Wander and Weave

  From ZBC to Tokyo: How Anime Came Full Circle for Me Growing up in Zimbabwe in the early 2000s, Sunday mornings were sacred—not just for prayer and bible study but for something almost just as divine: cartoons. I remember sitting wide-eyed in front of the TV, tuned into Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), watching Naruto dart through forests, Goku powering up in Dragon Ball Z, and the mystical adventures of Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea. Back then, we didn’t call it “anime.” To us, it was just part of the colorful weekend joy we looked forward to—whether rushing home after school or waking up early, cereal bowl in hand. Fast forward to now—I live in Japan. And let me tell you: anime here isn’t just TV entertainment. It’s a whole lifestyle. I first realized this during my self-introduction at the schools I teach in. I casually mentioned how I used to watch Naruto and Dragon Ball Z, and you would’ve thought I dropped the latest One Piece episode early! The students lit...

Wardrobe Wisdom for the Busy 9-5 Professional If you’ve been following along on Wander and Weave, you’ll remember that not too long ago, I shared my quick meals guide for the busy 9-5 professional. Today, let’s switch gears and talk wardrobe—because a smooth morning often starts with an easy outfit choice. First things first, my secret weapon for looking put together without the daily headache? Neutrals. I make sure my wardrobe is anchored by colors that dance well together no matter the pairing—black, white, brown, grey, and navy blue. Trust me, you will never go wrong with these timeless staples. They’re elegant, effortless, and incredibly forgiving on those mornings when time just isn’t on your side. At the heart of my closet are a few essentials I swear by: a classic black suit, well-fitting black pants, a versatile black skirt, and a black and white cardigan that can take me from a serious meeting to an after-work coffee catch-up. I also keep a few black and white tops and shirts ...

30-Minute Quick Meals for A Busy Creative (aka the 9-5 Hustler Comfort Food) I’ll be honest—after a long day of work, whether it’s emails, lesson planning, photoshoots, or just surviving life in Japan’s rush-hour trains, the last thing I want is to wrestle with a chopping board or be emotionally available for a demanding recipe. And as someone who’s still in the middle of writing a cookbook (yes, I know, it’s been a long time coming), I often find myself questioning whether I’ve done enough or if I need to add more. But maybe that’s just me overthinking—classic Jez. So while the final draft simmers on the back burner of my mind, let me share some of the quick 30-minute meals that have saved me on my laziest days. First up is what I fondly call my “Meghan Markle pasta.” Don’t ask me how it got that name—just know it’s royal in flavor and commoner in effort. It’s a dreamy one-pot pasta where the pasta, tomatoes, and your favorite Italian spices all cook together in one pot. That’s right,...

From Ghetto Giggles to Global Dreams — Meet Syre aka Chipenzi, Zimbabwe’s Rising Comedy Star If laughter is medicine, then Zimbabwe’s very own Syre—better known on stage as Chipenzi—has been dosing people up since his early days in the ghetto. Born into a world where the streets were both tough and theatrical, Syre found humor not just in jokes but in everyday life. It wasn’t just something he learned—it was something he lived. Growing up glued to Zimbabwean street theater legends like Kapfupi, Syre would watch performers spin stories and spark belly laughs with the flick of a phrase. It was magnetic. Drama class in primary school quickly became his playground. He and his brothers would write their own skits, cracking up the entire school during assemblies. Little did he know, this childlike hobby would become a lifelong calling. But comedy officially sank its hooks into him in 2019, at an open mic event in Norton. Picture this: a room full of strangers, organized by then MP Themba Mli...

Things I Wish I Knew Before University: A Love Letter to My Younger Self Let’s rewind the clock a little—back to the moment when A-Level results come out in Zimbabwe. That bittersweet moment when the family group chat starts buzzing, aunties call to "congratulate" you, and somehow everyone becomes a career advisor overnight. “You should do Law, you’re so articulate.” “Engineering is the future.” “Go into Medicine, it will make us proud.” Sound familiar? In high school, we had something called Guidance and Counselling. In theory, it was supposed to help us figure out life after school. In reality? It was often a subtle (or not-so-subtle) exercise in steering us into careers that made sense to everyone else but us. I wish someone had stood in front of the class and said, “Hey, it’s okay to not want to be a doctor. It’s okay if accounting makes you want to nap. Do what you love—even if no one understands it yet.” But no one said that. Instead, they handed us big dreams that were...

The Man After My Heart: A Love Letter to My Grandfather Some people inherit land, some inherit wealth—but I inherited something far more valuable: a legacy of love, resilience, and faith. That legacy lives in one man. The man after my heart. My grandfather. There are no words deep enough to capture the impact of this man on my life. I owe him everything—from the roof over my head to the roots in my soul. He is the blueprint of hard work, kindness, and humility. A man carved out of resilience and wrapped in grace. He’s not just my grandfather—he’s my hero, my compass, my quiet reminder that goodness still walks this earth in human form. Growing up under his care was like basking in gentle sunlight. I remember us tichitsokonora dzungu outside, barefoot and carefree, and the mutsvairo ladies would pass by. Grandpa would call them in without hesitation, offering food and water—no strings attached, no expectation of return. His kindness was a rhythm, a habit, a sacred practice. He taught me...

From Scribbles on Grandpa’s Wall to Classrooms in Japan: My Unexpected Journey into Education I always say my teaching journey didn’t begin in a classroom—it started with a crayon and my grandpa’s wall. I was that kid who turned everything into pretend play. My friends and I would set up class, and guess who was always the teacher? Yup, me! I remember scribbling lessons on every surface I could find, especially my grandpa’s walls (sorry, Grandpa!). He was furious at the time, but looking back, those scribbles were early signs of a passion too big to be boxed in. Then came church. People at my church quickly noticed something—how easily I connected with kids, how much I enjoyed being around them. Before I knew it, I was made an Adventurer Leader at just 16, guiding little ones between the ages of 4 to 9. That trust they placed in me, at such a young age, helped shape the person I am today. Later on, I stepped into the role of a Pathfinder Instructor, and honestly? I thrived. I loved eve...

Meet Shamiso Patience: The Woman Lighting The Way For Dreamers. In a world that often demands perfection, Shamiso Patience chose something radically different—she chose the process. She chose the long road, the winding path, the becoming. And in doing so, she’s become a light for countless women navigating their own storms. It all started with a quiet realization—one that didn’t come with fanfare or applause, but with grace. Shamiso looked at her life, her journey, and saw something many overlook: that even when we reach the mountaintop, our eyes are already drifting to the next. There’s always something we’re becoming. And from that truth, Forever Becoming was born. It wasn’t just a brand. It was a movement. A sanctuary for women who were tired of hiding their process, ashamed of their scars, or waiting to be “ready.” Here, imperfection is welcome. Growth is celebrated. Progress is enough. Shamiso created a space where women could lay their burdens down and say, “I’m not there yet, bu...

Fashion in Japan vs. Fashion in Zimbabwe: My Two Cents When it comes to fashion, every country has its own unique style and cultural influences that shape how people dress. Having lived in Japan for over a year now, I’ve observed some interesting contrasts between Japanese fashion and Zimbabwean fashion. Of course, this is just my perspective—I’m not saying this is the ultimate truth, just my take on things! So, let’s dive into it! Japan: Comfort is King One thing I’ve noticed about Japanese fashion is that comfort takes center stage. It’s all about being as relaxed and easygoing as possible while still looking stylish. Sneakers rule the streets here—brands like New Balance and Nike are a staple, and you’ll rarely see someone struggling in painful heels or overly tight shoes. Instead, they opt for the most comfortable footwear they can find. Modesty is another key feature of Japanese fashion. Long dresses, flowing skirts, baggy jeans, and loose trousers are incredibly popular. The comb...