HOUSE OF MUTAPA MARCH 2021 #IWD2021 SPECIAL EDITION

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03 - Editorial

CONTENTS

26 - Cover Feature Shingai - Too Bold… And Beautiful 10 - Food&Drink Tita Cuisine - For the Love of Food Rwendo Wines by Caroline Madziwa Feature 40 - Nyasha Michelle - Woman In Media 44 - Babalwa Kotana - Attorney/Author/Musician 20 - The Quote People 05 - Writer’s Corner Chelsea Black - Cupid, Frogs and Finding Love 16 - Music Jane Doka – Gospel Artiste 22 - Tribute Soul Jah Love – Tormented Talent 32 - Science Lenias Hwenda - STEM & Health-preneurship 08 - Reflections Love… Attained, Lost, Restored 36 - The COVID-19 Diaries The Joys and Growing Pains of Home Schooling ALL LAYOUTS AND DESIGNS BY RR CHAWOTA. COVER PIC DESIGNED BY RR CHAWOTA. PICTURE BY TATJANA PANEK

Editor In Chief - Rhoda Molife; Creative Design Director - Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota; Chairman - Godwin Chireka; Public Relations Director - Simba Harawa; Public Relations Executive - Vannesa Moosa; Social Media Marketing Intern - Noma Zvimu HOUSE OF MUTAPA PVT LTD is a Registered Trademark. South Africa. Copyright 2021

Contact - info@houseofmutapa.com HOUSE OF MUTAPA

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EDITORIAL

T

his year that is 2021 is certainly not waiting for anyone. We’re already in month 3 and it so happens that it’s one of my favourite months. Let me share two reasons why.

First of all, here in England, it heralds the start of spring. Having been born and raised in the tropics, I never really appreciated the seasons so much because we had just one … hot. But after 30+ years in the temperate climes, I fall in love over and over with the season that signifies new beginnings, awakening, rejuvenation, renewed energy and of course, warmer temperatures. Nothing elevates and inspires more than spring… apart from the second reason why March is one of my favourite months – International Women’s Day. There’s no doubt that women have come a long way. We can theoretically do what we want to do but you know, for the majority of the world’s female population, being a woman still comes with significant struggles and challenges and limitations that many of us in westernised cultures are quickly forgetting. This is why it remains important to recognise and celebrate the achievements and progress of women to i), inspire and keep the hope alive for those for

whom liberty is yet to come and, ii), celebrate those who have become a light for other women… and men too. And, the great thing is that we can officially do this all month and carry the #IWD vibes all year round too.

This #IWD21 Special Edition features some beautiful women who are challenging the constraints that are so often put on us – from the divine and bold musician and singer on our cover, Shingai Shoniwa, to rising woman in media Nyasha Michelle, to emerging vintner Caroline Madziwa, to blogger-turned-author Chelsea Black who talks the realities of dating, love and romance in modern times, and global health policy mover and shaker Lenias Hwenda. We only wish we could feature everyone we wanted to in this edition, but we hope that these queens gracing our pages this month represent the breadth and depth of our capabilities as human beings.

We here at HoM are certainly in awe of what our features have done to make the world a little better than when they came into it. However let’s all not forget to also celebrate those women nearest and dearest to us, the ones in our tribe, the ones who because they are, we are.

Rhoda Editor-in-Chief HOUSE OF MUTAPA

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WRITER’S CORNER

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Chelsea Black on Cupid, Frogs and Finding Love

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C

helsea Black is a South African-born, London-based relationship and dating blogger turned author of Cupid’s Cockups and Frogs and Fuckeries. Her blog The Mizzadventures of Chelsea Black was named one of Vuelio’s top 10 relationship and dating blogs in the UK. She is currently working on finding the elusive husband number two and book number three whilst eating a copious amount of Jelly Babies. by Rhoda Molife rhoda@houseofmutapa.com You’ve been named one of the UK’s top bloggers on love and relationships. How did you get into that space?

I’ve always been an over sharer when it comes to my dating disasters but after my divorce the only place I had to vent was Facebook. A friend there was editing a magazine and spotting my posts, asked me to do a column for her magazine. I didn’t initially think of blogging as I was used to bite-sized rants but soon found that 500 words as blogs worked best at keeping my interest.

What inspired your first book, Cupid’s Cockups?

Cupid’s Cockups was a culmination of my blogs over some years at the end of which I realised that I’d gone on an emotional journey and changed my dating style over time. I also couldn’t believe there were so many wastemen out there and found some of their behaviour incredulous. How was this normal dating? So I chose to share this as a book instead of random blogs. …And Frogs & Fuckeries?

I got a little tired of dating aimlessly and decided to take a different approach which was much more targeted using dating apps. I’d love to tell you that the quality of dating was better but, alas, I hit a dearth of men who were depressed, angry, cheating and broke. I updated my friends on Facebook both during and after the dates so it made sense that rather than go to therapy, I would write about it.

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Are people really still hung up about Black love and sex?

Unfortunately not as much as they should be!

It’s all about the swirling now which Shondaland and other writers have centred. Black love is very much ignored in the literary space. Black sex is a little different as many fetishize Black bodies and therefore sex.

There are also firmly held negative views on Black women and being single, and Black men and sex all of which excludes us from the romantic comedy space.

What was your first ever piece of writing?

My first blog was about my plan to get married four times and have a bundle of children, I think. It was published in Precious magazine.

That being said, I’d always written as a child from letters to family members and pen pals, to essays at school. Weirdly, I chose science at A’ Levels but loved reading and writing so much more. The curse of African family expectations.

I can literally write anywhere so generally it will be when I’m sitting on the sofa listening to music or in a park reading. I worked for Nadine Gordimer* as a student at university and she wrote every day, 9am to 5pm, with an hour for lunch. I will write for three weeks solidly then not write again for about three months. It’s undisciplined but, alas, until it’s my full-time day job, I just fit it in wherever. Music helps though.

What are you reading now?

When writing, I never read anything that could influence my style so at the moment I’m reading lots of Kindle Unlimited trashy romances whose titles and stories I forget the next day. I buy books and have a huge pile of them that I will get to when I take a proper break from writing.

A book or two that had the most impact on you was… … Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga.

It was the focus of my dissertation and I definitely related to the Nyasha character and the moderate versus extreme African girl dichotomy.

What and when is the next book?

I’m working on a few writing projects: an animation of dating misadventures, a chick lit novel, a work woes memoir and a dating guide. It all depends on which one I feel inspired to do.

I’m hoping to get two more books out this year though so I’m giving myself until Christmas and using the lockdown to be productive.

I wanted to be a doctor… me, who doesn’t do well around blood and gore.

Writing is…

A means for me to express emotions, entertain and share experiences that others tell me aren’t that far from their own.

How do you handle writer’s block? Actually, as a blogger, do you get writer’s block?

I don’t get writer’s block per se but as a dating blogger there are times when you go through a dating drought and have very little to write about. When I’ve struggled to find something to write about, I think about the sort of thing that I’d like to read, then write about that. I find that it helps to now only write books in a certain genre.

To get into that writing zone you… …Don’t over think writing and being in the zone.

Books are… … Like food for me - delicious. I read every day before bed and have actually read whole books at work at my desk so can’t imagine my world without books. I’ve side-eyed guys who don’t read. How will we communicate? * Nadine Gordimer was a South African writer, political activist and recipient of the 1991 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Follow Chelsea Black here: www.chelseablack.net www.chelsea-black.com IG: @chelseablacknet Facebook: @chelseablackuk Twitter: @chelseablack Get her books here: https://www.chelsea-black.com/books/ HOUSE OF MUTAPA

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REFLECTIONS

Love... Attained, Lost, Restored

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y Vannesa Moosa vannesach@gmail.com

A few weeks ago as our editor-in-chief and I talked about themes for upcoming issues, we digressed on how life had changed so much in the blink of an eye. In every corner of the world, people were living under some sort of restrictive conditions, and in some places, life was at a near standstill. We also talked about how this change was taking its toll on all of us in a myriad of ways – changes in family and friendship dynamics and unemployment for example, HOUSE OF MUTAPA

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alongside the never-ending roll call of illness and death. As January rolled into February, it’s not surprising that many of us had just simply lost track of time and space.

Last month, the month of love, was barely recognisable as such. In 2020, we had no idea that a year later, many of us would have very little interest in the time-honoured ritual of exchanging chocolates and roses. This year, we were on a different plane, mentally, psychologically, emotionally, financially, physically… and all other ‘-allys’. Instead, for many it has all been about home remedies, vitamins this, minerals that, masks and funerals. It made me think not of just love alone, but love lost, love attained, and love restored; of love of self, love for family, love for one’s community and nation and even

for others across the world.

Love Attained As we spend more and more time at home in self-isolation or confined with our families we have been… need I say… forced… yeah, I think the word forced is fitting because restrictions have been imposed and are forcing us to conform to rules we had no say in making. However, back to my point. We have been made to take not only a moment but take time to love and care of, first and foremost ourselves. We have never had such a serious need to pay attention to our health and wellbeing - masking up, sanitising, handwashing, eating well and the like. We have been given an opportunity to become more introspective - to use this time to become a better version of ourselves - eat better, exercise more, read more, do that online course we always wanted to do, pick up them knitting needles and learn a new skill, and more.

Love Restored By spending more time together we are giving each other more attention and are therefore becoming closer. Families have become more compassionate for each other and even our neighbours are getting a bit more attention as we are all careful not to endanger their health.

Spending more time together means we have had to learn to live in compromise. Infighting and strife have been replaced by patience, understanding and forgiveness. Marriages are being restored, sibling rivalry appeased, and parents and grandparents everywhere are getting their much needed and deserved love and attention.

We do however have to acknowledge, sadly, that the same circumstances have paved way for the scourge of domestic violence to rear its

ugly head. Men and women have taken their frustrations out on their partners. Without the distraction of employment, friends and drink, for some, the home has turned into a battlefield.

This opportune time to reflect and heal has led to the explosion of a ticking time bomb. This subject requires a whole article and a half itself and I couldn’t do it justice, but we must take a moment to think of those where ‘love restored’ is not an option.

Love Lost Who would have thought, a year ago, when a new viral lung illness was declared, that we would today still be in the midst of a global pandemic? It has become clear that COVID-19 has no respect for colour, creed or class. It has affected each and every one of us; either we ourselves or someone we know have lost relatives, friends or close acquaintances to the illness.

Family members scattered across the globe live in fear of not knowing what may become of each other should they contract the virus. With travel bans, there is no hope of visiting to care for each other. Here in Zimbabwe and South Africa, we are seeing our loved ones vanish before our very eyes, as this second wave of COVID-19 kills faster than the last. There is no time to say goodbye, no time to say I’m sorry, no time to say I love you. It’s like watching a twisted version of Marvel’s Avengers - Infinity War as the villain Thanos snaps his fingers on his bejewelled glove and half the world’s population vanishes...

So let’s take a moment to think of our loved ones far and wide. Think of family and friends in the diaspora. Think of our neighbours. Think of those who are alone: the orphan, the widow and the homeless. Let’s take this time to look inwards and see what this forced moment of quiet can allow to burst forth and let that be love.

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Food & Drink Tita World Cuisine - For The Love of Food

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B

y

Rhoda Molife rhoda@houseofmutapa.com

Tita World Cuisine is a family-owned, family-run catering company headed by Managing Director Sharon Muir, Executive Chef and Creative Director Vincent Graham and their daughter Ann-Marie Graham.

In 2020, the company was awarded ‘Best Jamaican-Style Catering Company’ in South East England by Lux Life Food and Drink magazine.

Food has always been at the heart of their family, whether it be through the much-loved Sunday dinner, entertaining friends or family gatherings.

After taking a leap of faith, the family hosted their first pop-up restaurant in November 2013.

The feedback from this event encouraged them to turn their passion into profit and take advantage of the opportunity to share their love of good quality food. So in 2014, Tita World Cuisine was born with the goal of introducing a fresh, modern and innovative spin on Caribbean cuisine.

Their menus are a medley of global dishes infused with flavours influenced by their Jamaican heritage, and they are increasingly renowned for serving dishes made from fresh, quality ingredients and served with a professional and friendly service.

Visit Tita World Cuisine here: Website: https://www.titaworldcuisine.uk/ IG: @titacuisine Twitter: @Titacuisine

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Orange Baked Seabass Food is one of the best ways of expressing love. You can show your nearest and dearest some mad love with a Tita World Cuisine 5-star recipe at home.

This dish was specifically created by Chef Vincent and Sharon to tantalize all the senses with ingredients widely known for their aphrodisiac properties.

Ingredients •

2 sea bass fillets

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250g orange juice

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2tbsp mustard seed

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½ garlic bulb, crushed

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1tbsp sesame oil

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1 red onion

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3 bell peppers - red, yellow, green

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½ sprig coriander

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salt and pepper to taste

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 35 minutes Serves: 2 Method 1. Pre-heat oven to 190 degrees Celsius, 375 degrees Fahrenheit, gas mark 5.

2. Mix orange juice, mustard seeds, garlic and sesame oil in a bowl and set aside.

3. Wash and slice peppers, peel and slice red onion and place in a medium-sized oven dish.

4. Wash then season fish with salt and black pepper.

5. Place fish on top of chopped veg in an oven-proof dish, pour orange mixture over fish and sprinkle with chopped coriander.

6. Place on the middle shelf in oven and bake for 35 minutes.

7. Serve with focaccia bread, rice or blanched vegetables

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Orange Baked Seabass

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Rwendo Wines

by Caroline Madziwa

R

wendo Wines, a South African-based winery, was co-founded by vintner Caroline Madziwa. Growing up on the family farm in Hwenda, Zimbabwe, she nurtured a love for agriculture that lead her to obtain several qualifications in the field.

After studying at Blackfordby College of Agriculture in Mazowe, with some help from a friend, she enrolled into the Cape Wine Academy in 2015 where she studied Viticulture and Oenology.

do Wines was born. Caroline is a member of BLACC, a wine organisation in South Africa and the executive committee of the Blackfordby Graduates Union. Last year she received a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Youth in Agriculture from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation of Zimbabwe.

After working in several roles in sales and marketing in horticulture, she approached a wine estate in Cape Town to rent part of their vineyard. They agreed and Rwen-

It comes from a combination of my love for vineyards and nature and a curiosity about the process of grapes transforming to wine. The bonus is travelling and meeting new people.

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by Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota rodney@houseofmutapa.com Where does your passion for wine-making come from?

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in the industry especially as a young woman? How did you overcome them?

A few make it difficult for us to penetrate certain markets. Others would prefer to give opportunities to imported wines over those from locals like us. We have to look for our own opportunities but mostly opportunities come our way.

Why ‘Rwendo’?

Rwendo means journey and so with the name, we refer to the journey we’ve travelled, the hardships we’ve encountered, the obstacles we’ve overcome and the achievements we plan.

It’s also a name that anyone can relate to as we are all on a journey.

The Rwendo wine is… … A French style, well-matured wine with notes of plums, blackcurrants and cherries.

Your advice to a young aspiring female entrepreneur who wants to follow in your footsteps...

Learn as much as you can about wine and just follow your dream.

Is the Zimbabwean market supportive of young entrepreneurs?

I’d say it’s 50/50. Some find it difficult to support their own. However, there are amazing souls out there who make the journey more bearable.

Tinashe (L) and Caroline (R)

How do you keep yourself motivated?

remind myself why I started.

I take walks to bring in fresh vibes and I always

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your business and how have you adjusted?

The alcohol ban really affected business. Fortunately, I farm part-time with my sister Tinashe, so we have focussed on that.

Next for Rwendo Wines is… …Starting our own vineyards and pressing our own wine in Zimbabwe so that we create job opportunities and start our industry.

You can follow Rwendo Wines here: Facebook: Rwendo_wines zw Instagram: @rwendo_wineszw Twitter: @RwendoWines You can follow Caroline here: Facebook: Caroline Madziwa LinkedIn: Caroline Madziwa

Caroline

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MUSIC

Jane Doka HOUSE OF MUTAPA

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J

ane is a multi-awardwinning Zimbabwean gospel artist as well as philanthropist and entrepreneur.

Her first album release was in 2008 with Nditumeyi followed

by Tenda Live-in-Concert in 2010, Reflections-Mirangariro in 2012 and First Love in 2018. Her last two albums were produced by veteran producer Clive ‘Mono’ Mukundu and she has worked with several accomplished musicians such as Dereck Mpofu, Enock Piroro, Fatima Katiji, Esther Mukazika and Aaron Manatsa.

Jane created the Chii? Shona language learning app and alongside her husband collaborates with charities in the UK and in Zimbabwe to support widows and other underprivileged and underserved groups. by Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota rodney@houseofmutapa.com Your childhood was… … Not exactly rosy, but I learnt some really positive things from it like being responsible, hard-working and resilient. I was born and raised predominantly in Harare, though we moved to Bulawayo briefly when I was a toddler. My whole upbringing positioned me to be a believer of Jesus Christ because I got answers to the questions I had about life from the gospel.

being taken advantage of by promoters and other artists, struggling to find my feet in music in a foreign land…

However, my greatest challenge was believing that my gift was good enough. If you don’t do this, every hurdle will bring you down. Once I recognised this, I placed value on what I did, committed fully and now I strive for excellence and never allow others to define me.

Talk us through the UK-Zim and Zimbabwean gospel scenes.

The UK-Zim gospel scene is still growing and so our networks are not so solid yet. Even though we have greater access to financial resources it can be difficult to gather manpower for a music project, so it takes a lot of personal commitment to push on in music here. On top of that there aren’t many media outlets and radio stations that appreciate our music so getting airplay is hard.

The Zimbabwean network has had time to mature, so manpower does not appear to be much of an issue, and of course, it is easier to get airplay. However, resources to produce a project are very hard to pull together. Overall though, the digital age is making the terrain more even so wherever we are we can get our music out there easier. So I’d say, overall, that the gospel scene in Zimbabwe is moving forward significantly, whilst here in the UK, growth is there but slower.

“I loved and found solace in music”

Tell us about your music career and some of the challenges you faced.

As I loved and found solace in music and was a Christian, I naturally gravitated towards gospel music. I stepped into the music industry with my first album release in 2008 and started performing on stages in 2009. My first performance as a solo act was opening for Fungisai Zvakavapano on her Birmingham tour in 2009.

Ever since then I’ve performed and ministered across various stages in the UK and in Zimbabwe alongside international gospel acts such as Nathaniel Bassey and Muyiwa and Riversongz.

I’ve also hosted my own gospel events.

Challenges! I’ve seen them all! Lack of funds to do what I really wanted to do, lack of information and industry know-how, lack of support, HOUSE OF MUTAPA 17

“I strive for excellence”

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I put it down to what I call my ‘three p’s’: prayer - to get my head and heart in the right space, planning - to prioritise and manage my time better, and participation of my family - their help and support makes the work much lighter; they are the ones who take the brunt if things are not going well with me. One main thing I accept is that I’m human and won’t get everything right!

some video shoots for January (2021) but then lockdown came out of nowhere. It was impossible to even think of risking lives by gathering a crew for the shoots. However, I invested in equipment that allows me to do some performances in the comfort of my home and to continue with recordings for future release. I’m also taking the time to sharpen my skills away from the public eye. All this has made the season we are in more enjoyable than it otherwise would have been.

Your role model is:

What are you working on now?

…My mum. She’s a symbol of love, strength and resilience and against all odds she has been consistent in these three things. I salute her for that.

I am working on what I have dubbed ‘Journey to the Faith Project’ which is a steady release of songs until the final release of an album called The Faith Project. The songs are anchored on the Word of God to inspire faith during this time.

I’m collaborating with Zimbabwean and international artists to reach all audiences as part of my bid to make inroads into all markets.

How do you juggle all the different roles and responsibilities that you have?

The secret to your happy marriage is… … I wasn’t expecting this question! I’m blessed in marriage and I thank God for that. I can confidently say that a happy marriage is founded on giving 100% and putting the other person first before others including yourself. This formula only works if both parties are willing to do the same. Once one party decides to give less and is self-centred, then there is a big problem!

Your thoughts on our Zimbabwean situation are… … It’s heart-breaking as there is so much polarization across different spectrums of society. There is intolerance and the harder life gets for us the harder it is for the country to achieve unity. Away from the political debates, it is the ordinary Zimbabwean that I feel for - the single mother or widow who has to feed and educate her children, the young people who have no hope for the future, the civil servant whose monthly salary cannot even last a few days, the children who are not able to access education because of poverty and the daughters who usually bear the brunt of the difficult choices that families have to make. It is tough to swallow!

Apart from music I’m eager to finish my PhD (in International Education and Development, co-funded by the international charity World Vision and the Open University (UK). By mid2022 I should be done and then I can really develop my career in creating opportunities for disadvantaged communities.

You can follow Jane here: IG: @janedoka Facebook: Jane Doka LinkedIn: Jane Magaya (Doka) 2nd SoundCloud: Jane Doka Spotify: Jane Doka YouTube: Jane Doka

Is the church doing enough?

It’s doing a lot but absolutely more can be done.

The church can continue engaging political leaders and calling for peace and unity, but more can be done to meet the practical needs of the most disadvantaged in society.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you and how have you pivoted?

As it has done for a lot of others, it has crippled quite a lot of dreams and ideas! I had planned HOUSE OF MUTAPA 19

FEATURE

The Quote People is an extension arm to RMPublishers and their love for books. They specialise in a high-end selection of t-shirts, notebooks and mugs all imprinted with inspirational quotes for readers and writers.

‘The purpose of our brand is to make one feel cool, confident, comfortable and centred when using our products as they pursue their own dreams’.

Find The Quote People here: Website: www.thequote-people.com IG: @the_quotepeople Facebook: The_quotepeople

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TRIBUTE

SOUL JAH LOVE TORMENTED TALENT

B

y Godwin Chireka godwin@houseofmutapa.com

The death of Soul Jah Love on 16 February this year as a result of complications from diabetes was met with a massive outpouring of grief by his legion of fans. He was widely hailed as a street kid who rose to become a pioneer of ZimDancehall music and through his lyrics, a spokesman for Zimbabwe’s young people downtrodden by unemployment and few prospects in a failed economy. In honour of this larger than life character, we take a look at his legacy and why his music resonated so loudly with our youth.

Growing up in 21 Century Zimbabwe st

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Soul Jah Love was born Soul Muzavazi Musaka on 22 November 1989 and was a twin. He was 11 years old by the year 2000 when the political terrain had become highly contested and the economic downturn was really pinching the populace. During this period there was a lot of capital flight from Zimbabwe which worsened the plight of young people who dreamed of a future secured by formal employment. As the economy spiraled downward, the popularity of ZimDancehall soared, becoming a musical genre that documented the experiences of the young in an environment with next to no opportunities; it became a form of escapism from the punishing reality in a failed state. Many took to illegal drugs and alcohol and Soul Jah Love himself was not spared from their scourge either.

Defying Enormous Odds When we look at the story of the young star,

the odds appeared stacked against him from the beginning. His mother died when he was a toddler. Diabetes was diagnosed at the age of seven and his twin died when they were 15.

Though he grew up in a middle-class home in Prospect Waterfalls, he gained a stepmother who is reported to have been less than maternal towards him; it is said that at one point she threw him out of the family home. So, there were complex layers to this young man’s life that he must have found difficult to navigate; anyone would have had challenges with all these scenarios. None of these happenings dimmed his desire to be a musician though, something he had declared as a young boy, but according to a brother was dismissed by the family.

However, imagine being a young destitute at a time when Zimbabwe was steadily sinking.

To face such a world alone with a chronic illness would have been a harrowing ordeal. It is no wonder that the story of his rise after being spotted by a promoter is nothing short of legend and his lyrics always spoke to the naysayers who doubted him because of his background.

ZimDancehall: Speaking to a Conservative Society

that they were getting a raw deal. The society he found himself in refused to and still cannot deal with difficult conversations that ranged from dealing with the evil deeds of stepmothers to finding a lasting solution to drug abuse and youth unemployment. It is a society that is not yet ready to stop sacrificing the youths on the altar of political expediency. It is no wonder then that the likes of Soul Jah had to be disruptive to get society’s attention. Perhaps adopting the name Chigunduru which means a person of no fixed abode, was a master stroke of genius.

This moniker certainly gave him authority to speak on the issues he sang about; when one drives through Harare’s streets at night and observes the hordes of zvigundurus roaming around, one understands just how dire the situation is.

Vana vaStembeni Soul Jah’s music touched on themes that many identified with. Those who had lost a parent and had to deal with a stepparent from hell identified with him when he said “ndiri mwana wastembeni, handisi mwana wachamaine” – “I’m Stembeni’s not Charmaine’s child” (Stembeni is his late mother’s name). Many Zimbabweans are

ZimDancehall is widely seen as a music of protest that chronicles the pain of the young let down by a failed state. Even though we all know the root cause of this pain, the older generation often has little empathy or sympathy for these youngsters who they see as wasting their lives away. In a society such as ours, the naysayers outnumber the motivators by a mile. Every youth has had an adult that criticised more than was necessary leading to low levels of confidence and in some, debilitating inferiority complexes. Little effort is made to understand the painful lived experiences of this generation that has never known a Zimbabwe of opportunities.

The thing is Zimbabwe is a very conservative society that punishes deviant behaviour instead of seeking to understand and fix it. This is a society that refers to single mothers in the harshest of terms, victim blames those who have been raped and is intolerant of any sort of behaviour deemed not ‘upright’. What is not upright is open to wide interpretation.

Soul Jah’s life experiences easily put him in the line of fire of Zimbabwe’s moral police. However, he stood up to and spoke out against them through his lyrics. Add to this catchy beats and no wonder he became so revered and his music so appreciated by millennials who justifiably felt HOUSE OF MUTAPA 23

vana vaStembeni who have to prove their worth to a doubting and gossiping community. Those who were told in school that they were too dumb to succeed found validation in his lyrics that always had an undertone of ‘I made it even though you didn’t think I would’. Those who were told they would die in poverty but managed to prove their detractors wrong found his music and his rise to fame relatable. Soul Jah became the mouthpiece who dared by saying “Ndodya Bhonzo nekuwonda kudai ndinomira pamamonya ipapo” – “I might be skinny but I eat bones and I stand amongst giants if you cross me.” It is a line that resonates with many whose backgrounds make them feel like imposters in the face of their success.

A Provincial Hero If the story of Soul Jah’s life and artistry and influence doesn’t convince, then the fact that he was bestowed the status of national hero by the ruling government might.

With his ex-wife Bounty Lisa

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Though the politics of Zimbabwe are very complex no one can begrudge Soul Jah Love of the recognition many feel he deserves. He continues to be disruptive even in death because hero status has always been an honour preserved for those that fought in the liberation struggle.

Certainly, his sendoff was befitting of one - Harare literally came to a standstill as a convoy of cars snaked its way to Warren Hills cemetery complete with young people hanging out of SUVs. If words could not convey his stature, then this procession certainly did.

We at House of Mutapa say rest in peace and power Soul Jah Love. You made use of the time you were given.

Soul ‘Soul Jah Love’ Muzavazi Musaka Sunrise: 22 November 1989 Sunset: 16 February 2021 It is no wonder he failed to remove the tag of badboy till his death.

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COVER STORY

Shingai

Photo Credit - Tatjana Panek

Too Bold...And Beautiful HOUSE OF MUTAPA 26

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hingai Shoniwa is a Zimbabwean-British singer, songwriter, actress, fashion icon and musician born in Lewisham, South London to Zimbabwean parents who encouraged creativity. She initially wanted to be an actress and trained with a theatre school in South London.

it is now. We’d go on epic bike journeys and skating at weekends. At home, we’d do performances for my parents. They worked so hard to create a life for us here in England and they did have some tough times in that whole process; I remember a time when there were a lot of funerals as so many in the Bantu culture here in London were dying then of HIV/AIDs. So we in a way with our music and dancing as kids were a light for our families.

Whilst at the BRIT School for Performing Arts, she joined a classmate and friend guitarist Dan Smith, and with drummer Jamie Morrison created the indie-rock band The Noisettes. The band was signed to Universal/Motown, released three albums and enjoyed much success. Shingai herself has performed with several artists including Annie Lennox and Dizzee Rascal and has provided backing vocals for different rock and punk artists.

… I have so many great memories of Zimbabwe and also of Malawi where my grandmother is from. I just loved the outdoor lifestyle, the hot weather, trying to keep up with my cousins and climbing trees to get the best mangoes. I think that’s when we realised that we weren’t as cool as we thought we were; as soon as we got to Zimbabwe or Malawi our families would bring us back down to earth. I loved the long drives to visit family and have great memories of a trip we made to Mosi-oa-Tunya.

Her debut album as an independent artist, Too Bold, was released in 2020. by Rhoda Molife rhoda@houseofmutapa.com Give us a little peek of your childhood.

I was really blessed to have quite a free-spirited childhood in South London, especially as during the ‘90s it was a much safer place than

A childhood memory from Zimbabwe is…

Let’s talk totems! What is your family totem and what has it imparted on you?

I love our totem references as a people. Mine is Soko Murehwa and so I’m Chinamora on my dad’s side. Soko means monkey and we are actually agile, mobile, like a good time, cheeky and at times studious too.

My mum’s totem is Shumba - lion - and she’s definitely the lioness who nurtured us her cubs from day one. I’m really, really proud of her and how she retained the southern African culture

“I love our totem references”

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 27 Photo Credit - Tatjana Panek

“I’m proud of what I’ve done”

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we collaborate a lot.

During lockdown Chipo, Kwaye and I did a family TV show called Grounded, Live From the Fam Base. It was a weekly live show broadcast from Mum’s house, and it was all about good vibes, music, dancing and being creative – as we always are when we get together in our mum’s kitchen. We thought it would be a nice way to uplift people’s spirits during lockdown and it was the first time we worked together.

There are a lot of musical creatives in my family. Thomas Mapfumo is my uncle and he inspired a lot of the music on Ancient Futures, my debut EP in 2020 and other work too. I like how he celebrates and preserves traditional music.

“I’m proud of what I’ve done before but now I feel it’s time to be true to my name Shingai – to be bold and courageous.” for us and taught us to be proud of it. I love the whole concept of totems and want to learn more about them.

You are a twin. What’s the best part about being a twin?

First let me say, I think having lots of siblings means you learn the importance of sharing and the importance of listening. You also have to develop a quick wit as there’s always stuff going on. As we’re all doing different things, you also get to learn from each other as well.

My twin is a big part of me. She taught me to share and how to be strong and she’s given us some beautiful nephews and a niece as well! I’m so proud of her. I’m looking forward to strengthening our connection more because as I’ve been away for most of the past ten years, I’ve not had the chance to spend as much time with her and my family.

To be in a band or to be a solo artist?

I think because I’m from a big family, sharing knowledge is such a big part of my learning process. I don’t believe I’m ever solo as so much collaboration is involved in making music on or off stage. I get inspiration from The Noisettes, my family and musicians I work with. I don’t believe in solo – it sounds a bit lonely.

Of course there are times when you have to be alone to reflect, practice your instrument and take stock. However, when you come together there is so much joy in collaboration and as much as I like my individual part in the process it comes to life when I bring it back into the collaborative space.

Let’s talk about your new album Too Bold.

What does it speak to?

Who influences your artistry? Is your family artistic?

It’s the bravest record I’ve created so far and am really proud of it. It took a lot of digging deep into my feelings and my emotional experiences to write the songs and collaborate with such a spectrum of artists.

Apart from my twin sister, my mum does. She used to jam a lot with her brother, Oswald, who was a drummer, and were both a big part of the African music scene in London in the ‘90s. She inspired a pride in our African musical heritage and really supported our creativity.

I wanted to write music that would speak to all of us and say, ‘look, this is what it takes to be a young, beautiful, black artist but remember who I am and what I’ve gone through’. We have to rewrite ourselves back into the story of music and that’s what I tried to do.

My sister, Chipo, also inspires me as she’s an incredible actress and theatre producer – she has her own agency called Bantu Creatives and is making big strides with that. My brother Kwaye (Kwayedza) also inspires me – he’s an incredible singer and multi-instrumentalist and

The other thing is that this album brings together lots of genres effortlessly. I’m a big fan of music so I want to indulge in it all. And… working with Charlie Kay a Zimbabwean producer in the diaspora was wonderful.

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“I want to inspire other artists”

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Photo Credit - elephant art

“I reflect on the good things and am not defined by the challenges alone”

Photo Credit - The Guardian

What do you want this album to do that others haven’t?

This journey of Too Bold is unstoppable and organic . It means a lot to me for this album to reach the continent.

One thing with being in The Noisettes was that because we were signed to a big label, a lot of our music was marketed to a white middle class audience and I didn’t get to showcase my African musical artistry and broaden my base. Now I’m intent on making sure that this new chapter as an independent artist is strengthened by my presence on the Motherland. That’s were the blessing of my talent comes from and so I need to be there. And I want to inspire other artists to be independent too. We need to increase our presence in Africa if we want to build our music industry, but it doesn’t mean we can’t also spend time in the west doing our gigs and all.

It’s an amazing time to be a creative African and we need to take advantage of that.

A song that means a lot to you on this album is… … ‘Ghost Town’. It’s about childhood grief and my losing my father at such a young age. It took a lot to sing and lay those rhythms down.

My parents’ and grandparents’ generation went through a lot for us and so it was important to sing about the joys and sorrows which all made me who I am - more creatively generous and bolder and brave.

One thing you’re looking forward to is…

… Working more with Zimbabwean and other African artists. We’re doing a version of Too Bold called Too Bold: Remixed by Africa. What we did was reach out to African musicians on the continent and in the diaspora and asked them to remix their favourite song on the album in exchange for me doing a track with them.

How do you stay on top of your game?

I reflect on the good things and am not defined by the challenges alone. I do a lot of yoga and take lots of vitamin D to activate that melanin!

What’s next for you?

I’m really accelerating my shift to be more present in Africa. So, I’m getting ready to move back to the continent and make that my base as so much is happening there.

“We should not be afraid to visualise a dream that is outside of the west” Shingai’s album Too Bold is available now on all platforms.

Follow Shingai here: Website: https://www.shing.ai/ IG: shingai Facebook: Shingai Twitter: @ShingaiMusic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCu_hLs4_dQZNDpJByuSvtuQ

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SCIENCE

LENIAS HWENDA STEM & Health-preneurship

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y Godwin Chireka godwin@houseofmutapa.com ‘Reshaping global health policy’

Lenias Hwenda is a modern-day scientist who has been disrupting the global health policy field for the past ten years. Here’s how and why.

She started her career in science after earning a first-class BSc in Biochemistry/Immunology (graduating in the top 5% of her class) then a Doctorate in Medicine from Aberdeen University in Scotland. Lenias actually ended up in Scotland by accident. “After school in Zimbabwe, a mix-up with my school selection resulted in me going to England on a scholarship to do A Levels instead of staying at home”. After her bachelor’s and doctorate degrees, she then worked as a post-doctoral immunologist at the University of Oxford in England and the Rockefeller University in the US, specializing in the development of novel vaccines and anti-infectives.

Despite her successes in science she struggled to see a future for herself. “I decided I needed a change. I wanted to do work that had an immediate impact. So, I tried to change my career to international affairs but without training it proved a challenge. It’s hard for people to see you out of the professional box that your education and training puts you in.” However, she was determined to change that perspective and obtained a Master’s in International Affairs, Negotiation and Policy Making from the Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland.

Along the way she has also become a ‘health-preneur’ and is the founder and CEO of Medicines for Africa, a social enterprise that provides medicines and services to buyers of medicines in African countries. This work is about improving access to quality medicines at affordable prices. “Our mission is to improve access to quality medicines at prices that African communities can afford. We partner local African medicine buyers and provide a service to source, procure and deliver medical products.

Our objective is to add value to systems that are already in place.”

We talked a little about what we all can do to improve the standards of health in our countries. This can start with how we educate our young to become change agents. “Learning environments can teach children that their voices matter, that each one is an individual that is valued by adults around them. I think there is tremendous power in teaching kids to think for themselves and genuinely listening to them with respect. It helps children realize that they too have tremendous power as individuals. This is very empowering and empowered kids can do anything.”

Then there is the power of the diaspora who she says already do a good job of supporting families. That support can be augmented by taking it to a community level. “By investing in their communities, the diaspora can help to bring services closer to the people so that com-

‘Improving access to quality medicines at affordable prices’ Today Lenias is a renowned international health affairs expert on the global politics of improving access to quality medical products by underserved communities, and shuttles between Geneva, Switzerland and Johannesburg, South Africa. She recently co-chaired high-level landmark global negotiations on improving the transparency of markets for medicines, vaccines and other health products amongst WHO member states in Geneva.

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munities do not have to struggle to access basic healthcare services. We have a great group called ZimHealth which is an NGO of the diaspora that raises funds and renovates healthcare facilities around the country. We have supported health facilities in all provinces. We also buy health products; during this COVID-19 pandemic, we have been raising funds and donating PPE and IPC.” Finally, innovation can really impact health and education too as the two are intertwined. “Innovation can help to overcome some of the challenges facing our communities such as insufficient funds to invest in developing infrastructure to deliver health services right inside communities. It is now possible to bridge this with telemedicine in some cases. It’s the same with education. Millions of kids around the continent are learning online. Assuming of course that all people have adequate connectivity because without connectivity in our villages, children will

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get left behind. So, we have to figure out how to make sure they are included. Overall technology and innovation are going to play a critical role in so many areas.”

‘Truly global conversations on health are crucial’ There is no doubt that Lenias is a giant in her field and has been proactive in conversations on global health. She frequently contributes her analyses of developments in global health and international health affairs through her Global Health Briefings on multiple digital platforms.

In addition, she runs a weekly international health affairs YouTube podcast called Conversations About Health. Here, insights from community health leaders, academics, NGOs, development partners, corporate leaders and public figures are shared providing an important resource for global health leaders, policymakers and thought leaders.

Why are these conversations important? “Well, because this is where the norms and rules that guide countries on how to manage their internal affairs and interact with others to solve problems are made. These rules require establishing conditions that every country can accept - from the wealthiest to the poorest. It is necessary to participate in order to make sure that the rules that are made can work in our own national situations and are realistic. Otherwise there is a risk that we end up with global rules that protect only the privileged at the expense of the disadvantaged.

Our families living in the villages do not have the opportunity to have their say in the decisions that are made on which services are delivered to them, what treatments they can get, at what price or whether they get any treatment at all. Right now, there are discussions about who gets vaccinated against COVID-19 first, for example. So, it is incredibly important to speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves in these halls of global power.”

‘Lenias on partnership and leadership’ Lenias has not only mastered the art of partnerships on a global scale, but also where it matters most – at home. She is a wife and

mother and we asked her how she does it all! “I have an amazing husband who is also my best friend. We are true partners in so many ways and I feel that this eases the strain of motherhood. We are both very involved in running our home and in childcare and we make it a priority to support each other to do what we want to do.

So, in a sense I have not found motherhood limiting in the ways that it may do traditionally.

We also have a strong support system of family and friends.”

On leadership, she says, “The one big lesson that I have learnt is that empathy is a great asset in a leader. The best leaders are those that are able to inspire others to be their best. They are nurturing without being stifling, giving you space to grow.”

We at House of Mutapa salute and celebrate a true agent of change who was ‘chosen to challenge’ and won!

For more on Lenias Hwenda go to: http://www.leniashwenda.com/ To enquire about contributing to access for medicines: info@medicines4africa.com

“Empathy is a great asset in a leader”

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The Joys and Pains of Homeschooling

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Photo Credit - News24.com

y Vannesa Moosa vannesach@gmail.com

5am - Alarm blares. Roll out of bed. Set bath water. Prep breakfast.

Check uniforms. Wake kids. Make beds. Bath time. Make sandwiches and pack lunch boxes. Breakfast. Final check bags. Final check hair and face.

630am - Child #1 to school bus.

7am - Walk Child #2 halfway to school.

Then… calm and silence embraces the home until late afternoon.

3pm - Walk to meet Child #2 on the way home from school.

Back home in ten minutes. Soon after Child #1 saunters in.

Snacks, homework, laundry, then dinner and more homework.

8pm… bedtime.

Phew!

A daily routine that most parents know well and one that guides the day… well, life really. Then along comes COVID-19 and lockdown and it all flips to a script called The Joys and Growing Pains of Home Schooling.

When restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic were put into place across the globe again late last year, the reaction was mixed and depended on which side of the fence one sat on. For some adults, initially, it meant a much-needed break from the office and the HOUSE OF MUTAPA 37

corporate world. For children it meant no school – undoubtedly a cause for celebration. After the initial euphoria for some though, reality set in – no social gatherings for light relief, the television blaring cartoons and jingles throughout the day and working out how to differentiate x from y as home schooling took its place on the dining table.

What started off as an opportunity to have more family time fast turned into a nightmare; as well as parenting and for some, finding other means of an income, we also had to become teachers.

On top of that some of us had to become nursery, primary and secondary school teachers at the same time juggling at times three or four different timetables as well as our own!

For many an African home, the cost of internet data, the frustrating erratic network connectivity and the issue of gadgets has been a major challenge. Many families will have two or more phones, but only one might be a smartphone.

Don’t even ask about laptops or tablets. What does one do with three or four children who need to access online lessons in this scenario? Most of us have been at a disadvantage here. How does one rotate one gadget between children at different levels of education? Throw into the mix a toddler who will enter the scene randomly, demanding access to their favourite jingle… you know the one that came in handy when you needed to distract them? Well, now toddler wants that distraction.

Technology, or the lack of it aside, the real issue has been us parents going back to school again

because it’s a whole different ball game now.

Not only has the curriculum changed but the way of teaching the basics is completely different. We can’t just run eyes over the words like we do with the newspaper headlines; instead, we have to read with understanding to be able to explain it to a five-year-old… and an eightyear-old… and a 13-year-old who’s a know-itall…

There have been some light moments though, where it has been both fun and educational for us. I have actually learnt about plant diseases and the different types of fertilisers which have given me ideas for my backyard garden (where I spend most of my time these days). The eye-opener for me and am sure many other parents has been just how hard teachers work.

I have a newfound appreciation for the schoolteacher who spends days on end planning lessons, to teach whilst ensuring that their children are in a safe environment - then mark the work of 30 different personalities.

One thing that’s certain is that in all spheres, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken us back to the basics. It has demanded that we not only think outside the box but also open the box that’s within the box… that’s within the box. With the end in sight for many, it certainly is a relief that our daily routine is on its way back. Of course, we will welcome it with a sigh of relief but in that window of peace and calm before they’re back home from school, let’s find a moment to reflect on not only surviving the pains but also for experiencing the joys… there are there… believe you me!

HOUSE OF MUTAPA 38 Photo Credit - News24.com

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NYASHA MICHELLE Woman In Media

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y Rhoda Molife rhoda@houseofmutapa.com Presenter, Broadcast Journalist & Producer

Nyasha Michelle is a broadcast journalist and presenter with the BBC in London. She joined the company in 2017 as a runner on the popular prime time programme The One Show after she’d completed a Master’s in TV Journalism from City University London.

Over two years she honed her skills in all aspects of TV work – shooting, editing, production and presenting - and worked her way up to become a co-presenter and producer on the Emmy-nominated programme BBC What’s New which is geared for young Africans. Features on the show are also put together by young journalists from Africa with teams based in Nigeria, Kenya and London. Nyasha is also a producer and reporter on the global programme, BBC My World, that’s executively produced by Angelina Jolie. For this show, she produced content on various global subjects including the ENDSARS protests, climate change in the Arctic Circle and Native American Heritage Month. ​ As well as working with the BBC, Nyasha also produces her own work through her brand Nyasha Michelle. One of her original works is the BBC iPlayer & Newsbeat documentary Bride Price which she pitched, co-produced, filmed, co-edited, narrated and presented. She also filmed and edited the BBC Africa Digital short on Zimbabwean braille tailor, Tapiwa Dingwiza. More recently, she’s collaborated with the ZimThrive Team on Thrive Time, an online show for the movement that will see Zimbabweans in the diaspora head back home en masse this year.

“I always knew that in whatever I did, I had to promote my people and my country” Nyasha was born in Harare to a Malawian, South African and Zimbabwean mother and a Zimbabwean father, and is one of four children.

The family moved to the England when she was 12 years old and she says she remains a ‘passionate Zimbabwean’. She actually started out in hospitality and tourism and holds a bachelor’s HOUSE OF MUTAPA 41

“Find your purpose in life and live it”

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degree in international hospitality and tourism management from the University of Surrey.

After that she worked in the industry in Greece, the US and New Zealand. ​ er journey into media started out as a presentH er on a global TV channel for her church whilst she was still in hospitality and as she started to think about what she really wanted to do. “One day on the show, a camera stopped working and we had to get an engineer to fix it. At that moment I thought to myself, I want to know how to do that and not just be the face that people see. I wanted hard core skills.”

“So, I started researching how to get into TV and where to study to get into TV.” When she was 27, she quit her job as an event manager at a hotel in London and enrolled in a master’s programme at the number one school for journalism, City University of London. The course included two lots of work placement including one at the BBC on… The One Show. “I really learnt how to use my initiative there, helping out wherever I could and just talking to and learning from everyone. I shadowed every single department and joined a team in the last two weeks.”

On her last day, she told a production assistant that she wanted a job in the company and as they were talking, she was offered some shifts.

A job opportunity then came up, she sent her CV in and there, her career started. Now she’s living her passion for “elevating the triumphant stories of those in marginalised communities,

particularly those of Black and African heritage.”

She’s certainly followed her own tag line – ‘find your purpose in life and live it!’

For more on Nyasha Michelle: Website: https://www.nyashamichelle.com/ IG: nyashamichelle_ Twitter: @nyashamichelle Facebook and Linked In: Nyasha Michelle See some of her work here: Bride Price on BBC Newsbeat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efVmP9oJTS0&t=4sw.youtube.com/watch?v=TrnLCFsN5i8 Tapiwa Dingwiza on BBC Africa Digital https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-48067445 Rutendo Mushonga, dancer in The Lion King for BBC What’s New https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVTd46ayBYM BBC What’s New https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dadXTYfVPRw&list=PLZiJB_cKJu3bJhnE6bmfDR4itj85uLlni&index=14 HOUSE OF MUTAPA 43

BABALWA KOTANA Attorney/Author/Musician HOUSE OF MUTAPA 44

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abalwa is the founder of Kotana Babalwa Inc Attorneys, a family-run law firm based in Pretoria, South Africa, and one that she started with no funding.

She’s originally from the Eastern Cape and studied law at Walter Sisulu University.

Babalwa is also an author and singer. by Rodney Rumbidzai Chawota rodney@houseofmutapa.com Why law?

I actually wanted to study politics after being influenced hugely by my uncle and the political discussions we used to have. When I went to university to enrol for political science, the faculty was full. Law was my second option and when I started, I fell in love with it and I’ve never looked back since.

Your biggest challenge in starting up your law practice was… … Space. I didn’t have working space, so I would consult at a nice restaurant and those that were comfortable could come to my house.

Luckily, no one complained.

Another challenge was that I registered my firm during lockdown. That meant that people were very careful with their money with all the uncertainty, so clients were hard to come by. I managed to bag a few clients on a contingency basis though as I had to work.

You write. What inspires that?

Writing is my passion. I cannot tell you how many novels I’ve written and haven’t done anything about. Now, I’m going the whole nine yards and the novel I’m publishing this year will be the first of many. I can only hope that they will be worth the read for everyone else.

And then there’s your music…

Music is something I grew up with at church where my sisters and I sang. We still do sing but I’m the only one who wants to do it professionally. I have joined a few bands in my life which exposed me to different types of music.

My sound now is afro soul and R&B.

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“Believe that you are enough. You can do more”

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You are also a mother. To juggle everything you… … Have a great support system around me that makes it possible to do all that I do and look after my son. I don’t sleep much to be honest with you. Writing requires my time at night which is when my creative juices flow. I have editors meaning I don’t have so much work on my shoulders.

The law firm is my 8-to-5. Everyday. With my music, having a manager helps. It’s all a learning process and I trust God will give me the wisdom to juggle everything and excel!

You vision for Kotana Babalwa Inc is… … To make it the biggest black-owned firm in Africa. That’s what I want. My law firm is not just to serve me but also to open doors for African

children.

Your advice to those that look to you is… … Believe that you are enough. You can do more. Having a child is not a limitation. Before you had that child there was you. You had dreams. Pursue those dreams. Womandla!

Follow Kotana Babalwa Inc Attorneys here: Facebook: Babalwa Kotana Inc Attorneys Twitter: @IncKotana Follow Babalwa here: Facebook: Babalwa Tsonga Kotana LinkedIn: Babalwa Kotana 1st Email: babalwa@kbiattorneys.co.za

“Pursue those dreams”

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