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Flora Fadzai Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter

MACINGWANE, a small village in rural Mangwe has gone viral thanks to Sisiceliwe Ncube, a YouTuber popularly known as Sisi Ncube or Miss Divalicious who has found fame through posting videos about her village’s culture and everyday rural life. 

One of Macingwane’s daughters, Sisi Ncube, who is now based in the United Kingdom, decided that enough is enough, picked up her phone and started shooting videos to show, not only Zimbabwe, but the world that Macingwane is rich with culture, tradition and history. 

Established nine years ago, the YouTube channel, Missdivalicious, has over ten thousand subscribers and over 100 videos, most of them are about the culture, traditions, history, people and the flora and fauna of Macingwane. 

“Growing up my parents always instilled in us the importance of our heritage and in particular taking pride in our rural area and making the most out of our land. We would go and enjoy fresh maize, fresh peanuts, beans and sugar cane.

“It’s the little memories which just made me want to tell people about my village. I remember my grandmother from my father’s side would sit in her hut and we all gathered around and listened to Inganekwane that always started with long, long ago when you would pinch a stone’,” she said.

Youtube

The YouTuber has a unique way of retelling the history of Macingwane using folktales. But she does not rely on oral history alone, she has rock paintings to aid her.

“I recently got a couple of village elders to take me hiking in search of cave paintings that I didn’t know existed in my village. We found Iron Age settlements and cave drawings that village elders knew of. It took us a long three hours to get to the mountains. I felt privileged to be able to see these settlements and was able to document this part of Zimbabwe and share it on a worldwide platform,” said Sisi Ncube.

Sisiceliwe Ncube the Emcingwane YouTube blogger

Sisi Ncube also uses the channel to advertise small businesses being run by villagers. 

“I remember I once posted a video showing our local tradesman Mr Moyo installing a fence and he got a lot of clients as a result. After I posted that video, I was flooded with so many requests for his details not only from people in Zimbabwe but also in the diaspora as people wanted his service. I am also working in collaboration with Prince who does the Magriza Made Me Cook YouTube channel,” she said.

Sis Noe does not believe moving to the UK will put an end to her channel, she is convinced it will help her grow it. 

Sisiceliwe Ncube the Emcingwane YouTube blogger

“Although I am now based in the United Kingdom and regularly visit the village. Macingwane will always be my home and I will always be deeply rooted in it. If there is anyone who would like to go and visit the village and see the paintings, feel free there are elderly guides who are willing to help anytime,” she said. — @flora_sibanda