EXCLUSIVE TO EMBRACE LIFESTYLE

STAR OF THE MONTH: Tatenda Musemburi

'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate ,our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure'. That is our star of the month's favourite quote, this quote has gotten her through tough periods in life and it has created the absolute gem she is today. Tatenda Musemburi is a natural hair vlogger,fashion fanatic and biomed student based in Melbourne ,Australia. In her Instagram bio she describes herself as an ambassador for Jesus Christ and Zimbabwean content creator. I have been following her Youtube page and i was fascinated by what she does. I took a leap of faith slid into her DMs and she agreed to feature as the star of the month. I was so excited to share her story because she exudes wisdom and humility, i'm here for sisters who are making moves inspiring women out there.Read more about her below.

1.TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

My name is Tatenda, I was born in Zimbabwe. I moved to Australia at the age of 5 and have been living here ever since. I’’m an upcoming youtuber, focusing within the natural hair, lifestyle and beauty niche. When I’m not keeping up with my online family, I’m busy as a full time student, completing my double major in BioMed.

2. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START VLOGGING ABOUT NATURAL HAIR?

I’ve always enjoyed watching videos on youtube. Whilst growing up I realised there was a lack ofwholesome, positive influencers. Thus, I decided to be the role model I yearned for as a child. I hope to become someone young girls can watch and relate to. I hope to inspire them as they pursue their education, a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Christ and for them to be comfortable in their own skin.

3. HOW HAS VLOGGING CHANGED YOUR LIFE AS AN INDIVIDUAL?

After 2 years of being social media free, having my life in the public eye was a bit daunting. I have learnt to receive complements and criticism gracefully. I have had to grow up and understand that God has given me a very influential platform. There are many young girls who look up to me, some watch what I do as a blueprint for how to live their lives. I don’t’ want to lead them astray and I don’t want to represent God falsely. I have learnt to carefully evaluate the choices I make and the actions I take.

4. WHAT ROLE DOES YOUR VLOG PLAY IN THE LIVES OF YOUNG WOMEN IN THE SOCIETY?

I’d like to think my channel fills the gap that I yearned for growing up. That I am someone young girls and women can relate to, in all capacities of their life.

5. WOMEN WITH NATURAL ARE BEING REPRESENTED IN THE MEDIA SPACE AND WOMEN ARE NOW EMBRACING THEIR NATURAL HAIR WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE ISSUE?

I absolutely love that embracing natural hair is now a “thing”. Back in the day when I transitioned to natural, I received a few nasty comments and looks. It’s great to see that the world is changing and that loving yourself (as a black woman) the way God made you is now a “thing”. However, with that in mind I do hope, that we as natural hair girls won’t reverse the script and start shunning our sisters who choose not to be natural.

6.BESIDES VLOGGING WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?

Besides running my YouTube channel I’m passionate about a few polar opposite things. First is fashion, I just love it, I love dressing up and trying new styles. Working part time in the fashion field has really quenched my love for all things fashion. My second passion is academics, I am a bit of a science nerd which is why I chose to pursue a degree within the medical field. Since I was a child, I have always dreamed of becoming a doctor. What type of doctor you ask? well, I am yet to figure that out myself haha

7. WHAT DOES YOUR HAIR MEAN TO YOU? TO SOME PEOPLE ITS JUST HAIR BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

Hair is hair, it’s a Gift from God, but at the end of the day it’s just hair. It can be here today and gone tomorrow. What matters more to me is what’s on the inside, your heart, your spirit.

I’ve gotten to a place in my life where if my hair was to fall out tomorrow, I’d be sad, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world. My hair doesn’t define me, it’s a symbol of me, but I am still me without it. Natural hair to me is a symbol of self-love, not saying that anyone else without it doesn’t love themselves, but for such a long-time natural hair was shunned. To this day, it’s still considered nappy and unprofessional. It’s you, it’s the way you were created, you should love the way you were created. In God’s eyes you are perfect, that is all that matters. If you then wish to do something else with your hair that’s fine, but do not lessen others for loving themselves as they are.

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?

I wouldn’t say I really have a motto, but I can share a few words I live by. I try to live my life based on the word of God. Ecclesiastes 3: 1 says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”. What this means to me is that we go through different seasons in life but there is reason for every season. There is always a lesson to edify you and make you a better and stronger version of yourself. No matter what happens, there is always something positive to take away.

My most favourite quote is by Marianne Williamson. It’s gotten me through some tough periods in my life. This quote requires no explanation.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

9. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN WHO WANT TO SWITCH TO NATURAL HAIR AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN WHO ARE CONTEMPLATING VLOGGING/BLOGGING ABOUT NATURAL HAIR OR ANYTHING THEY FIND INTERESTING?

My advice to women wanting to switch to natural hair is, check out my channel! You’ll get all the help and assistance you need there. If you have any more questions, or video suggestions, feel free to email me.

For those contemplating about starting a YouTube channel I’d say go for it. However, do take time, to do your research, and put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, whatever works for you. Not planning is planning to fail. Like with any business, YouTube requires investments, not just with your own money but your own time. If you don’t love what you’re doing it can be very easy to give up and quit.

Like with most businesses you will go through a time where you will be investing more than you are getting from that business, that’s when your love and motives are truly tested. Loving what you do, will give you the endurance to keep going, even when you’re not getting the results you desire or expect.

10. PARTING WORDS

As I let my own light shine, you should do the same. We are ALL meant to shine. Don’t allow anyone to dim your light.