Online Reporter
Gift Moyo, [email protected]
It has become the norm that Zimbabweans leave the country in search of opportunities abroad, but British-born content creator Natalie Furk has taken a different path, moving to Zimbabwe and using her camera to showcase the country’s beauty, culture and people to the world.
Having lived in Zimbabwe for more than two years now, Furk has gained traction across social media platforms for her documentary-style content, which captures everyday experiences, cultural moments and the warmth of Zimbabwean communities.
Her journey is unique. While many Zimbabweans have migrated to countries such as the United Kingdom in pursuit of better livelihoods, Furk, a British-born woman, chose to make Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe her home after marrying a Zimbabwean man and becoming fascinated by the stories he shared about his childhood.
Living in the UK, she was constantly inspired by her husband’s memories of growing up in Zimbabwe, surrounded by family, community and a lifestyle he wanted their children to experience.
“When we were living in the UK, my husband would always talk about Zimbabwe and how amazing his childhood was. He grew up playing outside every day, surrounded by family and community, and we want our children to experience the same kind of childhood for as long as possible.
“We also found Zimbabweans to be incredibly kind, respectful, and welcoming people, and I wanted my family to be part of that culture and learn what genuine respect and community looks like,” said Furk.
Upon arriving in Zimbabwe, Furk discovered a country that was far different from the images often portrayed internationally. She found herself surrounded by natural beauty, rich traditions and a welcoming community, experiences that inspired her to document her journey and share a different perspective with the world.
“I wanted to show people that there’s so much more to Zimbabwe than the images often portrayed on television. Like every country, Zimbabwe has its challenges, but it also has incredible beauty, warmth and a rich way of life that many people never get to see. “There are so many misconceptions, and I simply wanted to share my own experience and show a side of Zimbabwe that deserves to be seen,” she said.
For Furk, content creation became a way of telling stories and introducing audiences to a Zimbabwe they may never
have seen before.
Having always enjoyed creating content, her move to Zimbabwe presented her with a fresh environment to explore and capture through her lens.
“I’ve always loved creating content and have explored lots of different types of content over the years. Moving to Zimbabwe allowed me to share a completely new chapter with my audience.
“It quickly became something I was passionate about because I realised that I was introducing people to a side of Zimbabwe they had never seen before and highlighting how everyday life here compares with life in other parts of the world.”
While Zimbabwe offers countless destinations and experiences, Furk says her favourite place remains the comfort of her own home, where she enjoys spending time with her family.
“Zimbabwe has countless beautiful places, but if I’m being honest, my favourite place is my home. I’m a real homebody, so there’s nowhere I’d rather be than relaxing with my family,” she said.
However, adjusting to life in a new country came with its own challenges. Furk admitted that before moving to
Zimbabwe, she had very little knowledge of what to expect beyond the assumption that the country would have warmer weather.
“I honestly didn’t know what to expect because I’d never visited an African country before. The only thing that I was certain of was that it would be sunny. One of the biggest adjustments for me was getting used to having household staff. I remember telling my mother-in-law, ‘I’m not lazy – I can wash my own dishes’.
“Looking back, I realise that I didn’t fully understand the culture at the time, and I apologised to her years later. It was all part of learning and adapting to a different way of life,” she said.
As she continues to settle into Zimbabwean life, Furk acknowledges that adapting to a new culture is an ongoing journey. She says she remains open to learning and appreciates the guidance she receives from locals.
“I’m still learning every day, and I don’t pretend to get everything right. Living in a country that isn’t my own has been a huge learning experience, and I’m genuinely grateful when Zimbabweans kindly correct me or help me understand something better.
“I know I can’t please everyone, but I always try to create content that honestly reflects my own experiences. I’m naturally a positive person, so I tend to focus on the good, even when there are challenges, and I think that perspective comes across in my content,” she said.
Through her growing online presence, Furk hopes her content encourages more people to visit Zimbabwe and experience the country beyond the stereotypes.
“I hope that my content encourages more people to visit Zimbabwe and experience everything that makes it such a special country.
“If I can inspire someone to book a trip, then that’s wonderful. I also love that my videos bring a sense of nostalgia to Zimbabweans living abroad, allowing them to reconnect with home through the everyday moments that I share.”
