Sunday Life Correspondent
The TV sensation grew up in Bulawayo and attended Dominican Convent for Junior School before heading to Girls College. Meet Kim Jayde, the Zimbabwean creative in this year’s Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list.
She grew up in Bulawayo and attended Dominican Convent and Girls College. She started modelling part time while acquiring her Honours Degree at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.
Jayde is the presenter of Newish on MTV Africa and MTV Base South. She is also a lifestyle, travel and fashion blogger who has overcome tonnes of challenges on her way to creating her world. Last year, Kim was named one of Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 Time most influential creative people. A former model in Cape Town, South Africa she used this early success to break into TV and entertainment with her big break coming when she won the MTV gig to host Newish, a daily entertainment news show on MTV Base. In an exclusive interview with Sunday Life, she explains how she did it.
Tell us what you do.
I am a TV presenter on MTV Africa (43 different countries across the continent) and on MTV Base South. I am also a lifestyle, fashion and travel blogger and Youtuber.
What motivated and inspired you to start your career in this industry?
I grew up watching my beautiful mother wear beautiful clothes, and bring home Vogue and Harpers Bazaar magazines from all her international trips. That’s where my love for fashion came from. As a model it was my job to dress up and take photos, but also to perform in TV commercials. I was everything from a Brazilian dancer to a Middle Eastern school girl — being on camera in these adverts helped groom me for my current job on MTV. My love for being on camera led me to audition for a job on MTV Newsish — and the rest is history.
What were the first few steps you took?
I was a model in Cape Town for many years and that’s what led me into TV and entertainment.
What was your big breakthrough?
My big break was definitely landing MTV Newsish which is a daily entertainment news show on MTV Base.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
A consistent challenge or difficulty is that this is a rather lonely life. A lot of my family is still in Zimbabwe, so I miss a lot of birthdays and anniversaries and big moments in my family’s life. That is something I believe a lot of the diasporans can relate to. We sacrifice a lot in order to try to live a better life.
How do you overcome challenges?
I’m very aware of how blessed I am to live this life. A million girls would kill for this opportunity, so I wake up every day and give it 150%. That keeps me pushing, never quitting.
What do you love most about your job?
I love that no two days are ever the same! We are constantly exposed to new opportunities, new people, and trips all over the world! It’s incredible! How do you stay motivated through difficult times?
As I said earlier, I know my job is one in a million so I count my blessings every day. I am also very aware of my followers and that I am a role model to so many young girls that also come from a small town, that dream of being more! On the really hard days, I do it for them — my followers keep me going with their love and support.
Do you have a work philosophy?
Dream big. Work hard. Stay humble.
What advice would you give to other budding presenters?
I would tell them that there is already a Bonang, or a Ryan Seacrest, or a Scoop Makathini — they already exist! The world doesn’t need copycats of these established, successful presenters. The world does not have anyone like you! So truly just be yourself! How I did it, I never stop pushing myself to grow and learn! You grow the most when you are out of your comfort zone! Student to model to blogger to presenter — I’ve never stopped growing. When I face a big challenge I take a breath, try to logically work out how I can solve or overcome it, and I remind myself that God has given me a greater purpose.
My greatest fear is not being able to wake up and do what I love. If I could go back in time to when I was 16, I would tell myself that it will get better. You will find your purpose, you will meet people that are like you, and you will be great. I believe that good people that work hard will be successful in what they apply their minds to. The biggest lesson I have ever learned is there are a lot of cruel people that will say and do hurtful things to you, and that is never fair.
But it is a reflection of how they feel about themselves — and it has nothing to do with you. Once you learn that you don’t take bullies, internet trolls and miserable people affect your day. Be happy. Do you. Live your best life. My favourite business tool or resource is my cellphone and social media. I live on my phone and I built my brand with it. Don’t underestimate the power of the grammar. It can open so many doors, if you use it right. God bless!