Passion for fashion

(MC): How did your fashion & designing career happen?

(FN): While still a student at Fletcher I felt the increased love for fashion and designing while doing it as a subject. I still respect my teacher Mable Ndaguta who always believed in me and encouraged that I take the subject as a profession. My mother was handy too and I remember she made pinafore dresses for us using her Singer Hand Sewing machine. I remember making clothes for our dolls. This was the beginning of a long journey which took me to my present successful fashion brand. I do not buy designer brands because I am only enriching the already rich.

My focus is on the motherland and how we can uplift the African child. It makes no sense that we have black millionaires but our black children are being adopted by white celebrities which is very sad for our continent. My strong calling is for us to help in every little way to make a difference.

I am always helping young girls with potential back home by paying school fees for them. Right now my main focus is to draw attention to the needs of the African Child. We need to be sensitive enough to their basic needs and somehow feel compelled to help. Not necessarily through charities but to go back home, help a child in their local communities and make a difference. If we ignore this we are killing Africa’s future as it depends on these young children.

(MC): When did you start involving yourself in community development?

(FN): I have always had a soft spot for helping children in need. When I was working in the Public Relations department at Grain Marketing Board back home we had some social responsibility projects that helped = various Children’s homes. That is when I personally fell in love with the passion of community development. I recall meeting a little boy while exhibiting at the Harare Agricultural Show and it touched me. He was selling wind propelled toys, I spoke to him and he told me why he was selling, to raise school fees and I repeat it touched me. I started paying his fees, but we have lost touch since I migrated to UK some few years ago. I also work for a charity organisation that supports people with learning disabilities and mental health. I have worked with other progressive women like Betty Makoni, Barbara Nyagomo, Fikelephi Dube, Linda Satimburwa, Stephanie Chiyangwa, and Lara Mfon among others from our continent.

(MC): What do you think of women across Southern Africa?

(FN): African women are natural leaders, nurturers and are blessed with multi skills. They are resilient and hard workers. When you invest in a woman you have invested in a nation and that is why they say ‘Mother Nature’.

(MC): What do you think of gender balance in Zimbabwe?

(FN): Women are the backbone of the society so when men lead we are somehow content and proud because we know they would not do without us. There is still much which needs to be done to balance things as the key to success is unity. We need to balance things and work together for sustainable development.

(MC): Who is your role model and why?

(FN): My mother remains best as she is an unsung heroine. I was also greatly inspired by Amai Sally Mugabe. Her role as a mother of the nation, a wife and her grace and dressing was so admirable. I have that with me till today. She was an amazing dignified role model. My mum was a teacher and my dad was a manager. He was one of the first black managers at Bata Shoe Company and he was a shoe designer and maker. He was trained at the prestigious Cordwainers College in UK in the 1980’s so I guess that DNA flows within me.

(MC): Do you think Zimbabwe is ready for a woman President and why?

(FN): Zimbabwe has always had a woman president in my view. A good woman helps her husband to be a good president. So in that aspect Amai Sally Mugabe was our first female President. Our women are natural born leaders, so I say don’t be shocked to see Amai Joice Mujuru elevated to that position as she is a good, humble and objective leader.

Biog

Born on Independence Day in 1980 Mkoba, Gweru. Graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Media and Society Studies from Midlands State University and went on to do a Masters in Mental Health and Well Being at London Metropolitan University last year. Grew up in an extended family in a home saturated with love.