The Sunday News
Sukoluhle Ndlovu, Sunday Leisure Correspondent
ONE of the best newsreaders on radio, ZiFM’s Candice Mwakalyelye has taken the media and entertainment industry by storm. She has won the hearts of many with her relatable, bubbly and infectious personality in a world where stereotype is the order of the day.
Her secret is simple, she has not taken albinism to be a negative and a hindrance to who she is and what she wants in life. She has not allowed the stereotypes to blur her vision but she carries herself with confidence and that can be clearly heard in her voice that is bold and eloquent. Although she could not open up more on her personal life, she hinted that marriage was not part of her prioriy list saying she thinks she has fairly settled.
“Maybe my secret is that I have never acknowledged albinism as a negative in the first place. I really don’t know, I just try to remain my authentic self and I find people see that, accept and appreciate it,” she said.
Asked if she has ever been stereotyped, her response was a big NO.
“My answer remains a firm NO. I have never been treated in any way because of my skin,” she added.
Candice draws her confidence from various things in life and she is motivated by having the urge to do her best.
“My confidence comes from various things around me but mostly from knowing that I cannot be accused of never putting my best foot forward. I don’t think my life has really changed since I became a public figure but perhaps I can say I now have a larger platform to utilise in achieving some of the various goals I am to meet before I die,” she said.
Candice who briefly stayed in Tanzania before moving back to Zimbabwe said she wanted to prove that she can thrive in any environment.
“I moved back to Zimbabwe from Tanzania in 2011. I felt it was time to come back home and I also needed to challenge myself and see if I am capable of thriving regardless of the environment I found myself in and I am quite sure I excelled although this is not to say I have reached the zenith of my career,” added Candice.
The popular radio presenter and newscaster who studied journalism and mass communication said in the next five years she would still be in the media.
“In the next five years I will be still in media definitely! But there will be a few new elements to me that I am not in a position to share right now. All I can say is keep watching this space,” said Candice.
On plans of settling down she said, “I am already fairly settled in my life and its constant evolution. If that change happens to include a husband and children then I will embrace that when it happens, but as far as actually planning for that goes, no, I do not have any such plans at the moment,” she said.
Other than being a newsreader, the multi- talented lady is also an MC, a voice over artiste, brand ambassador for DeeKawZee accessories and also brand ambassador for Make Up By Gamu.
