MPV.....my point of view!

Dear AfroBloggers Greetings to you African bloggers The scribes who type out the chronicles of our generation The we'll researched historians who link our past to our identify The innovators and game changers of the motherland I thank you for inviting me into the community I have found a tribe, people like and just maybe, a family My first assignment was to blog every single day of June Accepting the challenge was easy but the task at hand was not Yet I accept that your goal is to mould flexible writers This challenge tested will and tenacity As you know that we have so many obstacles between loadshedding and expensive data But you challenged myself and other writers to run the race Now we are at the finishing line Thank you so much for the opportunity Thank you for the patience Thank you for sharing the links to the blogs That's the purpose of communities, support We now move forward into the later part of winter The month of July which also marks the secon

This is actually nerve wrecking because I'm not sure who's reading this. With just one day towards the finish line, why not write. Dear Reader You are the inspiration to my keyboard You read, comment and share my blog I am ever grateful for your support More so in this season Winter has come and a challenge was thrown in To blog every single day of June I accepted the challenge to move from procrastination to action This has been a very challenging race But as a spectator, you cheered me on You even gave me a bottle of water to drink when I felt exhausted You have been my biggest cheerleader Every day has come with a different topic Some topics challenged my range as a writer Whilst others felt right at home I had to research statistics and information I had to make writing a blog post my priority You reading every post has kept me going I thank you as I take the final strides towards the finish line It is with hope that this relationship that we have emba

Dear uBu Girrrl! I can't keep up with you Talk about hustle and multi talent Well, I am glad that I am writing to a fellow blogger that I'm familiar with Wow! So the first time that I met you it was at a party You were into events planning A year or two later, you surprised me with your vocal skills You can sing! You then sent me  your book Which by the way is a good read as well as relatable And ever since I have been following your blog creatively titled uBu A name you seem to have played around from your first name I am in awe of your work ethic And during this winter blogging challenge you have been tenacious Every single day you have dropped a link to not just one but two blog posts How you have balanced between writing those blogs and your day hustle is amazing Again, you inspire me Thank you for sharing your experiences and content You show a zeal to be better and achieve greater Each post encouraged me to keep going even if I fell behind Those post

It's day 27 of the winter blogging challenge. I am just counting down the days. This challenge has truly been a challenge. When I took up this challenge there were certain undesirable habits I wanted to break. My self esteem had been low when it came to my writing abilities. I needed something to prove myself. It's been a long month but there's no trial without a lesson 1. Don't procrastinate Life throws things at you that can pressure you to delay your passions. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak so you tell yourself, tomorrow. But what if tomorrow never comes and your greatest work was today? Through this challenge, I learnt to plan ahead. I told myself that it had to be done, right now, right here. 2. It gets harder before it gets better The first days of the challenge were quite a breeze. The topics were ice breakers, light hearted and fun. Then mid way it became gruelling. The topics needed insight, facts, objectivity etc. I understand that it&

Photos without captions are left for one's interpretation. A picture is worth a thousand words, some often left unsaid. As I flip through old photo albums, I read the stories told by each image. I'm by nature, nostalgic, and find peace in past time's paradise. But those photos show how far I have come. I see the journey to unlearning and healing. I see the map to self love. There are images of loved ones both living and deceased. Memories are affirmed by photos and below are the portraits of my life. 1. Photo with dad My middle name in Zulu loosely means 'daddy's girl'. Out of all my sisters, I cleaved to my father's hip. At 5 ft 2 in, my father was the figure that I looked up to. This photo resembles him carrying my life in his hands. I didn't have to face the world alone, daddy had me. 2. Photo of mum  My mother was and still is the most stylish woman that I know. If it weren't for traditional Shona customs, I would still have most

In these Zimbabwean brands I believe!   When we think of brands many think of logos or big names. But to me, a brand is defined by influence, excellence and to a larger extent, uniqueness. I am a fan of all brands African. As long as they are by an African and hold quality, I am sold. Today, I am here to endorse brands from here, in Zimbabwe. These are homegrown brands that by my definition of brands, are doing the most. Shout out to all the founders and innovators behind the brands that I'm about to mention below: 1. Craig Zoowie In my head, Craig Zoowie is my stylish best friend. (Putting this into the universe that we will be friends IRL). I love me some Craig Zoowie. Craig puts his touch to décor with excellence. He's like the fairy godmother who turns a pumpkin into a carriage. Every event that Craig handles, there's a touch of class. Of course, with his team at VIP Hosting, we can see why they are the most sought after event planners. Apart from making events lo

Every Human Right, Is Right! Mankind has developed over the last century yet the issue of human rights remains a sore subject. The fact that #blacklivesmatter, #MeToo or #lovewins rose in this last decade,  is proof that not all human beings have attained equal human rights. Equal rights means that every human being is entitled to security, education, and comfortable living standards without discrimination. Access to clean water, food, shelter and protection by the law are fundamental rights. So why is it in 2019, we are still tackling issues of racism and gay rights? Several factors fall into place, mostly the issues of governance in different parts of the world. Prejudices fuelled by traditions and religion play a part in perpetuating racism and homophobia. I concur with Trevor Noah, who stated that for as long as there are racists, racism doesn't end. Racism is a mental state that is generational. The cycle can only end if a generation chooses to change their prejudices

Zimbabwe is a beautiful mess! Forget about Victoria Falls, the country in itself is a wonder. Through all the trials and tribulations, you can still find a people who are loyal to the nation. There is so much to see and experience in Zimbabwe that travel brochures won't show you. I have jotted 10 unknown things about Zimbabwe. Places 1. Mutorashanga Yes we are a landlocked country but guess what, we have great water bodies. Mutorashanga is that place for great afternoon with friends. Carry your swimwear and enjoy the serene natural pools at this place. 2. The Kariba Islands It took the filming of a television show for me to really experience Kariba. Most people speak of the common place on the man-made lake. But did you know that there are sightful islands by Lake Kariba? My favourite was Rhino island. If you are the adventurous type who doesn't mind having elephants and rhinos visit your campsite, then you will love this place. There's even a beach, just be car

We can no longer sweep mental health under the rug.   Mental health in the black home is as taboo as the HIV/AIDS discussion in the 90s. People know that individuals suffer from one type of mental illness, or another, however refuse to acknowledge the effects. Depression and bipolar are often viewed as choices. Family members, and society at large will comment, "Anozviitisa/Uyazenzisa!" Individuals suffering from such mental health illnesses are expected to pull themselves together. Yet over the years, we have seen more black people become suicide statistics. In the United States of America alone, reports stated that suicides among Black children under 18 increased 71 percent from 2006 to 2016. Closer to home, alone in the past six months, I have heard of eight suicides of people six degrees from myself. I almost became a statistic! Mental health is taken for granted. Few notice behaviours and patterns of a cry for help until they have to commit someone, or worse, bury

I have never been a fan of mob psychology. In an effort to fit in, I once summoned tears to trickle down as the rest of the form threes (10th graders), cried for an expelled senior. I was pathetic! I'm grateful that I'm an adult now. And I full embrace my stubborn nature to a fault. My opinions are like answering an A level history exam. I will weigh the pros and cons, and then come to a conclusion. One very opinionated 'friend' of mine once commented, "You are far from basic! I actually like you because you are open minded." This coming from the same person who once called me a 'cow' who deserved the assholes that she dated. Yep! Time and maturity has moved me from a one track mind. Instead of black and white, I see the world in the colours of the rainbow. Rarely, can any of us live as flat characters. Humanity is a little bit more complex than that. We draw circles with our personalities and general being. I am here to stand by opinions often

Welcome to the book club. Reading is a great past time. The culture has declined though due to the progression of technology. But those of us who would rather flip a page, than read on a gadget, books remain that best friend. I have been pushing myself to read at least three books a month. Most successful people read five or more. Books open one's mind, improve language, offer various topics of discussion as well as points of reference. A person of substance isn't stuck on Facebook; they are enriching themselves with bestsellers. My top 5 picks are good reads that I have read and reviewed. Most of the picks are self improvement reads but that's the point - improving thy self. 1. No More Sheets by Juanita Bynum This is a biographical entry by singer and minister of the word, Juanita Bynum. She shares in detail painful yet relatable personal experiences of heartbreak. Sheets are metaphorical of the baggage that comes with premarital sex, fornication and adultery. A ve

Some parts of this challenge are so intense. I love blogging about fun stuff, or at least use wit for the heavy topics. There are so many issues that I'm passionate about. I'm both passionate and compassionate. I have a sensitivity towards the human condition especially when it comes to rights. Never dubbed myself as an activist but I will voice out my opinions. So what are we overlooking as humanity? I was thinking about discussing child abuse that is inclusive of male children. Then me thinks, maybe let's talk about colourism in media. I could go to town with that one. And then I thought about the gender pay gap which I myself have been subjected to. Cultural appropriation thoroughly irks me to the core. And then a light bulb lit over my head. In the last few months I have discussed about a grave problem in modern society. Toxic masculinity! Now this is something that society has let slide. Toxic masculinity is destroying the essence of humanity. So what is this tox

Teach us to pray to our ancestors and lead us to the days of glory ahead of us.  Good day, ladies and gentlemen. For the first time in the history of the African Union, a millennial stands in front of you. I am not only representing generation Y, but generation Z and later generations. On this podium, I am addressing a generation that is the proverbial dried animal skin. You have seen and experienced so much that you are so set in your ways. You have achieved doctorates and somewhat earned experience through the school of life. From you, we expect wisdom.However, true wisdom comes through legacies and generations. Like our totems, we need the verses in the poetry to continue as we tell the stories of our people. We need to have a legacy of wealth and stories that gives us pride. Sadly, as I look across this room, our elderly have fallen short of the pride of our rich ancestry. Who among you can say that you have resurrected the empires of Kush, Rozvi, or Asante? Which of you are warrio

I told you that this week is awesome! I love Africa! I love the people even more! I love our diversity in skin tones. I love our various languages that include clicks, coughs and long syllables. Our traditions may differ but they are somewhat intertwined. Africa isn't just the cradle of mankind. It is the stew pot of talent, intelligence and creativity. I procrastinated for a long time about writing about my African inspirations. With this challenge I have the opportunity to take action. My top 5 list includes creatives from various genres of media, arts and entertainment. As a creative myself,  I incline naturally towards those who are like myself. It is true that, 'birds of the same feather, flock together,' and away do I fly with the eagles. Without further due, below are the 5 Africans who inspire me. 1. Bonang Matheba Did you know that Bonang Matheba and I were born a week and a half apart in 1987? Now you know! I live vicariously through queen B!  She is my

This week has been so exciting for me during the challenge. I'm grinning from one ear to the other about sharing my biggest passion - Africa. You need to dissect my brain and see the ideas percolating through it. It's all about Africa! Telling the African story, reshaping and rebuilding Africa, as well as making Africa great. On the subject of telling African stories, did you know that there are thousands of bloggers across the continent? African millennials and centennials are publishing most of these blogs. The blogs vary from political activism, citizen journalism, to lifestyle and entertainment. The continuous purchasing of smart mobile phones allows Africans to create and access stories from their phones. Many bloggers like myself have blogging applications such as WordPress,  Blogger, Tumblr, or Medium, according to preference. One can blog by the bus stop, in between class breaks, or when their laptop is inaccessible. The 17% and 38% internet penetration in North and

Some of my fondest memories are from my early childhood. I remember the scent of the sea and the prayers coming from the mosque nearby. Our house help taught me Wolof and French at the same time during my formative years. I remember appreciating melanin magic in its fullness as I came across the beautiful people of Dakar. This was my first home. I still call it home. My first encounter with Africa was the West African country of Senegal. This large French speaking country introduced me to other West Africans. My father had several friends and acquaintances from Ghana, Nigeria and Mali as I recall. Even at the time that I returned to Zimbabwe, I had that distinct West African accent. But West Africa isn't just a fond memory. It is the beginning of an untold story of the continent known as the motherland. I remember sitting in my uncle's internet cafe and listening to a young missionary from the USA. He shared how surprised he was that Zimbabweans had 'first world' pr

The winter sun brings warmth to my skin. I bask in the natural light whilst listening to my thoughts. I reach out to the envelope that I had tossed to the side. Apart from bills, I don't recall the last time that I ever received a letter. My heart beats because of the suspense of the contents in the letter. Is is good news, or should I prepare to shed a tear or two. Regardless I open it and it reads, Dear E Having you read this brings so much joy to us We hope that you are well We hope that success is finding it's way to your door You have always strived to be better Your resilience is admirable We also know that we have fallen short in supporting you We have broken your heart by not applauding your achievements however small We have shut you out when you had important things to say Often we treated you like a mad person ready to be committed Instead of committing to the vision planted in you We walk around feeling entitled to the seed that has become a harvest

I am concluding before I start writing. My passport is ready and I am a train ride away from relocating to East Africa. Fortunately and unfortunately my career is based mostly online. I use the internet for creating and disseminating information. Hell, I even use the internet to socialise. But this damn country that recently ranked as the country with most expensive mobile data in the world, counteracts productivity. Yes. As economically challenged as we are, we spending at least $75 per month for...wait for it...1 gigabyte (1GB). I won't even go into detail about one mobile network's so called bouquets which aren't flowers or cable television. Breathe! On the other hand, East African countries Rwanda charge $0.56 cents/gig whilst Sudan charges $0.68 cents/gig. These are all statistics from a research by Cable. Africa has a decent amount of Internet penetration currently. Nigeria ranks first in internet usage with 111.6 million users as of March 2019. To add on 74% of w

The beauty of being a Gen Y or millenial is the fact that we relate so well with Gen Z. I relate with my siblings born in the mid 90s and early 2000s in the same manner that I relate to children born in the noughties (2010s). With that said, what can I teach a class of centennials about blogging or the internet? If anybody needs a masterclass, it's me. But life is a good teacher so maybe I can school y'all from that angle. Let's start with the internet! The internet is like a box of Quality Street sweets. There are multicoloured wrappings for different flavoured sweets. You can shop, learn, be entertained or entertain, socialise all in one space. Just like the box of Quality Street sweets, you have an assortment all in one space. Wreck it Ralph Breaks the Internet is the PowerPoint presentation for this section. So let's move on to blogging. This is a creature that I educated myself about. I previously shared an article about why I started blogging? I was inspired

The discussion on technology feels like any debate. Before I dive in let me use my brother's words, "Each to their own." It's an interesting follow up to the previous article about my favourite apps. Today I share my thoughts on the machine that's running the world. (Obviously girls run the world, we don't argue with Queen Bey!) As I am typing this almost 40% of the world's population is online. The internet has literally made the world a village. Technology on the world wide web replaced the post office, slowly replacing print media and has created a subculture within human cultures. We have communities and groups on Facebook. We have digital fan clubs for literally everything from comic books to movies to celebrities, hey Swifties. Hash tags bond human beings for their rights for example #feesmustfall, #blacklivesmatter and #lovewins. This is thanks to the 40 hours a week spent on the web by individuals. Apart from socialising technology fast tra

We deserve a life simple enough to tackle the complex. And life is complex! My mobile phone is a moving office. I'm always caught in between sending emails, creating content, messaging and blogging. If I could divide the workspace on my phone, there would be three specific categories. Inspiration, work and mental canvas. Confused? Let me break it down even more. Inspiration includes applications that set and pace my mood to be creative. These would include audio and video apps as well as games. Work is obvious...work! These apps include social media networks because I need to distribute content from websites. And finally the mental canvas which is the space where I jot down ideas. That means all the apps that functions as notepads. It's bring and share your five favourite apps. I didn't need to think much because my life would totally sucks without these five below. 1. OneNote As a writer and content creator there is a constant need to take down notes. I love pu

Who knew that a TV show would be the reason that I intentionally speak my mind? You can learn nothing from television they say. TV makes you dumb! Oh well, maybe so, however one television show was the match for this wildfire. My older sister pulled her hair out when she found out that my young sister and I were watching Sex and the City. Amongst her collection of video cassettes, she had a box set of the guilty pleasure, Sex and the City. The age guide was no under 21; I was 17 and my younger sibling was way too young. You are telling yourself that these adolescents were mischievous, maybe. I believe we were curious and adventurous. I was obsessed with pop culture with the hopes of one day being Lala Vasquez on TRL or hosting E! News. From my collection of People magazine I had read so much about the cast of Sex and the City. There were mentions of the cast members of the hit show in particular Sarah Jessica Parker. SJP as she's affectionately known, played the lead role of

"I want to be a billionaire so freaking bad," lyrics sung by Bruno Mars as he spoke of a general aspiration. We all want to be billionaires. But billions don't grow on trees, they are a culmination of successful business ideas. My goal is to make it onto the Forbes billionaire list. But the bigger picture is to be a black, African woman, with successful business empires. And those empires should be legacy businesses for generations to come. Boy, am I a dreamer! As an entrepreneur, I continuously seek wisdom to help establish and grow my business ventures. My current needs are financial capital as well as human capital. I believe with a team, no matter how small, we can attain the vision. Boosted by stable finances, I believe that my business ventures can actually thrive. I already have a business that if I were given money for, I would invest in. In the past four years, I have invested in financial literacy and learning the ropes of business. Part of the homework ha