Leadership Around Ethics, Youth & Future Development’ (Featuring Kumbukani Phiri)

Hello, Skinny Chef readers! Happy St. Nicholas Day! (Yes, it’s Santa Claus Day!) If you didn’t know, here’s a fun fact: Saint Nicholas of Myra—also known as Nicholas of Bari—was a Christian bishop of Greek descent born on March 15, 270 AD. He passed away on December 6, 343 AD, but his legacy lives on.

Saint Nicholas was celebrated for his generosity and kindness. As stories of his charity spread, the tradition of secretly giving gifts grew into the phenomenon we know today as Santa Claus! Pretty cool, right?

Now, let’s get into this week’s Skinny Chef Weekly Blog—and trust me, it’s a special one. Why? Because today, I’m chatting with one of my legendary brothers!

As the last-born in my family, I’ve had the privilege (and pressure!) of following in the footsteps of my three amazing older brothers. Let me introduce them:

• Joel (JP Champagne): A powerhouse in the film industry.

• Leo: A big-shot film producer and filmmaker.

• Kumbukani (today’s star): An author, social entrepreneur, and changemaker.

Oh, and did I mention Kumbu has written not one but TWO books? That’s right:

• “Six Keys to Ignite Transformation in Zimbabwe” (2018)

• “The Steward King”

  
  
  
  

  

  Kumbukani Phiri pictured above :

Not too shabby for the Phiri crew, huh? Two filmmakers, two authors—go team!

On a personal note, Kumbu was instrumental in helping me launch my own writing journey. Back when I was just starting The Skinny Chef Diaries, I was completely clueless. But Kumbu patiently guided me, and here I am now—a self-published author with 24 weekly blogs under my belt. If I can do it, so can you!

But enough about me—this blog is all about the amazing work Kumbukani does across Africa. He’s empowering youth and vulnerable communities to unleash their potential, and his impact is nothing short of extraordinary. Without further ado, let’s welcome the one and only Kumbukani Phiri!

Kumbu and co

The Interview

Skinny Chef: Hey Kumbu! Thanks for taking the time to chat with me and our readers—it truly means a lot. So, let’s start with the big question: Who is Kumbukani?

Kumbu: Hey Roddie! Thanks for having me—it’s an honor to be here. So, who is Kumbukani Phiri? I’m a social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the development sector. I’m also an author (as you kindly mentioned), a musician, and a leadership consultant.

Skinny Chef: Amazing! What projects are you currently working on?

Kumbu pictured above empowering Malawi's future leaders :

Kumbu: I’m deeply involved in an anti-human trafficking project that spans five Southern African countries. In addition, I oversee a leadership development program called “Beyond Success,” which focuses on training leaders in rural Malawi.

Skinny Chef: Wow! The fact that you’re not only impacting other Southern African countries but also working to uplift Malawi is truly inspiring. So, what’s been your biggest highlight working with the youth?

Kumbu: I’ve loved seeing young people find their footing—whether it’s landing jobs or starting their own businesses. Watching them discover their purpose, strengths, passions, and abilities has been incredibly rewarding.

Skinny Chef: That’s fantastic! Now, let’s talk challenges. What hurdles have you faced in your journey so far?

Kumbu: One of the biggest challenges is creating sustainable solutions to address Africa’s complex political and economic issues. Tackling the root causes of poverty is no small feat.

Skinny Chef: You’re absolutely right—Africa has so much potential, but there’s still a long road ahead. On a lighter note, let’s dive into some fun questions. What does your daily routine look like? Do you exercise? (Haha, remember, this IS a healthy blog!)

Kumbu: Haha, nice one, Skinny Chef! I try to walk every day, although sometimes the tyranny of the urgent steals that time. Most of my days are split between online meetings with leaders and traveling across Southern and East Africa.

Skinny Chef: Sounds like a jam-packed schedule, but the work you’re doing is absolutely amazing—and clearly fulfilling. Now, to wrap up: What’s your ultimate go-to comfort food?

Kumbu: Oh, that’s easy—prawns. Any day, any time. But I also can’t resist a hearty plate of pap/sadza/nsima with pork chops and mixed veggies.

Skinny Chef: Nice choice! Thank you so much for sharing your story, Kumbu.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, Skinny Readers—another incredible blog done and dusted! I hope you loved this week’s inspiring chat with Kumbukani as much as I did.

As we count down to the holidays, let’s take a moment to reflect on how we can make an impact in our own communities—just like Kumbu does.

Thanks for tuning in, as always! Love you all, and until next time: Stay safe, stay healthy, and most importantly, stay skinny! Same time, same place next week.

Special Thanks to our Creative Director : Shadre Leonard