 Photo: Alex Martin Photography 2012 I'm back again with another quick workout video! This time I show you a workout which I use at least once a week for my upper body and abs, particularly when I don't have a lot of time and want to get some exercise in.
This is filmed in a park which I always run and workout in. If you are a beginner, please see a Personal Trainer before attempting any of these exercises.
I go through a series of burpies and froggies before I work on my upper body. I am a big fan of burpies and froggies because besides being great for heart fitness, they also help your mind/body with coordination and for those who live a busy lifestyle, keeping your mind sharp is essential! So you see exercise is not just for looking good - I love it because it keeps my mind focused and my heart healthy.
*Enjoy...and don't forget to follow me on Twitter for a good dose of #TeesFitTips @Teurai1
 Domboshawa Hills, Zimbabwe (above)...the scene of the next Easy Body Blast 2 workout video. In Easy Body Blast 1, I did a totally E.A.S.Y. workout video which anyone can do in their home, back yard or for those who travel - in a hotel room.
I am now a qualified Personal Trainer and will be opening my Personal Training business within one of Australia's gyms in 2013. In October 2012, I travelled back home to Zimbabwe for two and a half weeks. Even though I had been pondering it previously - with the loving and structured advice of my good friend, mentor, Artist, Author, Entrepreneur (and so much more) Wizzy Mangoma, who I wrote the book "As They Find a Way" with - I decided to film a short workout video in Zimbabwe.
The talented videographer, Herman Chimusoro of Crossline Music & Video, filmed the video and I was honoured to work with him.
As with Easy Body Blast 1, this is a workout which besides helping you to lose weight, tones and shapes your whole body by working a large range of muscle groups - legs, butt, abs, chest, shoulders, back and arms.
It can be done anywhere - particularly for those who are time poor and for those who want to work out anywhere and quickly.If you have kids and feel you can never get in shape, this is for you! Keep the sets low to save time.
I have been using these exercises for years to stay in shape, so these are tried and tested. If you are consistent with this program, you can see results in at least 6 weeks. Happy training!
PS: Can anyone spot the lady carrying a bucket of water on her head? We could not edit her out of any of the camera angles. Some things are just meant to be haha!
* To contact Herman Chimusoro email chimusoroherman@me.com. The Crossline Music & Video website is currently under reconstruction.* To stay in touch with fitness tips, follow me on Twitter @Teurai1 for weekly #TeesFitTips.
 Haus of Igugulethu's work on the runway at Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2012: he will be designing "Fitness To a Tee's" African-inspired workout outfits OK so for those of you who don't know...I'm now a qualified Personal Trainer. I can hear you saying, "Why & when?" Well...since I was16 I have always wanted to be a Personal Trainer. I grew up riding my bike, exercising and it's just a part of who I am. Check out this post on my Fitness journey. I nearly started my PT course a few years ago but I had those usual fears: "I might fail, what could possibly come out of it?" but I have learnt to ignore those limitations that are often set on a Creative career path.
In January this year, I woke up and thought "why not? It's only my mind that can limit me." So here I am: a Personal Trainer, one of the few African female PT's in Australia and one of the first female Zimbabwean PT's to start on the fitness video journey. I'm also about to start on my advanced nutrition training.
And my motivation behind the videos? Well...obesity is on the rise in Africa. Australia is the 3rd most obese nation in the world. Furthermore, due to my work as the Founder of the Elizabeth Chanakira Cancer Trust where besides supporting marginalized cancer patients, we stress the importance of nutrition/increasing physical activity to improve health - what better way to encourage people than to make a series of fitness videos??
You can expect a range of fitness videos from me: beginner to advanced workouts and videos showing how to make easy, nutritional recipes. I don't want to give too much away...but also expect some fusion with my modelling work. My future workout outfits are being designed by a talented designer - fresh out of Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2012 - Haus of Igugulethu.
Check out my first video and give me some feedback please! Ok...let's get fit people & remember to...
 Robin Chaibva - a woman with a purpose to help young women in Zimbabwe know the facts about getting healthier the safe way. You might know this beautiful young lady as the Blogger: Concrete Jungle Fashion (Harare). Well, my first "meeting" with her was last week when I tweeted about how cutting carbs out of your diet to lose weight is one of the biggest myths out there. Your body needs a variety of nutrients including carbs - for energy, for the healthy function of your central nervous system and so much more. Anyway..back to the matter at hand, Robin reached out to me as she wanted to know if I could help her to get more toned and healthier for summer.
I qualified as a Personal Trainer this year and I agreed to help Robin with an Exercise & Healthier Eating Program she can do at home as she doesn't like going to the gym. What drove me to help is the fact that Robin and I discussed how younger women in Zimbabwe (and globally) are going on "liquid cleansing diets" and other fad diets. I do not...I repeat...I do not support these diets in any way. It is so painful to me to know that young women are putting themselves through such emotional, mental and physical stress. Also with the rising rate of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes and many cancers, I wanted to be part of the solution, however small a part I play. Being healthier should definitely not be something where you starve yourself and are petrified of eating a sweet etc.
 I have always enjoyed exercising from a young age. Eating right and working out has always been a part of my life. In my 32 years on this Earth, from when I was as young as 7, I used to love riding my bike. I was in the Hockey & Tennis Teams at school and loved to swim. By the time I was 16, I was working out with weights at home. In university, I was the odd one out - as I rode my bike to classes.
I always wanted to be a Personal Trainer and had always been involved in helping friends exercise and find regimes for healthier living. In 2011, I founded the Elizabeth Chanakira Cancer Trust, which supports marginalized cancer patients in Zimbabwe and provides nutritional tools for better health. It just seems a natural progression for me that I will also use my Personal Training and Nutrition skills to assist people with serious illnesses and to play a part in the prevention of illnesses caused by unhealthy lifestyles.
For my personal exercise routine, I focus on weight-based training programs. I change my program every 4-6 weeks and like to do a variety of strength, flexibility, endurance and cardio work. I also enjoy yoga/pilates from time to time. I have a big appetite and certainly don't starve myself. Exercise and eating healthy is one of the constants in my life that keeps me alert, energetic, happy and dare I say it...young! Even in my lowest moments, I have always exercised in some form or the other. I'm really looking forward to encouraging women out there that being fit and healthy is not a chore or something you do to "fit into a dress" - you only need to change one or two things in your life, one step at a time - to get results.
 Beautiful Robin So Robin has started a group where I will be posting a simple exercise program for people to follow, a video showing how to do certain exercises, useful general guidelines and motivation for the women in the group to ditch the Coke and pick up a bottle of water or fresh juice. For this week, Robin is writing a food diary (an honest one she says!) so I can get a better understanding of how she eats and of any particular junk food that may not be so healthy for her. By her own admission she has too much Coca Cola.
So keep your eyes on the blog and Robin's Summer Challenge page. You can also join me on Twitter for #TeesFitTips - daily bite size pieces on various exercises and how to get healthier - the easy way.
*To see more of my work, click here to visit my website.
 Natural, Raw & 100% Certified organic 'Teurai' "Well...how do you feel??!" asked my friend, Lani, better known as the popular Hair Consultant/Blogger Aphro Phro and one of the inspirations behind my decision to go 100% natural with my hair. That's a good question! Some will think it's only hair but it has so much meaning to me - to many women - and I have truly been on a rollercoaster emotional journey with my inner self, and my inner self is also deeply connected to my hair.
I'm not saying that I have started some fad here. There are so many women out there who have been rocking their natural roots for time immemorial and I salute them. I just felt the need to share my individual journey with you all. It might touch some women out there - even one - perhaps a young woman who may be battling with loving self in a tough society which bases a large bulk of its income on how one looks.
 Me splashed with water & with my usual straight weave a few weeks ago. I will still have weaves now and again to give my natural hair a break. When I was growing up, I always thought the black women with long, straight hair in the music videos looked waay cooler with their hair than the natural roots I had, which were often braided into flat cornrows or 'mabuns' as we call them in Zimbabwe, which is when your hair is twisted flat on your hair using a strong type of thread. I honestly used to think I did not look pretty with those styles and always dreamed of having what I saw in the music videos. But I never realised that I wasn't really loving myself as I was in my 100% organic state. I pretty much felt the same way throughout the whole of my 20's.
I have always been an advocate for eating natural, organic foods and exercising. I now totally believe that I can only feel as great as what I feed my body and mind. I'm now in my early 30's and with that, has come a shift in how I see the world and myself. I had a few difficult experiences whilst in Australia, including the loss of a long-term relationship and the death of my mother, that caused me to really reflect on who I was and who I wanted to become.
With age I have finally learnt to embrace my inner self more and not be afraid to happily show who I truly am and all the layers that I have. I appear shy and quiet but I'm just a normal, silly (hippie) as many would call me. I'm not afraid to dream and to follow my passions. When I see something I want to change, I will get up and do something about it. I believe in living life to the full and since the passing of my mother, I swore to myself that I would not leave this earth without having done all the burning things I feel in my heart and without having contributed significantly to the life of at least one other person because it's not all about self. What you give of yourself to others is what brings ultimate fulfillment.
 I'm now comfortable within my own skin and have emerged out of the 'Teurai' that has always been desperately trying to get out of what I felt was expected of me, of the things I did to please others and not disappoint them because I love them.
Due to my love for Health & Fitness and because raising awareness of it is a major objective of the Elizabeth Chanakira Cancer Trust, I decided to practise what the ECCT preaches and switch to using natural products on my skin. So I ditched all the products I used on my face which contain chemicals, went back to Mother Nature and began using products that are accessible anywhere in the world. My skin went crazy for the first month. I was riddled with breakouts - to the point where I was frantically messaging my sister Eden, who is a Natural Health Therapist, asking her what in the blazes I had gotten myself into! It turns out my skin just needed time to adjust and cleanse out all the chemicals.
And now, it's even better than when I used products with chemicals in them. After trying alot of natural products, I have found that pure coconut oil works best for my hair and skin.
 So with the progression to natural products for the skin, I started thinking about my hair. The weaving was beginning to tire me out. As a model in Australia, I also felt pressure to stick to weaves - sometimes from my own thinking and also from comments from agencies etc about 'not getting much work if I didn't have long, straight hair' (even having some draw gasps of air when I took off my weave).
But I have just come to such a peaceful place in which I know that I'm supposed to be in front of the camera for a reason, and that being organically me is not a disadvantage, but a benefit. If someone doesn't like my look as I am, that is fine - there are still many more opportunities where my purpose lies.
 I'm so grateful to Aphro Phro for teaching me and other women about natural products. I started on her Weave challenge and as I followed her advice on using castor oil and other natural oils, I seriously started thinking, if I can do this for my hair whilst it's under a weave why can't I do it for my hair when it's out?
The first day I took out my weave and rocked my natural hair, I honestly felt like I looked really unattractive (yes honestly, I did!) but with time I have seen more and more layers of myself than I ever did. I have been through alot but I'm so happy within because I have been able to turn any negative experiences to lessons which have fuelled me further and that is now reflected in my outer self. And what of your modelling you may ask? Well...I am getting even more interest because of my natural look. My first assignment with my natural hair will be taking place next week. When you just accept yourself as you are, it's not hard for others to do the same.
Whatever journey you are on, I send you love...and thanks for reading about mine.**See more of my modelling work here**Join Aphro Phro's NoWeaveAllMine movement here
 Cover of Neo Pitso's pre-album 'The Outlier'.
Neo Pitso started rapping at the age of 12 after he got a Tupac CD as a gift from his dad. He made a decision way back when that it was exactly what he wanted to do. He has never looked back and like many Creatives in their various fields, including myself, describes the feeling just before he gets on stage and during his performances as “the most euphoric feeling that I never want to end – the best feeling ever”. That feeling is addictive!
It just goes to show that once you set your heart and mind to something, anything is possible. Fast forward to less than 10 years later and even though Neo is unsigned to any record label, he has already supported and graced the same stages as international artists such as Nas, The Game, Bone Thugs n’ Harmony, Cassidy, Chingy and Jessica Mauboy (to name a few). He also has a song currently on Australian commercial radio, "The Other Man (feat. Jaeteen)".
 Neo Pitso (pictured with cap). His motivation: ‘If I miss practice for one day I know it, If I miss a week the critics know it, if I miss a month the public knows, I practice every single day! Because I know that I can NEVER make up for one day’s loss.’
I’m sure we are all wondering what principles he works by to achieve what he has today. Neo admits that he looks up to people with incredible work ethic, for example, Bruce Lee, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Michael Jackson, Tupac and Denzel Washington. “Achieving success is possible if you work hard enough and never give up. I am not yet at my ultimate goal and I will not stop pushing. Every night I tell myself, okay you’re about to go to sleep for however many hours, while you’re sleeping someone out there is gonna be working harder than you - this is one of the ways I get myself to put in an extra hour or two into my music when I don’t feel like it.”
And what does Neo do when he’s not staying up all hours of the night to perfect his art? “I read a lot, I rarely watch TV - it’s definitely music and books for me. My favourite song of the moment is D.R.E.A.M.S. “
 Neo Pitso with R'n'B superstar Jessica Mauboy Well…I think Neo is a fine and inspiring example of the young, driven people we have growing up in our time and the fact that creativity in all forms should continue to be celebrated and supported. When I asked him what advice he would give to people wanting to follow in his footsteps he said, “belief can do wonders for you - don’t limit yourself. Don’t be afraid to dream big!”* New pre-album, The Outlier, now available here* Listen to his song currently playing on Australian commercial radio, The Other Man, here. *Keep an eye on his social media pages below for 2012 performance dates in Australia and South Africa *Facebook: Neo Pitso Music
*Twitter: @TheOnlyNeo
 More often than not, we hear and read countless information on the what's and how's of producing a great image coming from Models, Magazine Editors, Model trainers, Agencies etc, but in general, we don't tend to pay too much fuss to the crucial and humble being behind that camera - the one whose eyes capture what we visually feast on.
I was inspired to get the view of some photographers who I have worked with in Australia and Zimbabwe so as to enlighten models - and anyone else curious enough to take a peek into the eyes and minds of these valuable and talented Creatives.
And ahem...it was after much gruesome arm-twisting by one of the photographers I interviewed, Rudo, that I agreed to use a shot she took of me...(yes Rudo I actually printed this ha!).
Now - on to the nitty gritty....
 ETHOS PHOTOGRAPHY BY RUDO NYANGULU/INONZI MEMORY PHOTOGRAPHER
Photographer: Rudo Nyangulu
Location: Zimbabwe
Contact: http://www.ethos-photographic.blogspot.com; www.inonzi.co.zw
What is your top tip on how a model can make a connection with the camera?
Relax and pretend its not there BUT never lose posture or make faces (pull your face) even while changing position because the camera doesn't stop capturing you.
What are 2 common mistakes made by models?
1. Overthinking poses thereby becoming very mechanical;
2. Forgetting the purpose of the job/their brief - a model is always selling something (why are you at the shoot? are you selling hair? Makeup? Clothes? Jewellery?)
What attributes do you value the most when working with a model?
1. A model that listens;
2. Is willing to do whatever it takes to get the shot (in terms of climbing a tree or hanging out a window - that sort of thing);
3. Humility in her beauty and
4. Understated confidence.
How important is a model's attitude/professionalism to you when you work with him/her and can you give an example of what you consider to be professionalism?
Fundamental! You can't work with a model who lacks professional conduct, is disrespectful, can't listen (or doesn't ask questions when they don't understand). Attitude comes right through the lens - fear, cockiness and pride - it all shows.
For me, a professional model is on time, doesn't act shy or self conscious but is conscious, listens, makes notes of instructions and carries them out, never complains or critiques the product being marketed (e.g. saying "thats an ugly dress" during a designer shoot).
What improvements can be made in the Zimbabwean print modelling industry?
We could value it more, work at it more, train models specifically for print rather than the mixed bag training they currently get and as photographers do more shoots with models, give them that experience and develop them.
 TIMECAPTURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographer: Ervin Katai
Location: Australia
Contact: www.timecapturephotography.com; www.enercozim.com/photographers
What is your top tip on how a model can make a connection with the camera?
When you step in front of the camera it's almost as though you become someone else, you become what the camera wants to see. Your eyes have to be alive, you have to engage with the camera. Models have to really become one with the camera, thats the difference between models and great models. Great models play up, flirt with the camera, they must be there, be excited and be present to the camera. Show a full range of emotions to become one of the great models.
What are 2 common mistakes made by models?
The modelling industry is very competitive and common mistakes include arriving at a shoot unprepared and not well rested. Other mistakes include not looking after your skin and being late - punctuality is always important on every shoot.
What attributes do you value the most when working with a model?
A model must have a good attitude, want to be photographed, enjoy the shoot and be creative. You must be dedicated, spend time and effort to constantly improve.
How important is a model's attitude/professionalism to you when you work with him/her and can you give an example of what you consider to be professionalism?
A model's attitude can make a huge difference on the quality and outcome of the shoot. With a model who demonstrates a great attitude and willingness to participate and experiment on shoots, it's quite easy to create great images since she is enjoying the shoot and feels relaxed. When this is the case, the photographer also feels relaxed and enjoys working with the model. The photographer can thus become even more creative. It can take a lot of hard work to capture the right image and it makes a big difference if we work with someone who is creative and wants to experiment to get the right shot.
On the flip side - a bad model can treat you with disrespect and have an ego bigger than Mt. Everest. Usually those models are only there to get a few photos without any preparation, commitment and this is why many of those shoots ends in disaster with terrible images, the photographer lacks enthusiasm to shoot and wants the shoot wrapped up in a hurry.
I had the great pleasure to work with some very talented and dedicated models in the industry and that includes the author of this write up, Teurai. She's an excellent model, willing to learn, improve and try new experimental shoots.
When you stop learning, developing further, constantly improving and generally think you know it all..that is the time you are lost as a model.
 HERMAN CHIMUSORO
Location: Zimbabwe/USA
Contact: www.crosslinemusic.com
What is your top tip on how a model can make a connection with the camera?
Don't look at it as just a piece of equipment, it's your window to a world audience. Look at it as though you are looking into the eyes of your audience.
What are 2 common mistakes made by models?
1. Being self conscious can easily be picked up by the camera.
2. Be who you are and don't try to be someone else - it's your moment, I want to see you, the person who is before me.
What attributes do you value the most when working with a model?
1. Self respect and confidence.
2. Joy in what they have chosen to do.
3. Smiling while doing their job.
4. Professionalism.
How important is a model's attitude/professionalism to you when you work with him/her and can you give an example of what you consider to be professionalism? Time is key - don't be late, and when you know you going to be late COMMUNICATE. Give an estimate of how long you are going to be. Respect the photographer - when he feels good, he makes you look good. What improvements can be made in the Zimbabwean print modelling industry?In Zimbabwe the perception of and planning of modelling needs attention. Corporate involvement can also be improved. There are too many sad news items on how models are treated.
PRIMAL IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographer: Mia Huddleston
Location: Australia
Contact: www.enercozim.com/photographers
What is your top tip on how a model can connect with the camera?
I always tell my models to relax and be themselves. It is
up to the photographer to make them feel comfortable and safe. Once the model relaxes, they will start to feel like the camera is their
friend.
What are 2 common mistakes made by models?
For me, this would be when models don’t follow the photographer’s direction or are not willing to take risks in order to get unique images. Another very common mistake is when models pull faces or “grimace”. This is why it is really important for the photographer to show the models some of the images early on in the shoot and encourage them to correct mistakes. What attributes do you value the most when working with a model? I really love working with models who have a passion for what they are doing. Models who have an open friendly attitude and good personality also improve the overall experience of working with them. How important is a model's attitude/professionalism to you when you work with him/her and can you give an example of what you consider to be professionalism? Professionalism in a model is everything, along with a positive attitude and plenty of self confidence, without being a “diva”. A lot of models I have attempted to shoot with have been unreliable, not showing up for the shoot, or not contacting me to cancel. Keeping appointments is imperative. What is the biggest improvement that can be made in the Australian print modelling industry? I believe that the biggest improvement that can be made in the Australian print industry is increasing representation of
multiculturalism. It is generally common to see the all Australian blond “beachy” types, however I would like to see a higher representation of indigenous models and other cultural groups who are now a big part of life in Australia. ...So models, it seems that amongst all these great tips, one of the biggest concerns is time-keeping. My hope is that you will take on all the advice of these professionals and use it positively. A BIG thank you to the photographers who took time out to give us their valuable insight!
*You can view some of the images in my portfolio at: www.teurai.com. *If you are in South Africa, Nigeria, UK and USA, you can download some of my images onto your mobile phone from www.enercozim.com.
 “I have learned that everyone is born with a sense of purpose. We were born to have dreams and to become winners” (Prosper Makumbe, Langx Media Studio)  Everyone has a story and each is important. This is certainly no exception for Zimbabwean-born Prosper Makumbe, a 23 year old Graphic Designer, currently living in Cape Town, South Africa. “I have learned that everyone is born with a sense of purpose. We were born to have dreams and to become winners”, says the inspirational Creative. Prosper is the Founder of Langx Media Studio, a graphic design company, which takes pride in producing advertising and marketing materials for local and international clients. Prosper is launching two clothing labels this year: africanMe Clothing and Langx Unltd Clothing Co. He is also the first Graphic Designer on Harare-based Enerco (Pvt) Ltd's platform, providing unique wallpaper images to mobile phone subscribers in South Africa, Nigeria, UK and USA (and in the near future - Zimbabwe).
He’s only 23 but is already focused on chasing his dreams. “Designing has always been my passion. Following my dreams is one of the most difficult things I ever had to embark on. I made a decision to study Graphic Design, but at first it was a struggle to raise the thousands of dollars needed. From the experience, I learnt that oftentimes when your heart wants something so badly, doors will eventually open. Doors opened for my family and I to raise the fees needed and I soon found myself in Cape Town”. But Prosper won’t stop there – “I also have a passion for Photography, I love nature, so I am going to keep following my dreams and study for a Photography qualification next”.
I asked Prosper where he gets the inspiration to come up with his unique and African-inspired designs. He admitted that he visualises all sorts of creative designs, even in his sleep and whenever that happens, he must always rush to sketch it on a piece of paper and then work on perfecting it. Prosper is fortunate not to have gone through the roller coaster of societal and cultural reactions and emotions that sometimes accompany a decision to follow a creative, rather than a ‘professional’ path. “My inspiration also comes from my family, particularly my mother. My family understands my passion and my mother always says, if someone else can do it, what can stop you? I push even harder because my mother worked so tirelessly for us so that we could have all that we needed. It’s time she sits back, relaxes and enjoys some Langx Media earnings.”
Besides studying and being a business owner, Prosper also works part-time in a restaurant to support himself. And just how does he juggle everything? “I constantly multitask! Sometimes I'm up all night ensuring my clients’ designs are exactly how they want them. To be a king one day, you must first learn to work as a slave – one day I know it will pay off in a big way!”
Does he have any advice for young people wanting to pursue his career path? “Don’t follow a career path just because that’s what your parents want you to do – if you're passionate about becoming a carpenter, study carpentry. If you do something you enjoy, you will wake up everyday looking forward to going to work. And if you fail as you go along remember that sometimes when you fall, you don’t have to lie there thinking you will never walk - all you need to do is get up and continue with your path. It’s all about being positive, staying focused and ultimately you will reap the fruits of success!!”
Finally, what’s on Prosper’s list of long-term goals? It is so encouraging to see young people such as himself dream big! “I would love to see my Design and Clothing companies become successful within Africa and on an international level. What an honour and joy it would be for people to walk into stores to buy clothes that I designed. I recently received an offer from a company, Absolute World Group, to market to their South African-based customers…I am so excited and hopeful for the future.”
And as if that wasn’t enough, Prosper, recognises the need to use his blessed position to bless others in the future. “I believe in giving back to the community around me, so I would like to set up a charitable Foundation one day”.
Everyone has a story and each is important. Prosper, thank you for sharing yours with ours.Fb profile : www.facebook.com/pmakumbeFb page : www.facebook.com/langxmediaTwitter : @Langx4Sho Click here to download his designs from Enerco.
 “In my teens, acceptance that I had a unique gift and that I was destined to live a life of creativity, was what pushed me to pursue my talent further.”Davina Green is a 24 year old with a phenomenal voice. Her singing career started very early - it was always within her. She began singing at school, church and social events from the age of 7. She grew up being inspired by artists such as Madonna, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson. However, it is only in the last year that her dream began to manifest in incredible ways. “After dedicating a few months to writing and recording, in September 2011, I finally took a leap of faith and released my first single “Everytime” online. The response so far has been good. Allowing people to download it for free has helped in getting more people to listen to it. It’s already playing on Zimbabwean, Australian and UK radio stations. I have also performed in Cape Town, Durban and Harare”. The road has not been easy though. In previous years, Davina took a shot at taking her creativity to the next level when she attempted to record and release her music several times, but was let down by something/someone each time. It is encouraging to learn that sometimes when we follow our passions and we fail, it doesn’t mean that we weren’t supposed to pursue our talent – it may not be the time/season for it. “Fast forward a couple of years - I decided to try again, but this time I didn’t rely on anyone to make it happen, I did it myself!” Davina is a perfect example of a young girl with brains and creative talent under her belt. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Laws in Durban, South Africa. She balances her studies and her music by recording and performing during the semester breaks so that when she is back at university, she focuses only on her studies. Despite all the attention she is getting from her music, Davina’s personality comes across as one filled with humility. “It gets a little overwhelming, particularly since it’s all still very new to me. Although this career involves performing in front of and interacting with many people, I’m actually a very shy person. So when I am getting a lot of attention it can be slightly awkward. When I read articles about myself or hear a DJ talking about my song, I have to ask myself, ‘Are they really talking about me?’ I’ve managed to stay grounded mainly because I have a wonderful Mum who taught my siblings and I to be humble. Also, the fact that I know I haven’t made it keeps me very grounded. I need to stay focused, there’s still a lot to be done.” So what would be Davina’s definition of making it? “My biggest dream for my career right now is for it to go further than Zimbabwe or Africa, I think it’s time that the world saw that Zimbabwe can also produce Rn’B stars that can mix with the best of them. I also definitely want my career and story to inspire and help others. I have always believed that we are blessed so as to become blessings to others, so whatever I achieve I need to make sure it’s also helping other people along the way”. Like many, Davina believes that there is so much talent in the country. However, she is saddened by a prevalent belief that Zimbabweans cannot compete with other countries when it comes to Hip Hop and R&B. “We shouldn’t settle for just making it in Zimbabwe, whilst noone knows who we are anywhere else. I would also love to see more people supporting local music - buying it, listening to it and requesting it on the radio etc. For the industry to go further, I also believe artists should realise that they need to work together. It’s counterproductive for us to be focusing on silly feuds or wanting to bring each other down”. As a young, confident woman she is such an inspiration to those who would like to pursue a path similar to hers. To them, she says “if you want something, fight for it and don’t let anyone tell you that you can't have it. Artists like Beyonce are the epitome of what a star is - whether you love or hate her, she works hard and makes sure she’s always on top of her game. I would love to be as good and as successful at what I do as she is one day..and I believe I will be". “Believe in yourself and plan - you’ve got to see it to achieve it”. Surround yourself with like-minded positive people who encourage you and have your best interests at heart. Lastly, never stop praying, asking and thanking God for His guidance in everything you do”.*Click here to listen to her phenomenal voice in 'Everytime'
 Geri-Leigh Diana: back to her African roots I haven’t written anything on my personal blog for so long, but it feels good rekindling the fire with my first love, after ignoring ‘him’ for so long. I wanted to write about something that resonated with my spirit and that I am willing to share after my 5 month trip back to Zimbabwe. Besides primarily returning home to spend time with my father, I had promised myself that during this trip home, I would dig a little deeper into the many issues that I often asked myself and had never had the chance to or couldn’t delve into, the last time I had visited in December 2010.
I remember having visited home a few years previously and I was so bored simply because a majority of the people I grew up with - my family, classmates etc were living outside of Zimbabwe. What I loved when I went back this time, was that so many people I had last met or spoke to from five to ten years ago, had moved back home permanently, so I had plenty of people to meet up with and talk to. Their decisions made me question myself and think of how hard it is living in the Diaspora sometimes. Even though you stay afloat financially and have certain minor “comforts” that are absent from home – how about all the other things that I had inadvertently sacrificed: family, friendships and the ties that lovingly bolt my soul to the Motherland? How about that disconnectedness I have felt, for example, riding in a train in the Diaspora, staring at a sea of faces and life whizzing past me through the big, glass windows?
Besides meeting up with old friends, I made many new ones and met many inspiring, talented, creative people; people who aren’t afraid to dream and are seizing and living what they are passionate about at this very moment. One of the beautiful people I met was Geri-Leigh Diana. Geri is a Zimbabwean-born Freelance Writer. She is the Sub-Editor for Zimbo Jam and writes for publications such as Hello Harare; GPI; Jewel magazine and Baobabwe. She also recently got invited to be the Editor on a project for Tourism in Zimbabwe.
By her own admission, she came out into the world “beaming”, which the doctor thought was wind, but her mother insisted was a smile. I tend to favour her mother’s perception: my immediate thought when I met her for the first time at Cafe 'Allo 'Allo on Herbert Chitepo Avenue, was that she radiated a powerfully-positive, innocent and beaming energy.
As Geri and I got to know each other, my curiosity got the better of me and I asked her what exactly had made her decide to come back home permanently. Geri said, “In 2003, I moved to London, the supposed land of milk and honey. I was shocked to find that 12 million souls lived in such a small space, that it rained all the time and there wasn’t much sunshine. I soon learnt to stop greeting everyone on the streets as they thought I might be penga for being so friendly. I wasn’t crazy, I was just Zimbabwean. The consumer society saddened me and made me homesick for a country where people knew the real value of life. I cheered myself up by writing a lot about home. After six years I decided to return to the source of my inspiration; the country where I felt alive; where my experiences weren’t shallow and where my heart wasn’t numb - the mother land: Zimbabwe”.
Like me, Geri has been writing for as long as she can remember. There is something about writing that takes us both to an abyss where nothing matters, but the fire you feel in your heart in that space and time when you are speaking from your soul and expressing yourself through written word. Geri continued to nurture her “first love” by sharing her stories in a creative writing class in London and with loving encouragement from her husband, she got the courage to write full time.
“Being a writer in Zimbabwe is the same as being a musician or any other Creative artist: you do it for the love, the passion and before long, you also start earning money from it. I will always be grateful for the encouragement I got from my husband because since I began working as a Writer, I am finally feeling alive when I think of the word, career”.
Geri shares the same hope that I do for Creative artists in Zimbabwe: “I hope the Arts and Culture industry expands to the point where we can get a better income. I am inspired daily by the people that I meet. To me, it is no coincidence that the majority of the best authors in Africa come from Zimbabwe. It reflects the multitude of talented people that spring up in this place. Is it lay lines, is it something in the water? I don’t know, but I do think that it is not something to flippantly dismiss. The musicians, the writers, the dancers, all our artists are national treasures that must be cherished”.
And who are the authors who inspire her? “One of my favourite Zimbabwean authors is Charles Mungoshi. I admire how he manages to condense language into a state of fine precision. His poetry reminds me of the Japanese haikus and I like writers who can subtly allude to the undercurrents. If I read a book that takes me to a place and time, and if I think about the characters long after the last page has been turned, then I have read a good book. The last book that did that to me was ‘Shantaram’ by Gregory Roberts”.
Besides writing, Geri also loves live music, interacting with people and dancing. Dancing is my umbilical cord to spirituality and writing is my prayer to the cosmos. I am aware of the social responsibility that comes with writing, and I believe that we must not just write one story of Africa. It is beyond thinking that we have elephants in our back yards. The outside world has a perception of Africa that is narrow and limited. Writers can contribute to changing that perception, story by story. I gauge my success according to the opportunities I create for others. It’s baby steps at the moment, but looking back years from now I will find that I went on a spiritual journey.” *To learn more about the writer, Teurai, go to www.teurai.com & http://cancertrust.wordpress.com
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