Wander and Weave

There is a quiet little street near my home in Japan that I have walked countless times since I arrived in 2024. It isn't a place that would appear on a travel guide, nor is it somewhere people stop to admire. Yet, tucked beside a house that I still wonder is abandoned, stands a tree that has unknowingly become one of my greatest teachers. The first time I saw it, I couldn't stop staring. It had been burnt almost beyond recognition. Its trunk was blackened, its branches were stripped bare, and there wasn't the slightest hint of life clinging to it. It looked as though a fire had swallowed everything it once was and left only a shell behind. What puzzled me most was where I was. Japan is a country that takes such incredible care of its surroundings. Trees are cherished, parks are immaculate, and seeing one that looked as though it had survived a fire felt so unusual. Every time I walked past it, the same question lingered in my mind: What happened to this tree? There was nev...

One of my favourite things about running Wander & Weave is discovering Zimbabwean creatives who are quietly building extraordinary brands. Their stories remind us that creativity is rarely just about making beautiful things, it is about purpose, resilience, identity, and the courage to dream beyond what is familiar. This week, I had the pleasure of chatting with Nyasha Pupurai Gondo, the creative force behind KU'NDAI, a fashion brand that is steadily carving out its own place in Zimbabwe's creative landscape. While many may recognise the name through its striking statement beaded bags, there is so much more to the woman and the vision behind the brand than first meets the eye. Like many successful brands, KU'NDAI did not begin as what it is today. Nyasha's journey into fashion started with crochet, creating shirts and dresses by hand, but even then she knew her dream stretched far beyond a single craft. As her confidence grew and her creativity evolved, so did her b...

Different, Not Less: Rethinking Disability Through African Eyes There is something deeply beautiful about the African philosophy of Ubuntu; "I am because we are." It is a way of living that reminds us our humanity is intertwined, that our lives are richer when we care for one another, and that every person has a place within the community. Yet, for generations, many people living with disabilities have found themselves standing just outside that circle of belonging. Not because they lacked value, intelligence or purpose, but because society often failed to see beyond their disability. As the world marks Disability Pride Month this July, I find myself reflecting on how differently our communities might look if we truly embraced the idea that every human being deserves to be seen, heard and celebrated exactly as they are. For many families across Africa, disability has long been surrounded by silence. It has been wrapped in myths, fear and misunderstanding, passed down through ...

Zimbabwean Sweets to Die For: The Snacks That Raised Us, Spoiled Us & Stole Our Hearts There is something magical about food. It has this beautiful ability to transport us back in time with just one bite, one smell, or even the mention of its name. Long before smartphones, online shopping, and endless snack options, Zimbabwean childhood was made up of simple pleasures that somehow tasted far better than anything money can buy today. It's been a while since I wrote something food-related, and today I couldn't resist taking a trip down memory lane. If you grew up in Zimbabwe, prepare yourself because this might unlock memories you didn't even know were still tucked away somewhere. You'll probably remember running to the tuckshop with a few coins clutched tightly in your hand, carefully calculating which sweets would give you the biggest sugar rush for your money. These weren't just sweets. They were childhood currencies, playground status symbols, birthday party e...

The Most Beautiful Part of Falling in Love Was Never His Face For the longest time, I believed attraction was something you could see. I thought it revealed itself instantly, before a person had even spoken a single word. It was in the way someone walked into a room, the confidence they carried without effort, the warmth in their smile, the shape of their hands, the softness of their eyes, or the quiet elegance with which they occupied space. Like many people, I assumed love always began with what was visible. I thought the heart followed the eyes. Over time, I realised I had mistaken attraction for intimacy. Attraction catches your attention, but intimacy captures your soul. The older I have become, the more I have discovered that the most enduring kind of love has very little to do with appearances. Beauty may open the door, but it is the mind that invites you to stay. As I write this, I find myself staring at the very first photograph of Ebbernezer that made me stop scrolling. I rem...

Some people chase trends, while others quietly become the trend. In Zimbabwe's growing creative industry, Monalisa Chikwengo is one of those people. She is a content creator, social media manager, entrepreneur, fashion enthusiast, and storyteller who has mastered the art of turning ordinary moments into captivating visual experiences. Her content is elegant yet relatable, stylish without feeling unattainable, and authentic in a way that keeps people coming back for more. This week on Wander & Weave, we shine a light on a young Zimbabwean creative whose journey is proof that sometimes the best careers begin by simply doing what you love. Interestingly, Monalisa never set out to become a content creator. Like many of us, she simply enjoyed taking photos and videos, documenting moments from her life, trying new things, and sharing snippets of her world online. There was no grand strategy or five-year plan. In fact, she said, she recalls that she didn't even know what she was d...