ABERGAIL PLAATJES (ABBY)
Born and raised in South Africa, Abby is a feisty sister we all loved to watch in the first ever BIG BROTHER AFRICA show. Abby has always wanted to work in the entertainment industry because of its lively nature and because she fitted in so well. After her BIG BROTHER AFRICA stint, Abby got to travel a lot and learn a lot of different things including fashion, media and public entertainment before settling down in Tanzania.
Always being an eternal fan of fashion and style, Abby got offered the enticing position to host the ever popular EATV show - NIRVANA. She got to travel to amazing EAST AFRICA destinations and meet world class people and got introduced to so many different and appealing cultures.Being a host of Nirvana also broadened her sense of style as she featured a lot of fashiona designers and shows as well. Today Abby is a member of Fashion Advisory Board which selects designers for the Swahili Fashion Week. She is also a co-owner of the glamorous RUNWAY LOUNGE bar in Dar Es Salaam which is also now home to the cast and crew of SWAHILI FASHION WEEK.
MS. EMELDA MWAMANGA
Emelda is a member of Fashion Advisory Board (FAB) which selected the designers for the Swahili Fashion Week. After her studies in South Africa where she obtained a degree in Social Sciences, she started her career with Coca-cola Tanzania in 2003, before starting her own company in 2004, RELIM Entertainment Ltd. The company publishes one of the most popular lifestyle magazines BANG and also has a modeling agency called Leopard Models.
RELIM entertainment is also an event organizing company and Emelda is planning to start a TV talk show soon in which she will be the host.Emelda is a fearless entrepreneur who is also an avid advocate of women and youths, through RELIM she has started a couple of projects which are “Dare to Dream” which is a women empowerment program and “Dare to Dream mentorship” a program for Tanzanian youth.She is also a part organizer of “Women of distinction awards”, which recognizes efforts and contribution from women in Tanzania.On top of all her achievements, Emelda is also a fashionista which led her appointment as one of the members of FAB.
MATUKIO CHUMA
Matukio Chuma born a Tanzanian, originally East African and proudly an African, this is another member of Fashion Advisory Board which selects fashion designers for Swahili Fashion Week. Matukio loves fashion and has always been involved in the industry in one way or another for over ten years. He started modeling for school fashion shows before becoming a professional model for several local modeling agencies.
In 2002 he won Mr. University Tanzania title, which led to attending the Mr. University International he was the first runner up and again he was among the top five finalists for the World talent competition. Becoming involved in number charities nationally and internationally, he became a Peace Ambassador for the MMUI (Mister and Miss University International organization), he was keen and greatly involved in one of the major projects, the Middle-East peace process.
Nsao Vivian Shalua
Nsao Vivian Shalua Director Art Promotion Department National Art Council (NAC) and member of Swahili Fashion Week FAB (Fashion Advisory Board).
She is a fine art and theatre artist graduate from University of Dar Es Salaams Fine and performing art Department. She works as a director on Promoting art and technical advice and guidance to various artists in the field of Art and Design She is Passion driven and Designing has always been close to her heart, thus she was awarded by AngloGold as among the best top 10 finalist designers for the AngloGold jewellery Design Competition Held in 2002.
