Who are you? Please give us an overview of your cultural background/heritage?
I’m Panashe, I was born in Harare, situated in Zimbabwe – the country’s northeastern Mashonaland region. I am of Shona descent, historically part of the Bantu ethnic group – natives of sub-Saharan Africa. Zimbabwe is somewhat a fusion of different cultures though traditional customs and ceremonies still hold much value in day-to-day lives.
Do you view Australia as an inclusive society?
Australia is an interesting place. Being an immigrant and having travelled across the country a bit, l would say it depends on who you come across. I’ve met some lovely people over the years but l’ve also seen how ignorance can easily cause dissension between people of different ethnicities. Some people are ethnocentric and this contributes tremendously to separatism – something which l’ve never really understood.
How did you come to Australia or were you born in Australia? Please share your experiences.
I came to Melbourne when I was about 17 years old for tertiary studies and have been here ever since.
Name one thing you really passionate about and why?
I’m passionate about personal development. I believe this is the key to unlocking your inner greatness and discovery of one’s purpose in life. It is of paramount importance to embark on this interesting individual journey.
Describe a few things you find fascinating about Australia’s multicultural society?
Having been brought up in a predominantly African environment, coming to this country was great one opener to all the wonderful things diversity has to offer. From the diverse ethnicities down to the different cuisines, Australia is definitely a melting-pot of different lifestyles and customs.
What kind of experiences have you had in relating with people whose backgrounds differ from your own?
I’ve had intriguing encounters. I enjoy engaging with people from different walks of life and curiosity drives my interest level for the most part.
What did you learn from this experience?
That all people seek human connection, love and a sense of belonging, regardless of their race or culture.
What does a commitment to diversity/multiculturalism mean to you?
Embracing and appreciating all the unique cultures we have in Australia and learning to co-exist in peace.
What do you see as the advantages and challenging aspects of an increasingly diverse community. What can we do to overcome such challenges?
A diverse community means a wide ranges of ideas and ways of doing things, which can be beneficial to any society when faced with challenges.
Imposing certain cultures over others can be problematic, hence why I’m keen on letting people be who they’re. You can retain your cultural heritage or sense of identity and still be a member of the wider multicultural society.
What fun and interesting activities/events can we do/hold to aid in bridging the cultural gap thereby creating an inclusive society for all to enjoy?
Giving people a voice – allowing different people to tell their story on these sort of platforms (Afrocentrik) and communities holding ongoing music events or festivals that celebrate diversity in Melbourne and Australia-wide.
