Isabel Sibanda: ‘If you have a dream, pursue it...give it a try’

Macroom-based Isabel Sibanda, originally from Zimbabwe, is very much a self-starter who has dared to follow her dreams.

The 20-year-old UCC student of commerce is the only Cork-based woman taking part in the Next African Queen in Ireland competition this Saturday at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin. There are nine other contestants. The aim of the competition is to celebrate confidence and beauty, creativity, and community spirit.

Isabel has learned much from the Cork Migrant Centre in Nano Nagle Place, which is her charity partner.

The centre has been a lifeline for Isabel who came to Cork with her mother and three siblings when she was 12 years of age. The family, who were asylum seekers, lived in direct provision, having come to Ireland for a better life.

Life was difficult for Isabel.

“When I came here, I sort of lost my identity. I think it was the change of environment and the change of people,” she says. “I struggled in direct provision in Millstreet and felt very isolated.”

Once the family was granted permission to remain in Ireland over four years after arriving here, they found a house to rent. They spent 18 months there but when the landlord decided to sell the house, the family was in a difficult situation. “We were considering going to a homeless shelter.”

However, Isabel, her older brother, younger twin sisters and their mother got a council house in Macroom.

Life has worked out well for the Sibandas.

“My mother graduated recently as a social worker from UCC, my brother graduated as a civil engineer and I am soon to graduate. (The twins are at secondary school.)”

When Isabel was a child in Africa, she thought about modelling as a career. “When I came to Ireland, that wish went to the bin. There was so much more to think about. But when I found out about the Next African Queen in Ireland pageant, I leaped at it. It’s a journey that covers all the things I’m interested in; beauty and helping people. I did a photo shoot for Echolive about three years ago. It came about through Stevie G and the Cork Migrant Centre. I had expressed a dream for myself in fashion and they took it seriously and encouraged me.”

Isabel also created an art piece which was featured on a Cork city billboard.

But it is her “mission” to work with children in African orphanages. “That stems deeply from me because when I was younger, things were tough back home. I didn’t have opportunities. I didn’t see a light anywhere. But I had a cousin who lived in the UK. She came to visit us and the moment I laid my eyes on her, I knew there was life overseas, another dimension. A light awakened in me. I was like – maybe I can do better for myself.”

Isabel has benefited from living in Ireland. She attended McEgan College in Macroom, a DEIS school. She had a real desire to do well at school and says she nearly drove her teachers crazy, getting them to give her help in maths, business and biology. But she adds, they willingly gave her their time because they could see she was ambitious.

“The DEIS school was God’s way of getting me to the other side. I was very proactive. I’m not going to say I was a genius. But I knew I would find a way to make it happen. I think I was the only person in my year to be awarded an Access scholarship.” This allowed Isabel to study at UCC. “I love studying commerce. I have a passion for business. Right now, it’s difficult juggling everything. Obviously I have my assignments, I have to find a work placement and with the Next African Queen pageant, I have to travel to Dublin at weekends for workshops to prepare for it.”

And on top of all that, Isabel has created what she calls the ‘Leap,’ an initiative that encourages people to take a leap of faith. She talks about her own leap into a fulfilling life.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today right now if I didn’t apply for the pageant. I wouldn’t have got to Ghana (where she visited orphanages) if I didn’t apply for the scholarship. I made those connections that got me to where I am. If you have a dream, if you are inspired by something, pursue it, give it a try. At least if it doesn’t work out, you’ll know you tried.”

Recently, Isabel held a Leap event at UCC which was attended by 30 people. It was a fund-raiser for the Cork Migrant Centre.

“The Cork Migrant Centre was pivotal in my journey because my talents and dreams were nurtured by people like Dr Naomi Masheti, the programme co-ordinator...I’m beyond happy and grateful for everything the centre has done for me and my sisters.” 

Isabel’s sisters are pursuing singing outside of school and the centre is very supportive, providing studio time for them.

Isabel finds Ireland a lot quieter and more peaceful than Africa. “When I was in Ghana, there was a lot going on with women walking with baskets on their heads and kids on their backs, selling food. There are motorbikes everywhere and people trying to sell things to make money.”

When she graduates, Isabel will pursue Leap which she has registered as a brand. “I want to go to schools in Africa, give sanitary products to girls and support young people by showing them opportunities.”

Isabel really is on a mission...