One day : Natty Kasambala - writer
Location : South East London, UK
Profession / passion : Writer, broadcaster and strategist
Website : www.nattykasambala.com
Instagram : @nattykasambala
One Day is an ongoing project sparked by the Covid-19. In the days of isolation we would like to focus on what we do best; bringing people together. Read more about the project here.
We will be posting one new day of someones life every day until we run out of contributors. See our instagram stories to experience these peoples One Day in action.
A text, song or film that everyone should experience.
This is too hard so I’ll just go with my most recent obsession. Christine & the Queens - People, I’ve been sad (COLORS performance)
What is the story behind your profession/ passion?
I actually started writing about music on a platform called gal-dem whilst in university and got approached through there to write for other publications like CRACK Magazine which led to an internship at Dazed, which all led to me getting an internship at Sony Music which turned into a permanent job. A few years on, I work there 4 days a week doing strategy and continue to write and host radio shows alongside. Both Crack and gal-dem are actually launching membership schemes right now that are super important for the future of their businesses and will help to support many young journalist’s careers, so #supportthegaldem.
How has the current situation affected how you work?
I’m now working from home full-time. I’ve always enjoyed the idea of working flexibly but never enjoyed the idea of work from my house so it’s been a hard adjustment to incorporate work into a space that I’ve tried to keep very separate in the past.
Define what beauty means to you.
To me, beauty is just love in some form that you can feel with any of your sense. But generally, I hate the word when referring to humans because it just comes with too much baggage.
Who do you miss?
All of my beautiful family.
When was the last time you learned something new and what was it?
I’m an impatient perfectionist (a real catch, I know), so generally I enjoy doing things I’m good at and really don’t enjoy doing anything that I struggle with. But over the last few years I’ve gone natural with my hair and have really enjoyed learning how to take care of it and spend time looking after it and it’s been super gratifying.
Have you actively chosen to live in the city/town you live in?
Yes, I think I choose London every day, one day at a time. I was born in Malawi but moved here at a very young age but have also felt and accepted my identity as that of an immigrant rather than a British person, as my family are spread across a lot of countries and feel like I grew up experiencing a real mix of cultures. I think because of that, I don’t really feel too tied to a geographic location, especially as my own circle of friends feels more and more global. But I love London and it feels like where I want to be.
How do you relax?
Good question… this might sound strange but I think I relax by staying busy? Not staying busy in the sense of always being active, but busy in the sense of spending time consuming the things that I enjoy and that make me happy. Like reading a romantic novel, or listening to a podcast, or watching that TV show that you’ve been meaning to. In order to feel relaxed and like I’ve had a successful and balanced day, I always feel like I need to achieve something I want to do in my personal life, as well as whatever I’ve done in my working life.
If you were forced to sit still for one month straight without pursuing your current profession, how would you spend your time?
Oooooh. If someone was paying my rent still? I’d exercise and cook more. And perfect my skincare routine. I’d also try and write a screenplay - it’s a different kind of writing so I feel like it doesn’t count.
Live in the same house or move to a different country every month or for the next ten years?
Both equally stressful. But different country every month.
What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom to me is literally hakuna matata, as cheesy as that sounds. To be free is to not have worries: about money, about love, about yourself, about your family, about tomorrow, about yesterday.
Lastly, how do wish to see this current situation have a positive impact on our lives?
I hope that this situation allows us the rare opportunity to rest and heal, and appreciate our lives and our health.
But mostly, I hope that this situation allows us as a planet to see the heroism of people we often overlook (cleaners, healthcare workers, drivers even the media), as well as the importance of voting people into power who truly care about the wellbeing of the people they govern, not just during pandemics but every single day.