Sonia Kabanda Maliza: A Journey of Passion and Resilience

Born on 24th September 1984 in Eastern DRC, Sonia is the daughter of Gilbert Kabanda Kurhenga and the late Christine Nyakeru Naweza. The fifth of six siblings, Sonia pursued her education in DRC before studying Social Communication at the Catholic University of Congo. Her passion for cooking led her to the UK, where she trained as a chef at Clarendon College and briefly studied Nutrition at Westminster University. Returning to DRC in 2012, Sonia focused on her family while overcoming the challenges of widowhood at age 30. She later met Laurent Lescuyer, her supportive partner, and together they blended their families into a happy union.

In 2020, after moving to Ethiopia, Sonia launched The Club, a venue celebrating African food and culture, with a grand opening featuring Fally Ipupa. She also founded the African'Zuri Festival, a unique event uniting African cultural diversity over four weekends. Sonia's journey reflects her dedication to her passions—cooking, culture, and family—and her ability to turn dreams into reality with resilience, creativity, and unwavering support from loved ones.

Dr. Nanere’s work, published in leading journals like the Journal of Environmental Management and Journal of Business Research, investigates drivers and barriers to eco-friendly behavior. Actively collaborating with industry, he ensures his research has practical applications, making him a valuable contributor to both academia and business.