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How sweet thou art
Miles interviews Taurai Chanakira
Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)
Extracted from Whazzup Magazine, February 2008

At a time when most children of his age were concerned about where to get the sweetest cakes and how to cajole their parents to buy sweets and cakes for them, he was already thinking of how best to mix the ingredients so he could bake the cake himself. For the multi-talented 30- year-old, baking cakes is second nature, no wonder he has earned himself recognition on the Zimbabwean cake-making scene as one of the best male caterers. Even in the local LGBTI community, Mai macake has become a household name.

Name: Taurai Wiseman Chanakira
Born: 1st June 1978

When and why did you choose cake making?

For me being in the catering business is more of following and exploring my talent more than anything else. Growing up, my mother was into cake making business together with a group of other women from our Chitungwiza community. Everytime she would go with me to the women's cooperatives where I would watch them baking cakes. From a very tender age, I began to enjoy baking. In 1987, when I was in grade three, I went for a baking competition with my mother and her club. This gave me an opportunity to prove that I really had a passion for baking. The beauty of it was that we won the first prize.

Even the judges were impressed so much that they wanted to help me explore my talent. From that year, I always took part in cake making competitions with my mom and sisters. Unfortunately it was time for me to go to high school and the worst part is, I went to a boys only school and that meant no food and nutrition lessons. I had to start woodwork can you imagine! (Frowns). This was just not right. I continued making cakes with my mother and her friends. I even sold some to my schoolteachers. When I almost cut myself with a hacksaw during woodwork ZJC examination I decided: 'enough is enough' and I wasn't going to do wood work at the expense of my own happiness. I boycotted the lessons and my teachers now understood me because they had seen that I was good at baking cakes and not woodwork.

When was your breakthrough?

A nephew of mine worked in our school's dinning hall, he would invite me to cook and even during some school functions. I was also invited to provide my services. Most teachers and even the school head admired my works. This made me famous and admired at school.

How did you manage to hone your talent?

I went to South Africa and worked for a catering company for about eight months. I later returned to work for another catering company at which I was promoted right away to bakery Manager. I also felt the need to get some form of qualification for what I was good at. I then took up various courses in catering, flower arrangement, interior decor and hairdressing.

Where do you get ideas and designs?

I am a member of the Zimbabwean cake-making guild and this is where we meet and share ideas on the latest cake deigns and ideas. At times I can just sit and come up with a design, which I will then draw before getting my ingredients together to try it. I always try out a design before coming out with what I call a final product.

What challenges do you face as a man trying to make it in a 'predominantly female environment?'

Many people tend to criticise me, even a family member at one time was against the whole idea. I had to work hard to earn respect and to achieve good results. It's not easy, but I strive to prove that men can also do it.

How do you over come these hurdles?

I don't really let the environment pull me down even my sexuality and what people say, will not get in my way. I know what I stand for in life and I will work towards achieving my goals.

What can you say is your claim to fame?

I have won so many awards, first prizes mostly, last year at the Harare Agricultural show I came out first. I can say for the past 10 years I have been winning in every competition.

To whom do you owe your success?

God, my late mother for helping me and lifting me up every time and my hardworking self.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I want to start my own one-stop shop for wedding gowns, flowers and other related items. I am also a qualified beautician, hairdresser and dancer which will blend quite well with being a wedding consultant.

Any advice to other gay youths out there.

Everything comes from working hard and determination. Everyone has a talent and there is need to explore it to the utmost. There is no short cut in life.

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