HARARE - Sistaz Open Mic, a platform for female artistes to express themselves, will return to the Book Café on Saturday as part of commemorations of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The special event created and designed under Pamberi Trust’s Flame (Female Literary Arts and Music Enterprise) programme has been running since 2007.
Saturday’s edition of Sistaz Open Mic is a vital opportunity for female artistes to enlighten others about gender-based violence.
Performances from Cynthia Mare, Were, African Pride, Maria Vera Chisvo, Tendai Mavengeni and Caroleen Masawi have been lined up to delight the audience.
These rising stars will be supported by established acts such as singer Cindy Munyavi, poet Roxanne ‘Xapa’ Mathazia and drummer Rumbidzai Tapfuma.
Dynamic vocalist Tina Watyoka will be the closing act of the programme that will be overseen by talented vocalist Clare Nyakujara who will be the master of ceremonies.
Sistaz Open Mic owes its success to a vibrant mentoring programme of upcoming young talent that has been overseen by established artistes such as Tariro neGitare, Dudu Manhenga and Clare Nyakujara.
Sistaz Open Mic will be followed at 5:30pm by the premiere screening of the music video How to Dance, a song written and composed by Netherlands-based Zimbabwe talent, Rina Mushonga in commemoration of World Aids Day, which will be celebrated on December 1.
The song, a heartfelt ode to those affected by HIV/Aids, features the talents of Rina Mushonga and her band the Zimfellas, Edith weUtonga, Ammara Brown, Dizzy Don, Blackbird, Mokoomba, Ba Shupi and the Arundel School Choir.
The Book Café has an exciting line-up all of next week, featuring workshops, poetry, film screenings and performance by international dub poet D’bi Young.
The Jamaican/Canadian talent is visiting Zimbabwe for the second time where she will share with audiences her unique brand of storytelling using "dup poetry", a Caribbean tradition of chanting poetry over dub/reggae rhythms.
The celebrated poet is also a playwright, gender activist and educator, and the Book Café is excited to have her as an integral part of the 16 Days arts programming courtesy of Pamberi Trust.
Tonight the Book Café is hosting a discussion entitled, “Gender and Disability”, bringing to the fore how physically challenged women are affected by gender-based violence.
The discussion will feature UNWTO brand ambassador and prominent disability activist Soneni Gwizi and top lawyer Thabani Mpofu who will explain disability and gender-based violence from a constitutional perspective.
The third panellist, Jennifer Shumba will further add her personal perspective on disability and gender-based violence.
The discussion, presented by arts organisation Pamberi Trust in conjunction with Signs of Hope Trust, will be chaired by Admire Zaya.