Purple Lipstick

Hi! My name is Tapiwa Gambura, and I'm an artist. I'm 14 years old, well turning 15 on the 9th of October, and I learn at the Dominican Convent High School in Harare.

I'm a writer, I'm an actress, I'm an aspiring photographer, I'm a musician, and I'm African.

I love all things artsy, writing, drawing, painting, astrology, playing my violin, and acting. Acting is my life, my passion. It's like the stage calls me. What I love about the stage is that I don't have to be me. I'm allowed to forget about me for a moment in time, and be whoever I want to be, whenever I want to be, and however I want to be. It's my way of talking to people, reaching out to people. It's my form of meditation - I like to call it artistic relief.

What I hope to achieve in life, besides becoming an actress, is to be able to have inspired somebody to have explore their wide futures. To have taught someone something, anything, and to have made someone love them self, and proud of themselves.

Many people don't love themselves, especially children of African descent or African in general.
I want African people to reach their full potential. I want us to be unafraid to embrace ourselves fully. To be proud of our rich skin, no matter how dark or light it is. I want Africans to be able to grow out their natural hair, without thinking of it as wiry or 'too kinky' or ugly. I want girls to be able to grow past the misconception that they are lesser than the man or unable to have big dreams.

Exactly.

I want Africans to dream big.

So that's me, basically, just a regular African girl, with big dreams and the desire to be somebody worth reading about.


Tanatsei Francisca Gambura is the name I was graced with on the 30th of January in 1999. I'm a seventeen-year old Zimbabwean girl, an aspiring actress, writer, poet, spoken word artist and graphic designer. I'm also interested in Model United Nations and international diplomacy. I founded the 25 May Movement and wrote the poem "We Are Africans." My vision is to play a part in the great turn around and transformation that awaits Africa by being the catalyst that changes people's perspective about this blessed land. An artist at heart, I'm attracted to all things creative, inspiring and innovative. I enjoy all forms of dance and music, but listen to reggae the most. The more leather jackets and combat boots part of me is dedicated to the Arctic Monkeys. I am always excited to meet new people and have a conversation with them over a cup of coffee or a glass of lemonade. I am an academic who believes in the reconsideration of the global education system. I'm passionate about happiness and making other people happy. My life purpose is to serve others and share my gifts with them. I am a member of an organization called Rudimbwa that exists to make a positive difference in the lives of less privileged children. I'm happily a frequent blood donor, aiming to join the Pledge 25 club. I donate blood because of the value I put in human life. I believe in freely giving that which I have freely received. I am inspired by revolution. I advocate for freedom of being without the fear of external opinion and judgement. My biggest personal achievement would be to successfully complete everyone my three-hundred-item bucket list. I am more spiritual than I am religious, but I believe in natural hair and sunflowers. Om Shanti.

My name is Tadiwanashe Mpofu. I am currently at Gateway High School doing my senior year. I am studying Computer Science, Economics, Environmental Management and Travel and Tourism. In 2017 I hope to find a gap year job and thereafter I would like to go to the University of Pretoria to study International Relations and Diplomacy.

During my gap year I would like to pursue the DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française) program, which is the official Internationally recognized French-language diploma awarded by France's Ministry of National Education. I believe that having this French qualification will open more opportunities for me especially in French speaking countries.

Looking at the broader perspective of what it is to study international relations, some may think it is strictly political. Diplomats delve into a broad range of topics which include environmental, technological, health and even preservation of cultural property issues.  They master a country’s language, culture, and traditions and they work with interesting groups of people which include artists, musicians, NGO leaders, parliamentarians, journalists, and scientists.

I enjoy traveling and I am excited by the idea of working in a different country while representing Zimbabwe. I look up to my mom who has made so many sacrifices for me to be where I am today. My dream is to start up and outreach home for children who have no parents and to assist single parents who struggle financially.  Furthermore I am inspired to work hard and be the best person I can be such that one day when I see my dad he can be proud of the woman I have become.

Service. It is the fire that is ignited by the countless battles I witness and see hearts being broken like a cigarette snapped in half. It is a fire that burns in me to see a smile upon a stranger’s face and it will always be the flame that radiates Kindness, Compassion and Hope to those around me. Making someone’s life a little brighter and less stressful is all I truly long to do. This may sound very shallow but in reality it stretches over life times and impacts the hearts of many. I do not strive to earn recognition or materialistic awards. On the contrary, I am passionate to spark the inner beauty I believe exists in every single human being-young or old, white or black, male or female, fat or thin. One of the most courageous and enduring actions is observing someone reaching out to someone with a genuine heart. It is evident that there are many hurting people in this world but it is also possible for anyone to step out and help. Therefore, because more individuals loose hope and turn sour, reflect upon your life and be aware that you can do so much to influence the lives of those around you. Like myself, do not fear consequences but have the loving heart to serve unconditionally. Strive for the results that are everlasting and touch the hearts of people. Kindle the hearts and let the fire of Service burn in you like it does in me.

Together with my interview, I thought I'd share 3 steps to becoming a powerful woman. Here they are...

In this weeks episode of "Think Like A Girl" we interview Joanna (Jo) Munengwa. A driven Zimbabwean 16 year old over flowing with passion. Jo is an aspiring orthodontist and is already in A'Level studying Maths, Biology and Chimstry! She has some amazing insights on what it means to put your passion over anything that could be a hindrance to your dreams. To watch the full interview head over to our YouTube Channel!

Love Always