#AWPOWERFIFTY: Zana Masombuka

What motivated you to become an entrepreneur OR take your career in the direction you did? Is having your own business OR this role you are in something you always wanted?

Growing up in a small village(at the time) named Siyabuswa in a former Bantustan, called Kwandebele really anchored my identity in who I was. I was surrounded by the sacredness, ecstasy, robustness and intentionality of the Ndebele culture and traditions. For me, being Ndebele was an honour, it gave me so much, so much dignity, pride, integrity, balance, abundance, stillness, to mention a few . I was surrounded by a living culture that had survived so much and still maintained its ESSENCE.

When I moved to the city at the age of 14 to attend high school, my eyes still gleaming with a knowing that my identity mattered, that who I was and where I came from matter, I was greeted with an environment that was a contradiction of what I had lived back home. In the city, being Ndebele wasn’t “hip”, there were so many people I knew who were embarrassed of being Ndebele; because there was very little representation of Ndebele people. When there were representations, oftentimes, it wasn’t from a Ndebele perspective or there would be a lot of cultural appropriation.

The Ndebele culture was seen as something ancient, belonging to the old world, an overly exploited aesthetic without the understanding of its aliveness, a culture which had no place in the present and in the creation of the future of our collective identity. Where the city saw a dead, old and dated culture, I had lived a lively, ever evolving, ever changing, artistically and culturally genius experience. This contradiction fueled me in the creation of Ndebele Superhero. I wanted to create a platform for African Storytelling, through the perspective of a young 21st century Ndebele Woman and how this perspective can tell a richer and fuller story about who and where I come from.

Which woman has positively impacted you in your career/business? And what is the one lesson she taught you?

The women who have impacted me are Ndebele Women, their stillness, joy, playfulness, dignity and creativity. However, more personally I have been influenced by my grandmother, my mother and my sisters. They have taught me a freedom and confidence that can not be shaken.They have continuously encouraged and supported me in going further and dreaming up more for myself, by simply being who they are.

How do you define success?

Success for me is freedom.

One insight for anyone interested in the industry you are working in?

Don’t be scared to trust and pave your own path.

What is your one key guiding principle in your work life?

As an artist, the one key guiding principle for my work life is surrendering and staying open.

What do you believe is the most impactful and immediate action your industry can take to Accelerate Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment. (this is the theme for INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY in 2024)

Worldwide Affirmative Action for Women Identifying Artists and LGBTQIA+ Artists.

The three books that changed your life

The 1st book that changed my life was Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch, that I 1st read at 14 years old after my older sister's passing in 2009. She was reading the series before she passed and had introduced it to the family.
The second book is Indaba My Children by Credo Mutwa, that I started reading in 2018/2019 as I was turning my art practice into a career and surrendering completely into this new world.
The 3rd book, or rather a collection of books I read in the same season, were Malidoma Somé’s books titled Of Water and Spirit, The Healing Wisdom Of Africa and lastly, Ritual:Power, Healing and Community which I read at a very transformative and elevating period in my life.

Apps you cannot live without