Buffet Special at The PanAfrika Restaurant #KutiZvityise!!!

The PanAfrika Restaurant is one of those places you go to and you think you’ve just travelled back in time. It makes you feel proud to be African because the beauty of the continent has never been as superbly displayed.

Strategically located in the quiet part of Belgravia on Number 4 Deary Avenue, the restaurant offers a serene atmosphere. As you walk in, your eyes are instantly captured and captivated by the swimming pool by the entrance, stone gazebo in front of you, veranda on your right and right on the perfectly manicured lawn - tables and chairs spread by java print cloth.

This summer, they are having buffets on Fridays and Sundays, with a local artist to entertain #KutiZvityise! Last Friday when we went, an Afro Jazz singer called Munya was entertaining the guests and well, it’s a wonder how anyone can leave that place after lunch and go back to work. Once you get in, you do not want to go out again.

Traditional food is served every day. So if you have been longing for grandmama’s cooking – PanAfrika Restaurant is the perfect place to go for that true African experience. They have one Congolese chef and two Zimbabwean ones, and they are open every day from 11am to 7pm. They also do catering and events.

When we got there, we got an exceptionally wonderful reception from the waiters and waitresses who were also in java print uniforms. After we had served ourselves and taken our seats, we were most especially impressed by the fact that we had our hands washed in clay vessels (jug and bowl)! Totally felt like we were back in the rural home.

What did we have for lunch? Lol! Well, most of it we couldn’t exactly express ourselves in the Queen’s language and give justice to the names of the food. What you ought to know though, is that for genuine African cuisine from all over the continent, PanAfrika Restaurant is definitely the place.

Check out PanAfrika’s pics on our facebook page www.facebook.com/trueafricanwomanmagazine

HARARE: SUNSHINE CITY ONCE UPON A TIME

It has become quite interesting, annoying and frustrating all at the same time, living in Harare. My aunt once said the city has somehow transformed into the cliché African city that you are likely to find Leonardo Dicaprio in for an African scene.

On a normal day, what you will find is unbelievably dirty and crowded streets. I honestly wonder what the City Council is doing if not cleaning and decongesting our streets. Speaking of decongesting our streets, it beats me how at all they could think they are doing just that when all they have managed to do is cause a lot of chaos where kombis are concerned.

Once upon a time walking in town used to be safe. Now it’s dangerous for you might just end up at the morgue because you got hit and run by a kombi being chased by the Council police! What is up with that? We would rather have things be left as they are, until proper infrastructure has been built to accommodate all public transport. Because as it is, the “cops and robbers” scenario is ridiculous!

The interesting aspect comes from what we could call “street entertainment”. If you live in the city and frequent the CBD, down town especially, then you would most probably have seen street preachers and street entertainers as well. The preachers could raise quite a controversial argument. Are they genuine or are they seeking to make a quick buck whilst they appear to be “holy”? It reminds one though, of the ancient Greek preachers and philosophers who would stand in the streets and preach and teach lol. The entertainers vary in artistic discipline. Some are performers and some ‘athletes’, like the biker who usually frequents the spot by corner Speke and Rezende.

Justice would not have been made to the chaos in Harare if we neglected to talk of the street vendors. They are everywhere! The sidewalks seem to have become their permanent places of work. Their merchandise varies from dvds, hair products, stationery, vegetables, articles of clothing... the list is endless!!!

To think Harare was once called the Sunshine City. To say that now, would seem a mockery. If nobody does anything to rectify this, we are never going to recognize our city again!

DEVELOP YOUR OWN SIGNATURE

Who do we mostly look up to for trend setting? Yes, models, you got that right! Why? Because there is something about them that makes you want to imitate their style. But what is that something? A sort of umpf that is irresistible. And how do you also acquire that umpf for yourself? By developing a signature! A signature in this context, is a mark of representation that is unique in execution. So if you are going to be a lady of class, you ought to have your own signature in terms of the way you carry yourself.

Signature Stride

The way you walk signifies the kind of woman you are. Are you a power woman? Because power women know that they are important, do not have time for nonsense and therefore, their strides show exactly that. Nyaradzo Nhongonhema on the ramp executed a to die for stride. She was the 2nd Princess of Miss Tourism Mashonaland Central 2009 who mastered the art of fusing energetic strides with the beat of the music.

                                                                               

Signature Smile

A smile is a soothing, warm and receptive human action of turning up the corners of the mouth showing pleasure and/or amusement. Smiling is a sign of confidence and aplomb which is a necessary aid in so many instances. The modern woman therefore, needs to learn the art of being versatile and be able to give the kind of smile appropriate for each situation - be it an innocent, warm or seductive one.

Signature Pause

It is that strategic and defining stop or rest on the ramp mainly executed to give the audience a feel of ingenious modeling. The pause at an elevation of 90 degrees gives that 'feel me' impression which is easily read as confidence by the audience and the judges. So, when you need to make a pause wherever, remember it has to be majestic. Nothing too dramatic, but graceful all the same.

Signature Turn

Special mention needs to be made of Caroline Marufu (Miss Tourism Zimbabwe 2006) and Vannesa Sibanda (Miss Tourism Zimbabwe 2008). Their turns on the ramp were just pure perfection. The turn describes the willful and artful change of direction of movement while the model is in full flight mainly to give an assertive and authoritative picture. I normally describe it as the turn of greatness since it divulges all the bodily features not seen at first glimpse as the model enters the ramp. In everyday life, do not just make an about turn as if you are on parade ladies! Give it a little swag.

Signature Posture

Posture refers to the alignment of your bones, muscles, and nervous system and holding of one's body. Good alignment equals good balance and easy movement. Good posture gives you poise and distributes your weight so you look trimmer, more confident and healthy. When you stand, sit and walk with good posture, even your clothes fit better.

So who said only the likes of Naomi Campbell and Charlize Theron should be the only ones who get to have signature anything? Be the kind of woman who gets recognized by her stride, smile, turn, pause and posture because they are her signature!

                                                    

By Victor Tinashe Mpofu

WEEKEND SPECIAL: THE SWEET LIFE OF THE MODERN NAIJA!!!

Ekwueme Jane Frances is a young Nigerian aspiring model, based in Accra, Ghana. She is 17 years old, from Enugu State who True African Woman caught up with and had this to say about the modern Nigerian:

TAW: First things first, tell us a little about yourself?

“Meejakes is my nickname and purple is my fav colour. I love African salad and I would love to go to Hawaii.”  

TAW: What is your motto?  

“Determination is the key to success.”    

  

TAW: What are some of the hot fashion trends in Nigeria right now?

“Nigerian girls love to dress in mostly casual like trousers and fitting tops.
African prints have really gained grounds amongst Nigerian ladies. Nigerian ladies love to complement their skin hue with brightly coloured dresses. We also love to wear chiffons and satin fitted and a-line gowns.”

TAW: How would you describe the modelling industry in your country, especially from the point of view of someone aspiring like yourself?                       

“The Nigerian Modelling industry has improved but I can say it is where it should be. Its not easy at all to break in as there are lots of fake agencies and agents who take advantage of aspirants and registration is expensive.”

TAW: Give us your top five African songs right now?

“1. Mafikizulu and Uhuru - khona
  2. Fuse Odg and Wyclef - antenna
  3.  R2bees and Wizkid - slow down
 4. Davido - skelewu
5.  Mi and Becca - no away”

TAW: Many people from the rest of Africa associate Nigeria with juju, witchcraft etc because of what they see in Naija movies, how far true is that?

“Yes in Nigeria there is witchcraft and practice of juju but it’s at a minimal low now unlike before when it was an acceptable thing.”

TAW: Who is your African role model?

“Oluchi Onweagba - a Nigerian model.”

TAW: And then lastly, who is your African celebrity crush?

“DAVIDO!!!

J That was Meejakes for you Africa. If you want to be our WEEKEND SPECIAL, email us on tawmagazine@mail.com

Log onto www.facebook.com/trueafricanwomanmagazine for Meejakes’ pics.

GREATNESS DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN AWESOMENESS #ZAMBEZI NEWS LIVE S2 LAUNCH

The Book Cafe was last night packed to the rafters! The very term Zambezi News Live is a definite crowd puller. Why? Because you know you are guaranteed of rib cracking craziness from Michael K with his to die for British accent, Comrade Fatso (who is white by the way) with his “black” character and Outspoken with his frequent “blonde” moments. Unfortunately however, this time around, Zambezi did not seem to have that wow factor it usually has.

Uncle Sam was the opening act and well; drowning doesn’t get any worse than that! I figure at a comedy night it’s just as hilarious when comics lose it as when they kill itJ. And to say Uncle Sam lost it would just be an understatement!

And then it was time for the screening of Zambezi News Live’s second season! Would I buy it? I don’t know, but I don’t think so. Do not get me wrong, it was not bad, but it was not great either. It had its moments. A rib-cracking experience? I wouldn’t say that exactly.

We loved the satire, no doubt. One rarely goes wrong if they poke fun at our perennial electricity and water plagues. The word play was quite classic too:

“He was good in wood work, yeah. Sometimes he WOULD work, and sometimes he WOULDN’T work.” Lol

However, most of it was dry! I kept waiting for that wow moment, but it never came. And then suddenly, the screening was over and Clive Chigubhu was already doing the closing act. Ah!

The only time he killed me was when we went like oh oh Clive, did you rehearse? He goes like:

“Econet gives you bonus airtime at 3pm! Who are you going to call at that time except to say muka tiroye? Oh oh, wasn’t that meant to be 3am?” Lol.

“Have you ever went for an Aleck Macheso show?” Kkkkk no Clive, we have never WENT for an Aleck Macheso showJ.

And in no time at all, the show was over. I kept sitting as people began to file out thinking uuuhm maybe something else is still to come? No such thing, it was over, and already time to go home, stay for the next show or go find fun elsewhere. Handle! Just like that, nxa!

LADY BOSSES – TOTAL SHE DEVILS!!!

I know its super uncool of me to be writing about this; especially given that 1) I’m a woman and 2) this is a woman’s blog; but real talk? Women in power are just a pain!

I really would not know how guys relate to their lady bosses, maybe with the whole opposite sex thing it’s not really that bad for them, but for most women hell is sweeter!

She doesn’t even have to be the boss, the fact that she is your senior is good enough for her to make your life miserable at work, I mean come on! I worked somewhere once where this girl who was just my senior, not at all the boss, yet, every chance she got she made sure she made me uncomfortable, belittle every little thing I did...; I had a thought once that her agenda was to make me quit, she almost won, but I figured oh let us see where this goes eh.

Another thing with lady bosses is the erratic mood swings. Being women you know that tempers can just flare for no apparent reason. It could be that time of the month, trouble at home or just a moody temperament. Another place I worked at had me thinking that maybe I just got a bad first impression, or maybe she was just moody on that particular day, apparently, she was always like that. She was one of the team leaders; there were two of them actually. At least the other one would joke with you here and there if she liked you, the other, I was shocked once when I saw her smiling! Matter of fact, the smile looked odd on her face. Lol.

The problem with these kinds of scenarios is that if the lady boss or superior female workmate decides she does not like you, you are in trouble. The frustrating thing is that tensions may just rise because of something really trivial and silly! You may actually be hated on simply because you are prettier, wittier, slimmer, more educated, appear to be more sophisticated or classier. At first, it may not even mean anything to you because you are thinking oh puhleez who does that? And then in time, you figure well, just to push her buttons, let me do this and that, just to rattle her. And before you know it, everyday you are having a catfight of sorts. Women!

With male bosses now, all you’ve got to do is give your best smile and more often than not, you’ll have him wrapped around your little fingerJ. Yeah, don’t even go all holy on me because you know it’s true!

Back to the lady bosses, maybe it’s because they do not want people to think they do not deserve being where they are or something along those lines. Whatever reason for their up tightness, they just give women a bad name. Firstly because now people say all lady bosses and superiors are a problem and secondly, we end up not supporting our fellow women in power.

We end up being caught up in very nervous conditions (as Tsitsi Dangarembga would probably put itJ). On one hand you want to be supportive of your female bosses and superiors, but on the other, they don’t make it any easier because all the time you will be wishing for a male one. Definite lose-lose situation.

PRESS RELEASE #TRASHion Show 2013

Proudly Zimbabwean Foundation, through the sponsorship of Edgars and Swift, will be holding a TRASHion Show event on the 29^th of November 2013 at the Harare International School in Mt Pleasant starting at 6pm. The event will showcase fashion items made from ordinary trash. A team of 8 fashion designers have come up with 30 outfits that will be paraded by 10 models during the event. A panel of three judges will decide on the best outfit, with the designer receiving a prize.

Zimbabwe is facing a daunting challenge of waste management at all levels of the community. The country is currently generating 3 million tons of solid waste per year with no viable large scale Re-Use or Re-Cycling strategies. All this mixed waste is accumulating at various dumpsites around the country over and above illegal dumpsites mushrooming in residential and industrial areas. This is not only an eyesore but an extreme health hazard.

With this in mind, Proudly Zimbabwean Foundation through their flagship campaign, BIN-it Zimbabwe is pioneering an ambitious seperation@source program for domestic waste in high density areas. This program will capacitate emerging up and down stream industries using waste as an input by providing easy and health-conscious catchment areas for waste.

This event will not only showcase the immense talents that are housed in this country with local designers transforming what we see as ordinary waste into amazing fashion items, but will also act as a call-out to all Zimbabweans to come together and drive litter out of our country.. The anticipated result is that fashion in Zimbabwe will begin incorporating waste items at a Re-Use stage and further inspire new ideas and fabrics at Re-Cycling level. This will be an annual event to be held in a different city every year. This year’s edition is being co-ordinated by Zimbabwe’s famous designer, Colin Ratisai.

 Tickets to attend the event are going for $10.00 and available from selected Edgars Stores in Harare, Giovannis Coffee Shop at Arundel Village, Celebration Centre Bookshop and PZF Office address hereunder.