Name: Tanaka P. Chikomo
Role: Faith and International Communities Coordinator
Where is home? Zimbabwe, Southern Africa
It’s your last meal on earth…what’s on the menu? A good roasted chicken and veggies with rice with peanut butter and sadza and spinach. For dessert, a classic brownie with vanilla ice cream.
Outside of work, what are your favourite pastimes or hobbies? I love storytelling through singing, comedy, rapping, poetry, relaxing with friends and spending quiet time in prayer.
What do you love about working in Aberystwyth? OR What are you hoping to get up to during your first few months? (if relevant) I hope to identify students’ lived experience and reach those who can make a positive change for their faith and international communities.
If you weren’t in your Undeb role…what would you be? I would be travelling lawyer, empowering young people to develop their creative arts and work more on peacebuilding campaigns.
Before working here, have you had much involvement with the students’ union or student groups? I have been involved with student societies since I joined the university and have been a volunteer officer, sabbatical officer, academic rep, peer guide mentor and student ambassador which has encompassed working with students.
Tell us interesting fact about yourself (something people may be surprised to learn): I am a musical language-lover, so my accent and pitch change depending on which language I’m speaking in and who I am speaking to.
Why did you join the team here at Undeb Aber? I am always passionate about creating a deeper sense of belonging for students of minoritised groups and this was the perfect opportunity to contribute positively to this initiative. Students of faith and international students go through their own unique lived experience and university is already demanding. Creating spaces for them to self-organise and find others with shared beliefs helps tremendously because we all need community!
Anything else to add? I am proudly Zimbabwean and I am grateful that I have had an exposure to how different cultures express themselves and a love for their tradition and their roots!
Thanks so much! & happy first week in the new job!