CQ, Familia sweep Born & Bred Awards

I first met Ivan in 1996 when he was working for Young & Rubicam in Lusaka. I did the voice over for a radio spot that he had written for Toyota Zambia and being the perfectionist that he is, it took us about four studio sessions working on the sixty- second spot before he was convinced that we had executed it right. Young & Rubicam transferred him to South Africa later that year. In 1999 before I left for study in SA, I met Ivan in Lusaka again. He was unashamedly back home with a deeper sense of purpose. Barely three full years have gone by and he is now known as Ivan Mweene, the architect of Zambias first soap opera The Kabananas. Not as famous as Jason Kabanana, Tracy Kabanana, Masuzyo Kabanana or the other characters in the soap opera, which he conceptualised and created, but Ivan's life is a great story to tell as well.

The speed of his life journey from an early childhood in Ndola has of late accelerated beyond the imagination of his peers from back in the day. A few who were his neighbors in Lusaka when he attended primary school at Jacaranda and secondary at Libala still affectionately call him 'Stew', and he seems cool with that. One his old buddy's, Jerome, is actually present as we chow a finger licking meal of well prepared nshima and pork with thick well spiced gravy (heck, I cooked it: so I'll blow my own trumpet). Although this is the Stewart who featured in the GQ Magazine January edition as well as the Carling Black Label television commercials in their new campaign, he evidently hasn't let this fame get to him in the slightest.

The debate on whether or not our society is polluted with the Western world's "distorted" image of beauty ceases to matter when you meet a lady not only so fine but with a mind and heart to match. Elegant? Indeed so.

Chola Lungu is a student, model and Miss University of Namibia 1998. It's refreshing to note though that she's a varsity beauty queen who has had real social responsibilities during her year of reign. Responsibility that takes real strength and lot's of heart to see a smile on the face of some one who is really in need of a breakthrough.

Ever cheerful, Miss.Lungu had no qualms about honouring us with an interview. Here it is in her own words.

I was born on the 7th of September 1979. I'm a Virgo, but nothing like the star sign says though! I did my nursery to primary education in Zambia before transferring to boarding school in England for my secondary school. I then went on to Cambridge for my 'A' levels and I am now finishing my second year in Taxation and Law degree. 

Comments on Spotrunnaz from DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill published in the Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet, October 6, 2000 : "Great! Much energy and good flow. One other thing I like is that they don't use so much American slang. Many Europeans have the tendency to make that mistake and just f*** it up instead. It's better to come up with ones' own phrases and words. They should have a chance to be a hit in the US."

The Model, The Hip Hopper, the Princess. Meet MsZambia.

She was born in Luanshya during the year that The Sugar Hill Gang released the worlds first rap music LP titled Rappers Delight, and couple of years later in the same year that Charles and Diana tied the knot her family left Zambia for Canada. She was only aged two at the time but today in full bloom Jasmine, or MsZambia as we've come to know her, is living in the era of Hip hop, is in the line of royalty (ku ba Bemba), and with her drive and zeal is heading places. I linked up with Jasmine to place personality to good looks a few weeks ago. She is friendly, warm and charming, intelligent but not intimidating. Her story is well worth telling.