shloboe boe
Yolanda Mlilo, Sunday News Reporter
AT just 26 years of age, Vanessa Donahue Jongwe, popularly known as “Naughty Snowy” on TikTok, is making a name for herself through music, content creation and poetry.
Her musical journey began at the age of 10 and she has now transformed into a notable brand while juggling her role as a teacher at Mzinyathini High School in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South Province.
Born and bred in Bulawayo, Vanessa manages to balance the demanding schedule of teaching with her creative pursuits.
In an interview with Sunday Life, she emphasised the importance of seeking additional income streams instead of relying on a single job.
“I am a qualified teacher, but I am also a content creator and a singer. Instead of complaining about my salary, I decided to explore online opportunities to earn money,” she said.
Vanessa encourages others to embrace side hustles rather than lament their average salaries.
“Almost everyone receives average pay, which often isn’t enough. We just need to embrace the spirit of hustling and juggle as many jobs as possible,” she added.
Through her content creation efforts, she has built a significant following on TikTok, where she initially gained traction by portraying a child who does not keep secrets.
“I started creating content in 2021, and I’ve managed to attract many businesses looking for advertising,” she explained.
From a young age, Vanessa aspired to be a singer, inspired by the celebrated artiste,, Sandra Ndebele. Now, she is courageously pursuing her musical dreams.
“I started writing poems for my younger sister, and we consistently won first prizes in competitions. I trained as a teacher at Hillside Teachers’ College, where I won first place in all poetry competitions over my two years there,” she remarked.
Vanessa has recorded four songs and intends to produce even more.
“Once I am financially stable, I plan to record many songs. I started in November and have performed at more than three shows this month at Royal Diva in Esigodini,” she said.
Her ultimate goal is to be recognised for her work and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of both the young and old generations.
“I aim to create music that carries important messages for the community,” she stated.
Vanessa urges both younger and older generations to persevere in pursuing their dreams. “Never let others discourage you, instead, surround yourself with a supportive circle. Don’t give up on your dreams until you achieve them and always put God first and everything will fall into place,” she advised.
Her music addresses pressing social issues, with her first song, Masisodwa, shining a light on the dangers of gender-based violence (GBV) and its impact on communities.
The second one, Bamthathile tells the story of a father who abandoned his family to work in South Africa, forgetting about them.
Ungikhethile, her third track, celebrates the beauty of love, while her fourth song, Lizamvusa Yini, further explores the challenges of gender-based violence.
With each song, Vanessa aims to inspire change and unite people, believing that music has the power to make a positive impact on society.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
