HARARE – Ankara fabric got its name from a mispronunciation of the Capital or Ghana ACCRA which was central in popularizing this Dutch wax fabric. The fabric was trying to enter Indonesian markets and created a cheaper one, which was rejected by Indonesians but made its way into West African upper class and middle class culture.
ZIMBABWE – Technological solutions to common problems regarding travel come in different forms. Whether you want to find a restaurant, activities or know foreign currency rates – an app is your best bet.
Malkerns Swaziland – the headline show of the evening was Jah Prayzah and the 3rd Generation Band.
Marasta in the air…Mukudzei Mukombe
30 minutes before the show was to start fans from around Africa wore military clothing and were waving the Zimbabwe flag. Making sure they are right by the stage.
Nicknamed Musoja by his fans, as an army chanted “Jah Prayzah Jah Prayzah Jah Prayzah” as the band setup their instruments a marimba, saxophone, guitar and the usual sound check.
When the man of the moment arrived on stage smartly dressed in his signature look, the crowd went ballistic.
As I secured the front standing a young fan from South Africa asked me,
“Are you from Zimbabwe, how do I say I LOVE YOU in Shona.”
Immediately after learning the most important words to her at that moment she screamed, “Ndinokuda!” So that her Man Crush, Mukudzei Mukombe could hear in his own language her affectionate words.
It dawned on me that Zimbabwe has produced another musical superstar in music, his good looks have also made him a hunk to many fans.
Not one to dissapoint the uzumba musician managed to charm the crowd with the choreography, energy as he waved his locks and smiled at the crowd.
His ability to dance and maintain his vocal ability through his high energy songs. It is a shame his back up singer…the one who replaced gonyeti was a beautiful woman but her voice was more UGLYISHA…eish…sister kure ne microphone please!
Jah Prayzah with his best backup dancer and singer… I nicknamed her Tete
An hour set could not be enough as he sang “Mwanasikana anodiwa nehama”, Watora Mari we would have liked to hear Ngoda as well.
The final song was Mdhara Achauya…the most viral song of all his tracks.
However the dance section, where the music plays was cut short. That was the best song of his album that is being sung across cultures, an extended version for live performances would have been great for live performances… maybe as an opener.
ChiArmy chacho chakanyanya!
Still a world class act who stole the show at Bushfire Festival in Swaziland.
xoxo
robz
As a continuation from when I revealed I quit my job for freedom one would think this was planned out to perfection. The answer is No it was not quite.
A normal person would have savings, I had used all mine on trips for travel blogging sake!
The day I resigned I realized that my opinion or feelings were always going to be ignored for as long as I was a single young black female. For some women staying true to themselves is how they break glass ceiling, for me staying true to myself is to never allow my worth be questioned and reach a stage I feel like crap.
Maasai jacket
2016 was a difficult year for me already in addition to being obese, the relationship aspect pretty much involved me being lonely and alone a lot. Being really fat helped worsen my lack of a dating life too.
So here I am back from captivity and now the Freedom Project began, I am free. When I let go of the job a day later I was invited to showcase designs in Lilongwe, I got a job interview as well at an ad agency (I did not get a response but I know I did not get the job.)
the favorite jacket
I never imagined myself as a designer for my travel blog but Lilongwe made me break into a new area, in a month I created a collection inspired by travel.
For now my energy is going towards the fashion aspect of it as I figure out other things.
I was told how depressing it would be but I have time to visit family and make merchandise, Lilongwe was fabulous a success in the people I met and the result for me was great at Malawians and South Africans connected with Zimbabwean crafts as fashion.
I also needed to break away before I felt miserable, more to my worth than money but purpose and God is providing.
For now a sneak peak to my top sellers the bomber under hambanow… more LIFW show pics with Camron Pixel Perfect.
client bought this to be made in Zimbabwe
batik Blue jacket
x.x.o.o
rob
A month since my last blog post but more than a year since I have been completely open and blogger like on this platform. So here I am, Concrete Jungle Fashionista back to do what I began years ago, which is share too much information.
For the past three years I was defined by my employer so in May I quit my job to pursue a project I call freedom. The freedom project was when I decided it was time to turn my life around.
A complete change started when I was miserable in my job for over 12 months of absolute misery, then I started gaining weight. It crept up slowly over several months of eating crap and not moving an inch.
I went to the Doctor and my body was in bad shape from all the misery at work. See people say that work things should not affect you, but it does get to be a stress at a certain point. It stemmed from actual harassment from people abusing power to make my experience hell. The sad thing is the level of presence of these individuals when they greet me as if they care how I am. (Bish Please).
I got prescribed mild anti depressants, instead of medicating myself while under misery I decided to fight off the negative energy through exercise.
In two weeks I realized how exercise is like fighting for a dream, putting in the work discipline and mental resilience taught me this was more about my need to start my venture as hamba now and have FREEDOM.
Back with a bang!
So here I am free to express myself and mostly live my dream and running away from negative feeling. Exercise has given me a level of achievement I cannot imagine to explain.
In 6 months I have lost 13 kilograms and have learnt a lot about hard work and myself in the process.
So far the leap of faith has resulted in events in my life I will be sharing weekly, more than once that include the following,
Travelling around Africa for festivals
Debut Fashion Collection in Lilongwe
The truth about travel tips and sheer comedy when traveling
Here is to a new chapter in my life, it feels good to be back and stronger than ever before😍!
x.o.x.o
robz
African print adds flair to any outfit. It says absolute African and modern when accessories are clad in fabrics inspired by AFRICA.
Ola from Moçambique! HAMBA now my travel company is going to African festivals and we saw backpacks at Azgo Festival and bought ourselves one for the laptop baggage.
I got tourist price as my chaperone wasn’t prepared for the haggle as I am a genius at it. I ended up buying an extra bag and after asking my close people they loved the bag. Turns out this is a hot trend in accessories. Street wear Afro chic every fashionista should own.
Limited stock of the backpacks. A few will be made available from us. Source @ms_tatchai Instagram
I only have a few with $40 each, $70 for two, or $100 for three patchwork bags. I also have earrings and bangles in supply. Having got myself some souvenir Tshirts as well.
A trendy backpack in Kitenge
There is so much inspiration out there on this must have trend.
Source Pinterest
xoxo
Robin
Tall, dark and handsome are the words to describe our brand new HAMBAnite (like Tanzanite is gem team member of HAMBANOW), George Chigaru (Who is also a reader of CONCRETE JUNGLE BLOG) from the resort town of the iconic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
The mullti-lingual hunk speaks English, Shona, Ndebele and Chewa is also a blogger, of his lifestyle blog VODKACOCONUTS – www.vodkacoconuts.co.zw.
Ghanaian Reggae singer, nominated for Best Reggae Album at the GRAMMYS 2016 edition, Rocky Dawuni is coming for Harare International Festival of the Arts 2017.
We met the beautiful humble soul at Sauti za Busara as he was the main act. We spoke to his team at the festival and they expressed interest in coming to Zimbabwe’s HIFA.
Ever dreamt of DUBAI and think when or how you will get there if you havent…worry not people because daily flights to Dubai by Emirates from HARARE International Airport.
I am so excited to announce my travel calendar is scheduled for Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar, Tanzania. I have a connection with Zanzibar, basing my English composition on cats in the streets of Zanzibar having never been… I look forward to the cats and Swahili style streets in Stone Town.
The festival happens every February and has featured Ammara Brown and Cde Fatso, artistes from Zimbabwe.
StoneTown Zanzibar
It has a feel good vibe, dependant on donations from the community, it is a hub of opportunity for all artists in Africa.
Last time I went there, I had no money of my own, now I have my own company
This time around I hope to learn a lot more about the history and the culture with the festival offering me stellar entertainment. African music is guaranteed fun and dancing with my people so we cannot wait to take HAMBANOW to Tanzania and make contacts.
What to look forward to in Zanzibar:
Tickets for this are on sale at the moment, on busaramusic.org. We heard so much about it from mappafrica, an African mobile application for African music, art, places and people.
Flying the “Africa United” flag, the next edition during 9 – 12 February 2017 will feature 400 artists (40 groups) performing live on three stages.
Sounds like a JAM!
The beaches and people of Zanzibar are absolutely cool, cannot wait to have ZEGE on the beaches a local dish.
Maasai men at the beaches
The best place to shop in Zanzibar, the award winning designer has a store in Zanzibar. I visited the shop but had no bank account to begin with, okay I did but budget did not permit to take any thing.
Doreen Mashika accessories and clothing designer, VOGUE recognised.
In FORODHANI gardens is a food festival of sorts, a dinner food stall community that makes food that is fresh and delicious, an option for many tourists and backpackers.
Fresh vegetables and food from the night food stalls
These are only but a few reasons you should hop on a FASTJET and get your way to Dar Es Salaam from HRE or to Zanzibar from Johannesburg.
xoxo
Robz
Concrete Jungle Blog 