MPV.....my point of view!

Lack is the mother of hustle and innovation! I have just finished doing my own hair. I spent the whole winter without a protective hairstyle for my natural hair. My hair is damaged (mainly due to stress), and mismanagement because I have run out of product. Haven't afforded a hairdresser in a while. Yes, it's been a rough couple of months. During the last church service, I went for prayer and counselling. The lady praying for me, said, "You look like a go-getter to me!" Haven't really felt like that of late, but I have in the past, made a dollar out of fifteen cents. I remember sharing a testimony with a former manager. I told her about how I entered the employment field three and half years after giving birth. My first job was as a sales person for a new product on the market. I had no previous qualifications in sales or marketing but I had the zeal. Though I and the rest of the employees got screwed over, I held onto the CEO's words. He said to us dur...

Yaaaas queen! Joy overwhelmed me by just watching Missy Elliott's MTV VMA performance. It's been 16 years since Missy last performed at the VMAs. That year, Missy was joined by Nelly Furtado and Timbaland, as they proved to us what genius looks like. Missy opened her performance with her latest single, "Throw It Back" before throwing fans back to her hits from yesteryear. She performed a medley that included 'The Rain', 'Get Ur Freak On', 'One Minute Man', 'Pass that Dutch' and 'Lose Control'. With each performance the 4-time Grammy winner invoked looks from each music video. She also reunited with dancer, actress and singer, Alyson Stoner, who remains a superb dancer. For those who aren't in the know, Alyson started dancing for Missy when she was a little girl. She became a staple in most of Missy's music videos. In 2015, Alyson paid tribute to the legend with a viral video of Missy's greatest hits. Missy...

Until you resolve your brokeness, you will continue to be broken. I am pretty stoked about sharing this month's read. As a writer, reading various forms of literature enriches the craft. Reading builds culture and reinforces application of lessons learnt. I also read books and blogs by fellow writers to support their work through commenting, and sharing. This is how we grow communities you see. Prior to offering a review of this month's book, I would like to share a brief history of the writer. I met this young woman, Nobuhle Nyoni at a birthday, and album listening party for producer and artist, Verseless. She was friendly and bubbly, we even shared a ride into town as we went home. That wouldn't be the last time that I would be in communication with her. Through the magazine that I am editor for, we made effort to push her event. Though I didn't manage to attend the event, I saw the potential of this young woman. In 2017, under the collective called Veryus ,...

I choose ME! We watch and I write; correlating fictional characters with reasonably realistic plot lines to our lives. Script my life! I chose not to review a whole season of a series, neither a film this week. I was struggling to write an authentic story about something that spoke to me through visual consumption. And then I felt emotions erupt as I watched the latest episode of Grown-ish. While I sometimes relate to the protagonist, Zoey Johnson, she annoys me more as I watch this second season. I must forgive her because she's a spoilt 19 year old who is yet to learn the realities of growing up. But she does these really annoying things like being judgemental and being up in people's business. I do love Nomi, Sky (Halle Bailey) and Doug (Diggy Simmons) though. Their characters have so much to offer to the show and audience. In this week's episode titled, 'Nice for What', the young women of the coming-of-age sitcom had to make hard relationship choice...

With a show of the hands, how many of you have ended up with your crush? I guess I will see in the comments section below. Reminiscing about the complex, simplicity of high school is funny. When you are a teenager,  your whole life seems to be captured in that time capsule. It seems like an eternity before the reality of growing up hits you. As a grown woman, I still indulge in a high school movie or two. I love how cliché and generic the storylines are. Yet they somewhat relate to what a teen is going through or what I related to, once upon a time. I still love the lessons about being true to yourself à la 'Mean Girls', '10 Things I Hate About You' and most recent, 'Reality High'. Y'all high school is hard! I'm not sure what it's like now with social media and cellphones. Back in my day, bullying was physical, rejection was real and your crush wrote a note, or letter to reciprocate your feelings. Funny story, I'm still 'sort of...

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...

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...

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 wa...

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...