Nadia

Grew up a fortunate and sheltered existence in the Zimbabwe that once was. Those who lived there a long time ago will agree that life in Zim used to be idyllic… To most people, I was 'Coloured' ( mixed race), but I didn’t grow up around Coloured people, so didn’t identify with that label at all. I also spent some of my childhood in Germany as well. Most of my friends were White or Black and I spent most of my time, floating between the two, without a real sense of identity. Went to British colonial schools, where I learnt to speak 'proper English' and learnt that colonisation was the best thing to ever happen to Africa. One day I will make a documentary film about the mixed race identity and how we need to be acknowledged for who we are. It will be about my family and how we came to be. I haven't started yet, but it's all in my mind, just have to turn it into reality…In 1995 I left Zimbabwe to fulfil my dream of living in New York and studying journalism. I was focused on bright lights and big city, but instead found myself living in a suburban nightmare of cookie cutter houses and White picket fences in Long Island. I felt like a fish living in bowl, going round and round and ignorant bloss of the people around me astounded me. Every chance I got, I escaped to NYC and loved every inch of it from the smells, the noises, the grime and the people. Although somewhat cliché, I really 'found myself' whenever I was there and felt I could be whoever I wanted to be and that there really was no limit..After 2 years when the situation in Zimbabwe got bad, I had to drop out of university, which was devastating to me. I was determined not to find myself back in Zimbabwe, regretting what could have been. With $200 to my name and 2 suitcases, I made my way to London.. London was a miserable and dismal place for me. Perpetually grey and dull. I found myself shutting off in order to survive and living a 'zombie like' existence.In 2000, decided it was time to finish off my degree, so found myself in Cape Town and have lived here for the last 7 years. I never thought that I would find myself living in South Africa because of it's past and did not want to live in a place where I would be perceived as a 'Coloured girl' and be treated accordingly. One of my highlights whilst I was studying is working as intern for the United nations in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Was the most amazing experience and got to meet incredible people.Cape Town is a beautiful city, which can sometimes lack depth and it has been difficult to scratch beyond the beautiful exterior to see what's really there. If I will stay here and make this my home… Who knows? I cant go back to Zimbabwe, so for now for now my journey continues trying to find out what to find out what my life's purpose is… if you want to know more about my fdaily trials and tribualtions, read my blog which is aptly titled: Diary of an African Drama Queen. ( I don't look for drama, it looks for me…) ; )P.S For those not in the know, In Southern Africa, mixed race people are still referred to as 'Coloured people' although this term is derogatory elsewhere.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4