I was born in Mutare, Zimbabwe, though my family is originally from Masvingo

I was born in Mutare, Zimbabwe, though my family is originally from Masvingo At age seven, we moved to Ireland, then later to Guernsey in the Channel Islands I spent over a decade there, with stints in mainland UK for university and work, before settling permanently in the UK in 2020 Living in Guernsey was picturesque but isolating It’s a small, close-knit community, and as an outsider, I had to navigate social spaces where friendships were already deeply rooted That experience taught me that people come from different starting points in life, and we shouldn’t expect the same outcomes for everyone My memories of Zimbabwe are filled with warmth-family, community, and spontaneous visits that, at the time, felt inconvenient but now feel priceless Though I don’t live there now, I’m proud of Zimbabwe’s global achievements, like our students excelling in international exams and our presence in global competitions like Miss World These stories deserve more attention-they reflect a Zimbabwe that is vibrant, capable, and globally competitive My dream is to collaborate across industries to help young Zimbabweans thrive With a First Class Honours in Creative Enterprise and a Master’s in Entrepreneurship, I have applied my skills in financial services and beyond I’d love to work with business support providers, branding experts, and lifestyle mentors to equip youth with tools for success-both professionally and personally Growing up abroad means I’ll never fully grasp Zimbabwean culture in its purest form I try to remove the stigma around being from a hybrid culture and celebrate others like me who are doing their best to stay connected to our roots I still practice small traditions like sharing food, avoiding passing salt hand-to-hand, and keeping gifts even if they’re not to my taste There are strong cultural ties between Zimbabwe and the UK Icons like Princess Diana and Bob Marley left lasting impressions on Zimbabweans Today, Zimbabwean-owned businesses in the UK, selling traditional meats, produce, and pantry staples—help us stay connected to home These businesses are supported by a community that bonds over shared nostalgia That said, navigating life in the UK as a Zimbabwean isn’t always easy Challenges vary depending on your age, immigration status, and profession One common misconception is that the hardest part is getting here In reality, the real challenge begins after arrival-adjusting to a new culture without the support systems we had back home We often face discrimination and microaggressions without knowing how to name or respond to them There’s also a dual identity struggle In Zimbabwe, I’m sometimes seen as “too British,” and in the UK, I’m “too Zimbabwean.” It can feel like being a citizen of no nation That lack of belonging is something many in the diaspora experience, and it’s deeply human to crave acceptance I’ have also worked to bridge cultural gaps In Guernsey, I founded Guernsey Diversity Connect, a safe space for ethnically diverse residents to share experiences I hosted a Shisanyama event featuring Zimbabwean and UK artists, which was covered by BBC Radio Guernsey At work, I co-lead our global multicultural network and ensure Zimbabwean voices are represented For example, during Black History Month, I invited a mbira player to perform and share the instrument’s cultural significance As for returning to Zimbabwe, I think the question should be more neutral Many Zimbabweans are moving back without waiting for major changes For me, it would depend on factors like professional opportunities, quality of life, and the ability to contribute meaningfully What I hope people in the UK understand is that Zimbabweans are kind, resilient, and not defined by negative media portrayals Zimbabwe is a country of immense natural beauty, rich culture, and welcoming people It’s a destination worth exploring To young Zimbabweans in the UK or those considering the move my message is this: Find who you are and never let that go In a world full of opinions about your identity, be your own pillar of strength Be teachable, but not impressionable Learn from experiences that help you grow, but don’t take advice from those who don’t know or value you Follow your instincts, especially when it feels like the world is against you Be the person your younger self would look up to Don’t chase fitting-in, no one starts from the same place Source: The Standard Zimbabwe All Zim News is a central hub for all things Zimbabwean, curating news from across the country so no story is missed Alongside aggregation, our team of nationwide reporters provides real-time, on-the-ground coverage Stay informed and connected — reach us at admin@allzimnews.com. Source: Thestandard