Have you watched the movie "Shaka Zulu"? Get it, if you can. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It totally blew my mind. It was the first time I saw a movie about black southern African history ... It left such an impression. I suddenly had an appreciation of black history and culture that changed the way I saw myself and Africans in the world. Anyway, the song that forms part of this poem is lovingly borrowed off the Shaka Zulu soundtrack. It is a traditional Zulu love song ... It is a song about unrequited love ... so is the poem I wrote and adapted from this love song. I love writing about love ... it's my favourite topic ... there, I said it!

Wemsheli Wami (adapted)

Listen in on one of the USA's finest minds on Philosophy, Theology, Music and the ongoing struggle for rights.

Dr Cornel West Speaks With Sista Zai About Music & Movements, Radical Love and Solidarity

This is a rough version of an awesome collaboration between myself and Third Culture, a Melbourne producer.  The final piece will be out shortly ... but I must say, this is pretty dope!!!! I love what Third Culture has done with this poem.

I wrote this poem as my response to police killings of black Americans and the silence around these killings ... #sayhername because the original mother is a black woman ... #sayhername ... 

Sista Zai And Third Culture - God Is A Black Womban

In 2011, I met a woman whom I look up to and respect as an elder. She took me to her country. The country of the Yalikut Willam peoples of south eastern Victoria, Australia.  She showed me the most magnificent River Red Gum tree I have ever witnessed. The tree followed me home, woke me up in the morning and urged me to write a poem in honour of black love ... she oak love. When I returned to Harare, my home city, I entered the open mic and shared she oak love with my fellow poets. She Oak Love keeps generating more love, more power, more energy.

She Oak Love

Jamaican Dancehall and Reggae artist, Ce'cile, is in town for an Australian show.  Get your tickets for the show  this Friday April 19th 2013 at the Espy.  Tix available from http://www.espy.com.au/?p=523 

As one of the few women holding it down in the male dominated music industry, Hip Sista Hop just had to invite Ce'cile to pop in for a conversation that will inspire and set the record straight.  Hop onto 3CR.org.au and donate to keep 3CR quality women's programs on air.

Ce'cile, Jamaican Dancehall Artists Talks to 3CRs Hip Sista Hop

I am a writer. I love to perform poetry. I write short stories. You can see the world through my eyes at www.sistazai.tumblr.com

I am a radio broadcaster and DJ. I love to play music. I love to interview people. I currently co-host a radio show called HIP SISTA HOP.  We broadcast from 3CR Community Radio Station. We are always looking for good quality sounds by women of all backgrounds as well as Aboriginal and African artists in Hip Hop, Soul, RnB, Spoken Word, Reggae and Dancehall genres. You can check us out at www.3cr.org.au/hipsistahop

I am a social entrepreneur. My work is with young women and youth.

I am many things and no things ... 

Create a beautiful day. The power for creating an amazing future is contained right now in the present moment.

Sista Zai Zanda

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