Wander and Weave

Breaking the Myths: Misconceptions About Africa There are moments in life when you hear something so surprising that it leaves you speechless. For me, that moment has happened too many times since I arrived in Japan. The questions I’ve been asked about Africa range from curious to outright ridiculous. “Do you live with lions next to you?” “Do you have supermarkets?” “Are there proper hospitals in Africa?” “Do you have roads? Cars? Internet?” And the one that nearly made me choke: “Do you know how to use a printer?” I can’t help but wonder—how is it that in this digital age, where information is literally at our fingertips, such misconceptions about Africa still exist? Of course, Africa is still developing, and we are not yet at the level of the world's top economies. But to assume that we live in jungles with no infrastructure, technology, or education is absurd. One of the most frustrating misconceptions is the idea that Africa is a vast jungle where wild animals roam freely among...

Kuki Sanban: The Art of Storytelling Through Fashion In a world where creativity often demands categorization, Kuki Sanban refuses to be placed in a box. A visual artist, model, and fashion designer, she is a storyteller at heart, using every medium at her disposal to craft narratives that inspire, empower, and heal. Her brand, Soleil, is not just about clothing—it’s about transformation, identity, and resilience. From a young age, Kuki was drawn to the world of visual arts. As a child, she spent hours drawing, never content to stay within the lines, always seeking to create something uniquely her own. This passion for self-expression followed her into high school, where she found herself captivated by fashion. Watching her aunt bring garments to life in her home studio ignited something deep within her, and soon, she was interning at a fashion house, learning the intricacies of design. But fashion, for Kuki, was never just about aesthetics. It was about storytelling. Her experience as...

  Converse All-Star: The Timeless Staple Your Wardrobe Needs Some shoes come and go, but a few remain iconic—etched in fashion’s hall of fame. For me, that shoe has always been Converse All-Star. My love for Converse has been a long time coming, and honestly, I don’t see it ending anytime soon. They’re my go-to sneakers, the one pair I can always count on to complete any outfit effortlessly. What I love most about Converse is their versatility. Whether you're dressing up or down, these sneakers just work. You can rock them with skirts for a chic, effortless vibe, pair them with jeans for that classic street-style edge, or even wear them with business casual fits for a touch of personality in a professional setting. And yes, believe it or not, you can even style Converse with formal attire—think a well-tailored suit with crisp white Converse for that cool, modern edge. Growing up in Zimbabwe, Converse wasn’t just a shoe—it was a statement. I know in South Africa, Converse is deeply ...

Longing for Home: A Love Letter to Zimbabwean Food There’s a popular saying, "You will miss me when I’m gone." Well, today, that quote hit me hard—but not in the way you’d expect. This morning, I woke up in actual tears, not because of heartbreak or homesickness in the usual sense, but because I was craving sadza. Yes, sadza! That warm, comforting, soul-nourishing staple of Zimbabwean cuisine. And not just sadza—sadza and mazondo, tsunga vegetables, rice with peanut butter, sadza and fish, muboora, and don’t even get me started on sugar beans and butternut! Look, before anyone says, “But Jez, you can find mealie meal in Japan, just make your own sadza,” let me stop you right there. Yes, I can make it, and yes, I’ll try. But here’s the truth—it does not hit the same way as the one back home! There’s something magical about Zimbabwean food, a deep, rich flavor that’s not just about the ingredients but about the experience. Back home, eating wasn’t just about satisfying hunger. ...

  Through the Lens of Time: Phates’ Journey in Vintage & Street Photography In a world where photography is often reduced to trends and fleeting aesthetics, there are those who see beyond the frame—those who capture emotions, history, and untold stories. One such creative is Phates, also known as PMP Creative, a Zimbabwean photographer and videographer whose work bridges the nostalgia of vintage photography with the raw, unfiltered energy of street photography. His journey began with a simple phone camera, a tool that sparked his curiosity and set him on a path of visual storytelling. "Photography was and always has been my passion," he shares. "I would tinker around with pictures using various apps to make them better. As I continued to grow, it became an outlet for my feelings and my story." What started as a personal experiment soon became a signature style—one that blends the past and present in a way few dare to attempt. For Phates, vintage photography is m...

  Why I Started FaithWarblers: A Journey of Faith, Trauma, and Purpose There’s one question I get asked a lot: Why did I start FaithWarblers? To truly understand, I have to take you back to one of the most difficult moments of my life. It was a time when everything seemed to be crumbling around me—COVID had turned the world upside down, job opportunities were scarce, and to top it off, I had just walked away from a long-term relationship that I had believed would lead to marriage. But the event that shook me the most—the one that changed everything—was when I was robbed at gunpoint. That moment was more than just fear. It was a wake-up call. A reality check. A deep confrontation with everything I thought I knew about life and faith. It left me broken, questioning everything, including God. I remember crying out, “God, where were You? Why did You let this happen to me?” It was a dark season. But in that darkness, something powerful happened—I started talking to God more, listening m...

Growing Pains: The Unspoken Struggles of Adulthood I woke up today to the kind of cold that seeps into your bones, the kind that makes you want to curl back under the blankets and disappear from the world. But I couldn’t. I had a train to catch, a job to be on time for, responsibilities that wouldn’t pause just because I was exhausted. As I rushed through my morning routine, a familiar thought crept in—What if I had just remained a child? What if I never had to wake up to alarms, bills, expectations, and this constant weight of being? But that’s not how life works. I used to hear my grandparents say, Kurauone, mwanangu—Grow up and see for yourself. As a child, I never understood it. I thought they were just being dramatic, throwing around wisdom that didn’t apply to me. Back then, we believed our parents were unfair when they denied us something, when they disciplined us, when they made choices we didn't agree with. We thought we knew better. But now, I see it—clear as day. They we...

  Albutler & The Rozebowl Collection: A Streetwear Revolution Rooted in Zimbabwe In the ever-evolving world of fashion, some designers don’t just create clothes—they tell stories. Albutler, co-founder of The Rozebowl Collection, is one such visionary. His journey isn’t just about stitching fabric together; it’s about weaving identity, culture, and sustainability into every piece. "Rozebowl is just a bowl of roses," Albutler explains. "I always make sure that every design I create stands as a ROZE." But there's a deeper message behind the name. In his eyes, flowers—recognition, success, and respect—aren't just given; they must be earned. The 'Z' in ROZE is a nod to Zimbabwe, a reminder that this movement is homegrown and proudly African. What began as a small hustle, selling customized jeans, has now grown into a full-fledged brand. Inspired by icons like the late Virgil Abloh and Ev Bravado of Who Decides War, Rozebowl embraces the essence of str...