Hazel Marimbiza
Local gospel musicians are keen on fighting the spread of HIV and Aids among Christians by holding a gospel music gala at the Sizinda Youth Centre.
Gospel musicians and groups which include Magimus Moyo, Abigail Mwembe, Minister Don Mass, Mrs Hozheri  Khaya Arts and Victory Siyanqoba will seek to close the tap on HIV infections through gospel music.

The gospel gala which will be held on 17 November is an awareness campaign meant to encourage Christians to go for HIV testing and to embrace prevention methods.

“We are targeting the church community. They usually don’t speak much about HIV and prevention measures. Most of them don’t even want to hear about the use of condoms. In a church setup if a believer speaks about the importance of using condoms they are usually labelled as unclean.

“There is also the issue of fake prophets who pray for people who are HIV positive and then tell them they are healed, hence they are not allowed to take their antiretroviral drugs. We condemn that.

“Even if they pray for people we encourage believers to go to the hospital and get checked. Christians should know that their health is not their pastor’s responsibility, but it’s their responsibility,” said Magimus Moyo Sakala the events co-ordinator.

Hi Sis Noe
MY wife now loves going to the gym and every morning she jogs. She is now complaining that I am not fit and unattractive. Now she rarely sleeps with me to force me to exercise. I don’t want to go to the gym and worse if my wife wants to force me to. — Help.

Reply

I am going to be harsh here — you are a man so I’m sure you can take it. Has it crossed your mind that the reason you are not having sex any more is not because your wife is at the gym, but because you have become an unattractive lump sprawled on the sofa?

It sounds to me as if your wife is trying to tell you something and, if you continue to ignore her, she may well start talking to someone else.

Gyms don’t just contain middle-aged chubsters making a fool of themselves in aerobics classes, they are also full of gorgeous healthy specimens of manhood.

I hate exercise and going to the gym, but the consequences of not going are, for me, even worse.

Being nagged may be annoying, but being dumped is devastating. Go to the gym and sweat a river, the sex will follow.

Hi Sis Noe

I am single and being pursued by my ex-boyfriend. We didn’t break up because he did something but because our sex life was pathetic.

We used to have sex just once a month. Besides that he was great. He did everything I wanted and he treated me like a queen.

I don’t know whether I should go back to such a man. Sex is important to me. — Worried.

Reply

It seems to me that you have already made your decision and this ex is staying an ex.

Just before you do start looking at all those other fish in the sea, let me ask a few questions.

Have you ever actually told this man, who you really like and fancy, that you have a problem with his libido?

If he is truly fabulous, maybe it would be worth seeing a specialist counsellor.

On the other hand, there are few things more humiliating than having to talk someone into having sex with you.

It’s very hard to keep the passion burning when you feel your partner is doing you a favour.

Whoever you go out with, things will eventually end up with more of an emphasis on companionship than crazy nights in the bedroom, but I suppose you don’t want to face that reality immediately.

Fair enough. Balancing a love life with a life of love is not easy for any couple and I am sure many people reading your letter will be screaming at you to grab this man with both hands, but the point is that you are not ready.

If you are not completely certain then leave this man’s heart alone. I just hope that by the time you are happy to settle for evenings of snuggles and hand-holding there is a hand out there to hold.

Hi Sis Noe

I was abused as a child by my father. He used to hire prostitutes for me when I was a teenager.

And they did things to me that give me nightmares up to now. When I told him I don’t like it he said they were making me a man.

Now I have a good job, I am married, I have a family and I moved far away from him to Bulawayo.

He is in Kariba. I have not seen him in years but recently he called me and it brought back the nightmares. Should I report him? — Worried.

Reply

The way your father treated you was totally wrong: that is not how fathers should treat their sons.

What you endured was inhumane, abusive and horribly cruel. To have experienced what you did at such a young age was truly traumatic.

And yet there you are in your letter, telling me about the good things in your life now — that’s an extraordinary testament to your spirit and personality. You want to report your father for what he did to you that is okay.

But while I do not want to discourage you from doing so, I also do not want you and your family to suffer unnecessary trauma.

People do make complaints about historical childhood abuse and get resolution. Many feel validated and listened to, often for the first time.

Some go to trial, some don’t. Past or current abuse is investigated by specialist trained officers and you would be offered support.

There are various options to consider so you can make an informed choice that works for you.

You may think it’s your word against his but you could also be surprised what evidence there might be and what comes out when something is investigated. It’s not your job to provide evidence, but for the police to look into.

As I hinted you can let sleeping dogs lie or you could pursue the issue but if I was you I would seek professional counselling and move on with my life.

Hi Sis Noe

I have been in love with a man who cheats on me a lot but I can’t break up with him. He treats me well, he showers me with gifts but he is a serial cheat. He tells me to be patient with him because he will eventually change. — Cheated.

Reply

I wonder what you want me to say — that, despite everything, this exciting feeling he gives you is worth it — you know it is not.

The reason he still makes you feel like this, after all this time, is because you never know where you stand with him.

It is a feeling of hope, not a sign of a soul mate.

You seem terribly kind, you want to say the right thing, and you want to be fair: but I think you need to start getting angry.

Is this man a bad person?

Probably not wholly, which is what makes him so attractive: you keep trying to sieve out the good bits, the gold among the silt, but it is not enough, is it?

What is clear is that he is not a good partner and he makes a mess wherever he goes. Don’t be the person to clean up after him. Run for the hills while you still can.

Queen Aquata

Sukoluhle Ndlovu
Traditional healer Queen Aquata, born Sichelesile Nkala has become a hit in Gweru and Harare with her traditional mixture of herbal remedies for women which makes them “hot in bed” such than no man would leave them.

Named “Chiname” the herb “makes men stuck emotionally” to their partners after a sexual encounter.

In an interview, Nkala said the herbs provide women with heat in bed, such that no man will leave them.

“Every woman’s dream is to be the keeper of her man’s heart particularly between the sheets. No woman wants her man to leave her for another woman for failing to provide the ‘heat’ between the sheets but this has been the plague of most women of this generation.

This has been exacerbated by the death in adolescent sexual teaching and traditional practices which equipped women with sex knowledge getting into marriage.

“Even in biblical terms, it’s said that people perish because of lack of knowledge and for me I will not let my fellow women perish and have their marriages and relationships collapse because of lack of knowledge.  I am a traditional healer on a mission to save women.  Back in the olden days women prepared their own set of herbs to boost their sexual drive and make them hotter than the next woman in bed. But because of the general disregard of our own traditions because of so called modernisation we now have a bigger problem on our hands which has caused collapse in most marriages, prostitution and spreading of diseases. My herbs are about cementing marriages and unlike the general misconception about herbs, Chiname is used as a tea or in porridge. This makes women feel extremely good during sex. It’s called a love and forgiveness herb because it rejuvenates the love between couples”.

Queen Aquata, who derives her name from marine species where she said she gets some of her healing powers, having been taken by mermaids at a young age, dispelled misgivings that people have about herbs and traditional healers.

“Now because of the so called ‘civilisation’ we have people who don’t know the problem between creation and satisfaction. Remember the word aphrodisiac comes from aphrodite, the name of Greek goddess of love. So even when you look at it from European perspective aphrodisiac aides love and makes marriages stronger. Actually some of my biggest clients are coming from Europe. You know with the diet that we having these days with so much fat, medication with anti-depressants and some family planning methods, women’s hormones are affected either making them ‘cold’ in bed or lose sex drive altogether.

“Now my clientele even includes those cosmopolitan women who are big in society who realised that they are losing out on pleasure and also that they were being left by men not because of bad luck but because they didn’t have the ‘glue’ to keep their men. Even those that would have lost their men to other women, I can help them get them back,” added Queen Aquata, who is a far cry from the “image” of traditional healers.

Queen Aquata, who says she represents the beautiful image of traditional healers, not those that are portrayed and old and dirty, also highlighted that because of the demand of her herbs she is at times forced to move around the country to cater for those that have challenges travelling to her base in Harare.

“I frequently go to places like Bulawayo, South Africa to provide assistance to those that are not able to come to my place. It’s not like I specialise in women only, but men as well even though some are shy so their women collect on their behalf. For me it’s all about building marriages and relationships. There should be no problems in paradise of a marriage which the bedroom,” she said.

Cases of low libido have been on the increase not only in Zimbabwe but worldwide. Known in clinical terms as hypoactive sexual desire disorder, it has been on rampant, affecting both the young and old.

Oskido

Nigel Siziba/ Bruce Ndlovu , Sunday Life Reporters
WHEN the two members of Izikhali Zomsakazo met Kalawa Supremo Oscar Mdlongwa and handed him a demo with their songs on 27 December in 2013, they thought lady luck had smiled on them.
Many artistes would give an arm and a leg for a meeting with Oskido, a man who broke many stars into the mainstream music industry, and Isaac Masina and Emmanuel Phiri thought they had struck the jackpot when they were granted a brief audience with the music heavyweight on the sidelines of his Kalawa Homecoming gig.

Unknown to the then 19-year olds, it was not to be. In the hustle and bustle of an oversubscribed Kalawa gig, they allegedly managed to give a CD of their best to the ever busy label boss cum businessman.

“We gave Oskido the demo and he gave this other guy from Luveve. I really don’t know who the guy is but he was moving together with the people from Kalawa. Because the disk that we gave them had contact details they called us and told us to come to Luveve the next day,” one half of the group Isaac Masina (Malume Best), told Sunday Life.

With excited, expectant and hopeful hearts, the two musicians had made their way to Luveve, where they expected to finally meet their idol, a man who has become the embodiment of success for youths looking for a way out of poverty on both sides of the Limpopo.

When they got there, they were disappointed to find that Oskido was on the road again. The real shock however, was to come a few months later.

“I remember it was a Sunday, they told us that Oskido had already left. They told us to leave another CD and we did that so they had two of our CDs. A few months later we heard the chorus of our song on the song by DJ Merlon,” the Malume Best claimed.

Without their knowledge, the young musician claims, the chorus had been from their song without the beat.

Merlon’s Koze Kuse was one of the highlights of 2014, with the song dominating the festive season that followed.

By that time the two had been forgotten, although they insist that they had tried to get in touch with Oskido on various platforms. They got no reward for their efforts.

“We’ve been trying to get hold of him but there’s no response. It’s been years and we’ve been struggling to get credit for our work, work that was crucial to us. There is no one that he is really close to that we know so we’ve even tried to get hold of him on Facebook to no avail,” Malume Best claimed.

The young producer shared the demo of the song, which they had titled Till the Break of Dawn and although it had a different beat, shared the same chorus as the song that was a festive anthem in 2014.

According to Malume Best, their beat had been left untouched while the chorus of the song was taken.

“That Koze Kuse chorus was not his. That was our idea. In fact I can say that the whole theme of the track was not his but ours. It was about partying until the break of dawn. They didn’t take the beat. They just took the vocal and the theme of the song and added the beat to it,” he said.

Four years after what they believe was a great theft, the two musicians have nothing but disappointment to show for their efforts, while also grappling with the fact that they were let down by their role model.

“Personally we were disappointed because we thought after meeting him our careers were going to take a different direction and it was painful to see our song making millions and we got nothing from it,” said Masina.

Izikhali Zomsakazo has three albums and after losing their song to Oskido they have never stopped producing more songs.

“People think that the music that we make in Bulawayo is not of a great standard and some people are now taking advantage of that. We’re not the only ones. Artistes in South Africa know that they can steal music from Bulawayo guys and get away with it because no one will believe us when we cry.

People, even here in Bulawayo, think our music is inferior so how will they believe us when we say so and so stole our song from us? If we give people our music they will tell you that this is not music from here,” he said.

Despite that setback, Malume Best said the group was soldiering on and they still hoped that their contribution to a smash hit song would one day be acknowledged.

However, Kalawa Jazmee spokesperson Arthur “Scotch” Mathenga expressed ignorance of the two’s claims.

He pointed out that the singer who released the song, DJ Merlon, did not belong to their stable and thus they could not be accused of “stealing the material” and giving it to him.

Jackie Mgido

Bruce Ndlovu
WHILE she has become known for her famous makeovers that transform Zimbabwean women, celebrity make-up artiste Jackie Mgido has not completely abandoned her Hollywood roots just as yet, as she recently landed a slot as a make-up artiste on a potential Hollywood blockbuster.
Since September Mgido has been busy behind the scenes of an upcoming Hollywood movie titled Fatale, a flick that is set to feature stars such as Hillary Swank, Michael Ealy and Mike Colter.

Over the past few weeks, the renowned celebrity make-up artiste has been giving fans a glimpse of life behind the scenes of a big budget movie, as she brushes up the looks of some of Hollywood’s most sought after stars.

“ . . . All my Zimbo fam and African fam. We can afford to dream and turn passion into a paying passion. My bonus is working with a cast and production company that believes in dreamers,” she wrote on one of her social media pages.

Fatale centres on a married man being tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective, portrayed by Swank. Taylor is directing and producing with his Hidden Empire Film Group partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith. David Loughery wrote the screenplay.

Endeavor Content will handle worldwide sales. Avent will oversee the production for Hidden Empire Film Group, which is fully financing the movie.

Mgido, a former Eveline High School girl, has done makeup and pimped up the looks of some of Hollywood finest who include Ne-yo, Denzel Washington, Sylvester Stallone, Wiz Khalifa, Gayle King, John Legend and LL Cool.

Vault Cosmetics has gradually grown popular in Zimbabwe in the last few years, due to its dramatic transformations on women who had the pleasure of being vaulted.

The Vault brand has grown from strength to strength since it was launched in the capital in 2014, with new branches sprouting around the country and elsewhere around the continent and beyond.

Rutendo Chidawanyika

WOMEN love staying on top of fashion trends. It’s a ladies’ thing to want to be sure we’re keeping up with the latest trends and want to look like our favourite celebrities and models. But while we are constantly updating our wardrobes to match the fashion magazines, many men are not so on board with this idea.

Guys are simple creatures. They like women to look their best in classic, well-fitting clothes.

That is why a lot of men have no clue what is going on in the women’s fashion world.

They just don’t care! As long as you look nice, they don’t care if you are wearing a trend from now or the 80s.

While they are often indifferent about trends, there are some things that women love wearing that guys absolutely hate and would ban these trends if given the chance.

Contoured Makeup

In the past years, contouring has taken the makeup world by storm.

With just a few products, you can make your face look totally different by visually sculpting sharp cheekbones, a slim nose, and a smaller forehead.

While many ladies love that they can achieve the face they dream of without plastic surgery, lots of men hate this trend.

They feel that putting so much into your makeup is trying too hard, which is apparently unattractive?

I thought we were supposed to put effort into our looks. This has become such a common opinion that there is a meme about taking a girl swimming on the first date so you can see what she really looks like.

So I guess the key is to do such good contour that the guy doesn’t even know.

Bold Lipstick

Bold, bright, and colourful lipsticks have recently become all the rage.

Women love to play with different shades and finishes (such as matte, lip stain and gloss) in ways that have never been accepted before.

While a bright lip might make you feel glam, beware before applying on your favourite lip colour when you get ready for a date.

Some just do not like the boldness and feel like dark lipstick makes women look more like ladies of the night, I guess.

Others like the look, but will probably not kiss you if you wear a bold lip colour.

Guys enjoy how makeup looks on you but the idea of having it smeared all over their face or clothes after a make out session is anything but attractive.

Cold Shoulder Tops

Tops that reveal your shoulders, often called cold shoulder tops if they have cut-outs, are a major trend these days.

But lots of men (and women too!) love to hate this trend. Lots of haters of the cold shoulder trend hate these tops because there are not practical. Men also see this trend as another version of the half shirt for full price idea, which they don’t get.

Plus they don’t understand the point of covering your arms with sleeves but leaving your shoulders exposed.

What kind of weather is that style even good for? Stick to either a tank top or full sleeves on your next date and you’ll be fine, girls.

High-Waisted Anything

One of the most popular women’s fashion trends which has managed to last long in the fashion scene are: high-waist bottoms.

Magazines tell you to tuck your shirt into a high-waist skirt, shorts, or pants to define your waist.

However, lots of guys hate this look. They think that the look is frumpy and can even look like pamper if the shorts are too short.

Some say it reminds them of the jeans their mum used to wear. Because they are so high, these bottoms make your butt look bigger and may have excess fabric around the belly area.

For lots of men, they think this makes even the skinniest girls look chubby.

Menswear Styles

Guys can’t stand menswear styles on women. While lots of ladies like to dress in suits because it looks powerful, feels comfortable, and gives them a unique style, men are definitely not attracted to this style.

They like women because they look so different from them. So when you make yourself look like a boy, even just with your clothes, it is a major turn-off.

I admit it is pretty sexist to say “you look like a man instead of a woman, so now I don’t like you.” But at the same time I kind of get it.

You should wear whatever makes you happy but if you live in pantsuits and ties, do not expect to get a ton of date offers from straight men.

Super High Heels

High heels can look amazingly sexy if worn right. If they match your outfit and you can walk in them easily, they will make any man stare at you — in a good way.

But crazy high heels are a sure fire way to turn your man off.

They also make you walk like a baby giraffe, which just looks hilarious.

He doesn’t want to worry about you breaking your ankle the whole night! Stick to a more sensible heel or even flats instead so you can walk confidently and look hot too.

If you wear heels stick with them, don’t change into flats as the night progresses. Its tacky!

Open Armpit Shirts

Another recent trend to come into the fashion world is bandeau tops.

They have shown up in the form of swimsuit tops and bras and are everywhere during the summer months.

As a way to show off their cute bandeaus without revealing too much skin, many girls have started wearing tank tops or muscle tees with extra-large arm holes, which allows the bandeau to peek out the sides.

While you may think this is a flirty look, steer clear if you are headed out on a date. Many men think the shirts look too much like the muscle shirts they wear.

They also don’t like their date essentially showing off her underwear to everyone they pass on the street. Next time, save your bandeau for the beach and wear a shirt with full sides.

Leggings of Any Kind

Leggings have recently exploded into a major fashion trend for women.

No longer just an item for working out in, these bottoms can be seen on the streets in every colour and pattern imaginable.

Their super comfy, stretchy fabric and fun styles make leggings a popular item in almost every woman’s closet. However, lots of men are not shy about sharing their hatred for this trend.

First, some guys find the crazy colours and designs too weird and think they make you look either like a clown or a little kid.

As we have already established, men are also often shallow about looks.

As a result, many believe that only women with the so-called perfect figure should wear leggings in public, as the pants show every lump and bump of your body.

— Additional information from Online sources.
Email: rutendochidawanyika3@gmail.com

HHP

Bruce Ndlovu
YEARS after he had died, Biggie Tembo’s wife Ratidzai narrated how the musician had got up one day while they were watching TV in Bristol in England, convinced that something was burning in the house.
It was months after Tembo had left the legendary Bhundu Boys and the seeds that would lead to his eventual suicide five years later had already been planted.

“I remember one day while we were staying in England, we were watching television and he started saying he could smell something burning in the house and he paced up and down the house looking for smoke, even though nothing was alight.”

A man who had been well and healthy for most of his life seemed to have suddenly lost his compass, perhaps plagued by the stress and anxiety that came with his split from the group he had made his name with.

“My husband became ill a while after separating from the Bhundu Boys. He suffered terrible stress. He began to drink whisky straight from the bottle. He said it would help him sleep, but he couldn’t sleep. He was up for days. And all of a sudden, he started to behave strangely,” explained Ratidzai.

Tembo’s split from the Bhundu Boys is now the stuff of music lore. His story has been used as a cautionary tale for young artistes who are warned about the hazards of fame. Hot on the heels of a fast rise may come an even quicker and tragic fall.

The alleged suicide of South African rapper Jabulani Tsambo, better to fans as HHP, bears a striking resemblance to that of one of independent Zimbabwe’s first breakout music stars.

Like Tembo, HHP was a juggernaut who transmitted happiness wherever he performed.

On stage, his electrifying presence seemed to give off a kind of energy that seemed to mock the big frame that was transmitting it.

It is perhaps befitting for this now departed larger than life character that one of his most glorious achievements came when he did not even have a mic in hand.

Competing in the popular reality show, Strictly Come Dancing, the heavily built wordsmith let his feet do the talking, waltzing his way to the title and introducing a pair of unheralded nimble of feet to millions of watching viewers.

The world seemed to be at his feet and like Tembo before him no one could have guessed that a dark cloud hovered over him, a cloud probably only he could see.

When success deserted them and the applause of adoring fans were replaced by long silences that characterise ordinary, everyday life, both Tembo and HHP unravelled.

As depression is still looked upon likely in most communities and because most people seem to care about performers only when they are on stage, most stars are likely to nosedive into depression when their fame is on the wane.

“This is something I really love and so sometimes when I’m down the stage is like therapy,” rapper Asaph told Sunday Life.

“This is because people, even though people want to be entertained, they’re still uplifting you, they’re still shouting your name and that makes you feel like everything is going well. However, whenever you get off stage, that’s when the drama starts and reality sets in.”

HHP is not the only musician to succumb to depression and allegedly commit suicide this year.

In 2016 Swedish house prodigy Avicii had to retire from touring at the tender age of 27 because of stress and poor mental health.

Earlier this year, he committed suicide by cutting himself with a wine bottle in a hotel in Muscat, Omen.

His death, just like HHP now and Tembo in 1995, was treated as a bolt from the blue.

How could one who seemed so happy, one who made thousands squeal in joy suddenly and so abruptly take their own life?

The truth is that for all three of them the signs had been there to see for years. HHP’s father, a psychologist, said his son had moved like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders for the last few years.

At the height of his troubles in 2015 he had allegedly tried to end his life three times. Tembo’s demons had stalked him from Bristol all the way to Harare and for years many had seen him deteriorate.

Many remedies were prescribed but in the end there was no science or herb which could help him.

Despite his obvious agony, he was treated like a pariah for the last few years of his life and was perhaps not given the help he needed. When he needed a bit of cheer, the thousands who he had made smile in the past deserted him.

“Whenever you tell people that you’re going through some things in your real life people don’t believe you because they think you’re trying to sale some music and pull a publicity stunt,” rapper Cal_vin said in an interview.

“In most cases your private life suffers because we mostly live our lives for the satisfaction of the public. Among ourselves we have conversations about what our next moves as musicians are but no one cares about the stuff that happens in your private life. When your private life hits the news you’re not ready because that’s when artistes get ridiculed and slammed and it gets you down,” he said.

According to Cal_vin life for artistes dealing with problems in their private life was particularly hard because it is hard to confess to a public that only demands perfection from its stars.

“It’s sad that we’re losing artistes to depression. What’s even sadder is that you wouldn’t even know that they’re going through that stuff. I think people sometimes idolise celebrities so much that in the end they have a hard time communicating their humanly problems.

“Celebrity problems don’t really matter that much. It’s the problems away from the mic, away from the stage and away from the studio that are really difficult to communicate. People don’t value celebrities as humans, they just see their star status and that’s it,” he said.

For Asaph, like Tembo, coping with stress has sometimes meant that he drowns his problems in intoxicating substances.

“I do have a couple of people that I turn to when things are low.  I won’t lie, sometimes I just get high. When I start overdoing it someone asks me what’s wrong with me, I do have a couple of people that I can turn to and talk to. Maybe this is because of my history in church,” he said.

While alcohol might exorcise demons for a moment, there’s nothing to fend off depression when it comes knocking when one returns to their sober state.

“When you go to events and people are talking about you as one of those big personalities in Bulawayo it feels good, but as soon as you leave that building the life stresses come back. That’s where I feel like our personalities in Bulawayo need to cope and adapt because personally I have to balance between being Asaph and being Tafadzwa,” he said.

Oliver Mtukudzi

Bruce Ndlovu , Sunday Life Correspondent
WHILE one of his daughters, Samantha Mtukudzi, is nursing injuries after being involved in a car accident, music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi says none of his children can fill his gigantic shoes, instead they should carve out their paths in life.
The music superstar said this during a press conference in Kigali, Rwanda where he had gone to perform at this year’s Kigali Jazz Junction last week.

After their alleged fallout a few years ago, Tuku had reunited with Samantha, the wife of former soccer star Tinashe Nengomasha, and she has once again become a part of his globetrotting band.

However, for his trip to Rwanda, Tuku, who has already lost his son Sam to a tragic road traffic accident, revealed that his daughter had been involved in a road traffic accident the day before they had been scheduled to travel to the East African country.

When Sunday Life enquired about Samantha’s condition or the circumstances of her accident from Tuku’s manager, Walter Wanyanya, his phone was off while he did not reply messages.

The death of Sam in a road accident in 2010 has been a bitter pill to swallow for Tuku, who had been mentoring the young musician regarded by many as a future star in his own right.

Not only did Sam’s path to superstardom seem guaranteed, he also destined to carry the Mtukudzi name and legacy into the future.

When death struck on 15 March, 2010 in Norton, it all but robbed Tuku of a male music heir.

In his interview in Rwanda he revealed that despite a late son and two daughters that were accomplished musicians in their own right, he wanted them to pursue their own paths as they could never be him.

“I lost a son that was a bit of musician. I have a daughter Selmor who is running her own band and unfortunately my second daughter didn’t make it this time, we were supposed to be with her but she didn’t make it. She had an accident yesterday morning so she’s in hospital so she couldn’t make it to Rwanda.

“All of these children, they’re not taking my career, no. They’ve to be who they are. They can’t fit in my shoes and I can’t fit in their shoes,” he said.

While Selmor’s career had improved in leaps and bounds over the years, Tuku said she has not shown any interest in her father’s work at an earlier age.

“Selmor surprised me. She became a musician but she was never close to me. When I was doing music she was never there but her older sister was always there so I thought she was going to take after me but she didn’t do music. So they’re being who they are and I’m being who I am,” he said.

While young musicians dreamt of being the next Oliver Mtukudzi, the  music superstar said that should not be the case, as authenticity had been the key to his own longevity.

“I was born Oliver Mtukudzi and I do Oliver Mtukudzi. When I do Oliver Mtukudzi I’m not competing with anyone but I’m complimenting everyone and by that you’ll never go wrong. The moment that you try to compete with someone, you’ll always be secondary because you’re going to be imitating whoever you’re competing (against).

“So I’ve been able to be in music, my journey in music is over 40 years now, I’ve always been Oliver Mtukudzi. That’s all I am,” he said.

It is this authenticity that is lacking in young African musicians; something that Tuku said disappointed him greatly.

“African music will always be African music. I’m scared for youngsters today who don’t want to be themselves. They want to be like R Kelly and they want to be like 50 Cent. They think it’s everything but who you are is the best and there’s no competition,” he said.

Over the years, Tuku has become known as one of the artistes whose music has tried to combat the HIV/ Aids scourge.

Songs such as Mabasa, where the artiste laments the deaths that have left the music star wondering who will bury or shed a tear for the dead when the whole population is being wiped out, have marked him as a rare breed among musicians.

From that song and others, Tuku has emerged as one of the few who can marry beauty and message in a song.

However, as beautiful and impactful as that song is, it perhaps has played second fiddle in Tuku’s impressive discography to Todii, a masterpiece that has won the veteran musicians across the continent.

Tuku revealed that he made that song with the intention of asking awkward questions during a time when the virus was decimating people in silence.

“When I did that song I think it was in 1999. During that time it was time to fight stigma to the diseases because people didn’t believe that Aids is a disease. We all believed that maybe it was witchcraft or something. Todii means what shall we do? That song is full of questions.

“What should you do if you discover that your pregnant wife is positive? Do you run away?

What are you going to do? So it was designed to trigger discussions among people. So that people at least talk about it and I’m glad and humbled to say that song did well in that sense.

I heard it being quoted by politicians, being quoted in churches, being quoted in schools and so many places.”

Initially, the song’s true meaning had been lost on audiences, Tuku said.

“People wanted to know what I was talking about. Some thought it was a love song and when they discovered that no, I was talking about HIV/ Aids, they were shocked. But that helped it serve its purpose and up to now people talk about it,” he said.

Endurance exercise also makes the heart bigger and stronger so that it can pump more blood with each stroke

Simon Gama

Why they reduce blood pressure

A few years back I attended a presentation for lawyers at a medical school by a professor of anatomy who had completed the Boston Marathon only days earlier.
A strong runner, he delighted in relating his experience so I took the opportunity to ask him what effect endurance exercise has on the cardiovascular system.

His response was short and to the point. It makes the whole system stronger, he said. Your blood pressure of course is part of that system.

Endurance exercise opens your arteries.

The much publicised autopsy of Clarence Demar who was still running marathons at age 70 showed that he had very large coronary arteries, probably developed as a result of his lifetime of vigorous exercise.

Regular exercise also opens the large networks of tiny blood vessels connecting the arteries with the veins. All of these factors results in lower blood pressure.

Think of your circulatory system, a hose with many branches increasing the diameter of the hose, reducing the pressure in the system. Likewise adding hundreds small connection rubbers or capillaries into which blood escape reduces the overall pressure.

In untrained individuals the hose is smaller and the connecting branches are constricted or closed which leads high blood pressure.

Endurance exercise also makes the heart bigger and stronger so that it can pump more blood with each stroke. That is why well-conditioned athletes have low resting heart rates.

Only a fraction of their capacity is required to supply their capacity. Roger Bannister’s resting heart rate was in 70s before he trained to become the world’s first four-minute miler.

At the time he set the record, his resting heart rate was less than 40 beats per minute.

What about bodybuilding?

The double berated effect

To be effective exercise should involve a lot of muscle, that’s where bodybuilding comes into the blood pressure picture.

No other form of exercise systematically trains all the muscles and blood vessels like bodybuilding.

This is especially true of the upper body muscle that are often neglected in endurance exercise like running and biking which involves mainly the lower body.

Bodybuilders develop the capillary system in each body part they work.

The total effect is to enlarge the capillary system throughout the body.

This allows the blood to spread out which lowers the overall pressure.

Weight training builds and maintains muscles tissue and muscle tissue burns calories even at rest. Fat tissue is inactive and burns very few calories.

This makes a tremendous difference. Exercise physiologists estimate that one pound of resting muscle burns the equivalent of five pounds of body fat over the course of a year.

- The writer, Simon Gama is a fitness trainer at Body Works in Bulawayo.

Raisedon Baya

THE year 2018 looks like it is going to be a fairly good year for theatre, judging by what we have seen so far and what is coming this November and the coming month. Yes, fairly good in the sense that this is one year we have seen some good audiences coming to theatre. We have also witnessed the launch of several new plays written by fairly new writers, and featuring fairly new actors and actresses.

This November alone Mandy Nash premiers her “Everyone is Talking” that features a lot of new faces to the theatre. Ukholo — The Musical will also be launched. Does this signify the final rise of theatre in Bulawayo?

During Intwasa Arts Festival theatre looked fresh, vibrant, and attracted fairly good crowds. Plays like Savanna Trust’s Liberation and Nhimbe Trust’s Blood Tongue had theatre audience excited and talking about their fearlessness. Then there was Desire Moyo’s Rachel 19 whose approach and target audience very different from the other plays. The young people that watched the play loved it. They loved the music, the high energy and even the new faces that took on leading roles. Lynette Matseura, who showed serious potential while at Nketa High was finally given a chance to shine on the big stage and she did not disappoint.

To say Moyo is a new voice or face in theatre would be a lie. He has been around. However, more of his plays need to be seen beyond the townships. He brings something different to the theatre. Another play worth mentioning in this article is The Hostel. A great concept. Last year when Thulani Mbambo launched Double Funeral, we said a true and talented playwright had arrived. His latest offering is a piece that should be seen by all who love good theatre. What is so exciting about Mbambo is the fact that he is not seeking to prove his writing talents through courting controversy. He simply wants you to come to the theatre and enjoy a good and well thought out theatre piece.

Brent Meersman says plays or theatre pieces are a “valuable cultural medium for society, especially one as complex as our own, to reflect upon itself, to articulate personal, moral and ethical dilemnas where these intersect with public space, and above all to renew us against the emotional toll life takes on us.” This is why it is important for writers and directors to know what they want to achieve with their work and what theatre can do for them and the society. As theatre rises from the ashes we need a new breed of writers, directors and producers to push it and guide it.

Now there is obviously a need to develop new writers, directors and producers. Young writers, directors and producers who will want more from theatre than a few cheap laughs from an audience that is dominantly their friends. We need serious and intense writing workshops, serious and intense directors’ workshops and many opportunities for them to experiment. We need writers and directors who will explore the grey areas between theatre, ritual, performance art, installation, dance and fine art. We need writers and producers who will be able to create hybrids, exciting styles that will push and make Zimbabwean theatre visible. Our audiences need to see new and exciting work. We need theatre that will bring “bums” back into the theatre in their hundreds.

We surely need writers and directors who will be able to move the sector from dealing with obvious issues. Writers and directors with a good sense of imagination committed to revolutionalising the art of theatre making. We truly need a new breed of theatre artistes that will start showing us things and not just telling us things. We end this article by congratulating Jeys Marabini and his team for another successful edition of Godlwayo Yithi Arts Festival in Filabusi. May the initiative continue to grow till it attracts international artistes.

The Archbishop of Kampala, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga

The Archbishop of Kampala, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, has suggested that the government of Uganda deduct tithe from workers’ salaries.
Speaking during a mass, the Catholic Archbishop said many Christians don’t tithe and this affects church projects, reports Citizen Kenya.

“Whenever we ask for tithe, everyone gives only what they have at that time. But the Bible says a tenth of whatever you earn belongs to the church,” said Archbishop Lwanga.

“Give me your support as I front this proposal because it is good for us. Aren’t you tired of putting money in the baskets all the time?”

Archbishop Lwanga said he wanted Uganda to go the German route, where Germans, who are registered as Catholics, Protestants or Jews have a church tax (Kirchensteuer) of 8-9 percent deducted from their annual income.

“I was told Germans made agreements with their government to deduct monthly tithe from their salaries and forward it to the church and this money they use to build and renovate their churches,” he added. — punchng.com

Hi Sis Noe
WHAT are the dangers of having anal sex? — Curious.
Reply

Anal sex is defined as an act in which the penis is inserted into the anus of a sexual partner. In my words it involves trying to prevent a partner from defecating by pushing faeces back into the rectum.

Disgusting isn’t it? Such a description of anal sex is deliberate because I don’t want you to do it.

Anal sex carries an elevated risk of passing on diseases because the anal sphincter is delicate, easily-torn tissue; a tear can provide an entry for pathogens.

The high concentration of white blood cells around the rectum, together with the risk of tearing and the rectum’s function to absorb fluid, places those who engage in unprotected anal sex at high risk of sexually transmitted infections.

It increases the risk of anal cancer, anal warts and STIs. It can result in Hepatitis A which is a viral infection that can cause jaundice and abdominal pain.

There is also the risk of Hepatitis C which is a progressive and sometimes fatal chronic liver disease. It can lead to serious kidney infection.

Most gravely there is no doubt that anal intercourse carries a greater risk of transmission of HIV than other sexual activities, particularly for the receptive partner.

It is theoretically possible that frequent or vigorous anal sex could put undue pressure on the posterior (back) vaginal wall.

This could lead to an increased risk for passing gas (farting) or even to anal continence problems.

Hi Sis Noe

My boyfriend and I were going to have sex for the first time the other day.

It was my first time but he has done it before. I was not nervous or anything but he couldn’t get in at all. Why did this happen? — Worried.

Reply

You need to be relaxed and before your boyfriend tries to enter you, it is good to start by having foreplay, like touching, kissing, masturbating each other or having oral sex.

All of these things help you to feel excited. Some positions might be easier than others too if you experiment with different positions, don’t keep trying one if it’s a painful one.

It is also possible that your hymen has not stretched yet and this is why you have not been able to have sex.

It may also be because of tight vaginal muscles in response to sex.

This is called vaginismus: an involuntary spasm of vaginal muscles. It sometimes happens when a person is feeling worried about having sex, is not really sure if it’s the right thing to do, or is worried about the risk of pregnancy.

If you can’t insert a finger or tampon in your vagina it would be a good idea to see a doctor and have an examination and find out if there is any hymen there or if there is another cause, such as vaginismus.

The best place to try would be a family planning or sexual health clinic, but any doctor you feel comfortable would be fine.

If you are thinking about having sex, you also need to think about protecting yourself from STIs and unwanted pregnancy.

Hi Sis Noe

I don’t know what is wrong with me. I have never enjoyed sex and I don’t feel a thing. Am I normal? — Worried.

Reply

Sexual experiences reflect the connection of the mind and the body.

What goes on in the mind is affected not only by what is going on sexually and non-sexually between the partners, but by everything that has gone on in a woman’s life.

Sometimes even experiences from childhood can be relevant.

This means that what you feel when your body is being stimulated by your partner depends not only on the partner’s skill, gentleness, care and ability to be guided by your needs, but also by what is going on in your mind while this is going on.

Is your mind settled? Were you once raped? Were you raised by parents who taught you that sex is bad?

All these and more could be the reason you don’t enjoy sex. Go to the doctor to find out what’s wrong with you.

Hi Sis Noe

My boyfriend and I have been together for three years. We break up and make up all the time.

We love each other and are happy together, but our sex life has become monotonous; the same thing every time, and it’s over rather quickly.

I try but he is not even trying to make it work. Is he just not that into me anymore or is there anything I can do to make us both feel sexy again? — Bored.

Reply

You care for each other, but it sounds as if you have become more like good friends than lovers.

Sometimes relationships go through periods where there is little or no sex, but usually there is a reason such as exhaustion after the birth of a baby, a stressful job, redundancy or a death in the family.

Maybe after getting back together it felt exciting at first, but that has not been sustained.

You need to discuss this with your boyfriend, and find out why he no longer responds when you try to recapture your exciting sex life.

It may be that part of him wants to play the field, and maybe you do too. If he is not prepared to try to reignite your sex life, I don’t think this relationship has a future.

Hi Sis Noe

My girlfriend has a temper and thinks nothing of insulting me.

In private and in public, I am repeatedly told that I am stupid and fat, yet she still expects me to rise to the occasion and make her happy.

Other people don’t have relationships like this. Where am I going wrong? — Worried

Reply

It sounds like it’s time for some home truths. Firstly, your partner needs to hear that unless she stops acting like a brat, this relationship is over.

Secondly, you need to ask yourself why you have been putting up with this treatment.

Choose your moment, be calm but firm and read her the riot act.

By standing up for yourself, you may win back her respect and she may change her tune.

Alternatively, you might find the self-respect and confidence needed to end this relationship and find someone who deserves you.

Hi Sis Noe

I was a virgin but I did not bleed when I had sex with my husband. — Help.

Reply

Not all women bleed when they have sex for the first time.

Vaginal bleeding from first time intercourse typically occurs when a woman’s hymen tears.

The hymen is a thin layer of tissue that covers part of a woman’s vaginal entrance. Although the tissue itself is thin, it is filled with blood vessels — that is why tearing the hymen can lead to bleeding.

Among women who notice bleeding when they first have sex, some notice only a small amount of bleeding and others notice a significant amount.

However, some girls are not born with much hymen tissue at all and so when they are older and have vaginal intercourse for the first time, they don’t notice much bleeding, if they notice any at all.

Other times girls are born with a typical amount of hymen but the hymen tears during childhood or adolescence without them even realizing it.

A young woman may tear her hymen while washing her vagina by inserting her finger or fingers or another object.

Also, a young woman may tear her hymen while being fingered by her partner as part of sex play.

Even tampon use may help to wear away parts of the hymen over time.

Sports that require a lot of leg work, running, riding a bicycle can cause the hymen to tear. In other words, there are several reasons why you did not bleed during your first sexual intercourse but that doesn’t mean that you were not a virgin.

I hope this is helpful.

Nhlalwenhle Ncube

COUPLES should know that relationship destroyers are everywhere and they should not allow these people to destroy their marriages. I mean the agents of darkness who are relationship destructors!
I know some relationship lifespan was cut short because of third parties who told lies or fell in love with someone.

The thought that you are lonely because of a certain individual is so terrible and can haunt you for the rest of your life.

While I advocate for holding your partner responsible if they cheat on you instead of fighting the other person, I am also not ignorant of the fact that some people derive pleasure from coming between two people who love each other.

They are agents of Satan sent to distract good women and men in good relationships until the time when they fall into their traps.

They tell them what they want to hear, do things for them that maybe their partners aren’t doing. They whisper sweet things to them, buy gifts and tell them they are the best thing that ever happened to them after toast bread.

Some men have the ministry of going after women in serious relationships or married women.

They run after these women with so much passion and intensity that if they were to devote time to building their own relationships, their women would be the happiest women on earth.

And when they know that they have successfully lured these women into their den, they dump them.

They turn their world upside down. By this time, they have successfully turned them against their partners so that when they disappoint them, they are stranded.

May God deliver good women from the hands of these agents of darkness who go about destroying relationships! If you are a woman reading this, may you never fall for that handsome boy with that six pack, sexy voice and brain turning sex skills to boot.

On the other hand, there are also agents of darkness targeting men.

There are some women who cannot afford a smile as they eagerly wait to disfigure side chicks with acid. Unfortunately men are always like babies and easily get excited with “new” things.

When they have found a new lover, they forget where they come from.

Ignore the side chick and face your partner. Some people have sustained life injuries and even died for fighting the wrong persons. Face your partner and tell him to put an end to the flirting and unholy association.

I have realised that some people tend to fight the wrong person and at the end suffer heartbreaks which could have been avoided.

If there is someone calling your husband at odd hours and sending him flirty messages, hold your husband accountable.

Don’t start shouting home breaker as if your partner has temporary amnesia that he’s married to you. He is the one you should hold responsible for trying to break the home you are building.

He is the one who made vows to stick with you for life and not the other woman.

It is the duty of every man and woman to fight for the survival of their marriage. Team up against the agents of darkness to avoid heartbreaks!

FEEDBACK

I decided to share the feedback I got from the article, “Broke man has no value.”

The article was accepted with mixed feelings and some people had no kind words for me. I really found it interesting as it generated interesting debate.

I couldn’t stop laughing after reading the article, broke man has no value. It’s a fact!

I enjoyed the article about broke men having no value.

So true and to the point. It was like you were talking to me. Thanks a lot for such a well written, educative article. Go girl, just call a spade a spade.

Will it be therefore recommendable that a broke guy dates a vulnerable woman because he cannot pay the bills?

Women should stick to men whom they are at same level with, if you are not employed, play with the unemployed as well.

Why is it that equal rights only apply at workplace and not at home?

Yes, broke men are of no help. Even God said men should work hard to fend for their families.

Unfortunately these days men want to sit at home and enjoy watching television while women take care of family.

I agree that a man must provide for his family; however, I have noted that couples rarely divulge the real problem causing friction between them when it comes to financial matters.

If women had to go for financially stable men then 70 percent of us would be single. So yes, love does not pay bills and all, but it is the basis of a relationship.

I do not understand why men are supposed to have money, where do you expect us to get it from? Just because I do not have money I should not have a relationship.

I think you are encouraging young ladies to go for sugar dads because they are the ones with money.

A broke man has no value! Well said.

You do not deserve to be a Ncube. I wonder whether from your family there are no poor people.

Why is it that even those without livestock, they eat meat. Even the poor wants to get married. Let the lucky broke man enjoy life as well.

Let’s keep talking WhatsApp 0712978471.

Arthur Evans

Bruce Ndlovu
WITH a microphone in his hand, Arthur Evans is dynamite.
He is that rare breed of MC that seems to grab a joke out of thin air, finding a rib tickler in situations and circumstances that a more ordinary host would not be able to.

An event with Evans as the host sometimes feels like a comedic sermon, with hilarious jabs thrown at the crowd while he also never seems to run out of hilarious little tales.

However, sandwiched between all those jokes and funny anecdotes, the MC also manages to make sure that any crowd, tickled by his endless bag of jokes, never loses sight of the agenda of the day.

It is in this way that would otherwise be drab or boring corporate functions have been turned into lively events that maintain the delicate balance between fun and business.

When he wields a microphone, it is easy to forget that the wise cracking MC is a businessman in his own right, something that was reaffirmed when he scooped an award at last week’s Megafest Leadership Awards. Clearly, despite his love for jokes, Evans is more than a funnyman.

“I do joke a lot on the microphone and I do have fun in front of the camera but even you, someone like you in print media, understands that I’m not a comedian. People remember the jokes but there’s a lot of serious stuff in between. So actually people take me very seriously because of media and the products that I put out and the products that I handle,” he said in an interview.

As a TV and radio personality and MC, many would be mistaken to think that his charm and talent is all that Evans has going for him.

However, while some might see him more often on stage, the dynamic media personality’s life is lived mostly in the boardroom.

“How do I juggle it all? Basically it all comes down to priorities. During week days I don’t do MC events unless if they are in the evening. So the bulk of my MC events are in the night and during the week I prioritise the construction business as well as other business interests. I’m always looking for opportunities and it’s important that as a person you understand your work flow. I’ve developed my work flow and I’ve got great people around me to help me as well,” he said.

According to Evans, who is one of the directors of Technoexpert, a family construction business, his business attributes have been enhanced by the team he has working alongside him.

“I work with incredible people. The construction business is a family business that’s been operational for 29 years and we’ve got a great team around us. One important thing is that as young entrepreneurs we’ve got to believe that we live in a global village and we’ve got to integrate technology into business at whatever level. That’s how I juggle a lot of times. Even if I’m in Harare I’m just an email away or a WhatsApp away,” he said.

A life in showbiz has meant that many of his followers do not see him as a businessperson, but Evans insists that it is his work in front of the camera which helps push his business interests.

“Showbiz has definitely helped me in terms of business. The network that you have because of showbiz is actually unknown because there are millions of people that watch you on TV and thousands of people that see you on social media that are aware of you but you aren’t aware of them. So it has helped a lot in terms of business because you can go into someone’s office and you say I want to do business and they say oh yes I know you. It’s a form of introduction,” he said.

Although he might seem to have everything under control, the media personality cum businessman admits that his life can be gruelling and usually it is his family that has to bear the brunt of his hectic lifestyle.

“I won’t lie to you. During the week I don’t have much time with my family. It is one of the sad things about pushing dreams,” he said.

While United Refineries CEO, Busisa Moyo, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Raj Modi and TelOne Managing Director Chipo Mutasa are some of the businesspeople that have inspired him, Evans also adds that his age mates have also had a hand in moulding him to be the businessperson he now is.

“It’s not only about the big names but also the guys that are like you, young and progressing, these guys also inspire because you know that we’re pushing together,” he said.

Mzobanzi “Mzoe7” Mlauzi

Nigel Siziba, Sunday Life Reporter
Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire team-mates and customers.

These are the words that can vividly describe Mzobanzi Mlauzi also known as Mzoe7 in music circles who rose from nothing to something as he is seen as the driving force in the entertainment industry.

The love for art began at a tender age when he was still at primary school and it kept growing day by day also complemented by talent.

“My passion for art began when I was still at primary school at Ntabeni Primary where I was in the drama club, youth education and my love for art saw me dropping football and dedicating  all my time to drama at Fatima High where we won lots of awards and I can say that is when my influence began,” he said.

The likes of Khuxxman and POY inspired him during his childhood.

“My wish was always to meet Khuxxman and POY and I was elated when I met them at Ingwe Studios, I used to follow up shows and galas watching from the terraces not knowing that one day I would move even bigger crowds,” said Mzoe7.

The Bigger than Hip-hop show was his green light as he mastered the art of performing.

“Through Bigger than Hip-hop I went from unknown to being a household name among performers and the public, I met icons like PoZee, Cal_Vin, Markvus the list is endless and my first extended play won me a Zima shrugging off competition of Cynthia Mare and XQ,” he said.

His hard work and commitment saw him starting to perform in much bigger stages with prominent artistes in major events.

“My blood and sweat started bearing fruits as I started to do some performances in festivals like Intwasa, Lumankelenke (Swaziland) and I have rubbed shoulders with the likes of Busy Signal, Cassper Nyovest, Oskido, Wizkid and Busiswa,” he said.

Mzoe7 is actively involved in the fight against drugs and he has made a lot of appearances on TV in programmes that are meant to uplift the youths.

“In the fight against drugs I started a programme called Play Pool, Drugs Kill thus removing the youths from the streets and I found myself in front of cameras presenting a show called Ghetto Superstars and Dance Vault which were meant to expose artistes to a wider audience,” he said.

The multi-talented artiste has also ventured into acting.

“I featured in The Storm, Heritage, Secrets and Jaiva S’bone that has been watched internationally and I am also a brand ambassador of Maita brand and Ster Kinekor,” he said.

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not, nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts but, persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

— @sizibanigel

NO good beard is an accident. If you see a guy whose whiskers are well groomed and look healthy, it’s because he’s putting in the time to make it that look way.

Growing a beard is one thing, but how he cares for it determines how great it looks — even if his beard is patchier or thinner than others.

Guys with good beard don’t have dry or irritated skin either. Their partners don’t suffer from beard burn, and the men themselves aren’t scratching at an itch all day.

Their necklines are shaped just right — and yes, their facial hair looks styled in the best way possible, too.

In some countries No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free.

Donate the money you typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle. However, in this article I am giving tips on how to groom your beard.

Keep it Clean and Moisturised

Keeping the beard clean prevents itchiness and keeps it soft. This is an essential step especially when you’re in the process of growing one.

If you don’t wash and condition it, chances are it will get dry and wiry — this leads to the feeling of itchiness which leads to men giving up and shaving it all off .

Some experts suggest using a beard wash and conditioner but a good shampoo and conditioner should do the trick but if you still feel that your beard is a bit wiry try using a beard balm to add a little bit more moisture.

After washing, dry using a clean towel. If possible use a clean towel as old towels can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Avoid blow drying it as heat from a dryer can dry out facial hair making it frizzy and wiry. Lastly, comb the beard with a wide tooth comb, this will remove any tangles and set things in order.

Avoid Trimming Wet Beard

A wet beard is typically longer and if you try to trim it wet, you may end up cutting more off than you would like. Before trimming make sure the beard is dry so you’ll be accurate in terms of how much facial hair you need to cut off.

Healthy Diet = Healthy Skin = Great Looking Beard

Nutrition plays an important role in how fast your beard grows and how great it looks.

Experts say that a healthy skin will translate to a health hair so a diet rich  in Omega-3 and vitamins (particularly vitamin A) is a great step in the right direction. Also avoid drinking too much alcohol as this causes dehydration.

Don’t Forget the Beard Oil

One of the biggest complaints of men growing a full on beard is that it’s itchy as heck. That’s because your beard is sucking all the nutrients from your face, making it very dry and flaky.

A consequence of this dryness is a “beardruf”, it’s dandruff on your beard.

Beard oil does two things; first it hydrates, providing your beard the nutrients it desperately needs. Secondly it helps keep the beard in order.

A comb and beard oil is the secret to any tidy looking beard. This guy said it takes him 15 minutes to style his.

Comb It Well

For guys with a full beard, comb that beautiful piece of facial hair before you go out. You will need a wide tooth comb, a narrow tooth comb and finally a beard brush.

The same reason why you comb the hair on your head, you want to remove any tangles and make sure you don’t look like you just got out of bed.

Do this after showering or washing your beard, that way it still has some moisture and you can style it better.

Learn How to Use a Beard Trimmer

A beard trimmer is a great tool  for sculpting your beard but you have to use it properly to maximise it. Before running the trimmer make sure to comb the beard in a downward motion.

The experts say that when trimming go in an upward motion then out when you reach the sideburn area. After trimming make sure to comb down again to keep it neat.

Have a Workable Routine

Having a well-groomed beard takes time and effort, time in which some men do not have. So before growing beard make sure to commit yourself to a certain time frame each day or weekend for proper beard maintenance.

Try it out for a few weeks and see how it fits into your busy schedule, if it works then good for you but if not consider a different beard style that won’t take as much time and effort to take care of.

Have a Style in Mind

Let’s be honest, not everybody can grow a full beard. Facial hair will vary depending on the shape of your face and genetics — whether you’re naturally hairy or not.

Remember that in essence growing a beard is a fashion statement. The last thing you want is a beard style that will not fit the shape of your face.

For round faces with double chins, try growing a beard with strong lines and borders, this does a good job in hiding the curves.

Angular faces do well with long beard because it adds girth. For men with long faces, grow a full beard with thicker sides and trim up the areas around the mouth and chin to bring your mug in proportion.

Grooming a beard does take time but when you see the results it is well worth it. These are just some general guidelines for beard grooming to help get you started.

As with everything in life there will be setbacks depending how long your beard is and other factors like if you have dry facial hair that will influence that product you will choose.

NO-Shave November. —Additional information from Online sources.

Email: rutendochidaanyika3@gmail.com

Jah Prayzah

Bruce Ndlovu   
THE year 2018 was almost over but somehow it felt incomplete. It is a year that has brought on a lot of things for Zimbabweans.

It is a year that has brought old problems and fresh headaches, a year of heartache and hardship but sprinkled with hints of hope for the future.

A lot can happen in 11 months and a lot has happened so far in Zimbabwe but those that keep their ear to the ground would have known that the year could not be laid to rest before one more thing happened.

Before the last rites could be administered to 2018, the fat lady had to sing. Perhaps more accurately, Jah Prayzah had to sing.

It seems only a short while ago that Jah Prayzah was transformed from an ordinary musician to a soothsaying wordsmith worse lyrics could decipher the future.

Almost exactly this time last year, his song was the toast of a country that stood on the edge of history after a dramatic few weeks.

Whether it was prophecy or not, Kutonga Kwaro will forever stand as soundtrack of that time and now as he returns once again to reclaim his crown, many will no doubt be wondering what prophecies lie in his new 13 track effort, Chitubu.

Will Jah Prayzah deliver? Or will he drop the ball and let go of the crown that he has worked so hard to keep away from the hands of all challengers?

Only by tucking into the 13-track effort can one find anything that resembles an answer to these questions.

Before this album’s release, many old Jah Prayzah fans had expressed disappointment with the direction that he had taken and prior to the album launch, he had promised a return to his roots.

At first listen, Jah Prayzah does sound like a man yearning for his old ways on Chitubu.

The old dog had learnt new tricks on his last album but he now wants to retrace his steps and rediscover his roots.

Like a child recently weaned from his mother’s breast, he craves the sweet taste and familiarity of his mother’s breast.

Chikomo is an epic opening for the album.  His voice is the star of the opening piece and with the able assistance of his capable backing vocalists, Jah begins to lay the foundation for the return of his old self.

The violin strings that accompany Jah takes on this epic journey of self discovery, bringing a classical to the song. Indeed it sounds like an Italian opera performed in the hills of Uzumba.

The next track Dangerous sees the return of a more familiar Jah Prayzah.

This a joint that was made perhaps with his live shows in mind.

One can imagine a camouflage clad Jah Prayzah whipping thousands of Masoja into a frenzy with a song whose beat marches on and on at a frenetic pace.

As exciting as it may be for those that attend Jah Prayzah live shows, one has to admit that they have heard this kind of song from Jah before. It’s a path he has trodden in the past before with songs like Ndini Ndamubata.

The repetitive nature of such songs is one that plays out throughout the album. It will be a problem for most critical listeners of the album although it will be an easier swallow for Jah Prayzah’s hardcore followers.

This fast pace is again replicated on Chigunduru later on in the album although on that occasion it is an altogether better done song. But even on that song, accusations about the repetitive nature of Jah Prayzah’s music will still be made and listening to this album, this criticism is valid.

One can’t help but feel like that they have heard such songs before. Once you have heard one, you have heard them all.

Follow me is a return of a Jah Prayzah that people have become familiar with in the last couple of years. This is the Jah Prayzah that loves collaborations.

Joining forces with international acts is all well and good but in reality his work with international acts has resulted in as many hits as misses.

This one feels like a forced and disjointed effort with Jah Prayzah and Patoranking playing tug of war with the beat which neither of them seems to master.

At the end of their tussle with the beat, none between Jah Prayzah, Patoranking and the listener emerges the winner. It’s a flat effort that does not live up to both their talents. It leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Luckily this bitter taste is washed away by the next song, Tauchira. The collaboration with Patoranking is an exhibition of the split personality that has come to characterise Jah Prayzah’s music as he looks to penetrate new markets.

While Follow me is Jah Prayzah aiming for the international hit that will take him to the red carpets and flashing cameras of continental award shows, Tauchira takes us back to the dust of Uzumba.

It takes us back to that sweet place where the mbira and hosho can summon spirits or command those whose feet itch to scratch it off by dancing.

Jah sounds perfectly at home here.

It’s an upbeat song that is tamed by the soothing notes coming from the mbira.

This is the Jah that his old fans have been crying for. That red hot streak continues on Sarai. This is the Jah Prayzah that fans have been clamouring for.

In a sorrowful voice, the Uzumba-born musician contemplates life and death and only the hardest of hearts will not be touched by Jah contemplating about what shall become of those he loves when he’s gone.

It is hard to say goodbye and accompanied by a wailing acoustic guitar, Jah showcases just how difficult it is.

Hakata was also made in a similar vein and one thing that stands out about Jah Prayzah when he decides to summon the powers of the mbira and the hosho is that his lyricism gets elevated.

His lyrics suffered after Jah decided to take his international detour. International forays had reduced him to just another pop act that sings endlessly about beautiful women and the fast but empty lifestyle that defines urban life.

Jah Prayzah the international fame seeking pop act surfaces on some songs on the album, but songs like Hakata showcase that he has once again dipped his tongue into wisdom-filled springs of Uzumba and is ready to sing about the things that really matter.

Despite a return to the basics, Jah has not discarded parts of his personality that have dominated his music since he decided to search for a wider audience.

Songs like Kune Rima, showcase a man who still harbours those ambitions. Special Somebody is that rare occasion that Jah Prayzah preserves a bit of his true self for an international collaboration.

Although the blend with Sauti Sol does not work perfectly, it shows a glimpse of what Jah should perhaps perfect in the future.

Deep musings about life are good but sometimes all that people need to do is dance.

While this album has layers that his previous efforts did not have, the album is still packed with songs that are potential hits. In that vein, songs like KuMahumbwe and Kide will tear up dance floors this festive season.

With this album perhaps he has done enough to keep his crown. However, his music still has glaring shortcomings that he urgently needs to work on if he aims to attain the greatness he clearly craves.

Cont Mhlanga

Bruce Ndlovu , Sunday News Correspondent
WHILE their lives might look glamorous when they hit the headlines when they embark on a foreign trip, it seems that all that glitters is not gold for local touring artistes who often have to perform on streets to make ends meet when they are abroad.
Bulawayo has become renowned as an exporter of artistes to foreign stages, where they are valued for their ingenuity and industry.

A number of groups have blazed a path that has been followed by many, as local artistes line-up for the rich pickings that are perceived to be in abundance on foreign stages.

However, arts doyen Cont Mhlanga revealed to Sunday Life in an interview last week that while life of touring groups might seem glamorous, it was not always the case as most artistes eked out a living performing in the streets of Europe, selling their craft for a few coins thrown their way by well meaning passersby.

According to Mhlanga, many made the journey across oceans to be paid a pittance, something that haunted them when age caught up with them.

“A lot of people that say they’re going on tour aren’t even performing when they get there. Most are doing what we call street busking. This is basically when they perform in front of shops and passersby throw them a few coins. So while abroad they’re living hand to mouth. So this is not enough for one to make a living. It’s either they are busking or they are going around in schools conducting workshops,” said Mhlanga.

This, Mhlanga said, was a problem created by the fact that many got into the arts for the wrong reasons.

“I think that we created and sent the wrong message to talent from around the country. We created the impression that those that go abroad are the most successful. We made it look as if leaving the country was the most important thing, what you brought back did not matter as long as you left.

“I’m one of the culprits who created this dire situation when it comes to international travel whereby one goes abroad but doesn’t come back and apply what they might have learnt or got over there. We wanted to expose our creative exports in a way that benefited them but in doing so we created the impression that getting on a plane defines success,” he said.

With passport stamps regarded as a measure of success, many have decided to sit on their laurels, waiting for the next big gig outside the country.

“The other problem that was created was that we had people joining the arts not to create content but just to go overseas. So all the while they will be waiting to go overseas and after that tour ends they lose interest in performing at home. The net result of all of it  is that while you’re sitting idle at home waiting for the next tour, you’re not sharpening your skills,” he said.

According to Mhlanga, the period between tours had made artistes lazy, as they waited for the next big paycheck from Europe.

However, the end of apartheid in South Africa had meant that such behaviour was fatal for Zimbabwean groups.

“A lot of artistes when they went abroad, they were quoting work by South African artistes. This was because they weren’t performing at home and making their own material which they could then export for the consumption of audiences in foreign countries.

“The problem with this is that after 1995, when apartheid had ended in South Africa, a lot of their groups started touring and pushed Zimbabwean artistes out. The South Africans came back and they were showcasing their culture in full, better than we could. So our artistes had to resort to street busking because the South Africans were taking all the premier gigs,” he said.

Rather than use proper channels for touring overseas most groups had, according to Mhlanga, used their personal relationships to get gigs overseas.

“The problem we also have is that most people go to Europe through friends. When one gets a white friend they are then invited to a country through that friend. In the end they just go and say they’re on tour when in reality they’re performing on the street, something they wouldn’t even consider doing at home.

“That’s our biggest disaster. People are going through friends and that’s not sustainable and it just means you won’t make money. Those that went through proper structures, and they are maybe two or three groups that did so, are more successful,” he said.

Weighing in on the same topic, artiste and administrator Nkululeko Nkala said although some members of globetrotting groups later live as paupers, this did not mean that life on the road did not pay.

“An example I could use is that of football stars. How many have made millions only to be broke soon after? It all boils down to the individual. We live among artistes from groups like Siyaya, Iyasa or Imbizo who’ve bought cars and houses from money made while touring,” he said.

Misplaced priorities and poor financial management has pushed many artistes towards poverty, Nkala said.

“The problem with most artistes is that when they get to Europe the first thing that they think about is what they’re going to be wearing when they come back home. They buy fancy clothes and phones so that they show off to the people at home instead of investing.

“Whether you like it or not, the touring cycle ends and you’ve got to make sure that you’ve got something stored away for a rainy day. Travelling doesn’t equate to success. There’re groups locally that are making lots of money yet they’ve never seen the inside of a plane,” he said.

Amanda Ncube

DESIGN principles are ways of arranging or organising design elements. They evaluate each element in order create stability in your home.

Here are some interior design principles that will help you ensure that your home is welcoming.

The principle of contrast refers to the difference in the colour of objects that differentiates them from one another. In interior design, contrast can be achieved by three elements, namely colour, form and space.

One can use pillows or patterns of two opposite colours like black and white to achieve contrast and make an object different from others. Contrast can also be achieved by combining two or more forms. Form can be created by combining two or more shapes and can be accentuated with the assistance of other elements such as texture or colour. For example one can combine a circular mirror and a rectangular sofa to balance and distribute the attention between both the items.

One can also achieve contrast in a living space by dividing the available space efficiently into usable positive (used space) and negative spaces (unused space).

The principle of scale and proportion make sure that there is harmony among objects . . . it ensures that objects placed in a space look like they belong to each other . . . from size to dimension to shape and colour of the objects.

For example, a high ceiling environment implies that high rise furniture should be preferred over low furniture. Also, under stuffed pillows would make a big sofa look empty and under-accessorised, thus disrupting the harmony and proportion that is supposed to exist. Proportion should be maintained in every room.

You can also create a balance through small-scale furniture so as not to overcrowd the bedroom in a minimalist modern design. Due to the small scale of the bed, the weight of the accent wall creates balance, making a cosy bedroom feel pleasing and proportioned. An addition of light will make the space seem complete.

Each and every detail in interior design is important regardless of how small or big it is. Details may seem extra or not important but without them the space is not complete.

Be it the small embroideries on a pillow cover or the colour within those embroidery patterns, every detail adds a little bit of life to the overall interior design, adding their own distinctive feature to the overall composition.

Once you are sure that you have achieved all of the above-mentioned principles, it’s time for details to take over and beautify the place further.

Nobuntu

Bruce Ndlovu
AFTER two months on the road, during which they won the hearts of audiences in the United States of America, Nobuntu are finally set to give local audiences a taste of their latest offering when they launch their latest album at the National Art Gallery on 24 November.

The all female ensemble has been criss-crossing North America over the past weeks, giving audiences a taste of their unique take on imbube as they look to market their upcoming project, Obabes Bembube, which is the third album they have released since the group’s formation.

In a statement, the globe-trotting group said their event, set to be held between 2 and 4pm on Saturday, would be open to everybody while physical copies of their latest work would also be available.

Diving into the actual content of the album, the group said they also expected the project to cement Nobuntu’s position as a group that defied what people thought a normal imbube group should be.

“The music represents a bold shift from the previous bodies of work which featured a fusion of afro jazz, acappella, gospel and traditional folk tracks. The album name ‘Obabes beMbube’ is colloquial for ‘young women of mbube’, an assertion of Nobuntu’s position as a musical force in a genre that is traditionally a male domain.

“The album was produced by Dumisani Ramadu Moyo, one of the founding members of the internationally acclaimed male mbube trio, Insingizi. Dumisani’s vision for the album encompassed Nobuntu creating their own signature mbube songs from a female perspective,” the group’s statement read.

The album’s female empowerment thrust would be exemplified by the album’s title track, which described some of the struggles faced by female artistes.

“The title track Obabes beMbube is about female mbube singers imploring a radio DJ, who usually airs a lot of male mbube, to include female mbube on their playlist.”