Where are you from and where do you live now? I am proudly Zambian .I split my time between Albany ,NY where I am in University and my parents house in Westchester.
Last book by an African author that you read? The last book my an African writer I read was “Kaffir Boy” by Mark Mathabane which is an autobiography of his life as a youth in Apartheid South Africa .It was such a gripping and emotional book and I cant wait to read the sequel.
Favorite nollywood movie? I must admit that I hardly watch Nollywood movies. But the last African movies I saw were Viva Riva which was mind blowingling amazing that I keep telling all my friends to check it out and I also saw Andrew Dosurnu’s ‘Restless City’ to support my good friends Ger Duany and Mohammed Dione who were actors in it.
if you could be from any other country on the continent, which would it be and why? I’m proudly Zambian and wouldn’t want to be from anywhere else .It has to do with the fact that Zambia isn’t a country that is as well known as Nigeria for instance ,so I ‘m usually the first Zambian a lot of people have met and that makes me feel special.We also have some great ambassadors of the country like Dambisa Moyo and more who make me proud to be “Zedian” as we say.
Would you move back to your home country? Why or why not? At the stage where I am right now in my life (ie about to graduate college in 5 months) ,I would not move back to Zambia because I believe I have already made lasting connections with people in the African fashion industry here and would like to use those to my advantage. Plus ,I dont think the Zambian fashion industry is developed enough yet for me to make a living off it .But in the future ,its possible.
Top 3 countries in Africa you want to visit or have visited? I have visited Kenya twice in 2006 and I would love to visit again and venture to Mombasa .I have yet to visit South Africa which is kind of weird since its a short plane ride away from Zambia. I’ve heard Capetown is beautiful and Joburg is such a fashion and entertainment hub ,so I think I would be right at home. Lastly ,I would love to visit Nigeria. A lot of my friends are from there and I would love to experience a real “Lagos Party ” .Much like South Africa ,its a booming entertainment country with Nollywood , the music and fashion scene.
How do you feel about the way Africa is portrayed and how would you change it? Africa is still largely portrayed as one country where people are hungry and have AIDS ,but I think there is good news coming out of the continent in recent years ,due to the fact that all these blogs and sites have popped up where we Africans are telling our own stories .Its important to show both sides of the story and thats what we are doing .I like to think I do my own little part through my “The Africa They Never Show You” posts on my facebook page and through a workshop series I am working on focusing on Creative Africa
Where did the name afrosocialite come from? Afrosocialite is a combination of Afropolitan and Socialite .Afropolitan is a term coined by Taiye Wosurnu who wrote an article called “What is An Afropolitan” that I found inspiring . The founder of Africa Style Daily Zandile Blay always called me that because I am always attending African events in New York and know many people in the African fashion industry .It has stuck since then.
What are your plans for the future? I would like to take advantage of more opportunities and do more print magazine writing.
If you could attend an AU meeting and had the attention of all the heads of state? what would you talk to them about? Interesting question .There is so much I would love to say to African leaders ,but I would probably ask more of them to invest in creating African Leadership Academies like the one in South Africa. I think the youth need to educated and trained to be leaders from a young age ,and that they stay in Africa to develop their countries
finish sentence: “i love being african because….” we have the best food , most loving people and we are a diverse continent .
To keep up with the fabulous Afrosocialite, follow her on twitter! @afrosocialite
visit her super fabulous blog: www.afrosocialiting.wordpress.com
Thanks Mazuba!
Pingback: MTV Base & MTN | isthisAFRICA?