Nerd Culture and Building in the Gaming Industry from Scratch With Dennis Banda

Nerd Culture and Building in the Gaming Industry from Scratch With Dennis Banda

In this episode of Diary 101, Akakandelwa sits down with Dennis Banda — Zambian game producer, & writer, — to explore the world of gaming, nerd culture, and what it means to build an industry from scratch in Zambia. Dennis traces his journey from studying architecture in Australia to working as a school secretary upon returning home, and how that unexpected detour led him to help create Zambia's nerd culture community through organisations like Nerd Otaku and Lusaka Comic-Con. He opens up about the real challenges of game development in Zambia — from load shedding and skills shortages to securing corporate sponsorship — while making a compelling case for why gaming is far more than entertainment. From tangential learning and social skills development to corporate team building and Africa's untapped potential in the global gaming market, Dennis paints a picture of an industry on the edge of something big. He also shares his thoughts on AI's growing impact on game creation, the power of audacity in networking, and why young African game developers hold a uniquely valuable perspective the world hasn't fully discovered yet.

Six Rejections and a Foundation Built on Purpose with Dr Genesis Mwamba

In this episode of the Diary 101 Podcast, Akakandelwa Kandepwe sits down with Dr. Genesis, medical doctor, humanitarian, and founder of the Lead Me Back Foundation, for a conversation about purpose, service, and resilience. From balancing medicine and nonprofit leadership to building a foundation inspired by her late mother’s belief in education, Dr. Genesis shares the realities behind impact work — including rejection, empathy, storytelling, and the discipline of prioritizing what matters most. Akakandelwa reflects on the value of exposure, persistence, and creating opportunities for young people to grow beyond their circumstances. At its core, this episode is a reminder that purpose is not built in perfect conditions — it is shaped through service, sacrifice, and choosing to keep going.

The Graduation Nobody Prepares You For With Akakandelwa Kandepwe

In this solo episode of Diary 101, Akakandelwa gets honest about one of the most under-discussed transitions in young adulthood — life after graduation. Drawing from her own experience of completing an accounting degree, missing her graduation, struggling to find footing in the job market, and eventually choosing to step back and reflect rather than chase traditional employment, she unpacks the real emotional and financial weight that comes with leaving university. From nearly failing her finals while working part-time, to feeling isolated watching friends climb the corporate ladder, to discovering her path in operations and podcasting, Akakandelwa walks listeners through the messy middle that social media never shows. She also offers practical advice for graduates on building employability skills beyond their degree — through volunteering, networking, finding mentors, and seeking community — reminding listeners that feeling lost after graduation is not a sign of failure, but a normal and necessary part of figuring out who you are.

The Dinner That Changed Everything With Bupe M’Paruri

In this episode of the Diary 101 Podcast, Akakandelwa Kandepwe sits down with Bupe, a finance and investment professional, for a conversation about education, ambition, and navigating growth in unfamiliar spaces. Bupe reflects on how attending Trident College and later studying at the University of Cape Town shaped her perspective on learning, exposure, and discipline beyond academics. Together, they unpack the realities of transitioning between education systems, building a career in finance and private equity, and learning to create opportunities through internships, volunteering, and intentional networking. Akakandelwa also reflects on her own journey with burnout, transitions, and balancing ambition with rest, while Bupe shares the importance of managing energy, staying curious, and allowing your work to speak for itself. At its core, this episode is about becoming through exposure — a reminder that growth often begins when you step outside what is familiar.

The Discipline of Becoming with Solomon Valor Mulanda

In this episode of the Diary 101 Podcast, Akakandelwa Kandepwe sits down with Solomon Valor Mulanda — nuclear power engineer, future legal counsel, public speaker, and co-founder of Valas Training Institute — for a conversation about communication, identity, and the discipline of becoming. Solomon reflects on his journey from engineering into law and communication training, sharing how he learned that technical skill alone is never enough if you cannot communicate ideas effectively. Together, they unpack the realities young people face today — from struggling with identity and chasing trends to entering leadership spaces before truly understanding themselves. Akakandelwa reflects on her own journey of becoming more intentional with access, relationships, and the environments she allows herself into, while Solomon emphasizes the importance of reducing the time between having an idea and taking action. At its core, this episode is a reminder that growth is not just about opportunities or titles — it’s about learning who you are, communicating it clearly, and having the courage to move when the moment comes.