Lifestyle

Carl Joshua Ncube cooking up a storm in Victoria Falls

Published

3 years ago

January 19, 2022

Admin

BY RYAN TRUSCOTT

Ever thought of eating your grasshoppers with honey? Or spicy stinkbugs?

Zimbabwean comedian-turned-celebrity-chef Carl Joshua Ncube has just the recipe for you in his new e-book highlighting healthy and sustainable ways of eating.

Ncube, who moved to Victoria Falls last year to live off-grid in a converted bus with his wife Nelsy, has just brought out an e-cookbook called Chikafu — the 100 recipe diary of a Zimbabwean celebrity chef. Chikafu is the Shona word for food.

The book is being sold — sustainably — via WhatsApp to Zimbabwean customers.

His 100 recipes and pictures are a feast for the eyes on a phone screen.

But what Ncube’s really interested in is using ingredients that are at hand in rural Zimbabwe.

“I noticed that a lot of ingredients we use in Zimbabwe tend to be pests that would otherwise damage crops,” he told RFI via a zoom call from a hotel lounge during a day-trip to Victoria Falls from his village home.

Mountain of the lion

One insect featured in the recipes is the stinkbug, a small insect with a shield-like body that emits strong-smelling fluids when handled.

In some parts of Zimbabwe, including Victoria Falls, stinkbugs swarm in vast numbers ahead of the cool season looking for places to hibernate.

They can be harvested by the bagful. Once you get past their smell, they make excellent seasoning.

“The actual flavour is like a chicken or beef stock that has hardened. It’s quite fatty and crunchy on the outside,” says Ncube.

His book recommends deep frying one kilogramme of the bugs and drying them overnight.

The crucial next step is to blend them with pepper corns and cayenne pepper, according to Ncube’s recipe.

Processing insects with a blender helps people to get over the obvious psychological obstacles, he says.

“The palate adjusts to it when you add it as part of a spice blend.”

The magic ingredient in Ncube’s grasshopper and honey dish? Cottage cheese.

For Ncube, who has diabetes, the decision to start living off the grid and exploring traditional foods was a way of finding more healthy and sustainable ways of eating and living.

He and his wife converted an old bus into their home in the village of Ntabayengwe, near Victoria Falls. The village name means “mountain of the lion” and lions do occasionally pass through.

Ncube knew he was on the right track when, on his very first off-grid morning, he cooked an omelette over an open fire using free-range eggs and freshly-picked green peppers and onions.

Assault on the senses

“I’d never tasted food so fresh in my life,” he said. Once his neighbours in the village discovered there was a celebrity living in their midst, daily deliveries of fresh food began.

“People would deliver chickens to my house; they’d deliver eggs.

“Stuff was coming straight from the fields, you could still see the dirt on the vegetables.

“It was just such an incredible first week living off grid and an assault on the senses.”

Better known for his wise cracks about life in Zimbabwe and tongue-in-cheek jabs at politicians and other celebrities, Ncube says that cooking is as much a part of his DNA as comedy.

While his late father, a woodwork teacher, was a part-time comedian, his mother is a retired home economics lecturer well-versed in food and nutrition.

Zimbabwe’s rich culinary past was undervalued during the colonial years that ended with independence in 1980, said Ncube.

“What I’ve realised is that we’re not so different from a culinary perspective, globally.

“We seem to have the same things: we do broths and soups; we dry-age (meat), we hang, we cure.

“All of these processes exist but the language is different,” he explained.

He’s critical of the culinary oversimplification that saw sadza, a stiff porridge made from maize meal, declared the national staple.
Ingredients never imagined

“It was put in all our textbooks, which is not correct to do because no country in the world describes itself by one dish.”

But as much as Chikafu is about delving into the past, unearthing overlooked ways of cooking and celebrating a rich tradition, it’s also about imagining the future of Zimbabwean cuisine.

The first section of the book pays tribute to traditional ways of preparing mopane worms (an abundant moth caterpillar harvested from the leaves of mopane trees in western and south-eastern Zimbabwe), sweet potatoes and other staples.

Readers are then introduced to “ingredients used in ways they never imagined.”

This is seen, for instance, in a recipe that’s a new take on Chibuku, the popular opaque beer made from fermented maize, sorghum and barley.

He recommends mixing the brew with vanilla ice cream, chocolate milk and syrup.

Chibuku drinkers would likely be scandalised, but Ncube isn’t worried.

“I have a right as a Zimbabwean to be inventive, because whatever it is that we call tradition, was an invention at some point,” he said.
“So, I want to invent.” – Radio France Internationale

Binga

Hope and comfort in hard times: Marvin Dube’s ‘Munoziva Zvose’ releases August 3rd

Published

3 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Admin

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Meet Marvin Dube, a gospel artist with a voice that can move mountains. Born in Kadoma and raised in various towns across Zimbabwe, Marvin’s roots trace back to Binga Junamina village, where his Tonga heritage runs deep.

Now based in the United Kingdom, Marvin is making waves in the gospel music scene with his latest single, “Munoziva Zvose,” set to release on August 3rd.

The song was born out of a powerful vision shared by Marvin’s friend, Simbayi Zwidza. “He saw a vivid image of God knowing everything we go through, even the things we don’t understand,” Marvin recounts.This message resonated deeply with Marvin, prompting him to write a verse thanking God for his grace in the face of hardship.

“‘Munoziva Zvose’ is a message of hope and comfort,” Marvin explains. “It reminds people that they’re not alone in their struggles. God is with them, knows their struggles, and will answer their prayers.” The song is a testament to Marvin’s artistic vision: using his music to touch lives, heal the brokenhearted, and spread God’s love.

What makes this track even more special is that Marvin is featuring on it alongside Simbayi Zwidza, whose vision inspired the song. “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Simbayi on this powerful track,” Marvin says. “Together, we’re bringing a message of hope and comfort to those who need it most.”

Marvin Dube

What sets “Munoziva Zvose” apart from Marvin’s previous releases is its deeper, more reverent tone. The song leans towards worship music, encouraging a stronger connection with God. With its powerful melody, strong vocals, and heartfelt lyrics, this song is a blessing for anyone seeking a more profound connection with God, he says.

Marvin’s church, Spoken Ministry, has been incredibly supportive of this project, and he knows it will strengthen and edify the body of Christ. With Simbayi’s gift as a missionary preacher, the song’s potential to reach more people and share the message of faith is amplified.

“This song is a tool for evangelism,” Marvin says. “We plan to use this release to inspire others, share the message of hope, and continue to drive the missionary work we’re passionate about.”

Get ready to be inspired by Marvin Dube’s “Munoziva Zvose,” a song that will resonate with anyone facing difficult times and remind them that God is always with them.

Lifestyle

Love, peace, and harmony: The Ubuntu Bomuntu story

Published

1 week ago

July 20, 2024

Admin

BY STAFF REPORTER

Nokuthaba Dlamini , managing editor of VicFallsLive, sat down with Sibangilizwe Sibanda co-founder of the traditional Imbube Acappella group, Ubuntu Bomuntu, to discuss their journey and music in a modernizing world. The Victoria Falls-based group recently launched their seven-track album, Umdla Nkunzi, which features their gospel song, Inkanyezi, and other tracks that celebrate Ndebele culture and values.

Interview:

Q: Can you introduce yourselves and share how Ubuntu Bomuntu was formed?

A: We were formed in June 1999 as Amahlosi Asendle, but later changed our name to Ubuntu Bomuntu due to pronunciation difficulties. We’re a group of eight members from Matabeleland North province.

Q: What inspired you to start performing traditional music, and what’s the significance of your group’s name?

A: We were inspired by local Matebeleland Acappella groups and our cultural identity. Our name, Ubuntu Bomuntu, means humanity and emphasizes our focus on teaching and preserving our culture.

Q: What type of traditional music do you perform, and what’s its history?

A: We specialize in Imbube (African Acappella), which originated in Matebeleland, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini. This music style is unique to our region and plays a significant role in preserving our cultural heritage.

Q: How do you believe your music contributes to the preservation and promotion of our community’s cultural heritage?

A: Our music teaches the young ones about our culture, and our recorded materials serve as a reminder of our roots. We aim to prevent cultural loss and promote our identity.

Q: What’s your experience been like performing for tourists and visitors in Victoria Falls?

A: It’s a privilege to perform for tourists daily, showcasing our culture to a global audience.

Q: How do you engage with your audience, and what do you hope they take away from your performances?

A: We use social media to connect with our audience worldwide. Our goal is to educate them about our culture and promote love, peace, and harmony.

Q: Can you share the meaning and stories behind some of your popular songs?

A: We have gospel songs like Inkanyezi, social songs, and songs addressing issues like drug abuse, marriage, and climate change.

Our music reflects our culture and the world around us. For instance Esigodlweni , is a thanksgiving song that celebrates the culture and values of the Ndebele people from the founding King Mzilikazi kaMatshobana.

Q: What traditional instruments do you use, and how are they significant to your music?

A: We use African drums like ingungu for certain dances, but primarily focus on vocal performances.

Q: What challenges have you faced as a traditional musical group in a modernizing community?

A: Some people view our music as non-commercial, and promotion is limited, even on local airwaves.

Q: What are your goals for Ubuntu Bomuntu, and how do you see your music evolving in the future?

A: We aim to uplift our music to international standards and maintain our cultural identity. We’re focused on a brighter future.

Conclusion:

Q: What message would you like to share with our community and visitors through your music?

A: Love, peace, and harmony – that’s what we’re all about.

Q: Are there any upcoming performances or projects you’d like to promote?

A: We have several projects in the works, but lack of funds has delayed recording. We look forward to sharing our music with the world.

Lifestyle

Gilmore Tee makes it to the Forty under 40 Africa list

Published

1 year ago

March 30, 2023

Admin

BY OWN CORRESPONDENT

Global Citizen, Curator, Forbes 30 Alumni and Media Practitioner – Gilmore Tee made the Forty under 40 Africa List for 2023, alongside some outstanding personalities such as BBc’s Nyasha Michelle, South Africa’s Yershen Pillay, Vumile Msweli and Algeria’s Toumiat Lakhdar.

Gilmore is known for his works with Paper Bag Africa which houses the PAN African lifestyle and cross-networking event – The PiChani, European Film Festival Zimbabwe, I Wear My Culture and eMoyeni Digital Storytelling.

The 33-year-old is known for his work in the creative industry and brands such as Jameson, Fastjet, Food Lovers Market, GQ South Africa and Glamour Magazine.

Earlier this year the organisers of the Forty under 40 Africa initiative, Xodus Communications Limited, shortlisted 126 nominees from 24 African countries. The initiative is aimed at recognizing and celebrating emerging leaders under the age of 40 who demonstrate or impact personally and/ or professionally through their exceptional leadership.

The personalities nominated this year cut across countries such as; South Africa, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Sudan, Morocco, Benin, Mauritius, Algeria, Swaziland, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Algeria, Botswana, Tunisia, Eswatini, Lesotho and Gambia.

At the event which was held on the March 25 at the Leonardo Hotel in Sandton City, South Africa, Gilmore was announced as a winner and part of the 40 lists, alongside other 39 outstanding practitioners from across the African continent.