Letter from the Editor

In her poem “Human Family”, the late Maya Angelou says, “We are more alike, friends, than we are unalike”.

This is a phrase I think about often. Her words resonate now more than ever as battles for land and power unfold around the world, and the social and economic gap between rich and poor continues to widen. These divisions are like cracks on a car windscreen, slowly spreading and weakening the structure until it shatters.

What I see in this country, however, is very different: Zimbabweans helping Zimbabweans; those with expertise sharing their skills; members of the diaspora using their experience to enhance people’s lives at home; the creative community coming together to ensure the evolution of their art forms.

This issue of Design//Life is a celebration of the spirit of collaboration that we see in Zimbabwe. We salute its citizens’ ability to recognise what they have in common and to use this to strengthen their communities.

In “Listen Up” our cover star Daecolm toasts the great talent of Zimbabwe’s musicians and talks about his plan to share their unique sounds with the rest of the world. His fabulous photographs were shot by Lennox Makurumidze who in turn collaborated with BISAMU designer Rori for the “Re-generation” fashion story.

“Girl Power” profiles Nyasha Gwatidzo, an astounding Zimbabwean woman whose foster care business has changed thousands of children’s lives in the UK, and whose investment and expertise is enabling a whole generation of African women to start their own businesses.

We hear how ethnobotanist Gus Le Breton helped to develop marula oil – one of the skincare industry’s most prized ingredients – which is now a hugely successful export supporting many rural communities around the country (“Hot Off The Press”); and we learn how musicians are working together to help the traditions of mbira music keep time with modern technology (“State Of Play").

Here’s to bridging divides, encouraging collaboration and helping each other out.

Enjoy the issue.

Milly McPhie
Editor

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR