In primary school, her grades were very low and the pressure to do a bit better came from all angles. She drove all her frustrations in to beading and garment sketching.

At 19, all I wanted was to join fashion school but the options were few in Africa. I settled for a BA with the option of marketing at the International Leadership University.

She started making jewellery in campus under an entrepreneurship unit. Her first line of jewellery cost her under a dollar then sold out. With the help of her professor, she saw a need in the market for African themed jewellery. Krystal-Bella then put her profits back in to her business.

She saved money with the vision of expanding her business in to East and Central Africa. Krystal-Bella was continually invited to fashion shows in different African countries.

In 2014, I was invited to Origin Africa which celebrates spirit, style and innovation of modern Africa that was held in Kenya. It was an honor receiving my certificate from the then first lady of Kenya, Margaret Kenyatta.

My social enterprise, Krystal Brand involves teaching youth and women to earn a living through making jewellery and clothes in partnership with Cooperatives. We work on their business models and have so far positively impacted tens of lives both in rural and semi-urban areas.

We have a partnership with some organizations in France and in Burundi where we export the products. We have an online site too.

Krystal-Bella is a motivational speaker which she does in various universities and schools. She has reached hundreds of youth through her talks.

Krystal is a Mandela Washington 2016 fellow and YALI RLC 2017 alumna. She confesses exposure both regionally and internationally has changed her life and made her better as a young African leader.

This young leader is working on continuing her studies by pursuing a Masters in International Business/ Supply Chain Management. This year, her enterprise is working on expanding the business in more areas of France, Burundi and in to other countries.

I always encourage young Africans to never give up. Pursue your passion and especially those pursuing the arts. Africa is just beginning to embrace the arts. Be part of the change. It is important to know who you are and what your vision is. If you have the desire, you can create anything you want.

Her vision in the next 10 years is to be one of the top ten African designers. To inspire thousands of African youth and women through her organization and to promote African designs and cultures.

I like to call myself the African Naturalista from hair to food. (Laughs).

We wish you the very best Krystal-Bella. Keep representing dynamic African cultures and impacting lives while at it. After all,

Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.” -Jean Cocteau.

The post This Is Africa| My Dress, My Choice. Krystal- Bella Shabani appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

We have heard your call Burundian men plus we received the chocolates and flowers. Allow me to introduce you to Clement Maxime Muhire, a young African leader who loves his country to bits and whose dream is to build and leave a legacy.

I am a young Burundian architect, urban and regional physical planner. I am an alumnus of President Obama’s Young African Leadership Initiative 2016. I am a husband to one and father to four.

My journey has been very hard. You know the way you look back in time and confirm it was the hand of God? I had a very peaceful childhood up until when I was about 11 years old in 1993. There were non-stop civil wars in Burundi which led to social trouble. People were killing each other, people who had lived peacefully as neighbors for many years.

I was forced to start living a paramilitary life. I became a watch dog. They nick named me Mwana wa kera which means little elder. This was because when things went wrong in our camp, like sudden attacks, I was always called in to advice the elders which often led to successful battles or strategies.

There were other people who preferred calling me Gasigarupfu which loosely translates to never die because I survived near death attacks in form of gunshots or mass killings.

Basic needs were luxurious at the time. Food, shelter, clothing and education were a struggle. I still can’t believe that I am this educated and alive! I am sure you have watched documentaries on genocides and civil wars in other countries- it’s not pretty.It is a nightmare. I can confirm that it is very easy for people and especially children to be turned in to soldiers for survival.

My leadership skills which I continuously look to develop through seizing relevant opportunities have made me a better leader. I am now better known as a social architect. Everything I do, I do excellently for my people, my country and my continent.

Young African leaders need to cultivate good leadership by being true in the way they think, in what they say, in what they do, and the way they live. By being God fearing, joining our forces and working for the common good, I am very sure we can take Africa to where it is supposed to be.

I mentor many young people who get shocked when they see my work. I am quick to encourage them because I am no superman but my confidence, resilience and hard work have led to successful projects and experiences that I never thought I would have.

The good book after all did promise me that my talents will usher me in to the presence of the great. Stop claiming the promise and then going back to chew on crisps and watching TV series day and night.

Wake up and work your dreams. How will God take you to dine with kings if you have no work to show them but dreams? No great man ever thrived on laziness. My 2026 vision blueprint is to ensure we have a world class social sciences research center and a housing agency in Burundi.

I also pray for God’s guidance to bring up my children as responsible and patriotic Africans. As for my dear wife, it is me and her and no room for any other. I love that woman! (He laughs).

The post One Wife. One Country. One Continent. Clement Maxime Muhire. appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.