History is made in Zimbabwe Aviation.

It’s a big moment for women in Zimbabwe. History was made when Air Zimbabwe’s Boeing 737 took off with its first ever all female flight crew from Harare to Victoria Falls. Captain Chipo M Matimba and Captain Elizaberth Simbi Petros captured the moment with a selfie that went viral on social media. This moment is not only marked in Zimbabwean history but will be cherished by many women in Zimbabwe. It’s a turning point many women have been waiting for and is guaranteed to go down in history as the greatest moment for women empowerment in Zimbabwe.

Shoko Festival 2015: Review

If you were not at Shoko Festval this year you really missed out! Shoko Festival is one of the biggest urban arts festival in Harare Zimbabwe. This was my first year attending Shoko Festival and I have to say I enjoyed myself to the fullest. The combination of different preforming artists from different countries was a real experience. I managed to also get the chance to appreciate different forms of art from poetry, comedy and music.

The comedy show was one of the best highlights from Shoko Festival. It had the likes of Toll A$$ Mo, Clive Chigubu, Deep Fried Man just to name a few. Zambezi News team opened up the comedy roaster and the audience immediately lit up. All comedians left the crowd in tears with their hilarious jokes. I am officially a fan of stand up comedy!

 Zambezi News

Clive Chigubu
Shoko Festival facebook page

Deep Fried Man Source Shoko Festival Facebook Page 

The performances from both international and local stars was exceptional.

Shingai Mangoma
Source: Shoko Festival Facebook Page









                          Casper Nyovest

Me with SA Princess of House, Bucie

The hubs were a great learning experience for school children and adults as well. Speakers came from around the world to educate everyone on the power of ART and the web.





The best part of Shoko Festival came at the Chitungwiza "peace in the hood" concert where many local and international acts preformed as well. Battle of the beats was one of my favorite shows and was proof that Zimbabwe has talent!! like most people in the crowd I was impressed by the talented producers that showcased their beats to win the $200 prize money  and many more.

Open Air Cinemas Open for Summer Season.

What better way to spoil your family or even your loved one, than enjoying an all time classic movie and the beautiful outdoors. Openair cinemas is the perfect place to enjoy a unique, fun-filled evening this summer!

Saturday maked the opening for Open Air cinemas and many families came to watch the classic movie, Madagascar, under the captivating Zimbabwean evening sky. Children were entertained by a playful clown and the whole family enjoyed delicious treats from meals 'n' wheels and many others.

We have some more pictures from the opening night below, but first, we caught up with the management team to ask a few questions:

Q1.    Tell us a bit more about Openair Cinemas.

Openair Cinemas is the quintessential outdoor event, with feature films lighting up our huge movie screen from dusk. Cinema goers chill out before their movie with some tasty food and frosty beverages from the licensed bar, while relaxing to sounds from the best of the Zimbabwean music scene and sets from the most exciting emerging local musicians. 

Q2.    How long has Openair Cinemas been open and when will it be open this summer?

Openair Cinemas has been around since September 2013, mostly for corparate and private screenings. We will be starting our Summer season on the 15^th of August, playing most weekends at the Italian club.

Q3.    What can people expect when they come to Openair Cinemas this summer?

Our main focus is family entertainment, so you find most of the movies are classic family favourates, We will be having special Fridays for the ladies to enjoy thier chick flicks though.

Q4.    What are the movie starting times?

The venue opens at 4pm, and people can just enjoy the outdoors, music playing, games, clowns entertaining the kids, enjoying food and drinks from our food vendors, then the actual movie starts just before dust at 6pm.

Q5.    How much are ticket costs?

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids.

Q6.   What inspired to start this project?

During our time in Australia, a favouraite way to spend summer nights was watching movies under the stars, and since we are lucky to enjoy great weather in Zimbabwe, it was a no brainer.Also Harare has limited entertainment options, especially those that involve the whole family, so Openair Cinemas  fills that gap.

Q7.    Please give us contact details and social media sites we can follow you on, for those who what to always be up to date with Openair Cinemas.

We are very active on our Facebbok page, so thats the first place to go for any Openair Cinemas updates facebook.com/ZimOpenair you can also call or whatsapp on 0771923299.

Next week Openair cinemas will be showing Grease at Wild Guesse Lodge in Harare.

Be sure to make a date and catch tickets while you still have time. 

Here are some pictures from the opening.

 Capturing family moments.

 The clown entertaining children before the movie starts. 

Audience getting comfortabe while they prepare for the movie.

THE ZIM MOVIE

 

Finally a movie that will reflect on true Zimbabwean experiences and events! The Zim Movie is a narrative short film based on true events, the land seizures. A controversial topic but is bound to make a great story if you ask me. The film will be about one man’s struggle, Daniel Silva, to protect his farm and his family during the land seizures , one of the most controversial eras in Zimbabwe.  As confirmed on their Facebook page, the movie will take place one of the farms during these events which will only add to the authenticity of the story. The Zim Movie will be written and directed by Alexandra Bedria, you might know him from roles he has played in famous series like Scandal and The Newsroom, and he also starred in The Amazing Spider Man. One of the Actors will include 263’s very own “Detective Davis” Tongai Chirisa and Actress Constance Ejuma from Cameroon.

Asked why he decided to be a part of the movie, Tongai said, “Firstly, it’s close to my heart as a Zimbabwean that lived in our dark period. I have seen firsthand the hard ship that my people have gone through and still going through, and if I can lend a voice that preaches peace and moving forward from our forefathers mistakes then, it’s absolutely imperative that I do so. I love my country, my nation, and my people too much not to be a part of the solution.”

I’m excited to see the storyline of the Zim movie and I know I am not the only one.

Now I know what you are thinking, how can we be a part of this amazing project?  Don’t worry if you follow The Zim Movie on Facebook, @thezimmovie on Twitter and @thezimmovie on Instagram you will get all the details you want soon. They promised to let us know on the 4^th of August so ill also keep my eyes glued to their social media pages for you.

 

#TWZ show Public Response!

The first episode of the much anticipated TWZ show was released yesterday. Social media went crazy with many giving their opinions on the show. The overall response to the show was more than positive as many felt the show is a game changer for Zimbabwean television, producing the best in terms of quality and content. We rounded up a couple of your responses from different social media platforms on what YOU said you loved about the show.

 If you haven’t seen the first episode yet you can watch it on  Youtube  or theTWZ website

Zim's First Tonight Show!

Zororo Makamba and Nafuna TV have teamed up to produce Zimbabwe’s FIRST EVER tonight show with their first episode going online on the 1^st of July 2015.

Tonight with Zororo will be a comedy orientated talk show with celebrity guests, musical performances and topical monologues.  Unlike the usual hard talk shows, this show is a combination of controversial and humorous stories that are guaranteed to entertain and inform.  Since December, sneak peeks and snippets of the show have been posted online and have left many anticipating for the full product. You won’t have to wait any longer, Tonight With Zororo’s FIRST episode drops this Wednesday!!

The show will be posted on the TWZ official Website . You don’t want to miss it and you don’t want anyone else to either, so be sure to SHARE the show when you watch it.

For more updates you can follow the show on Facebook or Twitter.

In the mean time you can watch this sneak peek of Ammara Browns exceptional performance on the show.

OneStopShop for 263 Fashion!

In an initiative to support local designers Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe and Rungano Rwedu have collaborated to open a one stop shop with Zimbabwean made clothing and accessories, theTrunk Shop at Arundel Village in (04) Harare. 

In the Trunk Shop you will find a variety of clothing and accessories from a selection of Zimbabwe’s finest designers. A list of the brands is available below, but first, allow me to tell you a bit about the masterminds behind this much needed initiative.

Fashion weekend is an annual fashion, food and music event showcasing the best that Zimbabwe has to offer in Fashion, Food and Music. The festival offers a platform where new Zimbabwean fashion designers and other brands can connect, introduce and expose their brand to a vast market of consumers. Fashion Weekend will be taking place this year from 10 October to 11 October more details can be found on their website.  Rungano rwedu is a clothing line that embraces the fusion between culture and fashion. Rungano rwedu started in 2012 and has since made their mark with their designs.

Now a look into the local brands you can find in the Trunk shop.

 (PN: this is just a description of some (not all) of the designer brands available)

Goddess by Fatima

 If class and style are up your fashion avenue, then Goddess by Fatima is for you! Goddess by Fatima is our local celebrities’ favorite with some of the most prestige names in entertainment wearing her brand. The clothing line started in 2005 and has since been custom making gowns for their clientele. Now she has made her elegant look readily available for you at the trunk shop. You can follow Goddess by Fatima on Facebook .

Ruvheneko in one of the military themed, Goddess By Fatima Dresses.

Targaryen leather

 The targaryen brand is dedicated to providing quality premium leather handbags. 100% leather that guarantees durability and style at the same time. They have 2 ranges available for you at the trunk shop, Lady Targaren and Targaryen Man.  Lady Targaryen is the stylish women’s range with handbags, clutches and purses and Targaryen man for male bags. They also have an adorable kids range that you can have a look at on their website.

Mucha Africa couture

 The popular label that specializes in African Print clothing has a variety on display. This includes their famous tunics, maxi skirts, pencil skirts and a lot more. The label started in 2011 and has built a following of more than 50 000 people around the world on their social media platforms. The clothing line also custom makes garments so if you wish to have anything made to your liking you can contact them by visiting their Facebook page 

#NDNM [New Day: New Mercies] Inspired by the biblical verse Lamentation 3 vs 22-24

 #NDNM inspires more than just stylish casual clothing, it inspires hope. The Christian concept behind this clothing line has built the success it has to date, communicating a message of humility. The label specializes in vests, t-shirts and sweaters that are designed and styled to perfection.  Their new range also incorporates some African print for extravagant color. You can order your own and see more of their designs on their Facebook page  

 My favorite from their inspirational biblical verse is verse 24, “‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in him!’”.

Support Local designers and wear local brands, there is no better way to show how you are proudly 263 J

City Scenery and Fashion.

K. Chaks Photography and Chic Street Photoshoot.

The City of Harare has never looked so good and its all credit given to Chic Street and K. Chaks photography for a remarkable shoot that showcases Harare is a different light. I could not pass out the opportunity of writing about this remarkable venture.

 Chic Street is a boutique that has Zimbabwean made clothes readily available on-line and in-store at Travel Plaza. Get directions from their Facebook page HERE or visit their website .
Also visit K. Chaks Photography Page for more info and a look at more of his remarkable work. FACEBOOK. 

Now you can enjoy the view with some stunning fashion pieces you should consider :).

Photo Credit: K. Chaks photography
Clothes: Chic Street.

#WorldPressFreedomDay Where does Zimbabwe stand.

Today is World Press Freedom Day, a day set aside to advocate for freedom of press around the world. This is a much cherished cause in the face of increased restricted media around the world. According to the Freedom House report, restrictions on freedom of press has increased with 65 countries (32%) without freedom of press and 71 countries (36%) Partly free. You can view the rating map HERE.

 Zimbabwe is among the restricted countries according to the  2014 report from Freedom house, clearly indicating our status as "not free" . Our freedom rating is placed at 5.5 (1 being free and 7 being restricted). You can view the report now.

 Many have taken to social media to express the lack of freedom of press in Zimbabwe. Below is one picture from daily news that stands out!

Most media outlets are state owned and restrict many journalists from reporting their truth that is, facts that inform the public and do not mislead them. Some tweets are of Zimbabweans praising the few journalists that continue to work to bring the truth to the public despite the conditions they face.

 It is clear that there is still alot to be done to improve freedom of press in Zimbabwe.Journalists have an obligation to the public to report the truth and that obligation cannot be taken away. Hopefully this will improve in the near future.

HIFA OPENING SHOW

The opening Show for the Harare International Festival of Arts was epic to say the least and this was evident by the massive turnout at the show.

Mokoomba group showed a lively energy and had the audience hyped and feeling the music. You could not help but dance and join in on the fun.

The  dance group’s  danced the night away and left the crowd in awe with their unique moves.

Accordionist Magda played some beautiful sounds that had everyone singing along. 

The show closed with breathtaking fireworks that left the crowd anticipating for more.

There is a lot more to come in the next few days of ART that ARTICULATES  and this opening show defiantly set the tone for a successful festival!