Issuu

we say

THANK YOU TO ALL THE HEALTH WORKERS HAVE BEEN IN THE FRONT LINE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST COVID 19 SINCE THE FIRST CASE WAS REPORTED IN THE COUNTRY .WE APPRECIATE YOUR GESTURE OF BRAVITY,PATRIOTISM AND LOVE.

THE HOUSE AFRICA MAGAZINE

IN THIS ISSUE 26 KG BRIAN

The iconic cinematographer fills us in on his journey as a cinematographer and the inspirations behind his work.

SEPTEMBER 2021

WANAVOKALI

Share their experience on participating in the old mutual amazing voices competition and how they first met to be the amazing group they are today.

MELLISA WANDITHIA Is on the take with our questions and answers.

16 GK NYAMBURA

Talks about her personality and her journey in content creation. She also highlights the impacts of COVID 19 to her creative process.

www.uvawines.ke info@uvawines.co.ke | +254 740 047 595

CO NTE NT

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STYLE OUT What your shopping bag needs SPOTLESS SKIN Build your skin care routine HIGH DREAMS Cool travel escapes and stays in Kenya #LIVES MATTER Stop police brutality BUCKLE UP 5 Compact SUVs to drive 2020

CEO & CHIEF EDITOR SYDNEY K. OTIENO

AFR ICA

HOUSE

SEP 2020 ISSUE 1

EDITOR’S LETTER

Hello guys, First of all,we are excited to be having our first issue of The House Africa Magazine. In this issue,one of Kenya’s top cinematographers,KG Brian gives us a career walk towards his becoming. What is fall without a dose of smile-evoking faces?Gk Nyambura talks to us about her raw journey and how COVID 19 has affected her as a creative.

THE

We hand pick 5 top SUVs you should be riding this year and the seven mistakes you could be making with your lipstick. Mellisa Wandithia gets us into the kitchen with an amazing September recipe and joins us on the take for a quick Q&A. Have a lovely and warm month. Enjoy!

Sydney Otieno Sydney K. Otieno Chief Editor The House Africa Magazine

CONTACT thehouseafrica

informationonthehouseke@gmail.com

(+254) 776 982771 Nairobi,Kenya

FASHION

Fall Bag Hunt

Getting ready for a bagwork this season,we’ve got you covered with these september bags to fit the classy and chic looks you are going for.

1. TRANSIENCE Hammock shell tote 2. LOEFFLER RANDALL Tristan gingham shell shoulder bag 3. CHLOÉ Woody small leather-trimmed cotton-canvas tote 4. BALENCIAGA Wheel Sling embroidered shell shoulder bag 5. ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Graffiti leather trimmed printed nylon shoulder bag 6. BALENCIAGA Barbes-East-West smallstriped-leather-tote

5 4

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AVIOR WHITE COLLECTION

www.enkatawatches.com +254 704 779698

FASHION

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4 9

2 8 1. ETRO Nashville oversized appliquéd-patchwork wool blend polo shirt 2. BOTTEGA VENETA leather sandals 3. THE ROW Gala wool pants 4. ISABEL MARANT Ines ribbed wool blend turtleneck sweater 5. ISABEL MARANT Bilirokia leather straight leg pants 6. GRLFRND Bella distressed boyfriend jeans 7. KHAITE Matilda off-the-shoulder ribbed-knit midi dress 8. NEW BALANCE 237 leather-trimmed mesh,shell and suede sneakers 9. CONVERSE Chuck Taylor All Star 70 canvas high-top sneakers 10. CASTAÑER Palmera frayed canvas espadrille slides 10 | THE HOUSE AFRICA MAGAZINE

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FOOTS in BOOTS Timberland 6” Premium Waterproof Boot Going for a rugged style,these boots will serve you the justice require. With the massive impact of these boots in the hip-hop community over the decades being worn by legends in the culture like Tupac Shakur ,makes it one of the boots you need to style and make it work for you. Dr. Martens 1460 This iconic boots which were initially the most preferred workwear-shoe for postmen and factory employees has gained popularity globally over the years and represents comfort ,a sense of individualism and daring the society cloud of thinking. You need yourself some 1460s right away!

Converse Run Star Hike Unisex This sneaker/boot with a huge chunk of rubber platform and futuristic out sole is your perfect wear for a stylish street style vibe. UGG Neumel Boot For some light weight feel on feet and a comfortable wear to walk around ,this is definitely a not miss. Good with casual and somehow formal fits. Chelsea Boots For a chill,relaxed look,chelsea boots do the work. These famous wear is worth your buy.

SEPTEMBER 2020 | 11

Easy Steps to Build your own skin care routine A daily skin care routine helps you maintain overall skin health despite your skin type. You are a few steps away from making your own routine. Let’s start! 1. Cleansing Always choose a cleanser that does not leave your skin tight after washing. Avoid washing for a ‘nodirt’-clean feeling to prevent washing out all the natural oil from your face. Clean your face only two times a day. 2. Moisturizing Cream-based moisturizers may benefit dry skins more than oily skins. Not to say oily skins don’t need moisturizers,they do but

most preferably use gelbased moisturizers and ones that do not block pores. 3. Apply serum In using serums,use ones with peptides in the morning and retinols when going to bed. 4. Apply sunscreen Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before heading outdoors to allow it to activate. According to Skin Cancer Foundation,dark skin tones need more protection from the sun. EltaMD’ sunscreen is best recommended.

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TIPS

• Wrap up your hair before bed. • Change pillow cases at least once a week. • Stay hydrated by taking a lot of water. • Wear your sunscreen everyday. • Do not pick at acne, blackheads or scabs as it can cause open wounds which can lead to scars,more acne and infections. • Start with a simple routine and later after getting comfortable you can add masks and other products of your choice.

BEAUTY

DIY HACKS TO AVOID Be careful and informed of whatever you choose to lay on your skin ,it might be good or harsh for your skin. Always remember what is working for your friend,can fail to work on you Garlic Garlic in raw form can cause eczema and skin inflammation. Lemon Juice The juice contains citric acid which is far too much acidic and can cause dark spots to appear after exposure to the sun.

Toothpaste Ingredients present in the toothpaste may dry out or irritate. Vitamin E Topical application of vitamin E is not proven to improve scar appearance and can therefore cause skin irritation. Baking Soda Baking soda stresses your skin at a pH level of 8 significantly decreasing your skin’s water content and lead to dry skin. Sugar Sugar is an exfoliant and hence too harsh for your face.

glow OF COURAGE

Overall wellness is reflected by a healthy skin and to spread the glow ,here are our product picks.

Glow Recipe Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream Can’t skip September without trying some sweet banana cream. Reduce the appearance of skin blemishes while taking care of your skin. It has magnesium ingredients which protect your skin from external damage as it regulates cellular generation and repair. Its buttery texture also makes it nice to use.

Pond’s Hydrate Vitamin Micellar Wipes When removing makeup ,traces may be left behind and that is why this wipes which contain aloe vera and vitamin B3 quickens breaking down tough makeup,dirt and any other impurities from your face leaving it hydrated,soft and smooth.

Vegan Milk Moisturizer With its proprietary blend of vegan milks that absorb quickly on skin to hydrate and aid to provide antioxidant benefits for a softer,smoother-looking skin,this isn’t a miss. Jergens Skin Smoothie Avocado&Apple Scented Body Lotion The sense of smell is strong and one cannot definitely miss the smell of you approaching the office or entering a restaurant. For the confidence and mood boost and 24 hours moist skin,rub some lotion to that skin. 14 | THE HOUSE AFRICA MAGAZINE

BEAUTY

7 lipstick mistakes Trying after purchasing Patch test the lipstick at the back of your hand and try mixing the shades to help you get the right color before paying for it. Don’t be lazy!

Under-embracing your skin tone Deeper shades or two-toned lip colors make a perfect wear for a darker skin while pale skin needs soft peachy colors and more true reds. Applying too much force When applying your lipstick stop being too ‘forcy’ and instead use light strokes during application for an even look and avoiding wastage of the product.

Overdrawing On older women,when you start getting lines wearing a lot of lip liner draws attention to those lips and instead you should use less lip liner and lipsticks with soft textures. Using wrong lip liners Not harmonizing your skin tone with the perfect pencil color that suits you .Try some neutral colored liners including dark ,peach and light nudes

No Highlighters Applying a little bit of highlighter on the center of your lip helps the lips appear fuller and soft. Stop skipping the highlighters if you want to make a statement with that lipstick. Using dry formulas Dryness of lips from the drying effect of liquid lipsticks that have it,is harmful to your lips since they can cause aging of lips leading to emphasis of your lines. Purchase lipsticks that give quite-matte-impression with dewiness making your lips look moist. Avoid shades that make your lips look chalky. SEPTEMBER 2020 | 15

in between

laughs With Gladys Kabira Nyambura

Gladys Kabira Nyambura aka GK Nyambura is the laugh pill to many during this boring quarantine times. From serving social topics like relationships and to sharing funny reactions in her videos,the youtube sensation is making this difficult times much entertaining to many people stuck at home.

Who is Gladys Kabira Nyambura? Nyambura is simply herself. My personality is diverse and flexible,I am aware of the parts of me that make me human and I am unapologetic about them.

To do what I do,I need to be in a certain head space and maintaining that can be quite difficult because I’m human.

How has your journey in content creation been since you started? Honestly,it’s just me in my room. I am a one woman concert and it being covid season,I haven’t been physically exposed to my fan base. Apart from the online interaction with my smelly cats,it still is unreal to me that so many people watch my stuff,relate to them and get entertained as I haven’t had the chance to physically interact with them.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life,what would it be? It will definitely have to be chapati and green grams with chili. I’m actually salivating as I think about it now.

What has acted like a major roadblock in your journey to be where you are now?

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What’s your favorite way to spend a day off? I love chilling with my friends.

What’s the one thing that can instantly make your day better? A nice nap after a long day. I could also cry. How old were you when you had your first celebrity crush,and who was it? I was 7 years old when I had my first. It was Nathan Kress from iCarly.

No one cares so just do it boo.

What is your most prized possession?Why? It has to be my blue violin. It is a perfect description of my personality. How would your 10-year-old self react to what you do now? She would be shocked to extinction,she would hyperventilate and collapse Originally,what got you interested in video content creating? Liza Koshy and my obsession with her. I want to be her or her girlfriend Do you live by any piece of advice? Yeah,of course!No one cares so just do it boo. If you could do anything else besides what you are doing now,what would it be? I would be a goat in Nepal If a genie could give you three wishes as at the moment,what are yours? First,300 more wishes. Secondly,I want to kiss Rihanna and lastly my tiny dream house. Has the covid pandemic affected you in any way?How are you coping ? Well. I’m broke and at home. In regards to coping,starting my youtube channel really helped-it is now 4 months old and it has helped me to build a community of more than twenty four thousand smelly cats .

SEPTEMBER 2020 | 19

Travel

TRAVEL

01. Masai Mara We cannot talk about a September go-to wild spot in Kenya without mentioning Masai Mara National Reserve. It’s one of the most famous safari destinations in the continent. If you are planning to watch the big cats,this is the spot. One of the seven wonders of the world,the wildebeests migration which take place in the Mara River is also one moment you don’t want to miss. 02. Lamu Town Kenya is not just all about the savannah and parks,the Lamu archipelago is an interesting place to visit as an area brimming with history.

September Escapes By Shiraz Marjan

Kenya is a country of great diversity,both physically and culturally. She is one of Africa’s most popular destinations with its blissful Indian Ocean beaches,craggy mountains,lush forests and wildlife-rich savannas. In your travel list this month ,here are escapes to add to your list.

03. Ol Pejeta Conservancy On the foothills of Mount Kenya lies a conservancy best known for its conservation initiative,Ol Pejeta. The conservancy hosts the last females of the northern white rhino species after losing the last male of the same species .The sweet waters chimpanzee sanctuary present within provides home for chimps rescued from the black market. With a lot to offer in terms of conservation and relationship of humans with wildlife,you should be heading to Ol Pejeta. 04. Amboseli National Park For iconic views,Amboseli is definitely a must go. With the mighty ,snow-capped and world’s highest free standing mountain,Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania visible making scenic silhouettes and the healthy elephant population and other wild animals,adding this to your tour bucket will make your tour unforgettable. 05. Lake Nakuru National Park The most notable birds of the lake is the flamingos numbering in millions. It is the home to the densest rhino population in Kenya. Lake Nakuru covers approximately 45 kilometers squared and a depth of 2.3 meters. There are a variety of wild animals present in the area. 06. Mt Kenya The largest mountain in Kenya and the second in Africa is where you should be planning your next hike. Today,it’s lower slopes are covered in forests of bamboo and African rosewood trees. Start your trekking to point Lenana or Batian and live a little.

STAY

5 hotels for your home life refuge Replenishment,rejuvenation,beautiful rooms with white towels and white sheetsthis are just a few to mention for a great ideal weekend. What a great way to enjoy fall than being in a hotel room binge watching episodes of Grey’s Anatomy.

Villa Rosa Kempinski In the hunt for a 5-star luxury hotel to unwind this month,Villa Rosa is the perfect stay. Dining selection include Café Villa Rosa,K Lounge,Balcony Bar,Chinese Restaurant 88,Italian Restaurant LUCCA Levant-style Lounge,Restaurant Tambourine Grand Ballroom and Kempinski. The spa rooms all have complimentary wifi access,working desk and flat-screen TVs. This is the perfect destination if you looking to spend time relaxing or working.

4 Points By Sheraton 5 minutes away from the airport terminal locates this hotel at your advantage to relax after a long trip or before a long trip.The designs in this hotel are awing and brings a sense of comfort. Rooms are spacious and with signature beds,rain showers and 42” LED TVs not forgetting a rooftop pool and fully equipped fitness room. Tazama Rooftop Bar&Grill serving fresh international cuisine 24 hrs.

Raddison Blu Hotel Arboretum Standing next to a sprawling forest reserve that is a habitat for over 300 exotic tree species plus over 100 bird species,Nairobi Arboretum-the Raddison’s interiors feature free wi-fi, individual climate control and 24hr room service. The spa,sauna,steam rooms,swimming pool and fitness center will hep you unwind. SEPTEMBER 2020 | 23

STAY

Eka Hotel

Start your day in the hotel’s superior rooms which are fully equipped with LCD flat screen TVs with dstv,complimentary wi-fi hotspots,personal minibar in the room,safety deposit box,complimentary coffee making facilities,direct dial international telephone,king size bed,separate toilet and a rain-shower. Eka provides a one of a kind dining experience thanks to its Galaxy Restaurant and Spurs Restaurant. The hotel has fully serviced ,airconditioned and multi-functional three meeting rooms and two boardrooms that carter for up to 200 people and are fitted with flat screen TVs,laser pointer,air condition units,black-out sheers and curtain,wi-fi hotspots and LCD projector.

Watamu Treehouse

A stay in harmony with nature is what you just need. Activate your inner self,boost your self growth and reflect on you as a being in the famous 1992 built house by the Krystall family in Watamu.Perfect for experiencing amazing daily sunrises and sunsets overlooking the Indian Ocean .Don’t miss your yoga!The house offers yoga classes on stand-up paddle boards in the sea or in the mangrove creek. 24 | THE HOUSE AFRICA MAGAZINE

&STAY

ON COVER

Brian Journey through the lens Photographed by Talisa Lanoe

KG Brian is a Kenyan cinematographer who is the creative behind projects like Lucy by Bensoul,Favorite Song by Bensoul,Siwezani by Phy,Uniombe by Bensoul,Unioshe by Collo G featuring Wanavokali. He has also collaborated with CJ Pixels to birth the music videos of Siri by Fena Gitu and Chay Chay by Kagwe Mungai.In pursuit of his cinematography career,Brian quited his job in July 2018.If not at work,he is at home binge watching TV shows.

Photographed by Shem Obara

Growing up,did you want to become a cinematographer? I wanted to be so many things when I was growing up. I remember wanting to be a pilot,then later I wanted to be a news anchor. Even after joining high school ,I still didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do after school. All I wanted was to pass my KCSE exams and qualify to join the university. Well,I did and joined JKUAT to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and so my dreams of being a news anchor popped back. It’s at this time that I fell in love with the camera. I later majored in PR & Advertising,but still worked on my camera skills and experience. I would make short films with my friend,and edit them myself. With time I became better and better with the camera. Who inspires you in the cinematography field? There are two people:Meji Alabi, a film director based in London. Even though he is based in London, he has worked with a lot of African artists, mostly from West Africa. He has directed videos for Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Wizkid among so many more. What amazes me most about his work, is his story telling and color grades, and that’s everything I really want to master. The second person who inspires me is my very good friend CJ Pixels. I’ve worked together with him on a couple of projects, which have been a great experience. What really impresses me about CJ Pixels is, how he manages to outdo himself effortlessly every time. One moment you think you’ve seen the best he could ever do, and then he goes ahead and shocks you. I guess what I want to learn from that is, constant improvement. In this industry, you don’t stop learning, you work hard to improve your skills and become better than you were yesterday, or last week. What is your life as a Cinematographer from the time you wake up? I don’t have a routine really, maybe the first two hours of the day, then the rest of the day depends on the work. I have never been able to sleep past 6am, I don’t even need an alarm to wake me up. I wake up, check my phone for messages, then check my reminders in case I had typed anything down. I take a shower, eat breakfast and start my day. There are days when I will start editing as early as 7am, and there are days when I will leave the house at 5am for a shoot,then towards the end of the day, I will try and catch up with new content- Music Videos on Youtube, and movies on Netflix.

There are nights when I will be up all night editing. My job as a cinematographer has never been an 8am-5pm affair. How can you describe the journey that has made KG the brand that he is today? The journey has been a little tough, but you know what they say,nothing good comes easy. When I started, I did a couple of jobs for free, because I needed to create a portfolio, to show future clients what I am capable of. After University, I got a day job as a TV Producer, my role was to produce educational TV content for a TV Channel whose main audience was students from early childhood development all the way to High School. I’d produce content like documentaries, infomercials and many others. During this employment period, I would go to music concerts during the weekend and create after-movies which I would then post on my Youtube. Later I started creating others content like short travel films, and BTS videos for shoots. People noticed my skill, and started giving me music video jobs. In July 2018,I quit my job and pursued my cinematography career full-time. It was a terrifying decision but it had to be done. After that, its been two years of handwork. What are your thoughts on the Cinematography Industry in Kenya? The challenge with cinematography or photography has always been with equipment. I know that Story is King when it comes to this craft, but at the end of the day, without equipment, you can’t capture that story. So equipment has been a challenge for many creatives in the past few years. But recently more and more people have been getting access to cameras, and the content they’re making is incredible. There are so many creative minds out there, and they’re doing really well to tell their stories. The only challenge I see is, how do they turn that into a job, and earn a living from it?

SEPTEMBER 2020 | 29

CULTURE

Armed!!!But take it out

Modern policing did not evolve until the Aggressive dispersion tactics,such as police 1830s when the US government needed dogs and fire hoses against individuals in better control over quickly growing peaceful protests were the most widely populations. The communities most publicized police brutality in that era . Up to targeted by harsh tactics were mostly date the police in many parts of the world immigrants. Even as African-Americans still use aggressive tactics to disperse riots fled the horrors of modern policing, they and also oppress the marginalized people. too became victims of brutal and punitive Today, live streaming, tweets and facebook policing where they sought refuge. There posts have blasted the incidents of police was a lot of one on one conflicts between brutality beyond the black community the police and citizens and a lot of it was and into the mainstream media , a good initiated by the police, “says Malcolm example is of Philando Castile’s fiancée, D. Holmes, a sociology professor at the Diamond Reynolds, who was in the car University of Wyoming. with her daughter when he was shot,she streamed the immediate aftermath of the During the civil rights era, though many shooting using Facebook live. Modern of the movement’s leaders advocated technology allows the white community to for peaceful protests, the 1960s were take notice of these kinds of situations and fought with violent and destructive riots. incidents.

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why take on me??? By Joseph Onege

As technology has evolved so has the 1963, following on the years, decades equipment of law enforcement . Images really.”There are those who are asking the of police officers in helmets and body devotees of civil rights, ‘when will you be armor riding through neighborhoods in satisfied ?” Said Martin Luther King Jr. in his tanks accompany stories of protests as a iconic ”I Have a Dream” speech at the 1963 clear indication of the militarization and March.His words continue to resonate after increase in fire power of police forces a long history of violent confrontations around the world. In other incidents in between the African-American citizens Kenya,a 13 year old boy was shot by the and the police. “We can never be satisfied police when he was at the balcony of as long as the Negro is the victim of the their house in Mathare slums. The police unspeakable horrors of police brutality.” were on their daily routine of maintaining The resolution to the problem lies not evening curfew hours. Worse still was the only in improving these unbalanced killing of a homeless man by the name of police-community relationships, but “vaite” simply because he was outdoors more importantly, in eradicating the past the curfew hours. social inequalities that perpetuate these relationships that sustain distrust and The continual abuse of power by the frustration on both sides. police has been there for as long as

SEPTEMBER 2020 | 31

Photographed by Kelly Lacy

a language they understand By Sydney K. Otieno

“My brother’s gone,but the Floyd name still lives on”Terrence Floyd,brother of George Floyd says during his memorial.Wait a minute,let’s go back to some of the last statements they all said before leaving the face of earth: February 26,2012-Trayvon Martin,”What are you following me for?”,March 24,2012-Kendrec McDade,”Why did you shoot me?”,March 09,2013-Kimani Gray,”Please don’t let me die”,July 17,2014-Eric Garner,”I can’t breathe”,August 9,2014,Michael Brown,”I don’t have a gun,stop shooting.”February 3,2015Natasha McKenna,”I didn’t do anything.”April 4,2015-Walter Scott,”They tasing me April 12,2015-Freddie Gray,”I cant breathe,I don’t wanna die young.”August 7,2015-Christian Taylor,”I didn’t even do nothing!”July 19,2015-Samuel Du Bose,July 6,2016-Philando Castile,”I wasn’t reaching for it,”April 29,2017-Jordan Edwards,”Duck,get down.”Let me fast forward to present,May 25,2020 George Floyd’s last words “I can’t breathe.”

years died after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by Derek Chauvin,a police officer in Minneapolis. Floyd’s killing came just right after two other high profile cases in 2020 . On February 23,Ahmaud Arbery,25 years old,was killed while out on a run after being followed by three white men in a pick up truck.Another incident is of a 26 year old Breonna Taylor ,who was shot eight times and killed after police broke down the door to her apartment while executing a nighttime warrant.

“Thou shall not kill”-A commandment that has with time evolved to be a gun with no bullets in its magazine,the high numbers of black people getting murdered in their 20s or if you try living much enough,maybe 40s is just not right and to some who think it is right and fair and that black people deserve it ,what if the tables were turned?What if it was your husband dead?What if it was your husband dead?What if it was your When did the movement #blacklivesmatter matter wife?What if it was your child having to struggle start? A question best answered tracing history with the trauma of losing a loved parent by the back to 2012 after the death of Trayvon Martin,a 17 muzzle? year old born in Miami Gardens,Florida and shot to death by George Zimmerman in Sanford,Florida. According to statistics by the Mapping Police The phrase “black lives matter” was born in July of Violence ,more than a thousand people in America 2013 in a facebook post by Alicia Garza called “a were killed by police in 2019 and the chances of love letter to black people” after the acquittal of those killed by police in 2019 and the chances of George Zimmerman. those killed were three times more likely to be black Since then #blacklivesmatter is the third most used and 99% of the killings between 2013 and 2019 social-issue hashtag in twitter’s ten year history don’t result in criminal charges.What world are we as researched and presented by Pew Research living in?Is protests and hashtags the only way the Centre.The internet has been blowing up with the national governments can get to hear us?Is that hashtag since May 25,2020.When George Floyd,46 the only way their attention can be caught?

SEPTEMBER 2020 | 33

MINED

voices

Wanavokali is a Kenyan sextet comprising of Chepkorir,Lenah Gayah,mellah,riki,sam and Ythera. The group won the old mutual amazing voices competition which saw them bagging a cash prize of ten million Kenya shillings. With a winning card and golden voices,the group are eyeing greater collaborations and more in 2020 and beyond.

CULTURE

Describe yourself? Wanavokali is a collection of six artists from different musical backgrounds and journeys who love to make beautiful music together. Wanavokali translated from Swahili to English would mean children of the vocals or those with the vocals . When did you first meet? We met in 2018 while doing the Safaricom Twaweza Live Tour as background vocalists. We got to perform on all stages countrywide with some of the best musicians such as Nameless,Cedo,Nyashinski,Fena just to mention a few,and also dancers and producers. After working together for almost one year,we became good friends .It came to our realization that we had a great chemistry together and this prompted us to create wanavokali in late July 2019 How has COVID 19 affected you as a group? It has slowed down our progress and we are trying to stay positive amidst the pandemic not forgetting taking necessary precautions to stay safe ensuring that we stay indoors most of the time,wash our hands and sanitizing. Our creative industry has taken a big hit from this and musicians like us have had to find new,innovative ways to stay creative and adapt. On the good side of it all,it has showed us our limitless potential and the boundaries we can break. What projects are you working on and is there any achievements you can count since you started as Wanavokali? We have our first single out Unioshe

featuring the phenomenal Collo G that we released at the end of January this year. Participating in the Old Mutual Amazing Voices Competition and winning is one in our books for the rest of our lives and definitely life changing. It was a validating experience signifying that we ere heading in the right direction. It has been quite a journey of growth and a learning curvegetting to interact and learn from different African cultures and music we also learnt a lot from our amazing music director Zwai Bala. Who would you love to collaborate with in future? Sauti Sol,Fena Gitu,Nyashinski,Hart The Band just to name a few. Who is the cheekiest? That’s hard to tell,we all have our moments and you never see it coming. Who is the most obsessed with social media among you? That’s definitely Chep. Who is the foodie? That’s everybody. If there’s one thing we love to do is cooking or sitting around a table and enjoying a meal together-it’s one of the ways we bond.

We met in 2018 while doing the Safaricom Twaweza Live Tour as background vocalists.

SEPTEMBER 2020 | 35

5 SUVs for your fall 2020 A competition on which SUV outshines the other in terms of the engine power,technology and comfort seems to get better with every passing day and every car manufacturer are in the race to having the best car. This September we take a look at our five best compact SUVs .

Land rover discovery sport range

With the brand’s latest design look,with updated infotainment display,digital gauges ,multifunction controllers and new technology features(modernity and usability) The land rover’s power is all bout its fourcylinder engine and an optional upgrade engine that gets an electric boost from a 48volt mild hybrid system. Automatic drive line disconnect-only front wheels receiving power when cruising straight.

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Jaguar F-Pace

The F-Pace has standard android auto and apple car play which provide an excellent alternative to the f-pace’s infotainment interface. There’s plenty of second-row room and cargo space so there’s plenty of room to move around. Its smooth and powerful V6 engine is also a feature to land your eyes on,making it a compact SUV we think you should hop in.

AUTO

Audi q5

Flexibility-is one thing that was put into consideration by its manufacturing hence so easy for passengers to get in and out of it,even in tight parking spots. With a clean design,impressive interior,advanced but easy-to use technology features and smooth balance on road makes Audi a well deserved SUV for 2020.

BMW X3

With an upscale interior,BMW offers the choice of two power-trains. BMW has upgraded the M40i engine making it 382 horsepower. The BMW Xdrive30e features a turbocharged four cylinder engine and a plug-in hybrid system. It is also spacious and the factory navigation system now come packaged with an optional full digital gauge cluster.

Volvo xc60

The xc60 comes in with a new high-performance polestar engineered variant. It has a 12.3 Inch digital dash display which is now standard for the driver and a 9 inch touchscreen display panoramic sunroof,forward collision mitigation lane departure warning with lane keeping assist LED headlights,wood and leather interior trim The T8 hybrid model gets a small increase in EV range. This ride has an elegant interior design and spacious second row seating,in addition,it is also available as a plug-in hybrid for your power or fuel efficiency needs.

SEPTEMBER 2020 | 39

The New Dawn By Pras Ezekiel Jadi

SPECIAL REPORT

hat’s new?Kenyans are excited as they get to watch two of their very own films on the wide and global film platform,netflix-Sincerely Daisy and Disconnect. Sincerely Daisy and Disconnect both directed by Nick Mutuma are now available on netflix,sharing the good news on his instagram handle,Nick could not hide his joy at the fact that films in Swahili are getting international recognition. Proud of the fact that we are exporting Swahili and telling our stories on a global platform,we did it folks! Sincerely Daisy which premiered on October 9, 2020 tells a story of a happy high school graduate’s dream,romance and confidence which is shaken when friendship drama puts her future plans at risk .The cast includes: Foi Wambui,Muthoni Gathecha,Ella Maina,Serah Wanjiru,Mbeki Mwalimu,Brian Abaja among other talented actors. Disconnect premiered in April 21, 2018 but aired on netflix on October 16, 2020,it has gotten a lot of positive reviews from viewers all over the world. The film was directed by David ‘tosh’Gitonga and Michael Jones. The cast include:Brenda Wairimu,Nick Mutuma,Catherine Kamau,Patricia Kihoro among others. Kenya has recorded a total of three films on

netflix after the film Poacher which was aired on September 30, 2020 . The twenty-nineminute production showcases the tactics used by poachers. The film won best short film at the eighth Kalasha and TV Awards held in Nairobi in November 2018. Kenya has proven to be quite talented in the film industry having in mind films such as Nairobi Half-life,Plan B,which was one of my best,You Again-which featured Tanzanian actress and singer Mimi Mars,Rafiki,Supa Modo which received international acclaim at ceremonies such as the Berlin International Film Festival and the Carthage Film Festival,Watu Wote which bagged the students Oscars in September 2017 and other huge international award wins,Subira and many others .Even though some of these films might have not featured on netflix,they still have attracted international audiences which is something we are proud of. “Seeing Kenyan films go into netflix is a true testimony if not a dream. It tells you that doors are opening for the Kenyan filmmakers,hope and light that the world is ready to consume our content. It also tells you that language should not be a limitation when it comes to telling your stories to the world.”Nick Mutuma says. “I pitched to netflix thinking I have the best film they have ever seen and they didn’t even butt an eyelid .The kind of submissions they get is humbling,people are doing incredible work and we have to compete with the best in the world to secure a spot. Don’t think that you will come up,with an idea now and present it to netflix next week ,a decent script takes at least a year or two at production “Disconnect’s director David Gitonga tells Nation. SEPTEMBER 2020 | 41

From her instagram,foodsbywandithia, Mellisa wandithia despite having dreams of owning her own restaurant someday she is not shying away to take us to the eleventh of her world.

Take 11 WITH

Mellisa

FOOD

Chicken Alfredo Pasta By Mellisa Wandithia

Ingredients • • • • • • • • • •

Fettuccine pasta Boneless chicken Butter Cheese Heavy cream Garlic nutmeg Bell paper Diced bell pepper Coriander Chili

6. Add 3/4 cup of heavy cream. 7. Add 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper and nutmeg,a little bit of chili and salt to taste then mix it a little. 8. Add cheese as much as you would like and let it melt. 9. Add your cooked pasta and you may add your leftover pasta water if your dish seems dry. 10. Add your chicken pieces ,diced bell pepper and coriander. Enjoy

Procedure

1. In a pan with olive oil,brown your chicken on both sides and season it with thyme and salt. 2. Once cooked,cut your chicken into pieces. 3. Cook your pasta in salty boiling water until it is firm enough to bite ,do not overcook. 4. Drain your pasta but save half a cup of that pasta water. 5. In a pan,add 3 tablespoon of butter then garlic and let it sauté.

pasta facts • There are more than 600 shapes of pasta • Italians eat the most pasta • The three favorite America’s pasta varieties are spaghetti,penne and rotini • The carbohydrates in pasta increase the body’s production of seretonin,the neurotransmitter that is believed by scientists to trigger feelings of happiness and well-being.

44 | THE HOUSE AFRICA MAGAZINE

Q&A Why did you want to be a chef ? Cooking is therapeutic for me .I get great pleasure from eating and enjoying flavorful meals that enhance my mood and energy and so once i realized it was my passion,i followed it. What do you cook at home that you’d never cook at the restaurant? I’d never prepare scotch eggs at the restaurant ,they are too messy to prepare but they are perfect for a picnic or brunch date. What is the most essential item in your kitchen? Onions and garlic .I never want to lack spices in my kitchen.

Name your top 5 foods? Ugali with nyama choma, pilau, mukimo, chapati, burger and fries. What is a typical day for you? I have a lazy morning routine. I wake up,wash up and have a cup of coffee or a glass of water as I plan my day’s agenda. I don’t eat in the morning -my stomach just can’t take it,my first meal is always during lunch time. Any aspirations? I hope to open a chain of restaurants and grow as a chef plus I want to touch as many lives as I can ,make people happy and just be the best version of myself.

What is your regular comfort meal? Cakes and chocolates. If you were to be executed tomorrow ,what would be your last meal? If i was to choose a last meal,it would be caviar. I have never had it before and I’d rather go down with an expensive meal What is your favorite restaurant? My go-to restaurant is For You Chinese Restaurant along Gitanga Road-they have a variety of amazing food there. Have you ever adopted any recipe from a foreign country? I love Italian dishes and I try preparing as many as I can. I’d love to go to Italy and gain some pounds cause that’s for sure. Which kitchen disaster is freshly glued in your brain to date? Baking a banana bread. It turned out so bad. I’ve never dared to bake one again-my family still makes fun of me because of it.

SEPTEMBER 2020 | 45

the uno

way