CONTRIBUTORS
Khameer Kidia is a writer and physician at University of Zimbabwe and Harvard Medical School, and for this issue he explores the work of Zimbabwean artist Moffat Takadiwa (“Pieces de la Resistance”). “Moffat has fascinated me for some time,” says Khameer, “so it was a treat to get to see his ‘Vestiges Of Colonialism’ exhibition in Harare earlier this year. I went to the show many times, and on each visit I saw something different in every piece.”
Charlotte Ashton is an award-winning journalist who has been making radio documentaries across southern Africa for more than a decade. She has covered everything from the Iraq War to Zac Efron, so we feel we can set her loose on anything for Design//Life. In this issue she interviews our cover star Shingai, talks menstrual health with scientist Dr Mandi Tembo, and explores Botswana’s majestic Okavango Delta.
We are thrilled that Jacqueline Nyathi, Zimbabwe’s most prolific book reviewer, has joined the Design//Life team; her newsletter, the Harare Review of Books, is a must-read for any lover of literature. Of Percy Zvomuya’s new book, which she reviews, Jacqui says: “When Three Sevens Clash is an eclectic collection of memories, mainly about music legend Thomas Mapfumo. It’s a wonderful celebration of his life and work.”
Simon de Swardt is a multi-talented man: as well as being Design//Life’s chief photographer, he’s also the director of Harare-based Treasure Media, which produces TV commercials and documentaries. As if that wasn’t enough, Simon is responsible for two features this issue: “Man vs Beast”, on this country’s human-wildlife conflict, and “Undefeated” about Zimbabwean Mixed Martial Arts champion Lewis Mataya.
Tafadzwa Anifasi, aka De Ankarra Chef, is a finance graduate turned chef who, on his journey from maths to menus, was crowned winner of the first series of Battle Of The Chefs Zimbabwe, and went on to become one of the programme’s judges. De Ankarra Chef is passionate about African cuisine, its diverse ingredients and how they can be used, and is determined to put Zimbabwe on the food map. In his feature “Amazing Grains” he celebrates the magical powers of marvellous millet and gives us a delicious recipe with sorghum.
Without Tessa Moxon there would be no Design//Life. Born in Zimbabwe, and trained at South Africa’s Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography, our Designer is responsible for the beautiful look of this magazine. For the past six months, along with her beloved border terrier, Basil, and a lot of emergency takeout lunches, Tessa has kept Design//Life’s Editor on an (almost) even keel. Tessa must be commended for the patience that she has shown and for keeping her eyebrow-raising to a bare minimum.