Patricia Yumba : storyteller, editor, and the woman behind House of Nzinga
Welcome to my Queendom.
I’m Patricia, also known as Yumba, and sometimes Fabulous Trysh 😉
I’m a writer, editor and bilingual communicator based in Johannesburg. Music, culture and the experience of making a life across borders run through much of what I do.
House of Nzinga brings those interests together.
A life between languages and cultures
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, I work in English and French, and speak Swahili too. Moving between countries, cultures and languages has shaped how I listen, what I notice and how I tell stories.
For close to a decade, my work with Music In Africa has brought me into contact with artists, festivals and the people working behind the scenes of Africa’s music industry. My experience spans writing, editing, translation, interviews and multimedia storytelling.
I love a great performance. I’m equally curious about the person behind it, the work that made it possible, and what it tells us about the world we live in.
My world, across a few different spaces
Music, pop culture, identity, style and life across cultures run through my work and the conversations I share.
You’ll find different parts of that world across the platforms where I’m active: my published work on Music In Africa, professional reflections on LinkedIn, everyday moments and cultural commentary on Instagram, and longer reads on Substack.
Some days, I’m sharing an artist interview or revisiting a memorable performance. Other days, I’m reflecting on motherhood, ambition, life abroad or starting a new chapter in my forties.
I’m particularly interested in African and multicultural women whose lives don’t fit neatly into one category. Women building careers, raising children, carrying more than one culture and still making room for their own desires.
I’m one of them.
House of Nzinga brings these different parts of me together. This page is a place to get to know the person behind the work—and find your way to the spaces where I’m sharing, creating and connecting.
Let’s connect
I’m always interested in thoughtful conversations about music, culture, storytelling ,(motherhood, parenting, midlife), and life across borders.
Explore my work, follow the conversations, or get in touch through the links below:
XoXo,
P.Y.M
