To celebrate four years of ROSEE, we are bringing you the ROSEE Series. Series of interview from remarkable people who are not afraid to live and lead in colourful style. We hope their bravery, strength and courage inspire you to live your life in full and in colour. We hope their stories inspire you as much as they’ve inspired us.
A christian, musician, business owner, sister, wife and mother to three beautiful children, Nyarai is not afraid to lead in colourful style. We speak with Nyarai on the topic of motherhood, the power of female community, her inspiration for African inspired fashion and her reality of living in the diaspora.
Your admirer for African inspired fashion
I love the vibrancy of our African prints and how our African fashion is far from predictable, is expressive and can communicate. I admire our aunties and uncles who designs and make African outfits on street markets in the heart of Africa.
I also admire these designers; Joy-line clothing, Yvonne Yvette and ROSEÉ for their fresh and exciting style palette.
On the realities and journey of motherhood
Motherhood is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and yet the most challenging adventure. I believe motherhood is no
t for the faint hearted and it is not something you decide to do casually. Motherhood is serious business, motherhood means you have whole souls to steward and help navigate this world. Motherhood requires you to be selfless, to love unconditionally and it takes a lot of emotional space from you. Motherhood is juggling work, study, being wife, friend etc, whilst being fully present for your children. Motherhood is those happy moments in between the frustration, shouting and arguing. Motherhood is bliss!
On the power of female community
It is unfortunate that the patriarchal society we live in has taught us (as women) to be competitive with one another and view each other as threats. However, those who have experienced sisterhood can attest that when women come together in unity, as a community, they are a force to be reckoned with. When women come together, change happens, collectively we make an impact to our society, families, communities etc.
On her reality of living in the diaspora
Living in the diaspora has not been easy for me. There is a certain loneliness that comes with being away from your loved ones, your family, and the ones you grew up with. Being far away from home and away from one’s support systems can make you inventive and independent, I have discovered I possess so many abilities I could not have noticed if I were in my home country. I have also met people who cherish me and love me genuinely, I have found surrogate mothers, brothers and sisters from all races and cultures. I have found opportunities that might have not been available if I were in my birth country, Zimbabwe.
I have come to realise that as a ‘black person’, I am not always going to be accepted in these lands. The cultural and systemic hurdles we often face as black people makes it harder for us to advance professionally and business wise. Often one requires to put in 1000% and produce double the qualifications to be considered at all.
Living in the diaspora has taught me to be proud of my blackness, I love my skin colour, I love my hair and hair texture, I love the vibrancy of my culture, I love our African food, African music, African fashion, I love my Africa and its people.
You can listen to Nyarai’s latest single by searching ‘Mbiri’ in iTunes, Spotify, Amazon or Google Play Music. Follow her music page on social media using @nyaraimusic.
Thank you, Nyarai!