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Nomsa Mwamuka (pictured) has decided on using her pen to change opinions and influence events in her not-so-little corner of the world.
“I was born in Harare in 1970 of very strong Manyika stock. I am a Manyika through and through,” the petite writer and multi-media producer laughs as she says a few words in her dialect to prove her point.
From her base in South Africa, Nomsa writes biographical works and has produced a book on Miriam Makeba. She also writes for the syndication site featurenet, concentrating on social issues in the region.
She has done interviews with people like the late Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Puff Johnson.
The written word is something that fascinated Nomsa from an early age and it stands out in her memory as one of the defining attributes of her age.
“Reading has always been a part of me since I could remember. There were always books all over the place. We always had a library. So I guess books pretty well shaped me into who I am and it was only natural that I would become a writer.”
The fascination with language has stayed with her and she loves the African female writers. “Right now I am reading An Elegy for Easterly by Pettina Gappah. I am also re-reading So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba just to fall in love with her writing and her words all over again.
Another African woman, Doris Kebinde, a Congolese dressmaker based in South Africa is her outfitter of choice. “She is the most talented clothes maker under the sun. And she does it just for the love of producing the most gorgeous clothes. She is really amazing,” she animatedly informs me. Bongiwe Walaza, a South African woman wins her favourite designer vote.
Black is the colour of choice. “And that is a political statement,” she declares. I decide that we will not even go there as this is definitely NOT a political platform!
Nomsa goes for the ethnic chic look and admits to buying more of some things than she should. “I have suitcases full of outfits that have not yet been worn and handbags that have not been used. I just cannot stop buying something with African Print and the African jewellery to go with it.” I get her to confess her fetish.
I inform her that she is the supreme judge in the fashion court of the world. Which offence would merit capital punishment? She puts on a suitably grave face and pronounces, “Synthetic weaves. Been there done that, let’s go natural sisters.” Ouch!
“But actually it all boils down to personal choice and as long as you are happy, then it’s perfectly alright with me,” she softens the sentence after seeing my unhappy look as these days I am wearing very long synthetic extensions which cost me a sizeable chunk to buy and get implanted!
The natural and African theme even runs to what she puts in her mouth given the choice. “I will eat anything from the inside of a cow. From inside a goat too, now and then,” she informs me. Unless they come with a very strong curry sauce, as far as I am concerned, she is welcome to all the offal in the world.
Nomsa grew up in Highfield and Marimba Park with grandparents and other relatives.
“We were a huge extended family and there were always numerous cousins around.”
She pays her family great tribute for their role in shaping her career path.
“I received a very privileged education for which my parents paid an arm and a leg, and for which I am truly grateful. My grandfather put a lot of emphasis on education and went beyond the immediate family to educating children from the community.”
She studied French, English and Portuguese at the University of Zimbabwe and attained a degree in Modern Languages. She also did an internship at ZBC before leaving the country for South Africa.
A group of African women is high on the list of people that she credits with instilling her with the belief that she could be anything that she wants to be.
“I grew up with professional women who worked and ran the family business. Married or single, they were involved. I had very strong role models and had no doubt about what was possible for me to do.”
For her the edge that women have over men is that of being life givers. “We are able to create human beings. Even the men who shout about being superior to women came from a woman’s womb, the ultimate factory.”
And her wish for all the woman of the world? “Freedom,” she states unequivocally. But it comes with strings attached. “With freedom comes responsibility. There are women out there who have too much freedom and they abuse it and give the rest of us a bad name. Using your career as an excuse to cheat on your partner is out. There are also too many women abusing other women. Let us treat each other with dignity and respect,” she urges. Take this moment to consider how you treat your maid or child minder.
Mwamuka is hoping to write the ultimate reference book on the great women of Africa. “After the Makeba book I tried to write other books. One was on Dorothy Masuka and the other on Victoria Chitepo. But there wasn’t support for the thrust from local publishers. But I still feel that there is a need for the work and I know that it will happen.”
Go ahead girl and raise the flag for the sisterhood.
by pacific ndoro
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