REZA MEANS BUSINESS: Budding musician brings tourist capital on song

IAN Mizinga is very new to the music industry but it is clear that he means business.

With only two songs to his name, the budding musician whose stage name is Reza has already set some airwaves abuzz with his unique style that many people who may have lived, stayed, or indeed Livingstone may relate to.

Also commonly known for the phrase ‘Muntu Wakamina’ which can be loosely translated as my person in a corrupted Livingstone lingua that can only be understood by those familiar with the tourist capital, Reza has received endorsements from the heavy weights, the likes of Slapdee, Petersen and Bobby East.

His first single Life Yakamina which was released in December last year received very good reviews and the artiste, new as he is in the game is back with another one - in a similar tone and language that could as well as be a dictionary for those planning to visit the tourist capital for the first time.

It is titled Mukaziswaba. Simply put, the title of the song that was released not so long ago is translated as you should be ashamed.

We caught up with the budding act and he shared with us his aspirations.

“Livingstone is very diverse and the people here do things in a very different and unique way from the rest of the country. For anyone that has lived here, they know that Livingstone is unique in the way people speak, unique to what they eat, and it is that same uniqueness that most people don't know about,” he says.

He adds: “That is how I decided to take it upon myself to put Livingstone's uniqueness on the global map through my music. My first single did very well and I even performed it on the same stage as Bobby East, Yo Maps, Slapdee and Nez Long. Life Yakamina simply means my life in our own special Livingstone lingua.”

Reza is signed to Mafasho Entertainments which is making sure that he records more songs with messages that an ordinary Zambian will most likely resonate to.

He says he will continue to tell stories, in his songs, about his hometown Livingstone until it gets the recognition it deserves.

“To many, this is just a tourist destination. But to me, this is home and that is why I will continue to do my thing the Livingstone way,” he says.

Livingstone lingua has a mix of corrupted Nyanja, Tonga and Lozi, a phenomenon that fascinates many first time visitors to the tourist capital.

The Livingstone born and bred artiste attended Shungu Namutitima Primary School before going to Holy Cross Primary School for his grade eight and nine.

He completed his secondary school education at David Livingstone Secondary.

Reza also has a Degree in Entrepreneurship Development from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.

“Other than that, I also attended Let's Live Life Coaching School in Johannesburg, South Africa with a specialisation in personal development and self discovery,” he says.

Reza is also a media consultant and startup consultant and is a licensed Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) License D football coach.

He has also assured his fans that he is yet to record and release even more songs in his usual style.

BEYOND GLAMOUR: Miss Global Universe Zambia Stephanie reflects

ALTHOUGH modelling is exciting, it is also a lot of work. That is how the reigning Miss Global Universe Zambia Stephanie Mulamata sees it.

I recently sat down with the model, who is also a teacher by profession but currently working as a counsellor at a Livingstone based non-governmental organisation called Contact Trust Youth Association (CTYA).

The 25-year-old Livingstone based model, who started modeling in 2013, shared her illustrious journey in the industry.

“My journey in the industry as a young model has been very exciting and also emotional,” says Stephanie who was born on October 31, 1995 in Livingstone to Steven Mulamata and Ivy Hachilenge. 

“Suffice to say, I have lost more titles than I have won. Pageantry has exposed me to a lot of things and it has boosted my confidence and self esteem.”

Stephanie says the modelling industry is not all rosy as there are a lot of hurdles for one who is aspiring to make it has to endure.

She says one for instance has to deal with constantly turning down sexual advances and favours in exchange for services.

“People tend to take advantage of us quite a lot because we expose our bodies then we are labeled as prostitutes and easy goers who can do anything for money. There’s actually more to us than walking half naked on a stage.

“We get to research and study very much. I have had many instances where people want to take advantage of me - especially with photographers. You know, models need photos to continuously keep updating their portfolios and to get bookings and deals. I have had instances where a photographer would entice you with a free photo shoot in exchange for sex or its equivalent. I have had my own share of such instances.”

Stephanie advises that such hurdles could be overcome by saving.

“If you can save, such instances cannot befall you," she says. "Support from family and friends is also key. Trust the process, take one step at a time, because as a model, you have this image to protect - so, it’s about trusting the process. Older and rich men will always be on your case to entice you with money, but stand your ground so that you do not fall prey to any of their advances.”

Stephanie encourages anyone wishing to take up modelling to ensure they try and get the support of their family and friends first.

She says it is hard to excel as a model in Zambia because it is not considered as a high end economic activity like it is in other countries such as the Philippines.

“Government would rather support the music industry than modeling," she says. "With support from the government, modeling has very huge potential to contribute to the country's economy and end poverty.

“When we are out there, we don’t just market ourselves but the country as well.”

Stephanie, who intends to start a campaign called ‘One Bag at a Time’ which will be looking at environmental degradation issues by encouraging the use of biodegradable and reusable carrier bags says models are an asset to a country - and they should be supported.

She attended Livingstone Primary, Holy Cross Primary before completing her grade 12 from David Livingstone Secondary school in 2012. Stephanie also has a Bachelor of Arts with Education qualification from Victoria Falls University.

“I guess modeling has always been my passion but it had to wait until I was done with my secondary school because my parents wouldn’t have allowed me,” she says.

Stephanie, who is friends with her father on Facebook, remembers how he at first was not comfortable with his daughter posting photos of herself in bikinis and revealing outfits.

“But now, he has gotten the gist of it and has been supportive ever since," she says. "I can say he is my biggest fan."

Stephanie's first pageant was the Miss Tourism Zambia in 2013 during the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in Livingstone where she, in her own words “fared terribly.”

In 2014, she scooped the Miss Community Livingstone and made top 10 at the Miss Teen Zambia.Two years later, she went on to scoop the Miss Victoria Falls and in the same year, she went for the Miss Zambia where she failed to make top 10.

In 2017, Stephanie was crowned Miss VCT and in the same year, she was runners up at the Miss Heritage Southern Province and went on to make top 10 at the nationals.

In 2018, she was crowned the Miss Africa International Zambia at a pageant in Lusaka before going on to be crowned Miss Global Universe Zambia at the Miss Tourism Worldwide beauty pageant that was held at the New Government Complex in Lusaka last December.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper.