Shingai Shoniwa Teams Up With The Nike Training Club To Support Her Mother's Cancer Charity

Written By: Nani Hapa—Shingai Shoniwa is known as both the front woman of indie soul trio, The Noisettes, and a fashion leader, but for the past few months Shingai has been working hard on a very personal and emotional journey—a 72 mile cycle from London to Brighton to raise money for her mother’s charity for women with cancer, Ponayi. To train for the cycle, Shingai has teamed up with the Nike Training Club. Watch video of Shingai's journey (including a sweet conversation with her mother who recently overcame cancer) on the Nike Training Club’s Challenge’s YouTube page, or follow the Nike Training Club on Facebook.

(Photo Credits: © Nike Training Club)

The Robot Artists

Written By: MIM!—Robot Artists is a short documentary by African Cartel showcasing a group of Zimbabwean artists whose marketplace and livelihood is a traffic light intersection in Cape Town, South Africa. Take a look below, and support African Cartel's artists by visiting www.AfricanCartel.com.

Robot Artists from African Cartel on Vimeo.

MIMI Related Links: Visual Visionary: Paul Sika; Post-Colonial Subversions

MIMI's Hot 21: Shingai Shoniwa: The Natural (No. 004)

Written By: MIM!—Watch Shingai Shonia, who we have dubbed The Natural of MIMI's Hot 21, shine in the Noisettes' hit Don't Upset The Rhythm.

The Noisettes - Don't Upset the Rhythm from James Hatt on Vimeo.

Watch The Noisettes' "Kilimanjaro Studio Sessions"

Noisettes 'Kilimanjaro Studio Sessions' from Agile Films on Vimeo.

Achieving 8 Goals For Africa

Written By: Jamelia Mmari—Launched by the UN Development Group, 8 Goals for Africa, is a campaign song by eight of Africas best known musicians, calling for commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals—a set of eight internationally-agreed upon goals designed to reduce poverty, hunger, disease, and maternal and child deaths by 2015. 8 Goals for Africa features Yvonne Chaka Chaka from South Africa, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angelique Kidjo from Benin, Oliver Mtukudzi from Zimbabwe, Eric Wainaina from Kenya, and the Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa with world renowned jazz musicians Hugh Masekela and Jimmy Dludlu from South Africa are instrumentalists on the track. Watch the inspiring music video below:

8 Goals for Africa from UNDP on Vimeo.

Watch Freshlyground Take On Robert Mugabe's Presidency In Their Music Video "Chicken To Change"

Written By: Jamelia Mmari—Earlier this year, Afri-pop group Freshlyground made headlines, with what has to be the most talked about South African music video of the year, Chicken To Change, in which the group teamed up with ZA News to create a music video challenging Robert Mugabe's presidential reign. The video depicts Mugabe as a shining star, who somewhere lost his way, with scenes depicting an out of touch Mugabe riding in the back of a chauffeur-driven presidential car and reading a newspaper, “Bob's Times” with the headline: “Glorious victory for Zanu-PF.” Underscoring the political tone of the video, the Freshlyground chime in with pointed lyrics such as “An iridescent example of honour for the coming generation... You promised always to open the doors for us... Indeed it is you and only you who sleeps with the key... You are chicken to change!” In case you missed it, here's the video:

'Chicken to Change' Freshlyground / ZA NEWS music video from ZANEWS on Vimeo.

Freshlyground is comprised of seven members hailing from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Sarah Barnett, a spokeswoman for the group, said they “believe in freedom of speech and that people should be able to talk about topics that affect many civilians ... The video is not an attack on Mugabe at all. It is a tongue-in-cheek challenge for him to reflect on things and become the hero he used to be, to consider his actions and surprise us. We are not afraid of his reaction. Why should we be in a democratic world?”

Creative Flow: Africa Unsigned

Written By: MIM!—www.AfricaUnsigned.com is a joint initiative by producers, artists, music promoters and managers based in West, East and South Africa, who believe in the future of music from Africa and give unsigned artists a chance to record their music with the help of funding from fans. A selection of up and coming artists from several African countries including Kenya (such as MIMI favorite Just A Band), Senegal, Mali, Zimbabwe and South Africa were hand picked by a music panel consisting of music experts like Baaba Maal, Tony Allen, and Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur) to be featured on www.AfricaUnsigned.com. Music fans from all over the world can listen to the selection of artists, pick their favorite(s) and chip in a minimum of $1 dollar to the recording of a professional EP. Proceeds from the music is then distributed to the fans who backed the artist and sold on all major online stores (including www.Amazon.com and iTunes). All the generated net income from music sales is shared equally between the artists and the music fans who supported the artist.

If you want to support your promising musical talent from Africa, visit www.AfricaUnsigned.com.

(Photo Credits: www.AfricaUnsigned.com Digital Press Kit)

An Elegy For Easterly: Short Stories By Petina Gappah

Written By: Nicole Parker-Jones—In her accomplished award winning debut book of short stories, An Elegy For Easterly, Zimbabwean author and international trade lawyer, Petina Gappah, casts her compassionate eye on a diverse array of characters living, grieving, loving—and fighting to survive—under Robert Mugabe's regime.

In The Heart of the Golden Triangle, Petina narrates from the perspective of a second person, the story of a wealthy woman's tormented marriage: you worry because you have not found condoms in his pockets, the narrator muses of her husband's behavior, but in the cushioned comfort of your four-by-four, you don't feel a thing. Meanwhile, in The Cracked, Pink Lips Of Rosie's Bridegroom, Petina tells the story of a village pondering a doomed marriage in which the groom, who has a history of buried girlfriends, is clearly marked as being afflicted by the big disease with the little name: AIDS. And in Something Nice From London, Petina narrates the tale of a family waiting at the airport for the bi-weekly flight from London, hoping that either their relatives living in the UK will themselves return or send back money or gifts for their families.

With an ability to dissect with real poignancy the lives of people caught up in situations over which they have no control, as they deal with spiralling inflation, power cuts and financial hardships under Robert Mugabe's regime, it is no surprise that Petina is considered "the voice of Zimbabwe."

Visit Petina's official website, www.petinagappah.com, for more information.

(Photo Credits: Book Cover Art)

Go Completely, Utterly, And Irresistibly Colorful With Clutch Culture's New Collection

Written By: MIM!—Clutch Culture's latest collection is utterly and irresistibly colorful. Head on over to www.clutchculture.com to see more from this beautifully and brightly crafted collection of clutches (and now purses too) by talented designer Mo Handau!

Man We Love: Tinashe

Written By: MIM!—Born in Zimbabwe 25 years ago, London based singer, musician and songwriter Tinashé is a prodigious pop talent; he loves his music and it shows in all that he touches, including his music video for the song, Saved. The deliriously happy single Saved was written after Tinashé was accosted by a particularly forthright tramp on London's Oxford Street, has an underlying message of defiance and self-belief ("I'll be here until your faith is won!") and is nevertheless deeply personal. "It's a song about trying, and trying, and trying," he says. "This bum tapped me on the shoulder, and said, 'I'm an angel, mate, but don't worry, you'll be saved. You know what they did to me? They chucked me in the bin!' I thought about it when I got home and the idea for the song came after. I mean, who am I to say he's not actually an angel? He could have been someone who was sent down here but was broken by the way life can be so hard sometimes." Check out Saved below.

Tinashe - Saved from Stamp Films on Vimeo.

Get more information about Tinashé at www.myspace.com/tinashemusic.

Dreamy Vibrant Colors Come To Style With Clutch Culture

Written By: MIM!—Clutch Culture is the lovechild of diverse colours and rich prints that come together to create a very unique collection of clutch purses. Designed and hand-made by Mo Handahu, these awe-inspiring prints combined with vibrant colors make for a unique collection.

For more information, visit www.clutchculture.com.

(Photo Credits: Clutch Culture)

Steal Her Style: Shingai Shoniwa

[ shingai shoniwa in a n'damus london belt ]

Written By: Nani Hapa—Stylistas everywhere are taking notice of Shingai Shoniwa's vibrant and bold statement making style. One of the brands she draws from is N'Damus London, an accessories brand created by Nneka Onyenakala. Nneka explains N'Damus London was "born out of a passion for shoes and a vision for extracting beauty from objects that are seemingly . . . well, normal, creating beautifully handcrafted accessories to complement all occasions." Other stylish celebrities who wear N'Damus London are Laura Izibor, Estelle, Ajuma Nasenyana, and Nia Long. Learn more about N'Damus by visiting www.ndamus.com.

EDITED: Thanks to a comment left anonymously who identified Shingai's dress as being designed by Nkwo Onwuka of Nkwo Designs.

(Photo Credits: N'Damus London)

She Defines Soul.Substance.Style (No. 006): Shingai Shoniwa

[ click image for larger version ]

Written By: MIM!—Shingai Elizabeth Maria Shoniwa is an English singer of Zimbabwean descent, best known as 1/3 of UK indie rock band Noisettes. Her first name, Shingai means "persevere" in Shona, which is fitting for the vocalist and bassist who was raised by her single mother who emigrated from then Rhodesia, in a South London public-housing estate. The experience, Shoniwa says, informs her music. “Wanting to escape from reality can inspire the greatest and most trivial creative natures in people,” and “I think escapism is something that connects all of us. Everybody has their own little soundtrack, and I guess I’m trying to make my own soundtrack to my escape plan. I want people to realize that there’s so much more.” Learn more about this woman of Soul.Substance.Style at the official Noisettes site: www.noisettes.co.uk.

Don't Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go)

Written By: MIM!—Get your weekend off to a fun start with the Noisettes' Don't Upset The Rhythm. We can't get enough of the upbeat, catchy tune, and as a bonus, the remix features Wale and Estelle. EDITED: Follow this link to play the song from Lala.com

From The Archives: Thandi Haruperi: Positively Woman

Written By: Thandi Haruperi—If it’s true that sometimes our paths are laid out for us to walk through then that must be true of me and my diagnosis. I really had no business getting an HIV/AIDS test. I was not ill, had no symptoms, and did not think I was "one of those people"; but the events that led to me taking my test are so baffling that even after almost seven years I still ask myself: what is this really about. This is my story.

I was born in Zimbabwe, but grew up in Zambia having lived there since I was two. At sixteen I met the man who was to become my husband. Twelve years later the relationship ended, leaving me with two young children. To support myself and my children I found work with an English expatriate who had just started an HIV/AIDS project in Zambia, but I ended up leaving after a few weeks for England. When things didn’t turn out as planned in England, I returned to Zambia where the job I once held had been given to someone else. My involvement with HIV/AIDS ended, or so I thought. A year after my return to Zambia, I went back to England at the invitation of my younger sister. I was told the usual stories about immigration restrictions and how difficult it is for foreigners (especially Africans) to get a decent job, harder still for someone like me who had left school and walked straight into marriage. Blissfully ignorant of all these limitations, I believed I would make it. With relentless determination I sought and found work and three years later, after establishing myself, my children joined me. Despite the difficult circumstances, including the fear in the back of my mind of working illegally and being exposed to the authorities, I steadily moved up the career ladder. It was nothing great but notable progress nonetheless.

Counting my blessings I found that on average things had turned out quite well for me and I felt a great need to give something back. The only thing I could afford to give was time so I decided to do charity work. Coincidentally, the first advertisement I responded to turned out to be an organization supporting those infected with HIV/AIDS. For the second time in about six years my path crossed HIV/AIDS. Barely knowledgeable on the subject, I joined the project as a befriender, but before my work could take off, the project folded due to funding problems and for the second time in my life my relationship with HIV/AIDS ended before it had even started.

Continue reading Thandi Haruperi's story by clicking on the "Read More" link ...

Read more »

Nakai Jewellery's Bazaar Collection

Written By: Staff Writer—Nakai Jewellery's Tapiwa Matsinde hand makes beautiful colorful accessories inspired by her childhood growing up in Zimbabwe. Believing African style is timeless; Tapiwa's approach with Nakai Jewellery is all about simple, sophisticated glamour.
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Inspired by the bustling bazaars of Africa, this season, Tapiwa's collection for Nakai Jewellery is comprised of vibrant hand painted wooden bangles, reminiscent of African wax cloth and painted motifs. True to Nakai Jewellery's effortless signature style, the bangles are designed to mix and match with other pieces in the collection.

To see more from Nakai Jewellery, visit www.nakai.co.uk.

MIMI Related Links: Designer Spotlight: Kipepeo; The Fashion Rules: Jewelery No-Nos

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of Tapiwa Matsinde For Nakai Jewelery)

The 21 Hottest Africans

Written By: Staff Writer—Buzzworthy talents from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Tanzania, Mali, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone are represented in this year's Hot 21, which is published in MIMI's September 2009 issue.

Celebrity Blog: Jamelia's J-Space

British singer/songwriter Jamelia (whose dad is Zimbabwean) recently launched a blog to keep her fans updated with her life. According to Jamelia, all the content, pictures, news and podcasts are created by her personally. In a message to her fans Jamelia explained, "When I first came up with the idea, I thought whoo this is bordering on Kerry Katona territory here but then I took that thought back, as I’m not gonna be telling you what I had for breakfast (well, not everyday), it won’t be like an online journal, but more like a friendly insight into my life. Without the gory details (well, not all of them!!). I hope this is what you’re looking for, enjoy, and please do feel free to make any suggestions." Keep up with Jamelia at: web.mac.com/jembalem


MIMI Features Link: MIMI's Hot 21: Jamelia

Style File: Thandie Newton

Actress Thandie Newton made an appearance at the Orange British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 10, 2008 in London, England.

(Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for Orange)

Summer Tours Continue

African summer tours continue to go strong (www.mimimagazine.blogspot.com/2007/05/summer-concerts.html). Fans of Cape Verde's newest singing talent, Sara Tavares, should be happy to hear that the singer has been touring Europe during the summer, and she has no plans to stop until December. Sara will be playing in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, to name a few places. Details can be found at: www.saratavares.com

MIMI Mambo Link: Balancing The Melody Of The Diaspora: Sara Tavares www.mimimagazine.com/september2006/02-06-saratavares01.html

Those in the UK can enjoy the vocal stylings of Zimbabwean singer Netsayi , who is on tour for the summer. She is scheduled to continue her tour of the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium until October. Get all the details at: www.netsayi.com

MIMI Mambo Link: Shona Soul: Netsayi www.mimimagazine.com/december2006/02-09-netsayi01.html

(Photo Credits: Joke Schot)