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It was March 2020. The world had just entered the global lockdown. I reached out to award winning songwriter, MediSun for an interview about the role African spirituality plays in his creative process. We agreed to use WhatsApp to communicate. This was before ZOOM took over. Over three days, we took our time listening and responding. It was one of the loveliest interview processes I've ever had. Let's hop into the time capsule and travel back in time to listen in to this timeless wisdom. Instagram: @medisunmusic YouTube: @medisunmusicofficial6285 Website: medisunmusic.online --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

In part two of our conversation with archivist, writer and publicist, Tinashe Mushakavanhu, we go deeper into the challenges of accessing the archive of books written by Zimbabweans, artist development in the wake of racialised exclusion under colonialism, creativity, the politics of refusal when engaging with power relationships in the publishing industry. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

Today's show is a very insightful chat with writer, publisher and archivist, Tinashe Mushakavanhu whose PhD thesis dealt with Zimbabwe's Dambudzo Marechera and England's Shelley. We continue the conversation about definitions of success and what it means to be African in the twenty-first century. Our focus is on Marechera whose refusal to conform to standard definitions of "a successful" writer conferred on him (without his asking) the role of a public intellectual. We also discuss who Marechera wrote to in his work; and the challenges around accessing his archives. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

In this second and last part of "Randy Valentine Reasons With Sista Zai", our thoughts and ideas wander from topic to topic, including responsibility and accountability, nation building, self-check as the revolution and the place of love in the revolution. You can consent to receive monthly updates on Sista Zai's latest news, including fresh podcast episodes here. Please click ⁠here⁠ for Randy Valentine's music and an earlier version of this interview. You can access the award-winning documentary, "The Story Of Lovers Rock" by Menelik Shabazz here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

What is your definition of success; and does that definition tie into what you think it means to be African in the 21st century? In this episode, a relaunch of season one following a two year sabbatical, Sista Zai presents the first of many guests whose thought partnership supported her inner journey as she worked out the answers to this season's burning questions about success and group identity. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

Whip out our journals (or whatever you use to document your unique journey into your interior landscape, as inspired by my unfolding story). Sit with story and your soul as you unpack the unspoken stories and inherited assumptions, about land. Get comfy, it is storytime. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

In S 1 :E7, I start to unpack my definition of "success" as I continue telling the story of my unfolding decolonising journey. You might find the following links useful: Transcript Annotated Transcript To Be Felene Cayetano d'bi. young anita afrika submissions for letters to myself Buki Hannaway ShakaraSpeaks GotKushTVPatreon Community (dive deeper) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

Do you celebrate the festive season in December of the Gregorian Calendar? Here's what I get up to as a decolonising 21st Century African; and here's how I am adapting my creative flow (including this podcast) to fit my new way of being. That's what this short and sweet storytelling session is all about. In terms of housekeeping, let's catch up again via podcast on Friday 8 January 2021. If that's too far away for you, we're on Patreon and social media with all the deeper insights and memes. All you need to do is follow this link: www.linktr.ee/sistazai Thanks so much for coming along for this journey. I look forward to going deeper with you all and much further in 2021! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

Fuelled by eclipse season insomnia and summer solstice excitement, the storytelling in episode five relays the experience of a search for self that meanders between individuality and the collective. For podcast deep dives, join the Patreon family at www.linktr.ee.com/sistazai --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

In Episode Four of Season One, your host and curator, Sista Zai Zanda delves deeper into the big question, "What Does It Mean To Be African In The 21st Century?" This time, we focus on the question "What Does Liberation Look Like, Taste Like, Feel Like?" She reads her response to the prompt and plays you a Hip Hop that came through from family in Kampala Uganda from Dimitri & The Scarecrow, who is also considering the questions in focus. We wrap up with the fourth creative writing prompt. Connect With Sista Zai (Patreon and Socials): www.linktr.ee/sistazai Connect With Dimitri & The Scarecrow: instagram.com/scarecrow_zw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

Hey my loves! It's time for a fresh episode. This third episode in our first series of "Life Seen Through A Sista's Eye Podcast" continues to as the critical question "What Does It Mean To Be African In The 21st Century?" In this episode, we look at what specific actions I take in order to make my vision of a 21st Century African a reality. As you listen to me wax lyrical and poetic, I hope you are inspired to journal along, using the weekly prompts to write your own story in your own words and on your own terms. What's my story about this week? Well, I'll share my own journal entry and give you a beautiful story about my grandfather's vision and how he took action to fulfil his purpose, leaving behind an incredible legacy. For all the sneak peeks and behind the scenes insights, become a member of the Patreon family, join the Instagram and listen to the podcast playlist. All links from linker.ee/sistazai Next week's writing/collage/drawing prompt is one word: "liberation". Tune in to hear the first of an unfolding series of interviews with guests who join me in conversation about 21st Century African identity. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

In this second episode of the first series, Sista Zai reads excerpts from her own Letter To Herself, her personal response to last week's letter writing prompt, "What Does It Mean To Be African In The 21st Century?". She then performs a poem,and gives you the next "Letter To Myself" writing prompt. For more guidance on the Letter To Myself writing activity, you can join the Instagram account @eyeofthesista. For more in-depth discussions about these podcasts, access to Sista Zai's letters in full and the live monthly podcast recording sessions where you can ask questions of Sista Zai and featured guests or watch the video replays, do join the Patreon community - patreon.com/sistazai. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

In this second episode of the first series, Sista Zai reads excerpts from her own Letter To Herself, her personal response to last week's letter writing prompt, "What Does It Mean To Be African In The 21st Century?". She then performs a poem,and gives you the next "Letter To Myself" writing prompt. For more guidance on the Letter To Myself writing activity, you can join the Instagram account @eyeofthesista. For more in-depth discussions about these podcasts, access to Sista Zai's letters in full and the live monthly podcast recording sessions where you can ask questions of Sista Zai and featured guests or watch the video replays, do join the Patreon community - patreon.com/sistazai.

My loves, In this first episode of season 1, I start with the critical question which lead me to a career as a storyteller after I graduated from law school. Namely, "what does it mean to be African in the 21st century?" I also give you an idea of how we can collectively make this podcast an interactive and visionary storytelling space. Note, I used the word, "collectively". If you're keen to do the work with me as the series unfolds, you'll love the mixtape I created for inspiration and you're also welcome to join the Patreon community. Here is the link for access to both (and some other treats): www.linktr.ee/sistazai. Catch you next week for episode 2 in this first series of Life Seen Through A Sista's Eye Podcast! Thanks for keeping me company. Much love, Sista Zai --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message

Host and founder of Afro-literary performance platforms, Sista Zai calls up the legendary Mad Professor for some advice. He shares stories about his own experience of establishing and operating Ariwa Studios, London's longest running Black-owned recording studio. Ariwa just turned 40 years old and it has not always been the easiest journey but it has worked out. Listen in for some stellar insights. As a special treat for the listeners and fans, Mad Professor sent through pre-lease tracks from his upcoming annual Mad Professor/Ariwa Riddim Series, due for release on 31 January 2020. A special shout out to Sisters Akousmatica and Monah Arts Centre in Tasmania who commissioned this pilot episode as part of their pop up community radio station in Tasmania during December 2019. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sistazai/message