Kuda, The 40 Over 40 Women’s Portrait Campaign

Kuda, 49

I have been described by my friends and family as…

Kind, loyal, hardworking

My best qualities are…

Patience, resilience, and compassion for others.

I am most proud of…

Raising my two beautiful children as a single mum. It was not easy.

But I give credit to my mother who was there to support me every step of the way. And also leaving Zimbabwe for the UK in 2002 wasn’t easy.

I left my kids behind and it broke my heart in two. It was a leap of faith.

And it turned out to be the best decision.

My favourite quotes…

“You don’t know how strong you are, until being strong is the only option.”

“All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.” From Animal Farm by G. Orwell

What advice would I give my 20-year-old self…

I would tell myself that one day everything will make sense. The bubble you lived in high school was just that, a little bubble. You don’t grow up living in a bubble.

Expand your horizons. And I would also tell myself not to get caught up in the difficulties of the moment, since they are only temporary. Don’t dwell on the past. Be confident and take on new challenges and stop self-loathing.

We all experience many lifetimes in this one life. What did you find were the most poignant changes as you entered your 40s?

When I turned 40, I was scared of facing the world and my life was not what I expected it to be. I was in a very toxic and abusive relationship. I felt trapped, my mental health was badly affected and i was severely depressed. This was not only affecting me but my mum and two children too.  One day I woke up early, packed two suitcases, and left him.

I didn’t even know where I was going to lay my head that night, but I felt happy and free.

8 years ago, I met my now-husband Paul, and life has never been better. He loves me with all of my imperfections and I love him to the moon and back.

Thoughts on aging…

I used to be scared of aging. but the older I get, the happier and more confident I am. Inside I feel young and feel like a blooming flower. When I look in the mirror, I notice some wrinkles and grey hairs, I see a wise, strong, and beautiful woman staring back at me.

I love being a grandmother to my two granddaughters.

My dream is to travel the world, enjoy life to the fullest, and spend more time with my family. I feel more comfortable and at peace than I was 20 years ago.

 

Kuda contacted me to do a generation’s family session at my studio, with her Mom, daughter, 2 granddaughters, and her husband Paul.  I suggested participating in The 40 Over 40 Women’s Portrait Campaign, and I’m so happy it all came together so beautifully, and that Kuda could celebrate this time with her family.  Kuda and Paul live in England, and her mom, daughters, and granddaughters live in Zimbabwe, so it was a special time for them all to reconnect and have some quality time together in Cape Town, and at my studio.

Kuda’s son, Tanaka, lives in the USA and wasn’t able to make the trip to Cape Town.  But they all chatted at the shoot, and Kuda sent lots of behind-the-scenes photos.

I’ll be heading to England in August after The 40 Over 40 exhibition, and looking forward to meeting up with Kuda and Paul!

A wonderful, caring, and warm-hearted family, that I feel so privileged to have met and connected with.