A celebration of power, creativity and vision shaping today’s Africa. This issue uncovers the innovators, dreamers and cultural architects redefining what excellence looks like in Africa.
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- EUREKAEureka Afrika Zimbabwe Magazine An Afro Phoniex Daring Fashion Narratives:
- Page 2COVER @Sthe_mbiso telly
- CONTENT4. An Afro Phoniex Daring
- An Afro Phoniex DaringFashion Narratives The Tale Of Blessing Munjeri
- Page 5DSTV" In 2020, marking the onset of his career, Blessing ventured into the designing and styling industry, eyeing African men's wear.
- Page 6"All of these platforms changed my life," he said. With Zimbabwean fashion on the rise, well that's my opinion as a writer, as I also struggle to establish whether it is dead, stagnant, alive or on death's doorstep. Blessing also shared some sentiments as he sees the industry yet to appreciate fashion and its truism for it to reach its full conception.
- Blessing MunjeriAfro Phoenix Designer
- Roots Meet Modernity: An Evolution Of African FashionStory By Mangaliso Lawrence Kabulika Fashion is realism, it goes beyond just wearing different pieces and feeling good in them and the next day you place them in a closet to gather dust. It is a conversation. It's art and creativity in its living and raw form. It's that intentionality. It's freedom. In my years of critiquing art, creativity and culture, I have learnt that every piece not only beautifies the model and makes every fashion critic out there have their pen sway in favour of the designer behind it as they tick the 10/10 score sheet.
- Article Written By | Mangaliso LawrenceKabulika THE MET GALA VERSUS ZIMBABWE
- Page 10In 2025, this year's theme was inspired by the book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, penned by Monica L Miller in 2009. What then is Black Dandyism? Again we're tutoring you, buckle up! Black dandyism is a cultural and fashion movement where Black individuals use style and clothing, rooted in European dandyism, as a means of self-expression and resistance against societal constraints. Emerging after Emancipation and gaining momentum during the Harlem Renaissance, this movement allows Black people to assert their identity, power, and creativity. At its core, it is about more than just mere aesthetics. It's a way for Black individuals to defy racial and class boundaries that have historically marginalised them. Through embracing elegance, refinement, and distinctive forms of expression, Black dandies challenge societal norms and expectations, showcasing their unique style and cultural heritage.
- Cultural HeritageZimbabwean designers can draw inspiration from their rich cultural heritage to create unique and authentic designs. We have about 12 various tribes in Zimbabwe, with each having its dress and history. How many of these do you know about their way of life? Food for thought. By incorporating traditional patterns, motifs, and textiles into their work, local designers can showcase the country's diverse cultural identity. This approach can also help to differentiate Zimbabwean fashion in the global market. EUREKAM AFRIKAR ZIMBABWE
- Promoting Local Talent and StorytellingThe Met Gala's platform for showcasing A-list celebrities and their stylists can inspire Zimbabwean designers to collaborate with local influencers, models and artists. The honours rests upon the industry to tell the Zimbabwean story or even the African story at large through our pieces. There are various events that have shaped and almost broken the Zimbabwean plateau which the world deserves to know. There is no greater way to explore our country's journey motif through dressing and challenging the societal norms. Fashion Lifestyle
- MISS UNIVERMiss Universe Lambia '25'
- MISS UNIVERSEK MISS UNIVERSE proud.
- LYSHANDA MoyasMiss Universe Zimbabwe 2025 MISS UNIVERSE ZIMBABWE www
- ICONIC momentsMISS MISS UNIVERSE ZIMBABWE
- Page 17Continuing the conversation about pageantry, we have Courtney Jongwe, our Miss World Zimbabwe 2025. Courtney recently participated in the Miss World Grand Finale in India, where she achieved a top ten placement for Miss World Africa. At just 23 years old, she also ranked in the top 20 for the Miss World Multimedia challenge. Courtney is currently in her final year at Manicaland State University, Zimbabwe, studying applied science. ZIMBABWE
- Page 182025 MOST PROMISING
- Page 19An Zimbabwe Film Industry: A New Dawn Amidst
- Page 20filmmakers. Despite these bright spots, the industry faces significant hurdles. Funding remains a critical issue, with many filmmakers struggling to secure financial backing for their projects. This often leads to a reliance on personal funds, which limits marketing and distribution efforts, ultimately stifling the reach of their films. Censorship poses serious challenges, filmmakers often encounter obstacles when trying to tell sensitive stories, leading to self-censorship that compromises their artistic vision. This environment can stifle creativity, resulting in a narrow range of stories being told often the safest ones that avoid controversy.
- Page 21MAGEE A THE New Kids of Lyrical
- WORD ON STREETSZIM HIP-HOP: SIX MONTHS RUN TOP 5 MVPS OF ZIM HIP HOP
- HIP-HOPGAME CHANGERS WHO ARE THE BACKBONES OF ZIM HIP HOP? GALLER
- EUREKA AFRIKAR ZIMBABWEAfrocentric Talent basket F
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Roots Meet Modernity: An Evolution Of African Fashion
Story By Mangaliso Lawrence Kabulika
Fashion is realism, it goes beyond just wearing different pieces and feeling good in them and the next day you place them in a closet to gather dust. It is a conversation. It's art and creativity in its living and raw form. It's that intentionality. It's freedom. In my years of critiquing art, creativity and culture, I have learnt that every piece not only beautifies the model and makes every fashion critic out there have their pen sway in favour of the designer behind it as they tick the 10/10 score sheet.
It goes beyond that Practice, Products and Perspectives this is what shapes every piece. I got a chance to explore a design by Blessing Munjeri, a fashion designer, stylist and founder of Afro Phoenix, a strictly all male African wear brand. I came across a piece where he wore a Zezuru print, a Louis Vuitton (LV) clutch bag and a casual black formal suit if I may term it. Immediately i was moved, as a critic, as to the weight that whole set carried. It made me realise how much of a deep conversation the designer is having besides setting the wow factor that many will be eyeing.
Firstly, the Zezuru print. Zezuru is a Shona dialect and a symbol of identity for those who are associated with the dialect. Regardless of it being a dialect within others in one mother language, Shona on its own is a dominant language in Zimbabwe with almost 70% of the population speaking it worse still the Zezuru dialect. That on its own is a symbol of dominance, power and pride.
The strategic placement of the LV clutch bag next to the rob is a question Blessing is posing. We all know the Zezuru culture, in fact, the African culture and how it defines masculinity and dominance. That embodies presentation and representation. He could have placed that bag anywhere far from the Zezuru rob, but he intentionally placed it next to the rob. This puts us in the ongoing conversation. What is defining masculinity in the modern world?
Can the African print also stand next to the top world brands? The evolution of African fashion is challenging the norms and values, giving birth to the freedom to express as an African man. Now as you look at that piece how carefully the rob is flowing and hanging on his shoulder its a symbol of dominance, pride, royalty which is a sense that each piece must give when worn.
Lastly, the black suit that he is wearing. This is a representation of modernity, formality and how it can be in union with all aspects of life. Regardless of restrictions that may come with an expression of masculinity, fashion is allowing the modern African man to make her intentionality yet keeping up with the style and trend. It is also another dominant piece on Blessing, yet blending the rest of the pieces is a true reflection of the globalisation of fashion. How it's able to transcend all barriers, creating one conversation yet keeping a sense of truth.