Wander and Weave

So You Want a Village, But Don’t Wanna Leave Your Couch? Today, I was doing my usual mindless scroll through Instagram when I stumbled on a post that made me stop, blink, and feel seen. A creative had written something so painfully true it practically reached out and slapped my soul. It said: “Everybody wants community, but nobody wants to be in one.” And just like that, my brain said: Yup, that’s it. That’s the tweet. I nodded to myself, probably out loud, because these days, that truth is louder than ever. We all talk about wanting “our people,” “our tribe,” “our support system.” We crave connection. We want folks to show up for us when we’re falling apart at 2 a.m. on a random Tuesday, to help us move house or hold us when things fall apart. But here's the thing: being part of a community means you actually have to be part of it. Not just when it benefits you. Not just when the group chat is popping. Not just when you’re the main character. In the times we’re living in, everythi...

My First Big Interview: The Dream Job That Wasn’t Meant to Be You never forget your first job interview. The nerves. The ambition. The heavy weight of expectations. For me, that moment came shortly after I graduated from university, clutching my Human Resources Management degree with big dreams and even bigger prayers. My first interview was with none other than Lafarge, the French industrial giant and the world’s leading cement manufacturer. In Zimbabwe, getting into Lafarge is considered hitting the jackpot. So, imagine a fresh graduate like me walking into a room filled with over 100 graduates, all sharp, all hopeful, all dreaming. They were recruiting across departments: engineering, safety, management—and human resources, my lane. The Human Resources Manager, a woman I still remember vividly, stood before us and gave us advice and encouragement before we began the selection process. It started with a psychometric test, and as the day went on, the numbers dwindled. You either made ...

From Mandendera to the Metropolis — Zoe Chiratidzo Altebra’s Journey of Grace, Grit, and Glow Today on Wander and Weave, we shine a warm spotlight on a vibrant force lighting up screens across TikTok and hearts across borders—Zoe Chiratidzo Altebra, a proud Zimcreative navigating life, teaching, and content creation from her base in Japan. With each scroll-worthy video, skincare reel, or relocation gem, Zoe is not just showing us her life—she’s showing us what’s possible when you dare to grow beyond your comfort zone. But Zoe’s journey didn’t start with filters and hashtags. It began with something a lot more human—loneliness. When she first moved to Japan, the transition was jarring. She came from a loud, loving Zimbabwean household that gathered every week. But suddenly, she was in a new land, unfamiliar language swirling around her, and her only vocabulary was sumimasen (excuse me). Days would pass where her only conversations were in her own head. That silence pushed her online—not...

When the Song Remembers: A Journey through Zimbabwean Music and Memory So here I am, on my way home from work, Tokyo lights buzzing outside the train window, and as usual, I pull out my phone to check something. My screen lights up, and there she is—my grandmother. My screen saver. Her face, her smile, and suddenly… Chitekete by the legendary Leonard Dembo begins to hum in my head. I pause. My eyes well up. A tear escapes. Chitekete wasn't just a song. It was her song. My grandmother’s favorite. At that moment, it felt like she was right there with me, humming softly in my ears. You know those songs that pull you back to a time, a place, or a person? That’s me. That’s my playlist of memories. My grandmother passed away when I was still quite young. She had suffered a stroke and couldn’t speak anymore, but somehow, music became our secret language. We spoke through songs. I remember one day while doing her hair—the usual magodi—I played Neria by Oliver Mtukudzi, and she started cryi...

Fashionably Late but Right on Time: A 2025 Met Gala Recap Yes, I know I’m a little late to the party—but when it comes to fashion, especially fashion that makes a statement, that shakes the room and celebrates identity, there’s no such thing as too late. So here we are—let’s talk about the 2025 Met Gala. And what a moment it was! This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” was not only timely, it was necessary. It ran in tandem with The Met’s spring exhibition, celebrating the artistry, legacy, and cultural significance of Black fashion—particularly Black dandyism. The theme was rich with history and soul, paying tribute to how Black style has long been used as a tool of resistance, as a declaration of presence, pride, and power. Black dandyism, once a form of survival and defiance, has now evolved into a bold celebration of creativity and cultural identity. And I must say, the celebrities came correct. Finally! For once, most of them really tried to honor the theme, and hon...

“From Charcoal to Crown: The Bold Afrocentric Voice of Tsito Tribe” Today on Wander and Weave, we shine a light on a Zimbabwean creative powerhouse who is not only redefining fashion, but reshaping identity, reclaiming pain, and radiating purpose. Her name is Cynthia, but in the creative space, she’s known as the force behind Tsito Tribe—a fashion brand that is as bold as it is rooted. At first glance, “Tsito” may sound playful. But behind the name is a story of transformation. “Tsito” was a nickname used to tease me for my dark skin as a child,” Cynthia shares. “It meant charcoal in Shona. For years, it hurt—but now I’ve reclaimed it. It stands for power, pride, and being unapologetically yourself.” What once symbolized pain has become the crown of her brand—turning ashes into armor. In 2024 alone, Cynthia was awarded Best Female Fashion Model by EBA, Best Upcoming Fashion Brand by the YNC Awards, and Best Craft Work—proof that her journey is more than just fabric and flair. “These aw...

To All the Mamas, With Love – A Mother's Day Salute Today, we hit pause—not just for the flowers and sweet notes, but to shout a full-hearted thank you to the real MVPs: moms, mommas-to-be, aunts, sisters, godmothers, grandmothers, and all the phenomenal women who make the world a softer, warmer, more magical place. As someone raised in a big, noisy, love-soaked extended family, I didn't just have one mom—I had a whole army of them. From my selfless grandmother who took care of 15 grandkids under one roof (yes, you read that right!) to my mom’s sisters who embraced me as their own—bathing me, feeding me, dressing me, staying up with me when I was unwell—I was wrapped in so much love, it stitched itself into the woman I am today. To my aunts who never stopped cheering me on, and to my sisters and sisters-in-law who made me an aunt—thank you for letting me practice motherhood through your little bundles of joy. I’ve learned the chaos and calm, the sleepless nights and silly giggl...

  A Whisper of Home in the Heart of Japan This past weekend, my heart took a gentle turn inward—back home. The kind of nostalgia that sneaks in when you least expect it, wrapped in the warmth of old memories and the wonder of new surroundings. I hopped on a journey to Ibaraki Prefecture to visit a dear friend who lives in the peaceful countryside of Sakuragawa. Each time I visit her, it feels like a deep exhale—a retreat from the fast-paced city life into a pocket of serenity where nature speaks louder than noise. Sakuragawa is cradled by majestic mountains, flowing rivers, and fields that dance in the wind. There, you're not just visiting nature—you’re embraced by it. My friend and I spent the weekend basking in this tranquility. One moment that deeply moved me was a bus ride we took to Tsukuba. As the scenery unfolded through the windows—the lush greenery, sprawling rice fields, and towering trees—I was transported thousands of miles away, back to Zimbabwe. Suddenly, I was a litt...

Vintage Rae — Turning What's considered Trash into Treasure, One Creation at a Time In a world that's constantly rushing forward, it's rare to find someone who slows down just enough to see beauty in the forgotten, the discarded, and the overlooked. Rae Mugoni—affectionately known as Vintage Rae—is one such visionary. A multi-talented Zimbabwean creative, Rae is an environmentalist by default, a fashion lover by heart, and a sustainability warrior by craft. Her story begins in the quiet moments of the COVID era. While many of us were navigating uncertainty, Rae found herself at home, idle yet itching for expression. “I was just being playful,” she recalls. “I made matchbox earrings and posted them on my socials—the response was overwhelming.” That one playful act sparked a journey of purpose. What started as fun evolved into a full-blown passion for upcycling, design, and environmental advocacy. From matchbox earrings to handbags made from 5-litre bottles, Rae's work is...