AFRICA FREEDOM DAY 2026 celebrations

I AM AFRICAN

I Am African was inspired by the celebration of Africa Freedom Day and Africa's rich history, diversity, creativity  and beauty. It celebrates culture, fashion, food and people. It was founded by Ruth Chimbala, a Fashion designer, Librarian, singer and Baker in . With the love and passion for fashion, food and Africa, the Idea of celebrating with other  people was ignited.

20th May,2017 (first I A m African event- photoshoot)

PRESENT- (From Left to right) Ruth Chimbala, Ibrahim, Alexander, Catherine Mulope , Nicholas the model, Davies, Joseph Sagonda

Looking at the beauty and talents that Africa has, one would be inspired to hold a day were people come to experience its diversity and richness.

I Am African has been running since 2017. Models were invited to a photoshoot and to celebrate together. The years that followed, Fashion Shows were held to commemorate Africa Freedom Day. Many fashion shows have been held up to date.

 (Second edition of I Am African Fashion Show)

 Blessings Mwanza (In Red, in Yellow No Name) 

(MODEL- Melisa Namunyola

 

THIRD ED. OF I AM AFRICAN,2025

MODEL (Melissa Hakalima and Viweme Nalungwe) 

 (DESIGNER- Mwanida Phiri)  

 

(DESIGNER- Rosie Musanda)

 (DESIGNER- Jack Jones) 

  

(Circus Zambia)

The events bring together, Fashion designers, models, food lovers, food vendors, dj's, actors, etc.

Touring the country, Zambia is one of the activities done during I Am African celebration. They are held to showcase and learn more about Zambia and its history.

This year,2026 I Am African 4th edition aims  to tour more of Zambia's history and heritage sites. The event will be held on 23rd May,2026 .

I Am African Model  Physical Auditions will be held on 28th Febraury,2026. 

 

(Models on the poster- Perez Tobias, Judith Ngandwe and Simbarashe Samuel Sagonda)

 

(Designer call- MODEL Judith Ngandwe)

 

Back ground of Africa Freedom Day

Africa Freedom Day is celebrated annually on 25th May, to commemorate the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1993.Originally, the first conference of independent African States in1958 declared April 15 as Africa Freedom Day to mark progress in liberation movements, but this was later changed to May 25th after OAU was founded in 1963

 It recognizes the struggle for Independence, celebrates African unity and honors the fight against colonialism and foreign domination. 32 independent African nations met to form the OAU .

Parades, public lectures, concerts and cultural events are held to celebrate the day. In Zambia, it is a public day featuring wreath-laying ceremonies at the Freedom Statue, presidential pardons for inmates. The holiday is now recognized as a day to honor liberation fighter and reflect on the continents progress toward economic and social growth rather than political independence.

Retrieved 26th Febraury,2026 (10:49)

https://www.google.com/search?q=africa+freedom+dy&rlz=1C1ONGR_enZM1181ZM1182&oq=africa+freedom+dy&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRiPAjIHCAIQIRiPAjIHCAMQIRiPAtIBCDUzMjFqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Been a while.

So many times i have wondered what to share. I have alot to share but this one has been burning for a long time.

I finally can admit that i am healed. The progress i have made is TREMENDOUS... in Caps.

The traces of my progress can be seen by looking at the wedding pictures that were taken.

I ha ve tried dating sites,paid for some but didnt work. Currently irritated by the fact that most of them want nude pictures and someone to get dirty with.

I look at some of the posts,especially on tiktok on a number of people who are looking for love. Its amazing how many people are single and searching on those platforms.I have been wondering how one can look for love on the same platform and not find it.

I have asked friends to help me connect with someone but that has also failed.I guess know one knows your language until you say it. 

A thought came to my mind...Why not create a platform, were we singles meet and have a chance to interact and see if love can be found...stay tuned to this page for more insites.. If you would like to be part of this journey, of finding love or finding someone to interact with, join the team.

Signup to be added and a link will be shared with you on whats next

Private group

Discrete

Not judgemental

Here to mind your own business 

2025 Flashback

 Dear reader,

Time flies. It feels like yesterday when i set my mind to recording my life's experiences in 2025. Little did i know that life had other plans. I truly purposed to share a lot of things .

LIFE AS A LIBRARIAN

Life as a Librarian is somehow overwhelming. It makes you lose truck of time. You fall into the norm of a routine life. By the time you set another goal, the year is over without accomplishing anything. I recently realized that when you fail to sit back and think for a bit....you will end up living the same life year in, year out.

What would you love to achieve? What would you want to do differently? what are you aspirations, who inspires you? Get up and make a change. It is almost two years ago when i decided that i would spend my summer holiday building life skills and gaining knowledge about the things i love..OOOOu i remember the feeling. The fulfilment it gave me seeing my name on a certificate. I registered for two course; Professional baking and Basics in Secretariate and  in Computer lessons.

Life and plans never seem easy or possible to achieve new things. It takes a lot to set your mind and do something. The courses were one week each, i tell you it was not the easiest to go for the classes. Down the line almost gave up, but thankfully i paid my own fees hence attended all the classes.

 

LIFE AS A MOTHER 

I have two lovely kids (7 and 6 year old) and a niece (18 years old).

Hmm. What can i say. HMM. Those are the exact words that come to mind. From the mommy calling, the fights, the wants, eish,,it can only get better.

The dreams i have for them, or should i  call it plans/goals are amazing . From wanting to travel every holiday, to the movie dates, play dates, eish. May they come to pass.

There are times when i would think not having kids would have been better, or maybe they would have been staying with their father or grandmother instead. The feeling of quilt and feeling like i am not doing a good job comes in from time to time but when they smile, joke arround,make me laugh, i am reminded that i am doing a good job. Believing for a better mommy experience is normal. Sharing with other mommies helps ease the quilt feeling. It is the mind playing with you. Do not give in to the thought. You are doing a  great job.

LIFE AS A TRAVELLER

Travelled less in 2025 because decided to complete building my home. It came with challenges but at least we moved into our home in November,2025. I am Hoping to travel more in 2026.

LIFE AS A DESIGNER

My aim is to design at least one beautiful piece in a month. As simple as it sounds, its difficult. From buying material, deciding what to make, finding time to sit and sew, has been challenging. One can find themselves losing interest in their talent.

Looking at other fashion designers who have achieved their dreams and seeing their creativity keeps me going. I encourage myself that i will master the routine and become serious with my goal.

I Am African 3rd ed. was held in May. It was challenging in terms of finances but managed to hold the function. I Am African Magazine is yet to be launched.

I Managed to showcase at the  Zambia's Next Top Fashion Designer Africa Launch in November,30th,2025. It was amazing though challenging in terms of sewing, but so glad managed to showcase.

Presenters and Models fiesta was held in December. The first event was t he activation party and awards ceremony the the Fiesta. Gained knowledge and ideas that would love to see come to life in the year 2026.

LIFE AS A BLOGGER

I bought some equipment's to help me with my blogging and vlogging; Tripod (long one and short one). The equipment's will also be used during events. Small baby steps  am taking and proud of myself.

Until next time...

Thank you for viewing.

HAPPY 2025

 

 

Happy New Year

After a long deserved break, i am back to writing and recording lifes memories and experiences .

This will be some of the areas i will share on the blog 

1. my Country Zambia

2. My passion for traveling

3.Fashion design

4. my passion for the Zambian  Models and Presenters

5. My Passion for food

You can call these five interests of mine as my Niche.

 

May 2025 be kind to everyone . 

Peace to you .

I AM AFRICAN

 

Summer Tops

 

The color Yellow - with Kids Fashion

 

MiZuwa Designs Fighting Corona Virus

Wearing a mask saves lives . https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/coronavirus/mask-stop-spread-covid-19

In order to protect yourself and around you, you need to wear a mask.

MiZuwa Designs will be donating face masks in places such as schools, communities,churches,media places and so forth.

The first people to get the masks were PR Girl media , famously known for Lusaka July. This years Lusaka July was held on the 5th of September, 2020 at Marlin Polo. 

Here is a picture of the masks that were donated 

Tale's Beauty Glam

 Tale's Beauty Glam is a Zambian Makeup artist brand, that is sure paving its way to the fashion world.

It has made its way by following many Fashion  brands and makeup artist known in Zambia and Outside Zambia.

It has been existed since 2018.

The brains and beauty behind Tale's Beauty Glam is Mutale Chimbala, currently an UNZA (University of Zambia) 4th year student.

MiZuwa World Aids Day Fashion Show

To Commemorate this years World AIDS Day, Ruth Chimbala Sagonda of  MiZuwa Designs will be hosting a fashion show on the 1st of December, 2019 (Sunday).

AIDS has been silenced by people who don't talk or read about it. Others are in the notion that it does not exist any more... It does and it is real.

Let's join hands in reading, educating and supporting those with HIV/AIDS.

Using fashion as a means to spread the word about HIV/AIDS.

DATE: 1st December, 2019.
VENUE: TBA
TIME: TBA
TICKETS: TBA

1st collection in 2019 .

Pimped Jersey Top

 

MODEL: Chichi

 

 Model: Chichi, Me and Mbuyoti

PHOTO CREDIT : Edna Photographix

My BIG FIVE

MiZuwa Designs
This is a company that brings out the creative side of me, in terms of fashion and Design.

Presenters and Models in Zambia 
It is a Marketing and Advertising agency. It markets and makes Presenters and Models known to the Zambian people and soon to the world . It is a platform were upcoming Presenters and Models  will learn more about the industry.

Thee Library Mabuku
It is soon to be a Mobile Library . Targeting schools and Communities. Currently, it educates people about  libraries, so that people know more about how it is organised, the purpose, where you can find one (in Zambia), etc.

Mr and Miss High School Zambia
It is a Modeling program aimed at building the young models. Work shops, tours and competitions will be held. This will work as a preparation base for models to gain confidence to participate in other big shows.

 

Best Dressed in Zambia
Its a  form of Paparazzi that will Market different Zambian people, celebrities and non celebrities. In due course, will have  awards annually.

  

 CEO 

Ruth Chimbala is the Creative Executive Owner of the Big Five.

 

Ruth Chimbala and the Big Five .

I DO

THE BRIDAL PARTY

I said i do on the  14th of April,2018 - Saturday.
it was a colorful event.

It was done in 3 parts: Marriage Registration in the morning, Right after that, Bridal shower then come together .


BRIDES NAME: Ruth Chimbala Now known as Ruth Chimbala Sagonda
GROOMS NAME: Joseph Tawanda Sgonda

Ruth Chimbala of MiZuwa Designs weds (Wedding) . Me in MiZuwa Designs Simple Wedding Dress.

My Father - Mr Chimbala and i (In MiZuwa Designs)

In MiZuwa Designs

My Mother- Miya Mwelwa Chimbala

with my grandmothers. Me (In MiZuwa Designs)

My Husband with his friends (Isaac and Philip)

Me (In MiZuwa Designs) , My  Husband in MiZuwa Designs for Men done by Tailor Steve.

My In Laws, The Sagonda Seniors

with the Brides Maids

with the Chief Brides Maid and Best Man

Brides Maids

Me in MiZuwa Designs

Saying hi to the little one (#pregnant).