What is the best thing that you love about your work? It is the flexibility and freedom it gives me as an artist to express my thoughts. It has also allowed me to use a diverse of tools and materials. As a committed artist and environmental activist, I am passionate about bringing up a positive life changing impact in African communities by also involving the younger generation to actively participate in the fight for environmental sustainability. By transforming plastic waste to admirable art and functional craft, it gives me the privilege to tell stories, innovatively solve problems within my community as well as allowing me to creatively advocate for the environment. My work better reflects on social challenges affecting African communities and the entire world at large.

What is my idea of happiness? My clear definition of happiness is being able to express one’s full contentment in whichever way possible, at the end of the day happiness is an emotion felt from within that reflects and surfaces effortlessly. As a young female artist, it brings me great joy to be able to gain recognition and respect for the work that I create in a space that I’m more comfortable in, despite the creative industry being a male dominated industry. Happiness is what I feel when I  have successfully portrayed my creative idea. My life theory is, “ if one works hard in the field, they are gifted more passionate about they shall be self-driven and dedicated in order to achieve success plus immense happiness.”

What is my greatest fear? To be honest, my greatest fear is failure to meet up to my vision, goals and or expectations. In life so many people set up goals,however there comes certain life factors which may somehow affect progress towards achieving and or completing a certain task. Fear is everyone’s greatest obstacle in life. Once we have fear inside ourselves it shall creates self-doubt and boundaries which will prohibit us from achieving what we are destined to achieve. To this day I still regret some of the opportunities I have missed out on due to fear. 

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? The trait that I most deplore in myself is “depression”. Depression completely shutters one’s ability to think clearly as well as their ability to create.  When I am working with other individuals, I find it easy to cope and recover from it. I engage in different activities which get me out into the open space surrounded by nature, listening to music , exploring new mediums and techniques. This is one of the things I have tried which seems to be effective. Each time I conduct an outdoors creative session with learners they always ask me as to why I go out with them into the nature and not work indoors, in the classrooms?

Which living persons in my profession do I admire the most? Being a young multi-disciplinary artist from the contemporary era, I would like to appreciate my instructors from college who are also Zimbabwe’s renowned artists. These individuals include Julius Mushambadope, Doris Kamupira, Munyaradzi Mazarire, Victor Nyakauru and Chiko Chazunguza. Apart from the individuals mentioned above, I admire:

I)El Anatsui , a sculptor and installation artist from Ghana who is celebrated for his massive intricate works made from recycled materials. 

ii) Nzambi Matee, a Kenyan inventor, engineer and entrepreneur who innovatively works in transforming plastic waste into building material.

iii) Mbongeni Buthelezi , a South African artist admired for his innovative thought-provoking art.

iv)Cedric Surmin a French artist who is making waves in the recycling art scene.

What is my greatest extravagance? I’m a fairly frugal person who doesn’t really have any extravagant habits. I prioritize saving and investing for the future. Having read a book titled “Rich dad, Poor Dad “by Robert Kiyosaki, I’m just going to mention a few lessons which I have obtained from reading this amazing book: –

1. Don’t work for money
2. Acquire assets
3. Manage fear
4. Learn management
5. Find opportunities that everyone else missed
6. Train my mind
7. Learn technical skills
8. Not to be a financial illiterate.

On what occasion would I lie? I believe honesty is incredibly essential in building trust and respect. I prioritize honesty and transparency above everything else. Transparency is essential in my creative process; I want my audience to understand the story behind my art. By sharing my work, I hope to inspire others young female artistes out there to do the same, fostering a culture of transparency and empathy. Through my work, I aim to advocate for the truth and accountability. For example, if we were to visit my previous publications whereby, I am advocating for environmental sustainability, against plastic waste. I have successfully tackled a social problem we all are aware of, which is poor waste management within most African communities and abroad.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? I immensely enjoy working on my craft and the end product will be worth all the turmoil. However, I feel like it can sometimes become a bit straining as it is time consuming. Imagine having to sew thousands and thousands of plastics together in order to come out with one final art piece. The lesser the hands the less the level of efficiency. I’m grateful that somehow, I managed to bring on board a few youths from my community to work with me on my creative endeavor. This experience is very beneficial, not only have I involved other young people in cleaning of plastic waste from the environment, but in educating them on environmental sustainability and economic stability as we inject the final products in the economic cycle.

When and where was I the happiest in my work? When I started working within the creative industry in 2016, I would use a diverse of mediums to portray my stories. Nothing would bring me immense joy than to create with a solid purpose which is well received and appreciated by my audience. When African Culture fund, Bamako Mali selected me in their top 20 list of beneficiaries in the whole of Africa in 2022, being the youngest and the only Zimbabwean. I was completely overjoyed, and furthermore when they published my creative project on their Facebook page in June 2024. When I was selected to be a part of the “Eco Aware international art exhibiton in 2025. This has opened new doors for me to collaborate with other international artists from east and west Africa.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I’m an emotional person by nature. When I put my mind to something, I shall not rest until I have accomplished it. This sounds like a good thing but I feel it sometimes end up turning me into a perfectionist because I would like to make sure everything is perfect to the dot. When my mind is made up, it’s made up. 

What is my greatest achievement in work? Being financially supported by ACF Bamako, Mali was the first greatest achievement not only did I gain recognition within my country but also in the whole of east and west Africa. This boosted an interest in me to learning French over the previous years. I am proud to have obtained a higher level of proficiency in my French language. Now I am able to collaborate with other artists and art enthusiasts in French speaking countries and the globe at large.

Where would I most likely to live? In France, I would like to believe it’s an ideal location for me as an artist. The love and eagerness I have to learn more about the French and their cultures and traditions. There, recycled art is highly appreciated and that’s where creativity meets sustainability. Moreover, it has a deep appreciation of art that promotes environmental awareness and conservation.

What is my most treasured possession? My past is my most treasured possession. It is my most priceless asset. It has helped me develop resilience, adaptability and emotional intelligence. It has allowed me to dream and pursue what I admire the most, my artistic career.

What is my most marked characteristic? I would say, I’m a very optimistic and hardworking person. when I put my mind to something, I do not believe in giving up. I continue striving until I accomplish my goals and visions.

What is my most inspirational location in my city? I enjoy being in the township, this place is my greatest source of inspiration., I get to observe and experience other people’s day to day life experience. It’s within these kinds of places where we get to understand a lot about our identity because it’s an environment richly packed with stories, myths, our cultures and traditions. Not only does it offer me valuable lessons as an artist but also as a responsible young woman.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city? I like to eat outdoors in an open space surrounded by nature and sculptures. For example, in a sculpture garden or in a local park.

What books influenced my life and how? The bible is the most important book rich in life lessons and elaborations. It’s like a life manual, I have ever read it and it teaches me a lot of things to this day. Some of the questions that trouble us in this day and age, we’ll all the answers are found inside this special manual.

You only die once, what music would I listen to on my last day? “Is the Love (1987)” by Whitesnake is a beautiful, emotive song that brings comfort and peace. 

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Denzel Washington, he is a great inspiration to the youth through his life stories, he serves as a great example of what can be achieved through hard work. One day I wish I would be an inspiration in someone’s life just like how he has inspired me.

Who is my hero or heroine in real life? God is my greatest hero; he inspires me to live a life of purpose every day.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? The Olympic pride, American Prejudice, a documentary tells the story of the 18 African American athletes who defied racism and the Nazi ideology at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. This film simply voices on the issues we are still facing to this generation, the issues of racial discrimination within societies, how this has hindered majority of people from reaching their full potential, but most importantly the courage to carry on despite the many challenges and obstacles.

What role play stories in my life and work? In my industry story telling is very essential. It allows me to connect with my audience and communicate complex ideas in a compelling way.

What do the words “You are the storyteller of your own life” mean? My life is my personal journey. As an artist, I have the power to interpret my experiences, emotions and events in a way that makes sense to me. I am the author, director and protagonist all rolled into one. The life of an artist is like a journal which compiles everything that builds us to be the individuals we become at the end of the day.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My significant other and my best friend. He has always been there and very supportive through and through.

Which people / companies would I like to work with, who could make a real difference in my creative career?  It would be a great honor to work with Nestle South Africa, Coca cola beverages, Pioneer foods, Detpak, Southern Guild, AFIKARIS, Culture Fund, Space Kigali, Deutschewelle, Interwaste seche envrionnement company, Tankwa Artscape, Women’s studio workshop, Sauvage Mediterranee association, IDEA WILD, ZICCA, and afrimaxx.

How can you contact me? You can reach out to me on my website@www.clairemunjoma.com, my Facebook @‘Claire Munjoma or my Instagram@ ‘clairemunjoma826’ or my LinkedIn @ Claire Munjoma and my Gmail @ clairemunjoma01@gmail.com. Not to forget my YouTube channel @ clairemunjoma25.