|
Back to Index
Rituals
reaches out to Zimbabwean community in Zambia on Independence Day
Rooftop Promotions
April 19, 2011
Yesterday was
Zimbabwean Independence Day, Monday 18 April 2011, and Rooftop Promotions
performed "Rituals" for up to 150 Zimbabweans resident
in Lusaka Zambia at a street junction in Mandevu-Marrapodi compound
from 4.30pm. Mandevu (which means beards) is a settlement given
to and mostly inhabited by people of the Johanne Masowe Vapostori
sect who have their origin in Zimbabwe. It was like one of the outreaches
we have had in our 100 performances tour around Zimbabwe and it
was predominantly performed in Shona with many people connecting
with what was happening.
One thrilled
member of the audience said, "We are happy to be hearing our
own issues in our own language from our very own celebrities whom
we never thought we would see doing a free open air performance
for us here in Zambia." At the end of the performance, the
audience scrambled for the free DVDs of "Rituals", Heal
the Wounds" and "Waiting
for Constitution" which are being distributed by Rooftop
Promotions.
Rituals is currently
on a 7 performance tour of Zambia which began on Thursday 14 April
with a performance for Zambian media and artists at Lusaka Playhouse
where we managed to compare notes with our Zambian counterparts
who commended the freedom of expression work that we were doing
in the post discussions. The play has so far been performed at Lusaka
Playhouse on Thursday and Friday 15 April 2011 with the Friday show
dedicated to the late Joemwa Mtsinje Mwale (who has thrilled Zimbabwean
fans as Jairos Gwedezani in the Samuel Kasanka written and directed
"Daughters and Workmates" at Theatre in the Park in
Zimbabwe) as well as on Saturday 16 April for students at the University
of Zambia and today for Zimbabweans in Mandevu-Marrapodi compound.
In most of the post discussions, people said their situation is
not as bad as ours in terms of political violence, but were quick
to point out that the looming Zambian 2011 Presidential elections
can only be spared of violence if artists and journalists take proactive
stance instead of having to react after the violence has been perpetrated.
"If we
wait to deal with the effects of political violence as the play
"Rituals" has portrayed we would not be doing our country
a service hence the need for us, as artists and media, to start
exposing the violence that is being swept under the carpet. We commend
our Zimbabwean colleagues for the effort that they are doing and
standing for their rights even if it means being arrested and taken
to court though I do not think they would have been arrested in
Zambia" said Kalonje Ndhlovu, a renowned artist, administrator
and former chairperson of the Lusaka Playhouse management board.
Another member
of the audience who spoke on condition of anonymity said, "like
in your Zimbabwean case, it is mostly the unemployed youths who
are used by unscrupulous politicians. Our youths are idle and have
become alcoholics so you can imagine that "tujirijiri"
(cane spirit sachets) cost 500 kwacha and if you give a youth 5
000 kwacha you have given enough to get someone getting drunk and
beat someone."
The play still
has 3 remaining performances at Lusaka Playhouse today (Tuesday),
tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday 21 April 2011 targeting diplomats,
civic society, political activists, youth and the members of the
public. The team then leaves for Harare the following day, well
in time and prepared for the two performances at Harare International
Festival of the Arts on 26 (3.30pm) and 27 (9.15pm) at the Standard
Theatre with tickets going for $6.00.
"With
the performances that these guys are doing here, this is enough
enough warm up to assure theatre fans of a good run for their money
at HIFA so you are encouraged to get your tickets early, for this
powerful performance by the award-winning creative duet of Stephen
J Chifunyise and Daves Guzha, to avoid disappointment. The two experienced
art practitioners have been consistent with tackling Zimbabwean
topical or national or political issues of the day having churned
out plays like "Waiting for Constitution" during the
constitution making process, "Heal the Wounds" when
the Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration was
put in place, and "365" when the Zimbabwean government
declared 365 days of activism against gender based violence, among
others", said Rooftop Promotions Marketing and Sales Executive
who is travelling with the team.
Enjoyed by the
Zimbabwean populace and persecuted by police in Bulawayo, Cashel
Valley and Centenary Police during its 100 performances tour of
Zimbabwe between December last year and February this year, "Rituals"
features Zimbabwe's best stage and screen talent like Zenzo
Nyathi, Joyce Mpofu, Mandla Moyo, Silvanos Mudzvova, Chipo Bizure
and Rutendo Chigudu with music from Joshua Mwase and Gibson Sarare.
"We are
pleased that we are able to tell the Zimbabwean story to diverse
audiences in Zambia as part of strengthening the role of neighbors
in dealing with our problems as has always been the issue with our
African culture. And with them heading for an election soon, they
also had a lot to learn from us as well, and this tour is definitely
proving to be vital in terms of strengthening the role of culture
in conflict at regional level". Says Daves Guzha also travelling
with the team as the head of delegation.
Visit the Rooftop
fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
