Donna AfricaTHE QUEEN OF DREAMS
Donna Africa
"The Queen of dreams"
A Pin-up Gal at Fifty three!
London2012 Ceremony Performer.
Published Poet, Author & Actress. I am here to Inspire YOU to believe in and realise YOUR dreams & currently seeking new management, agent and or Publisher to assist me in futhering my journey, in realising my dreams of yeteryear today!
If interested please do contact me via my contact page, greatly appreciated.
Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa – the land of milk, honey and Sadza / Mielie Meal (dried maize / corn) & the staple daily diet of the African people – with a combination of light and sun. I have always been a bit of a dreamer, a creative soul, an artist, giver, very much a free spirit, and deep thinker, poetress and a drama queen! (hee! hee!). With very independent, fiery, feisty and rebellious traits - although I do possess a warm, giving, loving and good natured side once you get to know me (he!he!).
I am best known and recognised as, Donna Africa, "Warrior Woman" as seen on British & African TV and at many a charity fund raising & signing event! Hard to believe, I have been featured & labelled as a "Pin-up" Gal at age 53, in "Woman's Own" Magazine in their article, "How I found fame with my incredible body" 29th April 2013 issue. lol!
A war survivor from the 1978 "Rhodes & Founders" civilian ambush in Zimbabwe. I carry on pioneering & soldiering on for all older mature ladies out there, modelling & celebrating being Fit & Fine after Fifty years young. Believing & advocating, that you are never too old and that it is never too late, to realise and conquer YOUR dreams!
This is a small insight into My Donna Africa Story that I share with you as I am currently writing My Donna Africa Exclusive Inspirational Autobiography, (warts-and-all!) and am seeking a Publisher or Agent to give and share my true life story for my friends and fans in the hope that I inspire you to follow your dreams to make them a reality. However, my published book, "Donna Africa, Queen of dreams, poetry book" is available to purchase in my shop on my website in either printed paperback and / or Ebook. My poetry book is also available on Kindle Amazon.
My very first memory of being in a “mini spotlight” was when I took up playing the drums – this was with the support of my London Cockney borne late father & his influence (as he was a jazz drummer with a jazz outfit called “Bob Gilmore and the Bob Cats!”). Well, that was till the neighbours complained about the noise levels! (hee! hee!). So I dropped my drum sticks and brushes and traded them in for a pair of dancing shoes and “Good Old Rock ‘n Roll!” That lasted a time until the travel bug firmly bit me – so I took off my dancing shoes, donned on hiking boots and ventured off in search of adventure, exploration and travel.
I have experienced some interesting and unusual moments during my life time & travels and would very much like to share some of my highlights / lowlights with you. Surviving the 1978 Rhodes & Founders civilian ambush in Zimbabwe, cruising down the Okavango Swamps (in Botswana) in a makora – a dug out boat made from a tree log, dancing wildly at a disco placed in the middle of the Bundu / Bush (wilderness in Gaberones, Botswana), car breaking down in the Karoo Desert, near Richmond, South Africa, where the temperatures were hot enough to fry an egg on top of the car bonnet! Aerial game viewing in an old rickety Cessna aeroplane (wasn’t quite sure if we would make it back safely!), hiking up the Magaliesberg Mountains in the Transvaal, Johannesburg after encountering a car accident, viewing the “Big Five” at The Wankie Game Reserve in Zimbabwe, catching a ride in a black kombi taxi in Cape Town and the most memorable one of all, standing on top of “Table Mountain” in Cape Town, South Africa. I have survived it all!
After living and settling down in “The Mother City”, Cape Town, South Africa, with her unspoilt, pure, untouched beauty and magnificent and majestic Table Mountain for over ten years, I yearned for a change, a new life , a new beginning & to finally realise my frustrated & pent-up dreams as I had become stagnated & lost. I also wanted to reunite with my British borne late mum and to realise & pursue my dreams of becoming an actress and a model as that had always been my dream since a little girl. I knew from the age of ten years old, that I wanted to be an actress and emulate the Hollywood Goddesses such as Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren & Joan & Jackie Collins. So began a new and exciting chapter in my life in realising and pursuing my life long dreams.
I relocated from Cape Town, South Africa to the UK in 2004 and have now settled in the goodie oldie UK. It has certainly been an adjustment but the UK has inspired me to live my dreams and fulfil my hopes and ambitions by giving me a small window of opportunity, to showcase my talent and creativity - inspired by the talented & creative artists that I have been fortunate to have met since arriving here, on my journey in realising my frustrated dreams of yesteryear! I certainly did not relocate to the UK for the lovely weather! lol!
I soon realised and became aware that there was a huge gap and niche in the market place for the older model/woman out there. So I set out to create one, by modelling, showcasing and advocating that, “Beauty” & Hollywood Styled Glamour existed for women in their Fabulous 40′s and 50′s! My personal motto being “Glamorous & Fabulous after 40 years young!” and “That nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful”
A golden opportunity arose to showcase my modelling and message – Andreas Yiasimi of Amber Models – offered me a photo shoot with his promotional model agency and of course I said “yes!” This was the turning point and the corner stone for my Hollywood styled glamour modelling career, acting and much, much more! There was no stopping me now…
Since settling in the UK in 2004, I have gained experience and confidence, plus I have achieved modelling representation, numerous photo shoots due mainly to the talented and professional Artists I have had the honour to work with in the UK and I thank you.
MY HARD EARNED ENDEAVOURS & WORK IN TRYING TO ACHIEVE MY DREAMS THUS FAR ARE: All of which can be viewed on my CV Page, thank you. http://www.donnaafrica.co.uk/cv.aspx
WOMAN'S OWN MAGAZINE 29th April 2013 - featured and labelled a "pin-up" gal aged 53 on page 48!
LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES - Honoured to be selected
as a cast ceremony volunteer performer in my responsible role as a
Mechanicals (as in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream")
Audience Leader in both the opening & closing ceremonies. A once in a life time opportunity & to share the passion & creativity of the United Kingdom. So proud to be British!
FILM4 / PATHE "The Scouting Book for boys" - I make a cameo appearance. Televised on Film4 January 2013. ITV THE XFACTOR 2012 - I get through to the Live Auditions as Donna Africa Zulu Warrior Woman Sangoma Asimbonanga Poet Performance Act. Met Jedward, Dermot O'Leary, Louis Walsh (I personally gave him my gift of my published poetry book) Mel B and talented Gary Barlow. Sept 2012.
FILMSOMNIA NORWICH TV MOVIE SCI-FI & COLLECTORS FAIR 8th & 9th Sept 2012 NORWICH UEA, L.C.R. - Honoured to be a Guest with my Poetry Book
ITV BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT 2012 filmed for BGT & featured on TV in my red top hat, boa & corset dancing on London's famous IPC roof top, in the opening scene of BGT & televised on ITV TV on Saturday 7th April 2012
! FAB AFTER FIFTY WEBSITE My true inspirational life story Article featured on this popular website - Donna Africa from Caregiver to Olympic Performer
HEART RADIO featured on their website & interviewed on their News Bulletins about my role in the London 2012 Olympic Games
BBC RADIO 2 Art Art Show My "Big Impact" I share How Keats and his poem "Ode to a nightingale" impacted my life broadcasted Feb 2012
"The Sporah Show" Guest on TV Talk Show Host Sporah, where I performed my "Asimbonanga" Poet & Dance Talent Act dressed in my Zulu warrior costume, aired & broadcasted on SKY TV, BEN 184 & Africa 6th Feb 2012
"The Weakest Link" BBC TV Contestant broadcasted on TV 26th March 2012
My Poem "My Christmas Wish list" published Norwich Evening News Dec 2011
Britain's Got Talent Themed Charity Event - I Donna Africa Zulu Warrior Woman performed with 2011 semi-finalists. The Entertainer-nator & Popeye for cancer research charity event Dec 2011
My Donna Africa, Queen of dreams, Poetry Book 2011 published & available to purchase in my shop and on kindle amazon.
Miss Zim Diamond 2011 - Beauty & Talent Event London Sept 2011 - Honoured to be a Judge on the panel and also shared my Donna Africa Performance Poet Talent Act "Asimbonanga" live on stage for my fellow Africans & Zimbabweans.
My Donna Africa Life Story filmed by Charlie of
This is Local TV, Epic Studios, Norwich
Guest Signings at many national & local Charity Events - Alfreton Star Wars Charity Event in aid of Troops Relief, Hollywood Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Event, Norwich Mall Fundraiser with Norwich Star Wars Club, Michael Henbury and I to raise monies for their Sports Community Foundation
My
Poetry Works published in the
Norwich Evening News newspapers & broadcasted live on
BBC Radio Norfolk A Lady in
Miss Norwich 2011 & 2010 Court in The Lord Mayors Procession
Invited Guest with TV Celebrity & Show Host
Trisha Goddard to discuss a rather controversial topic on
BBC Radio Norfolk Interviewed by
Stephen Bumfrey live on his show
BBC RADIO Norfolk 2011
"H&E Naturist" Magazine featured Au Naturel on page 3
My BBC “Show & Tell” Video recorded & filmed by the
BBC Norfolk “Voices” & screened for the public at The Forum BBC “Fusion” on their large digital screen
A featured Participant / Star gazer on the BBC ONE TV show
“The One Show” Model shoot & featured Model on the
Chapelfield Shopping Centre Posters "Fashion for all"
Paid Model assignment with upmarket venue “
Aspinalls of London” Mayfair
Paid Model sssignment for “
Norwich & Peterborough Building Society” Brochure. I make a Cameo Film appearance in the Film4/ Pathe /Celador / Screen East Production of
“The Scouting Book for Boys” Film alongside
Thomas Turgoose and televised on TV Film4 in Dec 2012 and Jan 2013..
The Leading Lady in a short B/W film “
The Black Widow” as the femme fatale
A dancer in the film “
Malice in Wonderland” Photographed & featured in
“Love it” UK National women magazine as Catwoman
TV Participant on “
The Richard & Judy Show” in their “Star Bar”
I am soldiering and pioneering on and am always seeking and in search of new opportunities and employment in performing my poetry performance acts, penning poems for YOU & Celebs, modelling, acting, writing, or anything involved in the media industry. Reinvigorating, exciting, stylish, glamorous and tasteful ways to express myself to get my message and views across to all the media with my inspirational message and advocate, "that you are never too old & that it is never too late!” to realise and conquer YOUR dreams of yesteryear.
Please do contact me if you woud like me to perform my Poetry Performance Act "Asimbonanga" dressed in my Zulu Warrior Costume with my assegai (spear) & shield, to pen a poem about you or a Celebrity, Charity events, Book Signings, Sci-Fi Events, Star Wars Events, Talent Shows, Meet and Greet, My Donna Africa Talent Act, Beauty Pageants, Photo Shoots (only professional photograhers please!), modelling assignments, Films, TV, Radio, videos, promotional, sponsors, advertisers, media, newspapers, magazines features, acting or any charity work/projects that you would like me to consider.
If you are a Donna Africa Fan, please don't be shy just to say hi as I would luv to hear from you and can be contacted via my Contact Webpage.
Lastly, but more importantly, I share with you my inspirational message, "To succeed self belief is the key, to set you free and make your dreams a reality!"
Performer/ Poet / Author / Actress
Here to inspire you to never give up on your dreams!
YEBO-A-GO-GO!
With Luv, Light & Liberty,
“The Queen of dreams!”
And "One who never gave up on her dreams!"
Yours,
Donna Africa
Luvya xoxo P.S. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere heart felt thanks and appreciation to those who believed and supported me, in realising and achieving my dreams. Firstly, my late mum (who inspired me to be all that I can be and not to limit myself, plus she was my number one fan!), my supportive son Chris, my soul sisters Lyn & my now Late Soul Sweet Sister Krista, my brilliant brother Adam, My best beautiful friend Lorraine Ward, webmaster / designer Kristian of Neo optic and Amanda, plus all my Facebook, Twitter & Myspace Network Friends & Fans as I certainly would be nothing without you! Bless you and Thank you all! Luvya xxxx
Written & © Copyright Donna Africa 2010
"Thank you, My Friends”
written by Donna Africa
& dedicated to all my Friends & Fans xx
Some days, especially Mondays
I wake up and think of
all that I am not
and what I still haven’t got
and think maybe I am not
all I ever wanted to be
and this so frustrates me!
So I take a moment to reflect
and remember that you
are my true friend
that I should never forget
Who lifts me up
to incredible heights
enabling me to see
more than my own needs
and to forget all about me
You show me that we
are all connected as one
You and me
not at all alone
I now understand and see
That we are all beautiful
unique beings
swimming frantically
You and me
in this turbulent deep blue sea
fighting relentlessly
to discover and harness
our own individuality
and energy
I thank you my dear friend
ever so sincerely
for being there for me
and making me realise that
in order to be free
and to be me
just to be oneself
naturally
I thank you
my true friend
unconditionally.
With Luv, Light and Liberty
Your Friend
Donna Africa xxx