Thembi Mawema Biography: Early Life | Education | The Share Room | Personal Life
Thembi Mawema is a Zimbabwean media personality who is the Director of Social Media at The Shade Room (TSR), one of the most influential Instagram platforms in the world. She is also an on-air host and has interviewed celebrities such as Cardi B, Diddy, Saweetie and Queen Latifah.
Early Life And Education
Thembi Mawema was born and raised in Zimbabwe, where she developed a passion for media and entertainment from a young age. She moved to the United States in 2008 and attended Chico State University in the Northern Sacramento Valley, where she graduated with a degree in Communications. She began her media career at KCSC Radio as a Promotions Coordinator and then became an award-winning Radio Talk Show Host.
Thembi Mawema Career at The Shade Room
Thembi Mawema Biography [Image: thembitv/Instagram]
In 2016, Mawema moved to Los Angeles and had a chance encounter with Angelica Nwandu, the Nigerian-American founder of The Shade Room (TSR), one of the most influential Instagram platforms in the world. TSR is known for its viral and controversial content on celebrities, pop culture, politics and social issues, as well as its loyal and interactive fan base of over 27 million followers or “Roommates”.
Mawema impressed Nwandu with her ideas and personality and was hired on the spot as an editor for TSR. She quickly climbed the ladder to become the Director of Social Media, overseeing all the content posted on TSR’s platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok.
She also became an on-air host for TSR, covering major events such as the VMAs, Billboard Awards, Grammy Awards and BET Awards and interviewing stars such as Cardi B, Diddy, Saweetie, Nick Cannon and Queen Latifah. She is known for her signature white braids and gele head wraps, as well as her witty and engaging style of delivering stories to the Roommates.
Personal Life and Vision
Thembi Mawema Biography [Image: thembitv/Instagram]
Mawema is 29 years old and proud of her Zimbabwean heritage. She is fluent in English and Shona, one of the official languages of Zimbabwe. She is passionate about media and how African women are centring themselves in it.
She says:
“I love that the number one company in this space is founded and led by a woman–a black woman–an African woman. Whew!”
She also says that she thinks about the Roommates before posting anything and that TSR is for them by them. She hopes to inspire other young African women to pursue their dreams and make an impact in the world.
