I remember returning to England a more confident, agile and adventurous child. My southern African cousins always came across as more fearless and somewhat disciplined than we were on our trips back home and I feel that our kids in the diaspora should have the opportunity to connect with their heritage,” she says.

“It's nourishing and helps to develop a sense of grounding often missing from the western spectrum of values. Our culture is a blessing and knowing what our ancestors went through, knowing what those who are still alive go through to ensure that we know our wealth, is important. As an artist the saddest thing to not have access to is your mother tongue as it broadens your writing potential and helps connect you with the communities back home, who may well be your fans too, were you able to write in the local vernacular.”

Shingai appreciates different cultures and is not afraid to experiment with various sounds from around the world, with her own musical influences also adding to her natural performing flair. She recounts how her childhood experiences shaped her into the performer we see today.

“I grew up around lots of creative people. People who had lived big lives and storytellers with tales of survival from the challenging times of the 2nd Chimurenga. I realised that music and the arts would uplift the family and

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help me to cope with childhood traumas like losing my father and several key family members when I was a little girl.

My siblings and I used to create shows for the family and I saw what respite it also gave them from their many jobs and the hard working immigrant ethic. Word got around in the community that I could belt it and I have vague memories of my older cousins and friends, charging the odd 20p or 50p for me to sing at the adventure playground. We'd have sweets for days,” she says.

Many years later Shingai is no longer the little girl performing in front of her family and neighbours but has morphed into a sought after artist playing in sold out shows and venues. Being no stranger to the highs of the music industry she revels and reflects in the success of Ancient Voices.

The album is headlined by the aptly titled Coming Home single, which was inspired by Shingai's uncle, legendary Chimurenga music Thomas Mpfumo's classic hit 'Shumba'. Backed by a new band and fused with elements pop alongside melodies and rhythms of her heritage, Shingai describes the album as having 'effervescent soundscapes, fearlessly infused with a soulful yet boisterous energy'.

“The album was conceived during a very challenging time for me. I had to draw musicians and a production team from across the globe who felt that this record was needed and would change the game. Finances did not come easily and I found myself having to fund most of the project.”

“I had to be brave and show that authenticity is the way forward. You shouldn't have to assimilate in order to achieve your dreams. That's the brilliance of creativity. Honour your craft and let your true self shine through it. The critical acclaim for 'Coming Home' and the love it's received from the international creative community has been incredible.”

The single was followed up with a stunning video that was shot in the surreal surroundings of Domboshawa against the backdrop of amazing scenery and undertones of a mysticism that hangs over talk of the place that is rich in culture and history of Zimbabwe and documented by the BBC. On the video project she partnered with Joseph Adesunnloye and Authentic Voices, a Johannesburg based Zimbabwean production company who funded and supported her vision.

Using Domboshawa as the focal point of the video, the team blended footage and tackled the vision with enthusiasm, the result of which has been the recent release of the short film special edit.

On post production they found the going tough as they were working remotely and she took note to arrive on set with an open mind and a willingness to be flexible where necessary remarking, “We should never lose sight of our humility and ability to learn from others. Good vibes on set are also paramount and people will often go above and beyond when treated fairly and appreciated as equals, regardless of their rank or experience. Kindness ensures that the whole process is positive

A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

"We have a great opportunity on our hands if we build on the incredible talent that we have, invest in our creative industries and seize this moment with a razor-sharp focus” On her way to the top Shingai has been overcoming her own challenges and some that are also prevalent within the industry such as being a female of colour breaking into an industry that can often be fickle.

“There are also ongoing prejudices still being unchecked, maintained and clung to by a small group of 'gate keepers'. It's not uncommon to still find incidents of racism, sexism, colourism in the music industry but if one finds the right team to respect, protect you and understand your vision you can make it.Just keep believing, creating and working hard, you will emerge stronger for it.”

Though she is widely viewed as a trendsetter Shingai feels artists must not be obsessed with chasing trends as that can stifle growth. Her idea is that artists and the creative community evolve and learn business models in order to see less marginalisation and exploitation of music creators and have fame as a by-product of creativity and not the other way around.

Artists are often put under pressure by the media and fans of their work who always demand a consistent and often constant churning out of projects in order to stay 'relevant'. Shingai feels the pressure too but has a different view on how to cope with that.

“I don't really believe in the idea of artists having to be relevant and am sceptical of who decides this since artists are people too and have the right to take time off to start families, re-calibrate or self-develop in order to make even better work than the last offering. I'm all for quality and not quantity in

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the way that your career trajectory feels right for you. Set your own pace.

Lead don't follow.”

Shingai's love for home and her commitment to uplifting her people in her own way goes beyong just saying the right things but also walking the talk.

She currently works with organisations in Zimbabwe to assist on various causes and she mentioned two that she is particularly passionate about.

“I work with Ndoro who are a wonderful charity based in Zimbabwe. They are building schools and specialise in the education of street kids and orphans.Hear2Aid is also another charity that I am an avid supporter of.

They have fitted over a hundred deaf and hard of hearing children in Zimbabwe with hearing aids.”

As a touring artist Shingai travels a lot and when she is back home she takes the simple pleasures in life and takes time to count her blessings in the land where her heart is.

“I love holidaying in Zimbabwe and catching up with the family kumusha is a must. I've done the bungee jump at Vic Falls with my brother, climbed Mt Nyangani and love Kariba and have the Matopos top of my list next,'' she said.

“Whenever I home, Kumusha is one of the first places I go to. Simple things, like sitting by the river and being soothed by the sound of the stream, can really do a lot and clear the head.”

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Berita on Music, Life and Healing

S

he is a multi-award winning singer and songwriter whose soulful

music has captured the imagination and has collaborated with

some of Africa's best talents. She has scaled the highs of the

music industry, owned her throne with grace and is still reaching

for the stars. Berita shares with us what the soundtrack of her life is…

Most people know her as the singer with the healing voice because of the

soothing melodies of her music. She calls herself a 'slasher' because of the

multiple hats she wears as a singer, songwriter producer and record label

owner among other things but she refuses to box her potential in by labelling

her talents.

Blessed with the gift of music, Berita is easily recognised by her

trademark infectious smile and more often than not hugging her guitar

on stage, belting out her string of hit songs to adoring followers. Her

career achievements in her speak volumes with tours and accolades to

her name but, for Berita there is more to the life of a musician and their

role in society than just going gold.

“The role of music is one whose power cannot be diluted. When you take

up the mantle of music you become many things, from a doctor healing

people with your gift to being a politician and social commentator, music

finds its way as a unifier in society and has a ready home in people's

hearts,” said the ever-smiling songstress.

Her music is so heartfelt that people even come up to her and let her

know songs like Thandolwethu touched them, with some even even

naming their children after the runaway hit song.

Born Gugulethu Khumalo in Bulawayo, the Ndicel'ikiss hitmaker is the

eldest child in a family of 3 girls and a boy, and stayed in the City of Kings

and Queens and Zhombe whilst in Zimbabwe before her family moved to

Creative Director Lulama Xalipi

Photography Berita Cover Shoot

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the diaspora in search of greener pastures after the country's economic

meltdown of the early 2000's.

“My father left for New Zealand to be a dairy farmer when I was 16. At the time

his immigration was pushed by the worsening economic situation in

Zimbabwe,” she says.

“In 2007 we moved to join our father abroad and I stayed in New Zealand for

their support as she had been working hard.

Berita soon scored a dream collaboration that very few artists get, featuring

on a song with but two of Africa's most revered music icons, the late greats

Oliver Mtukudzi and Bra Hugh Masekela. Many music lovers fondly remember

three and a half years. It was then that I started manifesting an inclination to

waking up one morning to a soulful song and video called Mwana waMai by

Oliver Mtukudzi, Majaivana, Chiwoniso Maraire and Andy Brown as well as a

any stage, but just how did she secure the dream collaboration?

of Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift among a range of other genres and

say. I had just started in the music industry when a colleague introduced me

music. I grew up surrounded by music and on the radio we listened to a lot of

lot of music from South Africa from the likes of Brenda Fassie and others.”

Whilst abroad Berita started following the pop charts, bingeing on the music

artists. She recalls being homesick at times and finding solace in music and

the social gatherings organised by the African diaspora community in New

Zealand.

“The part of New Zealand we stayed in is predominantly farming territory and

sometimes your closest neighbours would be about 2km away, which was

unlike the life we had been used to back home where we all stayed near each

other. So that is how we started hosting parties and get-togethers. I

remember when my dad came back from South Africa at one time and

brought Lira's music and various other artists. I felt a deep connection with

Afrosoul music at that point and though I did not know it yet, my heart was

stolen by the power of music.”

So deeply rooted within her, by then was the seed of music that when she

moved to South Africa to pursue her studies, her music career quickly took

root. In her first year in South Africa she released her first album Conquering

Spirit, which sold over 20 000 copies and earned her the Metro Award for Best

African Pop Album.

Already possessing an appreciation of different cultures through travel and

exposure to diverse environments, Berita's sound was to have distinctly

soulful vocals and deep lyricism laced with the social and musical influences

of her life.

“I grew up in Matabeleland and as result a lot of South African culture and

music was already exchanged by people from both sides of the border so I

found a seamless transition into South Africa. I could tell from within me

when I breathed in the air, I knew I was home and my life was about to change,”

she says.

Berita's hard work was not going unnoticed and on top of the MetroFM

Awards she is a two time winner of the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards SA

Based Music Artist of the Year, in 2015 and 2019, respectively among other

recognitions. Of the latter she gushes with pride as she hailed her fans for | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

the young starlet featuring the two legends, a remarkable feat by any artist at

“Working with Baba Oliver and Bra Hugh was simply God-orchestrated I must

to Oliver Mtukudzi in 2012 when Thandolwethu had just come out. He was

instantly like a father figure from the time I met him and he invited me to

Harare were we recorded Mwana waMai together.”

The experience of working with the legend inspired Berita to reach for greater

heights and soon after returning from her trip to Harare she met Hugh

Masekela in fortuitous circumstances.

“I got a chance to perform at a festival which was being headlined by Bra Hugh

and the promoter somehow mixed up performing slots and I ended up on

stage just after Bra Hugh. This rarely happens at shows especially if you are

just upcoming you usually perform in the afternoon around 3 or 4pm, but

perhaps by some beginner's luck I got a prime slot just after the headliner!”

“Bra Hugh stayed on after his set and watched me perform. Afterwards as I

walked off the stage he came up to me and complimented my stage presence

and overall performance. I was in a daze and at the time I didn't really digest

the import of his words but now when I look back now I'm like wow!”

After their introductions Hugh Masekela asked about her background and

upon finding out that she is from Zimbabwe, he mentioned that Tuku had

invited him to come and perform at his birthday. Coincidentally Tuku had also

invited Berita to come back in a fortnight so they ended up traveling to Harare

together.

“When we got to Zimbabwe Bra Hugh listened to the song we had done with

Baba Tuku and he asked, when am I putting my trumpet on this song? Both of

them were two different personalities whom I learnt a lot from, for instance

Baba Oliver was very laidback and his core beliefs were in uniqueness and he

also urged me to embrace who I am and not sound like anyone else.”

“Bra Hugh on the other hand was a very bubbly personality who always

spoke about preservation of culture and embracing our African-ness. He

was very passionate about identity and culture and I think about him a lot

when I tour

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and travel around Africa.”

Those meetings would soon turn into five years of working and

performing with the musical greats until their passing on and during

that time Berita got to learn a lot about the industry which has seen

her branch into the administrative side of not only her music but the brand Berita.

Empires do not build themselves and with her growing reputation and

popularity, she reflects also on challenges that she has had to endure

in her career both on and off the stage. Challenges are meant to be

overcome and Berita shared some of the times she turned the

setbacks into learning curves.

“I remember the first challenge I faced was realising how different

musical law was from other industries and sometimes I entered into

agreements I did not fully understand. However, now I am in a different

mind-set as I gathered knowledge and now own my own record label.

Twelve months ago I took the decision to own all my music and that

has been a good factor. A common challenge is that very few female

artists are in control and most of the success is hinged on a male

figure be it record executives or such like.”

“I look at the careers of Miriam Makeba, Bra Hugh and Oliver Mtukudzi who made music their life and I want to follow that path and leave my own legacy of touching lives with my music, healing with music and spreading positivity, love and healing with my music and when life gets too hectic just use your Godgiven gifts one day at a time, better days will surely come.”

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“As far as on stage challenges I recall one time when I performed with Baba Oliver at Carnival City for 4500 people and as we did our collaboration, I messed up some of the words on stage. Afterwards I apologised to him for being nervous but he said to me; no my daughter, you do not need to apologize to me, it's our song and however we present it, no one will ever know or complain. As a result of that experience I always think about originality and self-belief.”

Music is a very competitive industry but Berita found her peace in competing with no one but herself and continuing to create magical music for her legion of fans with some as far as overseas often getting in touch thanking her for sending love and light with her music.

To it all she responds with a smile and says, “I just want to thank everyone who has opened a window in their life and allowed me a chance to reach them with my music, we have so many young people battling anxiety and depression these days and I pray music plays a part in giving them their healing and soothing their hurts.”

Berita has held concerts in her hometown and plans to release an annual live performance and music compilation of talent from Bulawayo signed under her record label and fingers are crossed that they will unearth the next sensation to follow the Afrosoul princess' footsteps.

A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

IN CONVERSATION WITH

H SAMANTHA TAPFUMANEYI A

Z

im-Abroad Magazine talks to one of the inspiring young people doing the most in leaving their footprints on the earth, in this case, our own international media hotshot Samantha Allan Tapfumaneyi, who was more than happy to share with us part of her life in the exciting field of media…

The media world is a fast and action-packed arena where only the fittest survive. The consumption of news and information has increased and due to technological advancements, the media practitioners have to stay ahead of the game more than ever before. In the midst of that action-packed profession is a young Zimbabwean hotshot also actively involved in keeping the rest of the world in the loop on the trending news by name of Samantha Tapfumaneyi.

The 23 year old is a journalist at CNN, one of the world's leading news agencies and is primed to scale dizzy heights in her profession due to her aptitude and exceptional interviewing tactics. The journey for Samantha started when she was still fairly young, having attended a performing arts school from the age of six, her delivery and confidence skills were already being honed in preparation of the career she was to soon embrace.

Samantha got involved in pageantry from 15 years old and competed in Miss Swindon, Miss Teen Zimbabwe UK, Miss Zimbabwe UK among other pageants. It was then that she decided to fully pursue her dream. | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

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I still hold on to the dreams and goals I set for myself at 6. The older I get, the harder it gets, but it's my passion and calling and I can't see myself doing anything else…

“I started getting work experience in my local area in Swindon from writing articles and hosting radio shows. At that time I was also a teen presenter for Zimbabwe Entertainment and had noticed that girls who competed in pageants were very articulate and well put together and I wanted to reach that level as well,” she says.

After that promising start as a media prodigy she took a break at 18 to focus on completing her 'A Levels' and university studies. She moved to London to study Politics and International Relations. It was around that time that she started working at Christabell Video TV network where she got an opportunity to become a presenter on a variety of projects such as reporting at Downing Street and flying out to America to shoot reality TV shows and documentaries.

“After graduating I got into the prestigious journalism school City University for my Masters degree in Broadcast Journalism which was a very competitive and intense course. After that I applied for numerous jobs without any luck until I got a yes from my dream network CNN on their internship program and have been there ever since. Needless to say it has been an exciting experience for me,” she said.

Samantha has made a name for herself in the media sphere and being part of a vibrant team at such a globally recognised network has given her a drive to keep on pursuing excellence. She has been at the heart of some of the biggest stories of the 2018/2019 such as Brexit, Trump's various controversies, the tragic story of Saudi journalist Khashoggi's death and been influential in getting the scoop on the Royal Baby among

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many other hot topics. She speaks glowingly of some of her career highlights such as covering Michelle Obama's UK book tour.

“One of my personal highlights is working on my first documentary for my Masters final project because I got to work on it with my best friend and it was a turning point in my personal journey in media,” she said.

“On the professional front the most exciting assignment I have worked on is the Royal Baby story because it was such a historic moment for British history and being part of that was an amazing feeling. After the birth of Meghan and Harry's son the whole world was waiting for the announcement of the name and we were all on edge. I was constantly refreshing my Instagram to see the post from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announcing the baby's name. I just remember screaming the name in the newsroom and everyone going crazy because we now needed to get it on air and within 2.5 seconds our Royal Correspondent was announcing the name to the world. We were one of the first, if not the first broadcasters to announce the name because I was on my phone at the right time,” she gushed.

Despite having already accomplished so much at such a relatively young age the journey has not been without its challenges. She speaks of how there is still a lot of ground to be covered in terms of equality and inclusive opportunities for women in media.

“I have worked in a number of newsrooms where I have been the 'only black person' or 'one of two'. So it's definitely not a secret that more needs to be done. Diversity is not a trend and broadcasters need to see the A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

importance of having women and people of colour we are not just there to hit your quota targets. We bring value and I often think that value is not always seen or appreciated.”

CNN is a leader in global news and Samantha says she is always driven by principles that she set for herself from an early age and the older she gets the harder it gets to stay on. However, she says that her passion and belief in her calling keeps her going. Comparisons between local and international media standards and practice are inevitable and for Samantha who has been exposed to some of the highest standards in world news her recommendations are straight forward as she says local media fills her with excitement at the prospects the future holds.

“Local media is great! I feel like they tell human stories. Don't get me wrong, talking about Trump is great but it is not what the everyday man cares about. They want to hear about their local hero or the lost puppy. I think local media is what is keeping journalism alive in an era where fake news is a big thing. Real stories matter and at some point I would like to work in local news as I feel I'll have more room to grow as a reporter | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

compared to working for a big organisation.”

All these experiences and achievements for Samantha has seen her attract many admirers and earned her plaudits and she admits she still finds it unreal and a bit scary when people look up to her.

“I feel the pressure when peoples say that they look up to me because it somewhat suggests that I have my life figured out when I'm as lost as everyone else. Most days I want to give up and get a PR job but also knowing people look up to me keeps me both grounded and resolute.

However, I don't want young people to believe what they see on social media! Most people you look up to don't have things figured out, we just choose to post the happy times and successes and not post the sad moments. So I say stay in your lane and focus on your own individual journey.”

The sensational Samantha is on a roll and we have no doubt this won't be the last the world will hear of her!

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‘

BUILDING THE

FUTURE

THROUGH RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPMENT

Cynthia Chigwenya is one of Africa's fast rising generation of leaders who are seizing the initiative for the development of the continent. The SA-based researcher is currently pursuing her post-graduate degree in development studies with a focus on postconflict reconstruction and development and has researched on many developmental issues. She shares some of her aspirations for Africa's youth in this interview… | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

www.zim-abroad.com | 18

T

My hopes are to contribute to the reaction of an effective civil society in Southern Africa and in Africa at large which will serve as a system of checks and balances in cases where the state misuses and abuses its power in a manner that disadvantages citizens, especially those who belong to minority groups.

he future of Africa is definitely youth judging by the immense contributions of various youths all across the continent who are emerging as frontrunners in spearheading the revival of the continent's development and healing of old wounds.

In a world where much of history is tainted by cases of conflict and crisis and it is usually the younger generation that is left to pick up the pieces of a broken past and work with the surviving older generation to rebuild from the debris of yesteryear's strife.

In that critical yet sensitive space a group of young Africans have been working diligently to ensure that the way forward is cleared. This is a call that Cynthia Chigwenya took up and is very passionate about.

“I am passionate about what I do and it gives me the drive to go on. Simple, plain passion. Working on post-conflict reconstruction involves engaging with diverse individuals, survivors and victims who have gone through traumatic experiences,” she explains.

Cynthia says that she subscribes to the assertion by one research scholar that 'interests and pursuits rarely stray from the personal' and this pushes her even when she works on challenging projects.

“It takes passion to want to go back to work places where one is exposed to artifactual evidence of skeletons, skulls and other human remains. Being able to innovate solutions towards reducing the possible recurrence of such atrocities keeps one motivated to study, work, travel and learn. Most of my activities are very interrelated so it makes it easier to create time for personal

19 | www.zim-abroad.com

commitments.”

Cynthia, who is qualified in International Studies and Criminology, is very methodological in as much as she is passionate about research and development. She explains how she fares in her developmental work on the continent and what she believes is key in unlocking the future prospects for the continent.

“My aspirations for the African continent is economic stability and by that I am not just referring to 2 to 3 countries making it big on the global market but economic development across the continent. We have the resources yet, we are still underdevelopment to the extent that some nations qualify as poor countries,” she reaffirms.

“Attaining economic freedom and stability will address issues such as the brain draining of African talent, the breaking down of the social fabric due to high emigration and social-ills such as prostitution which consequently contributes to the increased rates of HIV/AIDS infected persons. I recommend that the youth should use technology as a method of advancing their agenda to be heard. Through social media mobilisation, movements such as #FeesMustFall and #ThisFlag have raised international awareness on local issues. Being tech savvy can be advantageous to us.”

With the experience that she has gained in her many projects and travels Cynthia sees the need for education as a vital equipping tool for the youths and also contributes to the cause by volunteering as an English tutor at disadvantaged high schools in various communities including Cosmo City

A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

“Development in itself ought to be inclusive and the term reconciliation connotes that someone has been wronged; this could be direct, indirect or generational victims. Fact is there is need for retribution, compensation or 'forgiveness.' In many cases, the socio-economic injustices occur during or shortly after oppressive regimes such as colonisation or apartheid in South Africa,” she explains.

“Time makes it easier to shift these concerns from contemporary affairs yet justice, particularly to the victims does not expire. The Rwandan Gacaca trials are the epitome of state action in facilitating national reconstruction, reconciliation and development. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Africa is another positive example. Granted, these systems had their shortfalls but, their strengths in driving reconciliation cannot be disregarded.”

However for most of the continent, Zimbabwe, the DRC and Sudan included, Cynthia opines that the implementation of legal frameworks that guide reconciliation processes remain bound by the lack of political will and in worst cases, there are no legal frameworks in place which does not only further impede justice but, it erodes and weakens democracy.

“I mainly get my inspiration from religion, I believe in a higher power that ordains the steps I take career wise. I am a strong believer in God and his purpose for me and that has kept me inspired, grounded and motivated. In addition, the many stories I have heard from survivors of different atrocities inspire me,” she said, recounting one survivor's story.

, Honeydew and the Komradai Plots in South Africa. She went even one step better when she came together with some of her partners and founded a non-profit organisation called the June, 20.org (NPO 217-971) with aim to further the education cause.

“The power of education extends beyond skills and theoretical knowledge; it is key in promoting tolerance which can in-turn curb the likelihood of hate crimes. It is for this reason that I take personal interest in education,” she says.

Despite having studied development, Cynthia says her defining moment was when she was awarded a scholarship by the Australian Centre Jewish Civilisation (ACJC) to take part in the Seeking Justice Tour alongside other participants from Africa, the USA and Australia.

She recalls a sobering moment when they visited the apartheid museum, the Voortrekker monument and Freedom Park among other places and had to grapple with the realities of a democratic South Africa which still has visible legacies of the apartheid regime. Most of the research work she has conducted is on massacres, ethnocide and genocides and she gives a very informed view on Africa's readiness and progress made on reconciliation, rebuilding and development. | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

“I remember being perched on a stool on the grass that was adjacent to the Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre and a female survivor who had been narrating her story said, '…you have heard my story, go out there and ensure that no other country has go through what we went through.' These words still echo is my head till date. In spite of her ordeal, being raped and being thrown into a pit latrine which contained the cadavers of her fellow tribesman, she hoped for peace across the continent. That for me was the paragon of humanity, selflessness and Ubuntu. An experience that I found to be awe-inspiring.”

Experiences like these make her strong and inspired by the unbreakable nature of the human spirit, the sheer resistance in the face of danger and the strong will to survive. It is Cynthia and many other proactive youths' desire to share the stories and do the deeds that shape the continent, with healing and closure and this serves as fuel to their endeavours.

“This reaffirm that I am going in the right direction with regards to my career aspirations. What has been more satisfactory is being entrusted with the responsibility to tell the untold story of survivors and the unsung heroes and heroines. I am fortunate at my age to have made friends and family in the humble places that I have been domiciled,” she said.

“In the pursuit of development we are confronted by many African realities and positions in global politics which leave many unanswered questions around the development narrative, for Africa. The realities often leave one in despair yet, against hope, we believe, I hope.”

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Inspiring Community Development home and away with Patience

Patience Ndebele-Omijie, founder of Inspire Women Men and Children Organisation has dedicated much of her life to community empowerment initiatives and for over 20 years, has been at the front of goodwill work with communities in Zimbabwe and the UK. From helping struggling families in the diaspora to uplifting communities back home in Zimbabwe, she shares the story of her upbringing, inspiration and daily motivation with ZimAbroad Magazine…

A

t a time when life seems to be getting tougher for the ordinary man, a helping hand is always welcome for those in need.

Empowering, inspiring and building communities is a mission that Patience NdebeleOmijie has taken to heart, and she has made extensive improvements in the UK and Zimbabwe through her organisation Inspire Women, Men and Children (Inspire WMC).

Growing up in Zimbabwe's second largest city, Bulawayo, as the first born in a family of three and eldest grandchild in her family probably instilled a sense of responsibility over others in the young Patience. The mother of two recalls her early upbringing in Zimbabwe before she moved to the UK aged 23, as part of a solid foundation that laid the first bricks for the multiple responsibilities and roles she would later take up in life as a mother, wife, registered mental health nurse and community champion.

“We were taught from childhood that family is very important. I grew up in a household of an extended family, not just my nuclear family (mum, dad and | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

siblings) but with cousins and distant relatives from Silobela. I remember at one time we had 21 people at our house. We always cooked a large pot of food – to accommodate everyone including unannounced visitors. We always had to immediately create space and share everything,” she says.

The extended family experience instilled within me a personal and corporal identity. I was expected to perform certain roles as the eldest child in various stages of my life – that moulded me into a productive individual, helping my family and others around me. The experience became a blueprint of my leadership endeavours in serving others.”

It was then, from that seed planted early in her that childhood, that Patience would go on to start Inspire WMC; an organisation that empowers communities through equipping everyone with vocational skills and start-ups to improve lives.

Patience has been involved in community building initiatives for over two decades after having started her career at ORAP in Zimbabwe before establishing Inspire WMC. She has gone on

to lead many projects aimed at empowering women, men, youths and ensuring the well-being of children in London, Bulawayo and Umguza District, finding time between her professional and family duties.

“I do philanthropic work in between my shifts. It's difficult and sometimes I struggle to find balance with everything including family life but I always try to be fully present in everything I do, applying myself fully so that I give out and get the best always.

Time management is difficult but I am glad to be surrounded by very supportive people that I always delegate for certain tasks. I do have sleepless nights but the passion I have for my work pushes me to do more and achieving set goals, it's so liberating,” she says.

Finding that joy in serving and empowering others has helped Patience and her team in scripting some remarkable success stories within communities. They have an on-going project, Pelandaba Inspire WMC Skills Centre in Bulawayo which has graduated more than 200 students since January in short courses including Basic Baking, Dressmaking, Afrocentric, Basic

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Computers and Beauty and Makeup amongst others while Inspire WMC has trained more than a thousand young girls, women and men on how to make reusable sanitary pads and menstrual health. According to Patience, the idea of the project/school is to ensure that their students gain invaluable skills that are necessary to start their income generating projects as well as get jobs.

organisations on two continents has not come without its own challenges.

However for Patience, she feels the challenge signifies her dual sense of belonging and global interconnection by connecting her two worlds, revealing the best either side has to offer. She also attributes the ongoing success of the organisation to the support and efforts of the team and partners around her.

Good deeds rarely go unnoticed and Patience has been recognized and honoured many times for her work and inspired many people in the process.

Motivated by a desire to do good for others with whatever she has, saw her winning the Community Champion of the Year Award at Zimbabwe Achievers Awards UK 2019, with Inspire WMC nominated in Community Organisation of the Year category, a recognition she says was a success story on its own as both milestones reflect growth and fuelled even further their relentless desire to make positive change.

“It's not been easy because both continents are unique on their own and faced by different challenges and needs but we have a team of very supportive people who are part of Inspire WMC. Our donors, supporters, friends and volunteers are always supportive. I also collaborate with other (community) leaders in their initiatives including campaigns and advocacy work, for example. I have been part of various mental health campaigns because it is something in line with my work,” she said. She also highlighted the role that the diaspora community and organisations like hers play on the home front.

Some of their notable community work in Umguza with five primary schools in fees sponsorship, food, poultry keeping, gardening and sports initiatives has been one of the processes that have allowed for greater engagement within communities and has encouraged progressive conversations and solutions. The response from the communities has been overwhelmingly positive and shattered myths and stereotypes.

“There has been an increased participation of women and girls in our activities. Men are also supporting our projects despite the patriarchal nature of our societies. I've witnessed men par ticipating in #NomorewhisperingPeriod, attending our Menstruation Hygiene and reusable-sanitary pads training, partaking and openly discussing about menstruation. I believe the key issues are having conversations, building bridges, learning from each other and the importance of accepting different cultures and views with our work.”

Despite the heart-warming stories from Inspire WMC, running two

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“I believe our organisations' input in development, is much more than remittance but as influencers, who can champion social change using resources, expertise and skills within our reach. I would like to see more Zimbabwean- diaspora communities occupying a more integrated space in the development dialogue as we all bear the burden of improving our communities back home. We need bold steps to create viable links and collaborations as the diaspora community- organisations, entrepreneurs, global agencies and companies as we promote lasting change in our country.”

Inspire Women, Men and Children has been a silver lining for most despairing communities in the UK and Zimbabwe and for their equally inspirational leader Patience Ndebele-Omijie the journey to changing the world one person at a time continues unabated.

A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

Caring Proves To Be Key To Success For Sabe Connor

M

oving to a new country and

environment can be a daunting

and equally exciting situation for

most people. A lot of thought

goes into how one will settle and adapt to life

abroad and that can be an unnerving period. Some

go abroad with high hopes only to have them

crushed and abandon their dreams in

disappointment. Such was not the case for

Holywell Care Services supremo Sabe Connor who

beat the odds to become an inspirational figure for

many people…

The prospect of starting a new life in the

England was a daunting one for the Mutare-born

entrepreneur. Six weeks after arriving in the UK

Sabe and her husband were blessed with their

second child with the birth of their son.

Employment proved hard to secure and in order

to fend for their young family Sabe's husband | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

went abroad for week whilst she held the fort

back home.

“I started to look around to establish what I

could do for employment and soon realised that

my choices were limited because I had no

formal qualifications so I decided to go back to

school. I attended the local college for adults

and completed an access course to Higher

Education which included Maths, English

Sociology, Psychology and Criminology.”

That decision proved to be a masterstroke for

Sabe Connor as she went on to graduate with a

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work at

Lancaster University in 2006 and started

working as a Social Worker. It was in the period

to follow that her entrepreneurial instincts came

to the fore and she started preparing for the next

chapter in her life.

“During my employment as a Social Worker, I

took every opportunity to learn as much as I

could. I worked with Adults with Learning

Disabilities, and Children and Families teams.

When I was ready to go into business, I had a

good idea of what I wanted to do and so, I wrote a

business plan. I presented my business plan to

a bank and outlined my vision of what I wanted to achieve and how I was going to achieve it. I

was given a business loan and purchased

Holywell Home two years after graduation,” she

says.

Sabe was set on widening her scope and started

pursuing a Master's Degree in Learning

Disability studies at Salford University focusing

on the subject of dementia and graduated in

2010. The Home is a residential home for up to 6

people with Learning Disabilities, providing

round the clock care and support.

www.zim-abroad.com | 24

The business was expanding and a year later she started Holywell

Domiciliary Care in Morecambe and Lancaster which provides care and

support to people living in their own homes in the community. Sabe

reflects on the strong work ethic she adopted and shares insights on the

formative years of her company.

“I found the process of setting up a business in the diaspora as being

quite straight forward. It is important for anyone setting up a business to

understand that you do not start making profit immediately. In my case, I

continued to work as a Social Worker for at least 24 months and barely

had time for socialising. Taking care of our home, looking after two young

children, being in full time employment and starting a business

consumed my life for many years but the work continued strongly,” she

said.

“My husband worked away and I was like a single parent, although he has

always been very supportive and we kept in touch via skype several times

a day from where ever he was in the world. During this time, my late

mother in law had a stroke and we brought her to live with us. We

converted our dining room area to be her bedroom until we were able to

build a separate granny flat for her attached to our house and were able to

25 | www.zim-abroad.com

support and make sure that she was cared for each day.”

Greatly encouraged by the tentative steps and subsequent results Sabe

was to have her resolve tested soon enough. She observed that Social

Workers tended to give business to prominent providers and small

providers like herself would often be called upon when no other providers

had capacity to take the clients. This was a cause for concern and so she

decided to start advertising Holywell Domiciliary Care Services in the

Preston area, about 40 minutes' drive from Lancaster.

“In the beginning I used my car as an office to reduce overhead costs and

started working in the Preston area in 2012. My first client was to provide

care and support to an elderly person who lived at home with her

daughter.

Holywell was to provide 30 minutes each session in the

morning, at lunch time, 4pm and at 8pm. I personally did the work by

myself and as more work started coming in thanks to referrals and good

reviews from the clients.”

“I interviewed potential staff for employment in the area in my car, in their

houses and in offices I hired per hour. I also offered training to staff at a

location I hired per hour. I also worked collaboratively with other A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

providers in the area who allowed me to add my staff to their training and I

paid a fee. I travelled many times up and down the motorway to build the

business in Preston. As the business grew, it was then necessary for me to

open an office in Preston and so I purchased a building which I converted to

an office which is now fully staffed with an operational team, training

facilities and accounts department with qualified staff.”

In August 2014, she purchased Bridgeway Nursing and Residential Care

Home, a unit for up to 27 young disabled adults with complex needs and

degenerative conditions where they employ a team of qualified nurses and

unqualified staff. The expansion drive continued and in 2018, their portfolio

included children and young people's services. Soon after they employed a

behavioural therapist and a children's services manager and currently have

two properties for children's services with one already supporting young

people between the ages of 16 to 18 in an unregulated supported living

home.

“Once we are registered with OFSTED, we will then be able to support children

under the age of 16. We have applied for registration. Renovations to the

second property are almost completed when we will also submit an

application to OFSTED. Holywell Care Group is a growing business and I aim

to expand,” she explains.

Sabe Connor is in the process of building a housing portfolio and opening

residential homes for children and reckons these are big projects which will

take a lot of time and resources to set up. All that only provides but a glimpse

into what she considers as the inspiration that motivates her. Helping others

and supporting them to help themselves is what really gives her the

satisfaction of a job well done.

She recalls a case of a domestic worker whom she was introduced to and

needed the work to support her family but could not communicate in the

English language. These communication and cultural barriers were

something Sabe had anticipated but she was more interested in the woman's

ability to empathise and genuinely care for others. These were qualities she

observed to be lacking in some workers who were assigned to the non-

English clients' homes as there was often a communication breakdown.

Despite all that however, Sabe took a chance on the woman and set on

equipping her.

“I personally trained this worker and supported her step by step to

understand the basic care required in accordance to the guidance provided

by the regulator, CQC. I encouraged her to register with the local college to

learn English and further her knowledge of health and social care. I was able

to later move her from working with clients that spoke her language to

English speaking clients and she has been with us for 8years and one of our | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

very best. She even bought her own car and was runner up in Carer of the Year

Award,” she explains.

A decade later and with a staff complement of nearly 200 Sabe still takes

nothing for granted and continues to learn every day, crediting her success to

a strong sense of dedication and teamwork.

“I work with a wonderful supportive team of staff. Each location has a

registered manager and various departments. I listen to my team's needs and

strive to provide the conditions so that they can work effectively. To aspiring

entrepreneurs I would urge them to listen to what others have to say and go

do what you want anyway. Be patient and don't give up.”

to learn English. As her confidence grew and her command of the English

language increased, I was able to put her through further training to further

increase her knowledge of health and social care. I was able to later move

her from working with clients that spoke her language to English speaking

clients,” she explains.

The woman became so popular amongst clients and was in demand to the

extent that some clients had to be assigned other workers as she was

overwhelmed. She continued to develop herself and ended up as runner up

for Carer of the Year award with a local newspaper and after 8 years is now one of our best workers and even bought her own car. She was very

appreciative of the confidence I had in her to better herself.”

It is life changing and inspiring stories like these that provide some of the fuel

for the enterprising Sabe to go beyond just the call of duty and she

encourages and empowers her clients or staff to always do their best in

everything they do.

A decade later and with a staff complement of nearly 200 Sabe still takes

nothing for granted and says she continues to learn every day. She also

credits her success to a strong sense of dedication and teamwork and she

urges any aspiring entrepreneurs to understand their product and believe in

themselves.

“I have been very lucky to work with a wonderful supportive team of staff.

Each location has a registered manager to whom I entrust responsibility to

do their jobs. We also have an accounts department and a full time training

department. I spend my time visiting locations, coaching staff and

delegating to my staff team. I listen to their needs and strive to provide the

conditions so that they can work effectively and achieve satisfaction from

their work and to aspiring entrepreneurs I would urge them to listen to what

others have to say and go and do what you want anyway. Be patient and

don't give up.”

www.zim-abroad.com | 26

Codilia Gapare From Masvingo to global media coverage and exclusive Boots Pharmacy deal

P

icking yourself up after sudden setbacks can prove to be a daunting task, especially if all your hopes are seemingly dashed in one afternoon. However, for Codilia Gapare, the setbacks proved to be the catalyst for her elevation her to the next level. From surviving breast cancer to coming up with an innovative eye lash that has been a game changer for people who have lost their own lashes, Codilia's story is one that should inspire many…

Codilia Gapare is no quitter. If anything she embodies the saying that when life throws you lemons you make lemonade. The award winning entrepreneur is a relentless dreamer and achiever who believes in chasing dreams with all her worth and not getting pegged back by the bumps in the road before you arrive at your destination.

This is not a cliché statement for the mother of two as she knows all about turning your life around after setbacks based on her own story. Codilia is the brains behind C-Lash by Cody, a false eyelash that is specifically made for people who have lost their own lashes. The novel idea came to her after she got diagnosed with cancer in 2014, a key point in her life story that was to also change the lives of other cancer patients in due time. It is often agreed that necessity is the mother of all invention and Codilia started brooding on the idea of coming up with her own lashes when she started undergoing treatment and noticed something.

“When I started treatment I lost all of my hair, including my lashes, I suddenly realised that there was a problem. Mainstream lashes are made to stick or | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

rest onto your natural lashes, so once you lose them, wearing lashes becomes almost impossible at a time when you actually need lashes. So, I came up with a lash that attaches to the eyelid rather than the lash. It blends with the skin and you can apply makeup to it just like your normal eyelid,” she explains.

It is easy to look at many stories and assume that in every story of triumph plain sailing was the norm, but it is not so. C-Lash by Cody is the culmination of shock, strength, hope and innovation as Codilia harnessed all the energies around her to forge a way forward in the trying journey that many go through when undergoing treatment for cancer. C-Lash and the prospect it held for others like her propelled her to push herself despite the circumstances.

“In the beginning, I started working on the idea to distract myself from the pain of cancer treatment and from depression that was caused by being forced to drop out of Law School after working really hard to get into University in the first place. C-Lash became my excuse and reason because I needed to stay strong for my boys. By the time I finished treatment, that idea had gained so much momentum that I thought I owed it to the people who would benefit from the idea to keep on going,” she said, explaining the birthing of her idea.

The astonishing strength of the UK based entrepreneur knows no bounds.

On the same day she was diagnosed with cancer she was to have an interview for a Law degree, literally a few hours later, realising that no matter

www.zim-abroad.com | 28

the circumstances life has to go on.

“On the 11th of August 2014 at 3pm I was told I had breast cancer, at 6pm that same day I was at Manchester Met University having an interview for my Law Degree. Even though I was forced to drop out of University because of illness, I taught myself a very important lesson. I cannot let a chapter of my life be the whole book of my life. That one decision helped me realise that I was stronger than I thought. If there is a lesson to learn from my story, it is this; life is tough but so are you,” she says.

With the support of a close knit family and friends Codilia managed to not only find strength in her ordeal but quickly went on an accelerated personal growth drive. She recounts her early days in the UK in 2004 and doing various manual jobs before training to be a croupier in a casino in Manchester. She laughingly recalls how she went on from being the girl bottom in her class at school to reading for her MBA, from being a Data Analyst and leaping to become a business owner in 2014.

Being the middle child in her family and invariably doted on , she had to adjust a lot when she settled in the diaspora and dealing with cancer whilst working full time but she saw it through despite no one taking her business seriously in the initial stages as she had never worked in the beauty industry.

“Starting a business without any business background was bold and from the time I came up with the idea to the time that it was launched, there was a long period of uncertainty that was quite a challenge for me mentally and financially and to aspiring business people I say to them, 'If you have something that you are thinking of doing, start today. You don't need to see the whole staircase to take the first step. The universe will show you the way, just start already!”

Codilia's story offered hope and motivation for many people and she has been rightly recognised and celebrated for her innovative work and empowering efforts. She is currently working on her bigger project C-Life – A Life Less Ordinary which is about empowering women with cancer.

“Keeping yourself motivated when there are outside voices whispering doubt in your ear takes a certain kind of mental power to keep yourself going.”

29 | www.zim-abroad.com

Codilia is a true champion and is inspired by her parents who she says instilled in her a hunger for knowledge and hard work and always advised her to 'never live a parasitic life'. Today, now with her own family she has a way of helping her boys in maintain a hunger for life in a manner she hopes others also take to…

“In my living room, the boys and I have got what we call 'The Wall of Dreams'.

We put all our hopes and dreams on there and motivate each other to reach our goals. It helps to make my kids realise that I am human too and I have the same struggles that they have and same with everyone else, we can all win and come out stronger.”

A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

REJOICE BHILA

CELEBRATING THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF ONESELF

R

ejoice Bhila Kwaramba believes in promoting equality and diversity of colour in many circles. The entrepreneur and author of books such as I love my natural self Princess Malia and I love my natural self Cleopatra is the founder of Natural Nubian Dolls; a range of dolls of colour meant to teach children from a young age on embracing their unique beauty. We shine a light on her work and story that has made an impact all around..

Rejoice Bhila Khumalo is a remarkable woman who is making quite a name for herself within the business space and social circles in the African diaspora communities and beyond in the UK. The Zimbabwean born entrepreneur's influence cuts through various groups and circles because of her versatile portfolio which has set her apart, along with other trailblazing Zimbabweans abroad.

She is also a speaker and very passionate advocate for equality, inclusion and diversity in social and professional circles and is currently caught up in elation over the success of her latest initiative of Natural Nubian Dolls, whose purpose is to help children understand self-love and embrace themselves and others' diversity in colour and ethnicity. She carries an infectious pride of her culture and heritage and being also a trainer, often educates people on black history and PanAfricanism.

Rejoice was born and raised in her motherland Zimbabwe and is married and mother of two. She says she was always drawn to colourful and creative things from a young age. The melting pot of culture in Zimbabwe must have triggered a deep seated appreciation of one's culture and beauty in self-love which helped set her up on a clear path of what she wanted to pursue when she moved to the UK aged 18.

“I have happy memories of my life in Zimbabwe and enjoyed everything from the weather, organic foods, way of life as well as our language and fun games like pada and tsoro which were very lovely times of y my childhood,” she says. | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

www.zim-abroad.com | 30

“I WANT EVERY LITTLE GIRL TO KNOW THAT THEIR DREAMS CAN COME TRUE AND THAT THEY ARE NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL.” “Back home there was a sense of community and we believed that it takes a village to raise a child and I am very grateful for how we were raised; those morals that were instilled in me as a child have helped me into becoming the adult that I am today.”

As is common in most African households a strong work ethic is imparted into the next generation and with such back up Rejoice would go on to work in a retail store as a cashier before rising to become the store manager upon her arrival in the UK. It was perhaps from her experiences and observation in such a people oriented job that her eyes were further opened to the need for inclusion and equal opportunities for all in the professional space.

Despite her work as a professional her entrepreneurial instincts could not stay suppressed and she has gone on to be recognised as a cultural ambassador by many for her role in promoting African culture through her merchandise.

This was how the novel idea for the black dolls was borne and in explaining the initiative she says the aim is to promote and normalise the existence and buying of black dolls and represent Afro and Caribbean girls and others of colour.

“Natural Nubian dolls are for the people, for the culture, for every little girl in the world. We want children to understand that there is beauty in self-love and diversity. Black girls buy black dolls and we are pleased to note that other races who also buy them in promotion of unity and diversity that cuts beyond colour.”

The dream for Rejoice and her team is to have the dolls in retail worldwide and ensure that children learn from an early age that they matter and their dreams can come true. They also offer two books on black history that go complimentary with the dolls for the children.

Through her work experiences and interactions with other people Rejoice admits that perception of colour has improved but much still needs to be done.

“I would say there is roughly 49% improvement in perception of colour.

We still need to do away with racism, colourism and self-hate, I believe

31 | www.zim-abroad.com

we will eventually get there. No one should feel undermined or more important than the other, we are all special in our own way,” she said.

Though she carries strong views on equality Rejoice Bhila is far from being a crusader and is actively involved in initiatives within her diaspora communities and various charities back home in Zimbabwe. This is one of the things she is also passionate about, having experienced the challenges of getting started and setting up herself.

“I encountered some challenges when I started with my projects, with capital and marketing proving to be particularly difficult as this was a new wave and people were yet to recognise the brand. I also made mistakes and failed in some endeavours which gave me wisdom I feel. Self-motivation was up to me to ensure every aspect of the business was in place and ticking. I feel those challenges made me a better person and entrepreneur.”

Today, among her other duties and responsibilities, Rejoice is one of the directors of Bighearts Recruitment and is looking forward on doing some work in Zimbabwe in the near future. She is currently collaborating with Bantu King on a charity they are sponsoring and raising funds for troubled Zimdancehall star Soul Musaka popularly known as Soul Jah Love.

Rejoice has worked hard in carving her career and doing her bit for African pride and equality which has also earned her recognition for her works which pushes her to go further and work harder.

“It is very encouraging when I am honoured, my customers and people who believe in me and what I do are also honoured and my hope is that those honours will also encourage someone to go for their dreams and never give up. When I win we all win, and that is empowering and changing someone's life for the better gives me great pleasure.”

“I'm inspired to leave a legacy of love, educating people on black history before enslavement and a legacy of everyone having access to a doll of colour from anywhere in the world. I keep going because I want to be a great example to the youth, my family and friends and everyone who has supported our vision and believed in us. I want every little girl to know that their dreams can come true and that they are naturally beautiful.”

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MEET THE LADIES PUTTING ZIM TRAVEL ON THE WORLD MAP

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ancy a holiday in Zimbabwe but do not know where to start? Look no further than the hottest one stop shop for all things Zimbabwean travel and lifestyle; When In Zim. The online platform has been in top form in promoting Zimbabwe as a travel destination and we recently had a talk with the ladies behind the initiative, read on…

Agnes Repplier famously said 'the impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life' and the words have continued to ring true time and again. There is something about travelling that, sometimes cannot be put in words or writing. Paintings and photographs cannot even fully capture the beauty and 'feel' of a moment as it is lived. This often sparks the urge to travel, experience new things and see the world and Zimbabwe as a destination has been lauded worldwide for its natural beauty and scenic locations.

known places such as Gonarezhou National Park to the less publicized hidden gems of leisure and comfort such as Chizarira National Park down to the shopping experience deep in the heart of Harare and surrounding towns and cities.

The minds behind such an initiative are two fun loving and enterprising ladies whose personalities and love for life shines through their presentation; Sindi Kayembe and Paida Fundira. The dynamic duo who decided to make it their business to act as guides, along with their contributors and followers, on to where to eat, drink and stay in Zimbabwe.

The two friends are as diverse as their content and their backgrounds are unique to the other but they found a common ground on matters to do with travel. Sindi was born in Zimbabwe and moved to the UK in her teens whilst Paida has lived all her life in the UK.

Many people have been flocking online to When In Zim who have gained a reputation as a reliable go-to centre for travel recommendations in the country. The online travel platform is one of the leading authoritative voices online on all things to do with 'Destination Zimbabwe' and sits pretty on well over 10 000 followers who have all rubber stamped their approval on the colourful page.

“I moved to the UK when I was 14 and have been here ever since. I've always had a strong connection with the motherland and from starting school in the UK, I have carried the responsibility to raise awareness to the greatness that is Zimbabwe and as a model I have always taken that ambassadorial role to raise the positive Zimbabwean profile in the diaspora,” said Sindi, a former Miss Zimbabwe UK winner.

A quick rundown through their timeline takes the viewer on an unbeatable journey in and around Zimbabwe with stunning pictures and videos of various people sharing their Zimbabwean travel experiences from well-

“Unlike Sindi I have lived my entire life in London, although, for the past year I have spent a significant amount of time in Zimbabwe exploring its beauty as a tourist myself,” said Paida.

| A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

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Evolution is Paramount and young fresh minds are needed in all parts of the tourism departments. Let us advertise more than just the Vic Falls, let the world know of other Zimbabwean havens and make an unforgettable holiday “I am keen to play an instrumental part in repositioning Zimbabwe as a vacation highlight of the continent and expanding our mark in the tourism world, I've also recently invested in Vic Falls and the lesser known but equally beautiful Binga, so watch this space…” she added.

The story behind the formation of When In Zim also stemmed from a personal need to connect with the country on the part of the founders, as much as it was about putting the country on the virtual scene. After moving abroad at the tender age of 14, the biting nostalgia for the sights and sounds of home kept surfacing for Sindi and an equal curiosity about the Great House of Stone for Paida saw the two friends try to find what they can on the internet about the country but with limited success. It was then that they decided to make use of their tech-savvy skills and rope in contributions of their followers into a virtual guide for the ultimate Zimbabwean experience.

“I missed home a lot and initially struggled to adjust to life in the UK, where the British weather was as unpredictable as ever, I knew no one and school hours were longer, and remember in the 90's this was before the full on computer revolution we have now, so I had extremely fond memories of life back in Zim. I grew up in Bulawayo where the weather was beautiful and I longed for the familiar fun of the Trade Fair, Water World and even school!” says Sindi, laughing.

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“My happy memories of home made it a bit extra difficult to adjust but once I got used to school life and made friends I began to see Britain in all its splendour. Exploring London City and meeting people from all around the world, showed me a melting pot of cultures and gave me a broader view on life as a whole. Of course after making friends with similar interests, life would go on and soon birth When In Zim.” “This is where we all come in,” chips in Paida.

“There was really nothing broad or expansive on Zimbabwe's travel and lifestyle so we decided to start a platform that showcases the best Zimbabwean places to eat, drink and see. If we can't find more than Victoria Falls to explore then what about all the other potential tourists?

We thought about it thought 'hey let's make it happen' and thus When In Zim was born.”

The appetite for experiencing the Zim travel and culture by other people in the diaspora and foreigners fuelled the two's determination and so they set about to reveal memorable destinations for foreigners and reigniting the domestic wanderlust in fellow Zimbabweans, they said. They curate their content from their own personal visits as well as footage and pictures received from ordinary people enjoying Zimbabwe in many ways and have recommended countless destinations and brought awareness in domestic and international travel in Zimbabwe.

“We have a huge number of followers and enquiries from Zimbabweans in the diaspora wanting to experience Zimbabwe in a way that they had become accustomed to doing in other tourist destinations. In particular we want to bring non-Zimbabweans to knowing that you don't just have to stretch out your holiday in Victoria Falls but can experience a whole range of entertainment in every corner of the country,” they said.

“We are also humbled and overwhelmed by the response from people from all around the world championing what we do. Our post comments and emails are littered with messages from people applauding and thanking us for compiling what is haven and beauty of Zimbabwe. The reach has been so immense even BBC gave us a feature interview on a show with over 10million listeners and this has also opened the doors to numerous opportunities and ventures which we will be releasing soon.”

The ladies have amassed so much respect and experience in what they do and have been bringing to the forefront a number of forgotten and some rather unknown locations and have steadily become authorities on travel and tourism practices and have seen a lot in international standards on branding the country's destinations. Pressed on what recommendations for the local tourism sector, the bubbly team had some sobering but practical words to offer.

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“Zimbabwe has been using Vic Falls for the longest time as a tourism crutch but there is so much more we can offer. In this Instagram world, people don't just want to see the falls, as stunning as it is; they want to dive with the crocodiles, sky dive nearby, in fact all activities you can do in Zimbabwe have not been marketed enough or at all. A country with such a range of activities has been watered down to just the prominent waterfall.

We would be keen for Zimbabwe to offer itself as a complete package not just a safari holiday which one can access anywhere,” Sindi explained.

“Take UK for example, for a country that does not have the best weather, to put it mildly, the branding is done in such an effective manner people just want to visit. Capitalising on things like streets, buildings, the Royal Family, they bring in large numbers of people seeking THAT picture.

Whether it's the red bus, standing at a phone box or at Camden market, everything becomes a selling point and the spending power of tourists every year is proof of its effectiveness.”

The When In Zim team further urged relevant authorities and stakeholders to move from old models of marketing which are no longer effective and embrace modern trends by engaging outside agencies to consistently work on developing Brand Zimbabwe much like the tried and tested method which has been employed with much success in South Africa.

“Evolution is Paramount and young fresh minds are needed in all parts of the tourism departments. Let us advertise more than just the Vic Falls, let the world know of other Zimbabwean havens and make an unforgettable holiday.”

As travel fanatics themselves we asked the team about their favourite holiday destinations and their plans for the future.

“Favorite local destination has to be Nyanga, the stunning scenery, mountains and THAT zipline. The highest in the world, incredible! For foreign travel it would have to be Bali. The people, the culture, the food. It's such an immersive experience and everything in the country is presented to you as a tourist, from the average homes to the temples, truly amazing.”

“Going forward we have such a huge vision for When In Zim and have just announced a new food show that will showcase all the culinary delights Zimbabwe has to offer, from umxhanxa to maguru and everything in between. We promise it will be a visual delight and unique presentation that has not been done in that manner yet in Zimbabwe. We are always open to collaborations and welcome enquiries from all coach companies to Zimbabwean products. Just be sure to send us a detailed proposal to our email infor@wheninzim .com and let’s make magic happen. Until next time, happy travels!” | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

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SARAH CHITONGO ZIMBABWE'S FLAG BEARER IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE SERVICE

Sarah Chitongo is woman who always has a lot on her plate, whether it's working on building a £10 million simulation centre, reviewing RCM policies or trying to increase the number of Black Asian Ethnic Minority Groups and their safety in the NHS, she is hard to overlook. She has also pioneered a project on digitalisation of midwifery education through use of augmented reality which has increased the safety measures for women within maternity services. This project has received massive interest from far afield as Japan, China, Thailand, Russia, Malta, Spain, Canada, Mexico and been featured on Reuters TV and CNN. Whether she is speaking in the British Parliament on professional matters or receiving acknowledgements for her contributions, Sarah exudes inspiration and confidence to many…

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he Zimbabwean born nurse is as busy as she is efficient and as a midwife, assisting in delivery and bringing life is all part of her calling, judging by the initiatives she has been involved in, over and above her standard call of duty.

Among some of her responsibilities, she is a member of prestigious organisations such as the London Clinical Senate and Board member of the Royal College of Midwives, earning her immense respect both home and abroad.

great joy in my work,” she said.

“I am a qualified nurse and midwife with over 18 years' experience. I have worked in all fields and also as a deputy head of midwifery for an NHS trust. I then moved into education where I am a Midwifery Educator and Researcher at Middlesex University. I am also a Specialist Advisor to the American Pregnancy Association and provide regular Consultancy to Voluntary maternity organisations in UK. I am also a peer reviewer for multiple health publications and take

In 2018 she won the Mary Seacole Award from over 3,000 entries from across the UK, for her work which looks at the role played by midwives in reducing mortality within the Black Asian Ethnic Minority (BAME) groups within London. She says she is extremely grateful for the support she receives in executing her missions by various organisations, and also spoke about the award, which is but one of many in her glittering career.

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The health sector is rarely ever free of daunting challenges be it from risky health procedures or administration, and it is widely believed one must have the passion to not only want to succeed but, possess a genuine desire to help people. In spite of all such challenges Sarah has been quietly doing her work efficiently, often finding solutions to persistent problems in society.

A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

My main hope is to participate in the health system and contribute to the recovery of the country. I also just want to keep making a positive difference for women here in the UK.

“I have received extensive support from many sources such as Health Education England who fund the The Mary Seacole Awards w h i c h w e r e c r e a t e d i n h o n o u r o f M a r y S e a c o l e , t h e Jamaican/Scottish nurse born in 1805 and celebrated for her bravery in nursing soldiers during the Crimean war from 1853-6, and also for her use of herbal remedies to relieve the symptoms of illnesses such as cholera in Jamaica and Panama,” she says.

“The awards are funded by and are awarded in association with Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Nursing, UNISON and Unite with support from NHS Employers. I have received a lot of support from my mentors from the Mary Seacole as well as been given several opportunities to speak in Parliament. My work will now be embedded into the government manifesto which will see a real positive change from women from BAME experiencing better maternity experiences and reduction of mortality. I will also be meeting the Prime Minister to provide further support on this.”

Sarah's work has earned her a deserved respect from many sectors and authorities but she does not let that get her over her head. She | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

points out the support and recognition she gets from people as a humbling influence that keeps her focused in all her work assignments. As Deputy Head of Midwifery Services at the NHS, she counts respect for everyone as one of the greatest take-aways from her experiences.

“I learnt that whatever you do in life always acknowledge everyone as an essential component of an effective team. Giving everyone respect including the cleaners and porters establishes a relationship of trust and in return they respect you more. This is important to fostering a good work environment which ultimately has a bearing on patient experiences and good patient outcomes.

It's humbling when you know that you have people supporting you extensively.”

The experience that Sarah Chitongo has amassed over close to two decades in service mean that she has no doubt witnessed various challenges that hound the health sector and she reflects that the sentiments remain the same across the world particularly with resource issues.

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ZIMBABWE'S FOOD AND CULTURE ON A PLATE WITH IVY

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vy Mango, food blogger and chef brings traditional Zimbabwean cuisine to the world served on a platter that represents how royalty is served in our great nation. Be it on cooking shows, blogs or her social media, the award winning food blogger's tasty treats seem to come alive from the pages and one can even breathe in the aroma wafting from her cooking pots, whether over an open fire or stove. This is the story of the woman who has given the world A Taste of Zimbabwe….

The smells, sights and sounds that make Zimbabwe a very distinct country with dynamic cultures have been experienced by all Zimbabweans and indeed anyone who has had a connection with the country in one way or other.

Those who move from the country to others might miss the way of life and even those who stay behind might long for the authentic Zimbabwean feel and way of life of their childhood, as new trends continue to cow the old order into submission. However, things change, one thing that has refused to be forgotten by time and overtaken by events is the taste of Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean traditional cuisine is rich in nutrition and taste and a sure hit with food lovers as evidenced by high demands of Zimbabwean

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food around the world. That exciting world of creativity and delicious aromas is one that Ivy Mango chose to present to the world. The Harareborn blogger, who can be considered as much an artist as a chef, with her brilliant presentations of her dishes complementing her culinary skills.

Ivy, who has written a cookbook and been on the panel of African Food Bloggers in Central London at the Facebook HQ, was drawn not only to food but sharing the delights of Zim foods after being exposed to fine dining of the local cuisine at a young age.

“From a very young age I was fascinated with recipe books and loved watching cooking programmes. I grew up with my grandfather, a very classy man who loved to dine and loved to explore African & western dishes,” she said.

“I remember how we used to have our Friday dinners that were very exquisite that my grandmother would have prepared. She would set up the table with her expensive Chinaware, as if kings and queens were coming to dine with us. I carried that experience and I guess it also contributed A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

‘’ Witnessing the impact that sharing knowledge with others have and seeing others appreciate and going on to be successful in their own ventures is what brings me joy the most...’’

to study for a degree in food, worked in a few restaurants and here I am.”

personalities, so I'm really inspired to carry on.”

After working in various restaurants, Ivy observed a big demand for Zimbabwean cuisine and wasted no time in spreading the nourishment, so to speak, to a global stage with her social media presence commanding large traffic and interaction. A Taste of Zim was birthed and the world was served home grown recipes blended with just the right pinch of other tastes from around the world to create a lasting memory.

She has continued patiently building her brand on consistency and authenticity. She strongly believes that it is important to embrace culture and tradition because that is where success comes from and runs on the slogan 'Back to the roots, back to basics'. Her influence has been increasing and typical of her relentless spirit and reminiscent of the well decorated tables her grandmother used to lay when she was young, Ivy has spread her wings into home décor, founding Classy Zimbabwean Homes which has been fast growing sensation online.

“The demand for African food and traditional dishes is absolutely overwhelming in the diaspora! People in the diaspora are crazy about our traditional food and I guess being very far away from home, people miss the real food that we grew up on and the thought of having freshly cooked Sadza & haifiridzi brings all kinds of emotions and a feeling of joy. I truly applaud Zimbabwean food businesses that have opened and been consistent especially in the diaspora.”

The success story of Ivy's Kitchenette/A Taste of Zim was then built on the base of high end service delivery and a dedicated following of food lovers. She is currently working on her second book and taking wing on the inspiration of other chefs and had an opportunity to meet quite a number of well-to do personalities at the African Food Bloggers event.

“I follow a lot of Food bloggers from different origins and research on new foods and trial them out even if they aren't from Zimbabwe. Lately I've been inspired by the colourfulness and vibrancy of West Africa cuisines, those rich red stews , variety of meats and poultry and the use of countless ingredients to create one dish, I truly love that. Besides that, I'm also inspired by other internationally known chefs like Jamie Oliver, Ina Garten and Siba Mtongana from South Africa and also met some TV | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

“Almost 2 years ago I embarked on an interior design & home decor journey. It was welcomed so overwhelmingly by many women across the globe. I opened an Instagram to my love for food and recipes. A few years down the road I started food blogging and realised I wanted more, so I went page and now we have a group called Classy Zimbabwean Homes on Facebook which is almost at 100k in 4months. We have a major event coming up in November on Homes, so there are exciting times ahead.”

Going forward Ivy hopes to also host her own TV cook show and dropped some encouraging words for upcoming food bloggers and dreamers; “If you have a passion for food and desire to explore the food industry, Go For It! you never know where it will take you. We are in need of many more Zimbabwean food bloggers, the more we are, the more we will place the Zimbabwean Food Cuisine on the World Map.” The Taste of Zimbabwe is still spreading around the world and should you feel hungry and longing for some familiar home tastes, waste no time and interact with the rest of the world on culinary issues on Ivy's Taste of Zim Instagram page before the hunger gets too real!

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NO MORE BAD HAIR DAYS WITH NGUNI ORGANICS

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udding entrepreneur Annah Khumalo is the founder of Nguni Organics, a hair care product of her own making that has seen her cater for an exclusive group of people who are interested in natural hair solutions. The product has been well received and earned Annah awards and recognition. She shares with us her story and the passion that drives her…

Annah was born in Bulawayo, popularly known as the City of Kings and Queens, and cut a different picture from the ever smiling, resourceful entrepreneur she has become today. Never the conformist,

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Anna remembers her fun childhood days at school, being a bright but playful student with a knack of finding her own way away from the familiar ways of doing things. Those daring qualities of hers have gone on to be critical in starting her own hair care products in a market dominated by bigger and more established names.

The young entrepreneur attended Girls College in Bulawayo for her high schooling and moved to Germany in 2017 where she quickly asserted the consciousness of her own culture amidst the world of diversity in her current city of residence Hamburg.

Photo by

Rutendo Masawi

“I was a very naughty student in school, ringleader of our group and a noisemaker.

We liked nothing more than having fun when I was in primary school and we often got away with little mischief at school,” she says, laughing.

“I left for Germany after my high school and it was no surprise for those who knew me when I started my entrepreneurial initiatives which was very satisfying for me. I often say to people that you pay no attention to what people try to label you when you carry a dream. I have often heard people being cast with limitations and labelled drop outs, and subsequently assumed to be failures simply because they chose an unconventional route.”

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Annah who is studying in Germany and also running her business says she always loved styling her hair and trying out different products to find out what suited her best through her enthusiastic experiments with hair.

“I first became natural because I realised that natural hair is fragile but didn't break easily, so I started to experiment by making little concoctions for my hair. Over time I had to learn to love the process, you know, there were many things I had to learn and some to unlearn before hitting the right one,” says Annah.

That eagerness to explore a solution that would work for her natural hair, saw her push herself each day and it was not long before the idea started formulating in her mind to help other women and men who might be having difficulties with their natural hair. Pondering incessantly on the project that was now slowly getting her fired up, Annah wasted no time in getting her product noticed.

“I would always find myself trying new products every week and was very picky about what was in them which led me to want and try my own thing. I had so many women asking me what I was using for my natural hair and so I came to the idea to do this for other women struggling with their hair. I launched a hair care brand catering to women and men having problems with growing healthy hair or women that want to maintain healthy hair, and that is when Nguni Organics was started.”

People often ask, what's in a name? This is because names speak a lot about someone and give a distinct identity to the bearer of the name. For Annah coming up with the name Nguni Organics was a no-brainer for a number things. Being of the royal line of the | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

Khumalos, she already carried her natural crown of hair with pride and easily settled on the name.

“People ask me why the name Nguni? I am a Khumalo and with history even till today that's recognized as royalty. So with the name Nguni I want women and men to embrace their own natural hair and caring for it in the best way whilst feeling like Royalty at the same time,” she explains.

“Our Nguni products are handmade by me and are 100% organic.

They do not have harsh chemicals that damage the hair as they are sulphate-free shampoos. Our hair conditioners have no silicones which are synthetic conditioning agents and this has made them favourites with many users which has led me getting opportunities to showcase at premier events like the Africa Can Do Event.”

She has also been nominated for the Dercy Nyota Awards in Germany and won in the young and gifted category as well as winning the Entrepreneur Award at Junge-Deutsche-Afrikaner and will be going to Ghana for 3 weeks courtesy of the organisers where she will enhance her skills and network. As her personal growth and influence increases and Nguni Organics continue to rise, it is easy to assume it has always been a smooth ride for the young entrepreneur but she states that has not always been the case as she has had to jump over a few hurdles.

“My biggest challenge in launching Nguni Organics was funding everything with the little income I got, working 10hrs a day and doing other jobs on the side. It was hard but somehow driven by passion I believed and pulled through. I had affirmations I repeated daily to myself and believed I could walk through a brick wall.

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Fear is what stops a lot of people from starting.

Fear of what people are going to say. Fear of failure. I believe it's better to fail trying than never to know your full potential I would ask myself daily if I would be doing what I was doing if this day was my last on earth. I believe we all have a purpose to fulfil on this planet,” she says.

There were times when she felt like the load was too heavy but Annah always got inspiration from her parents who are hard workers. She understood that sometimes what holds people back is fear but she channelled her inner strength and pushed herself to her maximum.

“My parents inspired me to be the young lady I am today. My mother was removed from school in the 7th grade due to financial strains and started buying and selling, money exchange at the age of 16. She worked hard because she wanted us to have the best in life and to take us to the best schools in Bulawayo.”

“My dad was there by her side and his story is not any different.

He comes from humble beginnings too. He would make handmade shopping bags every night soon after getting home, for selling after school the next day. His 16years in business have not been all smooth but I admire how he has never given up. They inspire me every day along with an entrepreneur from South Africa called Sbusiso Leope. DJ Sbu has hit rock bottom but did not give up on his dream. These stories inspire me so much.”

Annah has big dreams for her brand and is already looking to the

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future with optimism and a wealth of experience gathered in her journey so far. Listening to her speak about her ambition for the future is just as refreshing as the assured makeover experienced by users of Nguni Organics.

“The Nguni Organics hair care line will be expanding by having a variety of products added to the line that will promote and nourish your crowns. I believe dreams manifest into reality and up to today I still do not know how I never thought I was crazy when I was pursuing my dream. Being passion driven destroys all negativity and all fear. I have set higher goals for myself to achieve because this flight I am on just took off and the sky is not my limit.

I am aiming higher.”

It is inevitable that for someone so accomplished at such a young age she would gain admirers and followers as well. Annah counts it all a blessing and offers a rallying cry to all the dreamers in her parting shot.

“Fear is what stops a lot of people from starting but people will talk whether you doing good or bad anyway. I also believe it's better to fail trying than never to know your full potential.

Someone once said God placed the best things in life on the other side of terror. So I urge everyone that has a dream to start now, if not now, then when? If not you, then who? If you are waiting for the perfect time you might just wait all your life!”

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Lights, Camera, Action!

Celebrating Monalisa Chisango

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here are many names that are celebrated in the film and television industry but very few come as impressive as producer, writer and director Monalisa Mupambawashe Chisango who has produced thousands of hours for television across the continent. Usually content with her job behind the scenes ZimAbroad Magazine managed to steal a few minutes and put the director in the frame for a brief chat about her career journey…

Many people love watching television in their downtime and consume hours and hours of programming over time. Viewer preferences vary but the reality and game show genre has proven to be very popular around the world and Africa has not been left behind with various popular original and syndicated shows such as The Voice, Who Do you Think You Are? SA's Got Talent and So You Think You Can Dance among others.

Such shows have gone on to smash viewership records and have soaring ratings bringing much fame to the presenters and participants. The crew is usually given about a minute's worth of credits and it is easy to overlook the professionals who literally run

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the show behind the scenes. That is the space that award winning producer and director Monalisa Chisango feels at home with and exercises her creative abilities at their full potential.

The affable Monalisa, who relocated to South Africa in 2008, is multi-talented and is comfortable in front of the camera as well as behind it, having been a performer from her childhood years.

“Growing up my first love was acting and I was always in the cast in many drama and theatre productions or year-end concerts at school. This propelled me to want to study drama and that's how I ended up studying drama at the University of Pretoria,” recalls Monalisa.

She decided to focus on directing, writing and producing after impressing in her directorial debut in a theatre play titled On Solid Ground which was being produced for live TV broadcast by as legendary author and film maker Tsitsi Dangerembga.

Dangarembga noted Monalisa's flair during the production A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

looking for a Production Manager and with her reference I got the job.”

Such is Monalisa's incredible story destiny's pull that she got hired on literally the day she arrived in South Africa. She grabbed the chance with both hands and within the same year she landed a job at one of the top 5 production companies in South Africa ,Rapid Blue, who have produced some of the best known international hit shows such as Dragons Den, Got Talent, Come Dine With Me and many more. The rest, like they say is history… many years later, an impressive resume, awards, recognition and experience later Monalisa finally got her wish to produce a show for her home country.

“At the beginning of the year I had an opportunity to produce a reality TV show in Zimbabwe, Our Perfect Wedding Zimbabwe. I was so thrilled to finally produce content that was very close to my heart.

This also gave me a platform to impart the knowledge that I have gained over the years to the young generation,” she says.

and suggested she venture into film and television before offering her an opportunity she describes as a 'game changing moment'.

Dangarembga offered her the chance to work on her 2003 feature film Kare Kare Zvako. In that same year she started working with Nakai Matema in the Short Film Projects at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF).

“Our local Zim industry has so much potential to generate revenue for the country and I would like to call upon the private sector and government to invest in the industry. Invest in infrastructure! Build assets such as cinemas, entertainment complexes, studios and arcades.”

Seeing the local industry blossoming is one of her wishes and even as she notes the gaps and recommendations for the infrastructure and capacity building, she also drops some words of advice for the talent.

“Content is no longer King, good quality content is! The barriers of entry to make great content have greatly been lowered by the advent of digitalization meaning that now more than ever people should concentrate on the craft of telling great stories and the art of packaging content. The internet will teach you anything. But by all means, people should produce, produce, produce!”

After years of perfecting her craft and learning the dynamics of the industry Monalisa relocated to South Africa to get more exposure in the film and TV industry, where she would eventually become a media powerhouse. She reminisces with a laugh as she recounts how she was armed with only her 'passion for TV and a back pack that had two pairs of jeans and a skirt'.

Breaking into the industry is hard enough, winning and staying on top of the game is quite outstanding and Monalisa remains grounded as “I was not sure how I would even penetrate into the South African ever despite having scaled dizzy heights. A few years ago she had the industry. Fortunately for me my good friend Nomsa Mwamuka opportunity to be on the set of Britain's Got Talent and trained by the opened up her home to me and on the day I arrived she received a X Factor Director, an experience that made her decide to also call from a Producer who was working on a pilot for BBC and was empower others. | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

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Always remember your past does not determine your future and failure is not a sign of weakness.

“This encounter motivated me and from then onwards I have ensured that I offer internship opportunities across the production, not all of us can afford to go to film school but are very passionate about film and TV. At times learning on the job is the best way in fulfilling one's dream and through training and mentoring young filmmakers I have managed to produce many great production personnel in the industry.”

Over the years, Monalisa says she has managed to remain true to herself despite the dizzy world of showbiz where one can easily forget themselves in keeping up with trends. She says her inspiration is her mother Mrs Faith Mupambawashe whom she says embodies all the qualities of strong women and this makes her appreciate all the opportunities life has in turn opened in her career.

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“I love many things about my job and being able to be an influencer – being able to change people's mindsets, being able to start conversations, being trend setters, being a voice to the voiceless, being able to educate and at the same time entertain audiences keeps me motivated daily.”

There is so much more to Monalisa's story besides film and television that it would require books to share her story in full. She is married to Robson Chisango and is currently developing an online talk show called #RebeccaTalks whilst also looking at adapting novels into screen plays and judging by her past works, the world can look forward to some stunning feature films from her soon.

A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

SAMANTHA NCUBE

FROM KEZI TO NOLLYWOOD STARDOM

S

amantha Ncube-Mahlangu is an award winning Zimbabwean Nollywood UK actress based in the United Kingdom. The Bulawayo born actress was one of the first Zimbabweans to break into the prolific Nollywood scene where she has enjoyed incredible success in various blockbuster movies such as Jacuzzi, Complicated and Maids of Doclands among others.

Samantha's story does not begin in front of the flashlights, glitzy world of acting or on a well-lit film set. She was not a child star and perhaps never held dreams of being a Nollywood A-lister one day but life has a way of setting people on to the right direction for their destiny. She first made her appearance on the silver screen in 2012 in the Lawrence Mthinsi film Amazansi where the budding actress caught the eye in her role as a caring lady who wanted the | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

best for her elder brother and his girlfriend.

At that time she was working for Coventry Children's Services, having graduated with a degree in Applied and Social Community Studies. The call of her acting destiny was however getting louder and the bubbly actress was to make her grand entry into Nollywood in rather fortuitous circumstances after she was spotted by the Queen of Nollywood HRH Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade in 2015. What followed afterwards can read like an extract from the script of a fast-paced Nollywood thriller as Samantha saw her world spun into another gear, with HRH Theodora initiating various invitations to auditions with the Founder of Nollywood UK, Nelson Spyke, in a development that saw the start of a fruitful working relationship that has yielded awards for both the actress and the film projects. www.zim-abroad.com | 48

successful Nollywood movies and getting the opportunity to rub shoulders with industry greats like Iyke, Theodore Ibekwe Oyebade, Rita Nzelu, Ruke Amata, Wives was her first series and the critically acclaimed show which aired on Africa Magic channels propelled her to further stardom and she gathered inspiration to keep on flying her nation's flag high, in a move that has seen her amass various awards and gongs for her work. The inevitable question however arises, for someone who does acting and is exposed to various productions, where does she get the inspiration and motivation to keep on reinventing herself in such a dynamic environment?

Samantha who has played various roles in her career, bringing to life characters that are as diverse as they come celebrates the opportunities that have come her way and reminisces about the inspiration she gets from telling different stories using the power of film.

“I enjoy all the challenges that come with having to portray roles that are so far removed from my realities as this gives me a greater perspective of life from other people's shoes,” she says.

“My most challenging and exciting role was in the series Wives, when I played a promiscuous woman who was all about material things. My character lived life on the edge and was a manipulative lady who was fussy and obsessed with high-end lifestyle and so in order to fund that she had affairs with many different men. I took that role because I'm a naturally shy person so it was a challenge to me, having to push myself from my comfort zone and take up a personality that triggers much discussion and stereotypes in society.”

Although Samantha had already featured in various 49 | www.zim-abroad.com

“I get inspiration from life and things that happen around me in the UK, as well as my Zimbabwean experiences. I am particularly inspired to also play my part in pushing the Zimbabwean narrative through quality productions and we are currently working on my project that has to do with violence towards women and children from Zimbabwe as the inspiration for the project, so for me it's a constant source of motivation to get into the core of our stories and share them with the world. The script is almost ready very soon.”

Samantha has been awarded and recognized by various prestigious boards such as the Cameroon Film and Movie Academy, ZimAchievers Awards UK, Zimbabwe Music And Arts Awards UK and Nollywood Entertainment & Leadership Awards (NELAS), among others but it is her home country that is still the heartbeat of her legacy.

She is involved humanitarian work in the country and is the co-founder of Miss Diversity Beauty and Pads for Princess.

The initiative buys sanitary pads from the UK and sends them to schools in Zimbabwe, in Matabeleland, where she grew up in Kezi and some schools in the community that counts as her grassroots and first stomping ground before she made the great trek to the UK in search of greater opportunities.

A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

The most fulfilling part about my job is to make people laugh and forget about what the world is going through, that appreciation I get from my producer and management completes the mission for me.

Her life in the UK is a very busy one and on a typical week she would be occupied from Monday to Friday with her job and finding time for most filming during weekends on location. In typically inspirational fashion Samantha also wants to see opportunities for budding Zimbabwean talent and wants to include Zimbabwe in future projects as much as possible.

“I have few projects in the pipeline, one will be filmed in Nigeria and the other one in the UK. My fans can expect my own production in 2020. I'm producing my own movie directed by the legendary Ruke Amata, story by Nelson Spike, I'm looking into working with youth from Zimbabwe in this project and by God's grace, some scenes will be filmed in Zimbabwe,” she said.

“I feel our film industry needs an injection of motivation and I pray that in the next coming years we'll have a TV channel to showcase all our work than solely relying on other big industry players like Multichoice. Our industry has lot of potential and we need collaborations with other countries for Zimbabwean entertainment industry to grow.” | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

“We have seen a massive boom in Nollywood productions and I feel we can far if we take the initiative. I'm still to hold a meeting with the Zollywood team to see what can be done, as I feel there is talent in Zimbabwe but funding and motivation lacks.”

The passion with which she speaks of her hopes and aspirations for the country of her both ring true with many of the country's torch-bearers around the world and for Samantha, all the success she has enjoyed can never replace some familiar comforts of the motherland.

“I thank God for the opportunity given to me to express my views and the stories of others through my work. I enjoy living in the UK and am awed by the cultures and diversity all around but all that makes me miss my grandmother and my mum's cooking, speaking Kalanga with my siblings, and all things Zimbabwean culture we don't have in the UK. I always look forward to being part of an exciting renaissance of our Zimbabwean story and I know that together we can. God bless our Zimbabwe,” she says, meaningfully as the interview is called a wrap, from the lady who has grown accustomed to the call of 'lights, camera and action!'

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DR MELANIE ABAS

A FRIEND OF ZIMBABWE

A

l m o s t h e r e n t i re professional life has been dedicated to raising awareness, promoting and training on mental health wellness. Dr Melanie Abas has been a key figure in pushing for effective treatment methods in the fight against mental health problems (MHP) and has rightly been hailed as one of the profession's true champions, with a career that has seen her train health practitioners around the world as well as pioneering the Friendship Bench initiative in 51 | www.zim-abroad.com

Zimbabwe…

The Friendship Bench in Zimbabwe has been hailed as one of the most effective treatment methods for people battling mental health problems such as depression and anxiety in the country.

In a country where at one point mental health issues were largely trivialized and overlooked, the novel idea has helped in raising awareness and speaking a message of hope many despairing souls who have come to a better place mentally, through getting

help from the efficient team of care givers and counsellors.

In medical and social circles the conversation around this upsurge in mental health awareness and treatment, the conversation rarely strays far from the name of Dr Melanie Abas, the renowned psychologist and researcher who is associated with successful initiatives in treating MHP in low and middle income countries and revered by various colleagues and her students which include the University of Zimbabwe Medical School (UZ).

A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

The Friendship Bench has been a huge success in Zimbabwe and set off a domino effect with people who have been helped spreading the word in their communities, in a move that has seen intensified efforts in getting treatment forMHP. Dr Abas' connection with Zimbabwe started many years ago when she came to work in the country after completing her studies.

feeling that life is very tough. Back the 90's there were myths about how depression affected people in multiple African countries. It was wrongly believed that they did not experience the same intensity in depression as people in the West, probably because at the time there was not a known word for depression in Shona language or other common indigenous languages in the region.”

“After my graduation I came to work in Zimbabwe for nearly two and a half years after gaining my qualification. At that time Zimbabwe was a member of the Commonwealth so it was part of the link of Commonwealth Universities Association. I got the experience of working at University of Zimbabwe Medical School and Harare Hospital and learnt a great deal from very influential clinicians and researchers such as Dr Fidelis Chikara and Dr Jane Mutambira,” she said.

“However, I was one of the first people to document in the 1990's that although there was no single word, people experienced a lot of negative life events in very similar ways to other cultures. This helped me to demonstrate to others that there are cross-culture similarities in our reactions to the way we experience horrible things that leave us lost and humiliated regardless of country or culture you come from.”

Soon after settling and getting the hang of things at the UZ she went on to her next project. Dr Abas started researching on improving care for people living with mental health problems in low and middle income countries, with Zimbabwe being one of her core areas of focus.

During the course of this work she came into contact with stakeholders in the community such as traditional healers, teachers, nurses in primary care and teachers, church leaders and health professionals among others sharing insights on how to combat the scourge that mental health problems.

Together with her team they started developing a multiple symptoms card to aid health care providers such as nurses to spot symptoms that might point at evidence of MHP in patients. It was noted during the research process that many patients, particularly women came to the clinic complaining of physical pains yet it was actually due to psychosocial difficulties.

As the years went by, one Dr Dickson Chibanda made use of the multiple symptoms card and also using other depression measuring tools, decided to set up something in the primary health care clinics and communities around Mbare working with colleague Dr Petra Mesu.

“We found that in some cases this affected the patients badly such that they developed a significant mental health problem. To tackle that we formulated a simple guideline on the symptoms of MHP to help nurses to recognise and offer treatment based on evidence effectively,” said Dr Abas.

During her work Dr Abas amassed great understanding on how common mental health problems were viewed in regards to culture and social settings in Zimbabwean communities which aided in her research for solutions to common mental health issues in low to middle income countries.

“I noticed how mental health problems were expressed in Shona culture, for instance people talked about kufungisisa(anxiety) and having deep sadness, moyo unorwadza (heart pains) and | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

They linked up with Dr Abas and were soon inspired to form the first Friendship Bench in Zimbabwe, which is a way to provide treatment for depression and other related MHP's. It comprises of an interview held whilst sitting on a wooden bench by a trained and supervised Grandmother lay health worker with the patient in an atmosphere of friendship. Dr Abas explains how the process was started.

“We won a large grant for a clinical trial to allow us to test the Friendship Bench intervention, which was effective in improving MHP compared to what was available through the existing methods. We trained mature women who were already working in the community to ensure promotion and it was a vision of the Friendship Bench team to engage these women in providing care for MHP.

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“Zimbabwe healthcare professionals and university staff work extremely hard, value and appreciate academic excellence and skill and I have really tried to follow these values when I'm not in the country.

I would always encourage anyone who has an opportunity to spend 6months or more learning and working in Zimbabwe to do so and cultivate long term partnerships..”

So I designed a program to see how best to train those lay health workers and helping them with overall running of clinics.”

good problem solving skills through candid conversation and counselling.

After everything was put in place they started a trial in 20 clinics across Harare and split the health carers into two different groups with one being trained to provide the Friendship Bench intervention. The other group was only trained to provide simple education and advice to other MHP symptoms and after 12 months, the patients were followed up and compared and results showed a large and significant difference in favour of people who had access to the Friendship Bench.

“We found that when people are depressed they might lose their good problem solving skills because of lost motivation and hope, sadness and lack in energy. We help them to regain those skills, empower, equip an encourage them. We call this treatment kuvhura pfungwa (opening the mind) and show them that there's another way to help their respective situation and develop hope.”

“This treatment can actually improve physical health. Again this is an example where Zimbabwe is leading world research in this area and we are fortunate to have been recognised by the National Institute of Health in the USA who are funding this large clinical trial and they are waiting to see the results which will be available in 3years time then other countries would also like to use.”

“This was the first time this had been demonstrated in a low income setting and it's not only relevant for Zimbabwe but for the whole world and many countries are now learning the Friendship Bench model and Dr Chibanda has quite rightly gained a lot of recognition for this and has been invited to high profile occasions like World Economic Forum. He and I have been written in the Guardian newspaper for our work and showing ways to improve mental health treatment,” she explained further.

Dr Abas has also worked with and mentored some of the brightest sparks in Zimbabwe's psychology field such as Dr Chibanda, Dr Muneer, Dr Januar, Dr Madhombiro and a number of other health workers at the UZ College of Health Sciences in the last 5 years. On her current project at Marondera Provincial Hospital she is testing out different treatments for depression for people living with HIV in an exercise almost similar to the Friendship Bench approach. The HIV counsellors who are based at the clinics are trained to provide the Tendai Program which is essentially a type of talking therapy which helps a person to learn

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Dr Abas hailed the level HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment efforts in the country called for more open discussions in schools, churches and other places young people are most likely to frequent so they can learn about sexuality and how to protect themselves. Dr Abas also recommends others to set up and do work within Zimbabwe as her own experience has been pleasant.

“I am greatly indebted to Zimbabwe for training me as a global health researcher and a lot of my students in the UK n other countries have really benefitted. I urge anyone who wants to do work within Zimbabwe to do so without. If possible they will be rewarded for a lifetime with friends, colleagues and a unique opportunity to enrich their careers and give back to a truly wonderful country.”

A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |

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GIRLS IN SKIES TAKE PODCASTING BY STORM

“The biggest lesson we have learnt is that we have a voice and that it is heard far and wide. We want to share our story and our truth in the hope that we can generate meaningful dialogue that will have a positive impact on others.”

“What drives us to keep going are the encouraging messages that we have received, people who write to us to tell us how the content has helped them laugh, reflect and help them through some low points that gives us the fuel to keep going.”

Far from making a decision the ladies create inclusive and thought provoking concepts and just lead the conversation, leaving their followers with room to also engage on their social media and contribute to the conversation.

“We spend a lot of time speaking on the phone. We often meet to catch up and talk in general terms about life. It is those conversations that we use to gauge the common issues we care about. Other topics are deliberate of course, we may read or see something which we find interesting then we explore different | A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION

meanings and concepts. We also have a formal monthly preproduction meeting where we discuss the themes of the coming episodes, what outcomes we are seeking from the episodes and remind ourselves of why we started to keep us aligned with vision for Girl in Skies,” they explained.

With the creative process revealed the podcast also speaks truth to power and does not shy from any critical topics. Girls in Skies is not just about the laughs and comic relief but about community building and keeping the positivity going by touching on every aspect.

When pressed on their most popular or memorable episode, the ladies had a tough time choosing one mainly because of the sentiment behind each episode.

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“That's a tough one! But if we are to choose, there is one, episode 8, where we were fortunate to have Novuyo Rosa Tshuma, House of Stone author, as a guest and discussed the Gukurahundi genocide which we felt strongly about giving the weight and regard it needed. We felt it necessary to give the historic context, the stories that are little known. We viewed it as us creating a piece of history - which hopefully will be referenced in future.”

That memorable episode was well received among others and Girls in Skies speak with gratitude on the response they get from their listeners and the role their podcast is allowed to occupy in the social and community standings.

“Response to our podcast has been phenomenal. We are truly humbled and excited about the growing numbers. We have listeners from all over the world and approximately 2000 plays per episode. That people pick up their devices, press play and incorporate us to their listening leisure is a humbling experience.”

“Our current contribution is being a vehicle for meaningful discourse. We are committed to ensuring the podcast has a positive social impact and will, in future, be working with others on issues where there is a shared interest,” they said.

The ladies whose podcast is available on various platforms such as Apple, Spotify, Sound cloud and Castbox have developed such a unique bond with their audience, it is easy for some to feel like they know them personally, so we quizzed them a bit on what they do in their personal time and they duly obliged.

“I'm one of those weird people that enjoy following politics, particularly the sportsmanship of it - so I'm enjoying the US

democratic primaries! I listen to podcasts, practice Grime lyrics and then post myself miming them on Snapchat… yes it is a thing,” says Nat with a laugh.

“I listen to podcasts and music. I love reading so more often than not my nose is buried in a book either poetry or books written by African authors. I also love travelling,” chipped in Xolie.

Splitting their time between studying, work, their podcast and other respective projects the ladies do also have a few things they miss about home and also took time to intimate on what the immediate future holds for Girls In Skies.

“I miss my family. I miss the familiarity of places; those who know me know I love food… so I miss the food. I also miss the feeling of belonging and of acceptance that you only realise you had when you are out with Zimbabwe,” said Xolie.

The ever hilarious Nat concurred and also added, “I miss people being able to pronounce my surname correctly! I also miss the sun, the space and that feeling that only home can give you.”

Dialogue and interaction continue to be the keys to unlocking solutions for better relations and existence and Girls in Skies remain committed to doing just that through their podcast and signed out in style with some words of what is to come.

“Expect more entertainment, more fun and laughs and we want to continue to tackle topics that are important to us and to contribute to the building of a new narrative of the Zimbabwe diaspora, till next time, remember to check out our next episode and be part of the conversation!”

FOLLOW US ON

girlinskies (be sure to add #GirlInSkies)

NAT @malaikadiva

Xolie @XolieNc Girl In Skies Podcast

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A SPECIAL WOMEN’ S EDITION |