1)
For those
who are not familiar with you tell us briefly who you are and what you do?
I
am many things, but most all I am Justina Mutale. As you know, if there is one thing a woman can be, and do – it is many
things!! And I can be many
different things to many different people, depending on who that person is. Nevertheless, as this is a fashion blog and for purposes of this interview,
I will stick to the fashion aspect of things and focus on the fact that I am
the Founder of POSITIVE RUNWAY: Global
Catwalk to Stop the Spread® which has representation in
over 30 countries spread over 5 continents across the globe. However, as
women are masters of multi-tasking, I am also the Founder of the multi-award winning and
internationally acclaimed MISS ZAMBIA UK
Beauty Pageant, as well as CEO of Perryfield
Promotions, a multi-award winning international PR, Media & Business
Intelligence Consultancy. In addition, I am Vice-President of International Styles Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia in
the USA which incorporates INTStyles Model & Artist Management;
International
Styles Celebrity TV Chat Show; and the Global FFMTT Awards (Fashion, Film, Music, Television and
Theatre Awards) based in the USA. I
have also been invited to work on the Black
Comedy Awards, which will be launched in London in the Spring of 2012 and
on the STARLYWOOD project, a global
organization providing a platform for young people with talent to become
globally recognized and to realize their dreams and reach for the stars, or even
become one! My educational background is in Political Science and International
Relations and I am therefore
a regular Chairperson, Convener and Guest Speaker at various fora that discuss
the social, economic and political situation in Africa and the fate of Africans
in the Diaspora; and I am a contributor to several publications, magazines,
newspapers, websites and blogs around the world.
2)
Tell us
about POSITIVE RUNWAY and what it is about?
POSITIVE RUNWAY: Global Catwalk to Stop the Spread®, is a worldwide
HIV/AIDS response campaign that tours the world working with models, beauty
queens, fashion designers and celebrities from fashion, film, music, television,
sport and other arts as effective advocates in the fight against the spread of
HIV/AIDS and other scourges affecting today’s young generation, such as sexual
irresponsibility, gun and knife violence, drug abuse, child trafficking, etc. POSITIVE
RUNWAY is a social responsibility and community development initiative that
aims to bridge the gap in the global efforts to stop the spread of these
scourges by speaking the same language as the young generation in order to get
the message across. As you may
know in
the 21st Century young people and society in general are obsessed with
celebrity worship and most of them are easily influenced by, and believe in
emulating the lifestyles and life choices of people in the social
limelight. POSITIVE RUNWAY uses the allure and impact of movie stars, models,
fashion designers, music artistes and other celebrities on society to shout out
a strong positive message to “Stop the Spread!” in the belief that when words
and other formal efforts fail, celebrities, fashion, music, beauty and
entertainment will speak effectively to the young generation.
As
mentioned earlier, we have over 30 member countries spread over 5 continents
across the globe starting from the United States of America; to the Caribbean
Islands; Latin America; Asia; the Pacific; Europe; and Africa. In our accelerated efforts to reach our
target audience POSITIVE RUNWAY
incorporates the “MILLION VOICES Against the Spread of HIV/AIDS” Campaign, which is a global Film/TV Documentary
featuring celebrities from fashion, film, music, television, sport and other
arts with a strong message to stop the spread!
In addition, POSITIVE RUNWAY has
its own annual world competition to find a GLOBAL
AMBASSADOR. We also hold a worldwide
synchronized event where all member countries simultaneously stage an event on
the same day to mark World AIDS Day with our Red Ribbon Models® walking
the runway. In addition, we have GLOBAL CATWALK TV; GLOBAL CATWALK Blog Radio; GLOBAL
CATWALK On-line & Hard Copy Magazine; our own Social Networking site; as well as our own Signature Apparel and merchandise carrying the POSITIVE RUNWAY: Global Catwalk to Stop the Spread® logo.
POSITIVE RUNWAY also runs educational, advocacy,
and community outreach workshops, seminars and conferences around the world to sensitize
society on the scourges that impact negatively on today’s young generation and
society at large. Among many other accolades, POSITIVE RUNWAY has received global recognition with commendations
and endorsements from prominent figures including the Governor of Florida, the
Mayor of Miami and the Georgia State Senate in Atlanta in the United States of
America.
3)
Do you
think enough is being done to educate people about HIV/AIDS?
It is fair to say that the world
has made tremendous advances in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and this
has led to an accelerated rate of acceptance and tolerance of HIV/AIDS. This in turn has reduced the stigma attached
to the disease. However, although the HIV/AIDS epidemic appears
to be slowing down in many parts of the world, even after 30 years, the world
continues to face significant challenges in taming the scourge. Society
has become so complacent because of the availability of treatment that they are
not doing enough to prevent the disease from spreading around to the younger
generation. And I am afraid that
the truth remains that lifesaving treatment on its own does not necessarily
lead to prevention. As they say, “prevention
is better than cure”. The fact the world continues to experience fresh HIV/AIDS
infections, and more so in the young generation under the age of 30, should be
a great source of worry and indicates that not enough is being done to stop the
spread. Hence our efforts to bridge the gap through POSITIVE RUNWAY: Global Catwalk to Stop the Spread!
4)
We know you’re
a busy woman when you’re not working what do you do in your spare time?
One can never be too busy as not to leave time to
oneself, as one needs time to reflect and recharge in order to move forwards. I always ensure that I fit into my busy
schedule some special “Me Time”, when
I do not do any work at all, but just relax and let go. I listen to music, meditate, read a book,
watch a movie or go to the spa. And of
course I party!
5)
Which 4
words best describe you as a person?
I am one of the luckiest and most blessed people on
earth. And as a person, the 4 words that describe me adequately are simply: “God’s
little spoilt Princess”.
6)
What
music would get Justina moving her head and making her way to the dance floor?
Anything with rhythm will get me onto the dance
floor. I am from the old skool and just
love the golden oldies. However, even within
the noughties’ (21st Century) music, there are some beats that get
me tapping my toes and jumping onto the dance floor.
7)
What
would be your message to all readers out there who don't practice safe sex?
My message to those that
do not practice safe sex is that it is now more than ever before imperative to
practice safe sex, to stick to one partner and to be faithful, to get tested, and
to know one’s status. It is now more
than ever before imperative to take all the necessary precautions to fight the
spread of HIV/AIDS. With all the research,
knowledge, medical and technological advances at hand, we are the generation
that has the capability to end the spread and to stop the virus from spreading
to the next generation.
8)
How can
someone from the other side of the world learn more about you?
People can learn about POSITIVE RUNWAY on our website: http://www.positiverunway.org In addition, we have a Facebook
page. I also have my Facebook and Twitter page in addition to my own blog and
personal website: www.justinamutale.com
There is also enough information about
me and my work on the internet.
9)
What do
you look for when selecting a POSITIVE RUNWAY Model?
We have our
own POSITIVE RUNWAY signature models that
are called Red Ribbon Models®. They model
for cause and walk for a purpose. As
such, it is not enough for a model to just look beautiful, walk
the runway and strut their stuff aimlessly. Because our Red Ribbon Models become our
Ambassadors for POSITIVE RUNWAY: Global
Catwalk to Stop the Spread, they have to have physical and imposing beauty,
good deportment and good disposition with strong interpersonal and
communication skills, high intellect, empathy and compassion for fellow human
beings. Our motto is “Beauty, Brains and Compassion”. And of course, we also ensure we select only
those male and female models that can ‘walk the runway like the rent is due’!
10)
Do you
believe in the saying AIDS came from monkeys?
I have to confess that I am not adequately educated
on the true origins of the HIV/AIDS Virus. However, I do not believe that AIDS
came from monkeys, because if it did it would have stayed in the monkeys. For some bizarre reason I never get to hear
of monkeys suffering from HIV/AIDS any more, perhaps I have not been reading
the right literature on the matter. I therefore stand to be corrected by those
with more knowledge on this issue.
11)
Do you
think that if free condoms were given out to everyone in the world without
having to ever pay for the condoms, would that reduce the virus?
In
my opinion, the issue of condoms is a Catch 22 situation, because once people believe that
condoms will prevent infection they are bound to lower their guard in the
belief that it would be impossible for them to contract HIV/AIDS while using a
condom. Ironically, the very fact that
the condoms are so easily available has led to increased promiscuity with society
becoming complacent in most cases. While the condom helps prevent infection in
some cases, at the same time you also find that the rate of HIV/AIDS infections
continues to rise among young people as there is always the occasional accident
with the condom. The best way to reduce the virus remains the old fashioned way
of sticking to one partner even if one uses a condom. Having said that, condoms
are already widely available for free distribution and most people still do not
use them. “You can take a horse to the river, but you cannot force it to drink
the water!”
12) Do you think getting the HIV/AIDS is more
of a GAY or STRAIGHT thing?
When the HIV/AIDS virus invaded the world in the
early 1980’s there was the mistaken belief that it was predominantly a disease
for the gay population because a lot people did not know enough about the
virus. However, now that people are more educated on the virus, it is now a
fact that it is not only the gay community who are risk of contracting the
HIV/AIDS virus, but anyone who is sexually active is bound to get infected with
HIV/AIDS, regardless of whether they are straight or gay.
13) What’s one thing you must have in your
purse when leaving home?
My mobile phone is the one thing I cannot leave
home without as my work is non-stop. With my mobile phone at hand, I can
respond to urgent emails and telephone calls while I am on the go. I can also check my appointments and do so
some of my work while moving from appointment to appointment.
14) Describe in your own words
what true beauty is?
In
my eyes beauty is diverse and comes in different shapes, sizes, colours and
contours ranging from those that are fair or light-skinned and aquiline with
long hair; to those that are dark skinned, full-figured with short hair. Beauty is about being proud of who we are and
celebrating the various shapes, sizes and skin tones, and enhancing those features
that are unique to each one of us.
15) As a woman who attends many events name some of your fashion
tips for our many readers?
One needs to find one’s own fashion sense that
enhances their best features. Just because a pair of jeans looks good on me
does not necessarily mean it will look just as good on the next person. One
needs to dress in a way that reflects one’s personality and enhances one’s
beauty and figure shape. It is important
to dress respectfully and elegantly to suit the occasion. By all means one must avoid dressing in a way
that appears to be obscene or vulgar regardless of the occasion. Another important aspect that many people always
overlook and do not realize is a great fashion accessory is a simple smile. Remember, “When
you smile, the world smiles with you”.
And as long as you have a smile on your face or within your heart, this
will radiate through and reflect in everything that you do, and as the saying
goes, “You are never fully dressed
without a smile”!
15) In your eyes what is a true gentleman?
I believe there is gentleman in every male
screaming to come out. Treated with
respect and kindness, every man is capable of being a true gentleman. In my eyes, a true gentleman always treats
others with respect and kindness.
17) Any last words for our readers?
It’s
been a total pleasure and a real privilege to be interviewed by your
prestigious blog. Thank you very much for
the opportunity. As the eyes of the
world turn to London with London being on the global spotlight for the 2012
Olympics, POSITIVE RUNWAY’s 2012 London
GLOBAL CATWALK will bring the world to London, with all our 30 or more
member countries from across the globe sending their delegates to strut their
stuff to commemorate the 2012 World AIDs Day on Saturday 1st
December 2012, in addition to our London-based RED RIBBON MODELS®. For more
updates follow us on Twitter, Facebook and on our Website.
POSITIVE RUNWAY LINKS:
Website: www.positiverunway.org
London Global Catwalk:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Positive-Runway-Global-Catwalk-to-Stop-the-Spread/103650343054766
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