BORN Nicole Jamu and now popularly known as Queen Nicole, she commands respect in several of her professional pursuits like fashion, television events hosting and marketing.
NewsDay Life & Style caught up with the international star at the The Weave Fortune Exhibition which took place between July 4 and 9 at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare as part of the Zimbabwe-Korea 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations commemorative art exhibition.
Career path
I am currently on the breakfast show on Classic 263 and was previously on YaFM (2018-2020), Power FM (2020-2023) and Classic 263 (2023 to date). I became mostly known for the Business Daily, one of the most listened to business shows on radio, if not the most listened to, according to the Zimbabwe All Media Products Survey.
On TV, I came up with the World of Business (spin-off of the Business Daily on radio, 2022-2023), I’m no longer hosting it though.
I am on the weekend morning news bulletin as the main anchor, it’s called The RiZe (2022 to date).
Then there is EyeAfrica (2023 to date), one of my creative ideas as well, a show that profiles African creatives with the aim of shifting the African narrative.
I work with First Mutual on a financial literacy programme for young people (18 to 25 years primarily) through their Future First project.
I do public relations for renowned African vegan chef, Nicola Kagoro.
I have also been known as an events host. My latest was Miss Universe Zimbabwe, where I hosted the red carpet.
How she balances her time
If I am being honest, I do not think I have been able to strike a balance, as the word itself implies putting equal effort in all activities.
I would say over the years, I have learnt the skill of prioritising.
Ultimately, there are seasons where I tend to focus on one area more than the other for a specific time period.
Theoretically speaking, it could look like balance to onlookers, but internally, it is mostly a game of prioritising.
Views on arts industry in Zimbabwe
As someone who has had the privilege of travelling to a few other African countries, I would say Zimbabwe is still an emerging market. We are still to set the basic fundamentals straight from the recognition of intellectual property to monetising talent.
What I appreciate though is as an emerging market, we have a lot of room to grow and diversify and in my opinion, we are doing so at the most opportune time, the digital age and particularly a time when the world is finally recognising African talent and rewarding the talent for its innovativeness and uniqueness.
I have seen the emergence of new platforms, where artists are showcasing their works and this signifies the start of an artistic revolution.
Lessons from your travels
I have had the honour of being invited and attending several international events, where art is at the forefront and there are several lessons I took home with me.
First and foremost, the onus is on us to create the world we want.
Ironically, it echoes the words we have been hearing a lot, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”.
It is only us that can push for a change in thought, behaviour and in reward so to speak.
It is high time we start to support each other.
Taking reference from countries like neighbouring South Africa and Nigeria, their artists have managed to break new grounds in foreign countries and ultimately “the world stage” because they support each other by virtue of them being fellow country men.
I would wish to see Zimbabweans streaming and sharing art by other Zimbabweans because we are unified by our heritage.
Imagine if every Zimbabwean both in Zimbabwe and the diaspora shared music, for instance by a Zimbabwean artist in the communities they stayed in, what kind of impact would we create?
We are a talented country, we just need to believe it and sell ourselves as the best to the rest of the world.
The worst statement in business is, “that’s how we have always done it”.
Needless to say, it kills the powering engine that is innovation and every business needs it if it is to become an evolving and transgenerational brand.
Cultural diversity
We live in a diverse world that encompasses diversity in our way of life, diversity in art and diversity in careers.
Let us move with the times, let us embrace change while thriving in our uniqueness.
More stories need to be told, amplify the voices that represent the works we aspire to live in.
Closing remarks
Your world is more mouldable than you realise, but as is the case with every river or canyon carved by something as soft as water, it’s consistency that will make the cut.
Our lives are a reflection of what we have been consistent for better or for worse.
The world is truly mouldable, but only for those who believe it is possible.
