By Evans Dakwa
The lure of a better life, punctuated by improved income, better amenities especially in the Western world has had many Zimbabweans leaving their motherland in search of supposed greener pastures.
Whilst it is true that, by and large the developed world offers better life, migrating there is not always seamless and often comes with its fair share of problems including financial, psycho-social challenges, and identity crisis as things do not always turn out the way most would have envisaged.
It is these challenges faced by diasporans that has given extra motivation to one Zimbabwean based in Canada, Nyaradzo Mutsauri to start, “Auntie Nyari Canada Reels”, a podcast dedicated to providing socialisation to the diaspora community, unravelling life as diasporans and giving answers to some of the trials faced by most as they navigate this journey.
Having moved to Canada at the turn of the millennium in 2001 as refugee, Auntie Nyari as Nyaradzo is affectionately known, went through the complications of life in the diaspora, navigating through the thorns until she got herself Canadian citizenship.
Her experiences in Canada, backed by the interactions and observations to start the podcast which she hopes will plug that networking and provide the psycho social support needed away from a familiar environment.
“I did some observations and being a diasporan, I felt that I should be the voice and the link where people can come without prejudice, there is need to have broad a spectrum platform that can offer information and linkages for networking, said Nyaradzo in an exclusive interview to Ziyah News Network.
The ”Auntie Nyari Canada Reels” podcast is going to be structured around the open door policy and is expected not only to give a supporting structure to the diaspora but also go beyond to be a platform for mobilising material support to fellow Zimbabweans and Africans who will be in need.
“The show will be themed around diaspora transitional experiences, networking of the diaspora community, social support, and mental preparation of permanent settlement, identity crisis of those who were born in the diaspora and have other roots and prepare those who will be going back home for retirement,” she said.
She also urged the diaspora community to work together and be cultural ambassadors for their countries.
“We need Diasporans to showcase their culture in the cultural activities of their host countries, the idea is to have a slot should also be awarded to the immigrants at cultural festivals. I also urge other settled immigrants to help people coming in here to settle in the mainstream of the Canadian as a whole.”
The Auntie Nyarie Canada Reels podcast is expected to hit the social screens this August and will be available on online platforms YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.