| Projects |
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| Thursday, 11 June 2009 13:38 |
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BOCAPA
The Book Cafe Academy of Performing Arts (BOCAPA) programme celebrates its 12th anniversary in 2009 - a weekly showcase of emerging bands, musicians and live literature, in which a number of now famous musicians and poets have participated. Since 2007 the open mic programme has evolved to include workshops and access to music equipment and rehearsal space and opportunities for 'Xposure'. For the first two months of 2009 the programme continued with performances of young artists from the previous ‘season’, featuring one group each week. In March, the Nguva Yedu/Thuba Lethu youth festival for youth and civil society culminated in a huge concert featuring top local and regional artists, in which 6 young artists from the Bocapa programme participated: ‘Mokoomba’, Edene Timbe & ‘Fire’, MacIntosh Jerahuni, John Pfumojena & ‘Mnandi’, 'Bongo Love', and ‘Liqid & The Solid Band’. BOCAPA XPOSURE (BX) : Youth Development
The BOCAPA Xposure project is still the biggest and longest running youth development music programme in Zimbabwe, which feeds into other Pamberi Trust projects, and also other youth platforms in the country and the region. In this period, Bocapa Xposure auditioned, selected, trained and exposed selected young artists in a structured programme to identify, nurture and promote them.
180 young artists auditioned over a 3 week process in each of 2 ‘seasons’ 603 artists performed (including winners and repeat performers) at 45 Monday night events which attracted an average of 20 audience. 137 artists selected to workshops on Instrumentation, Vocals, HIV/Aids, Stagecraft 6 successful groups (34 artists) performed in dedicated performance slots, with average audiences of 20. 670 ‘walk-up’ artists participated at 12 Bocapa Open Mic Saturday sessions attracted average 60 audience 6 young artists from the Bocapa programme participated the Nguva Yedu / Thuba Lethu / Our Time festival for youth and civil society in March, which attracted over 600 audience.
BOCAPA ‘XPOSURE’ – Youth development
Jan – Exposure events for 2008 participants: Park Lane, Thula Sizwe, Mnandi Feb – Exposure events for 2008 participants: ‘I-Free’, Heavens Language, Mnandi March - Exposure events for 2008 participants: ‘I-Free’, Likwid & The Solid Band, Heavens Language, Mnandi. 6 Artists to the Nguva Yedu / Thuba Lethu / Our time Festival April–July: Season 1 75 acts (+90 artists, many solo) auditioned over 3 weeks 30 acts (+50 artists) selected to perform, judged by professional artists 15 acts (42 artists) selected to workshops and further 3 performances 6 acts selected to elimination round 3 winning acts (21 artists) selected to further 4 performances August-November: Season 2 75 acts (+90 artists) auditioned over 3 weeks 30 acts (+50 artists) selected to perform, judged by professional artists 16 acts (40 artists) selected to workshops and further 3 performances 12 acts selected to elimination round 3 winning acts (13 artists) to further 5 performances December - 01 Dec – World Aids Day concert – 3 Bocapa groups participated: John Pfumojena & Mnandi, Thula & Amavitela; Alexio Kawara & ‘Shades of Black’, with 100 audience. - 2 performances of Season 2 winners (13 artists). Open Mic events on
FLAME
The Female Literary, Arts and Music Enterprise (FLAME) project brings women artists together, to grow, assert themselves in a male dominated society and participate fully in the mainstream of the arts.
FLAME is the flagship project of Pamberi Trusts’ Harare Culture House, with a strong programme running through the year, comprising events, workshops and outreach.
GENDER / ‘FLAME’ (Female Literary, Arts & Music Enterprise)
This continues to be the flagship of Pamberi Trusts’ Harare Culture House projects, with a strong programme for the empowerment of women artists running through the year. In 2009 the programme achieved:
7 ‘Workshops for Women Artists by Women Artists’ included 119 participants; 14 Promotional events featuring 129 emerging women artists (including backing bands) and poets were well advertised and each drew a fair audience of 40-60; 1 Literary event with two female poets (Nicaragua/Zimbabwe) drew 30 audience; 12 Sistaz Open Mic events which regularly featured over 20 women artists and attract a full house of 120 at each event; Outreach to 9 provinces of Zimbabwe for the establishment of a national association for women in the performing arts established a new network of 156 women artists around Zimbabwe; In November a new Gender Forum discussion event was established, aimed at contributing to initiatives of advancing gender equality and promoting women’s rights in Zimbabwe. Audience numbers started at 25. Cultural exchange through collaborations with ‘Mingas’ (Mozambique) and ‘JazzP’ (Swaziland). GENDER / ‘FLAME’ (Female Literary, Arts & Music Enterprise) FLAME WORKSHOPS – meeting the needs of women artists at different levels 1. Feb 11-12, “A Workshop For Women Artists by Women Artists” – the continuing series of workshops dealing with performance, professionalism, publicity, copyrights, HIV/Aids; facilitated by 4 established women artists. 16 attended 2. May 13-14, ‘Band Girls’ tackled relevant issues for women forming bands, working with session artists, and fusing poetry and music. 4 Facilitators, 8 participants. 3. June 17-18, ‘Band Girls 2’ repeated for those who did not manage to attend the previous month. 4 Facilitators, 6 participants. 4. 31 Aug-01 Sep, ‘For Women Artists by Women Artists’ and specially targeted Sistaz Open Mic participants, and was well attended by 20 participants. Topics covered: Image & Stagecraft, Dealing with Audiences, Musicians and Crews, The Internet and Publicity, Understanding Sound & Mic Handling, Sexuality & HIV/Aids, Copyright Act 5. Oct 1-2, ‘Writing for Radio Drama’ in association with Zimbabwe Women Writers, facilitated by Elton Mjanana and Eresina Hwede, 20 participants. 6. Nov 2-3, ‘Workshop for Women Artists by Women Artists’, facilitators: Dudu Manhenga, Judith Chiangwa, Edith Katiji, Mary Jaure, Rudo Chakanyuka, Frank Shonhai; 16 participants. 7. Dec 10, ‘FLAME 16 DAYS S.W.O.T’ workshop – SWOT analysis on 16 Days concert of 28 November, 21 participants. Facilitated by Penny Yon and Dudu Manhenga. FLAME EVENTS 1. Feb 6 – ‘Flame Burning for Clare Nyakujara’ with The Other Four (5 artists, 48 audience) 2. Mar 7 - ‘Flame Burning For Women’s Day’ – featuring Prudence Katomene-Mbofana, Bernie Bismark, Clare Nyakujara, Edene Timbe. (4+4 artists, 86 audience) 3. Mar 28 - Four female singers and 4 poets, all associated with the FLAME project, were featured at the Nguva Yedu youth festival, which was funded separately. (8 artists, +600 audience) 4. Apr 10 – ‘Flame Burning For Kessia Magosha’. 5. April - 9 women artists associated with FLAME and Sistaz Open Mic performed for hundreds in the prestigious Harare International Festival of the Arts. 6. May 25 – Support for performance of Hope Masike and Thanda Richardson at the Chimanimani Arts Festival, to give these young women artists the opportunity to feature at this large annual festival, organised by Thulani Promotions. 7. May 30 - Visit of MINGAS (Mozambique) with Zimbabwe’s Dudu Manhenga, which has led to a return invitation for Dudu & Color Blu to perform in Mozambique later in the year. (2+11 artists, +130 audience) 8. June – Support for Kessia Magosha exposure performances. (1+4 artists, average 35 audience). 9. July 25 – Swazi poet ‘Jazz P’ with Zimbabwean spoken word artists ‘Outspoken & The Essence’ rehearsals and performances in Harare and at Bushfire International Festival of the Arts, Swaziland on Saturday 01 August. In Harare, 5 artists were involved altogether, and over 80 people attended the event. 10. July 26 - Thanda Richardson - Support given to Thanda’s collaboration with Danish hiphop group Bikstok Rogsystem at The Mannenberg. Approximately 60 young people attended. Facilitated by Danish organisation MS Zimbabwe, it included a reciprocal visit by Thanda to Denmark in September/October. 11. Aug 6 - FLAME event featured Zim/Dutch Rina Mushonga, recently returned from the Netherlands, who is working with mbira ensemble ‘Zimfellas’ in Mutare - ‘finding common ground’. 20 People attended the early evening event. 12. Sep 23 featured Anjii Greenland, longtime contributor to FLAME events and workshop facilitator, returned briefly from new work in Johannesburg, South Africa, and performed with singers Ingrid Pinto and Penny Yon. 45 attended. 13. Oct 15, ‘Female Affirmation, Identity and Racism: Voices from Nicaragua and Zimbabwe’ with Nicaraguan poet Andrina Watson through HIVOS, Xapa Mathazia, Rumbi Katedza. 55 attended. 14. Nov 6 – launch of the debut CD ‘Hambayi=Let’s Go’ by Rina Mushonga and the Zimfellas, +70 attended. 15. Nov 19 - New: Gender Forum – kicked off strongly with speakers Thoko Matshe and Edith Katiji and over 50 audience/participants 16. Nov 28 – 16 Days Concert Against Violence Against Women - 19 women artists at BC, 2-7pm, and Faith Mandipira with Pablo, 10pm at MNB. Good publicity, 3 radio interviews. 17. Dec 01 – World AIDS Day concert featured 11 women artists from Hope Masike ne Kakuwe, and Edith Katiji & So What?, with +100 audience. 18. Dec 15 – Gender Forum – “Woman to Woman”, speakers Roxanne Mathazia, Carmen Hwarari, Zanele Manhenga, Nonku Vundla and Larry Kwirirayi, + 55 audience.
FLAME WORKSHOPS 2009 – meeting the needs of women artists at different levels • Feb 11-12, “A Workshop For Women Artists by Women Artists” – the continuing series of workshops dealing with performance, professionalism, publicity, copyrights, HIV/Aids; facilitated by established women artists.
House of Hunger Poetry Slam
The House of Hunger Poetry Slam was initiated in August 2005 and continues monthly with wonderfully vibrant live poetry that reverberates with sheer youthful joy and energy, diversity and satire and passion. It is still the largest and longest-running poetry event in the country, attracting an average of 25 participating poets each month. In 2009, Themes were: Under the poetry project, support is given to two youth initiatives, two monthly events focusing on ‘the spoken word’ of the hip-hop and rap genres. Pamberi Trust is the only organisation/venue to provide a platform and facilities for these genres of ‘street poetry’.
The ‘House of Hunger Poetry Slam’ is the strongest monthly poetry event in the country, attracting an average of 25 young poets participating each month. In 2009:
12 poetry slams were held, with 292 participating poets altogether Slams attracted good audiences of over 100 each month Outreach events and workshops in two smaller cities, Bulawayo and Gweru, to develop performance poetry beyond the capital. 8 Poets participated in the exchange programme with the Harare slam. 4 Zimbabwe poets invited to perform at ‘Arts Alive’ festival in Johannesburg in September, when the Jo’burg ‘House of Hunger’ slam was established. 1 South African poet emerging from Jo’burg slam performed in Harare. ‘The Circle’ – a monthly ‘hiphop battle of emcees’ attracts an average of 25 participants and an audience of +100. ‘Mashoko – The Spoken Word Event’ – a monthly performance of protest poetry attracts an average of 25 participants and an audience of +100. The monthly Storytelling Open Mic event with 10-15 storytellers taking part and audience numbers low but building.
POETRY SLAM The ‘House of Hunger Poetry Slam’ is still the largest and longest-running poetry event in the country, attracting an average of 25 participating poets each month and an audience of around 45. Themes were:
1. Jan, ‘A new beginning for a better future’ 2. Feb, ‘ International Mother-Language Day’ 3. Mar, ‘Working together, healing the nation’ 4. Apr, ‘Celebrating our time, our space, our freedom’ 5. May, ‘World Press Day’ 6. June, ‘Walking the path, building Zimbabwe’ included students from 2 local high schools. 7. July, ‘Walking the Path, Building Zimbabwe’ with 28 participating poets. 8. Aug 01, ‘Celebrating Zimbabwean Youth’ for International Youth Day. Among 16 poets the only woman participant, Cynthia ‘Flowchild’ Marangwanda, went on to win the slam. 9. Sep 05, ‘Celebrating Peace – Ukuthula – Runyararo’ in line with International Peace Day. 22 poets participated. 10. Oct, “The Zimbabwe Renaissance” 11. Nov, “Building Tolerance amongst Zimbabweans” 12. Dec, “In the Spirit of Hope”
POETRY OUTREACH • BULAWAYO (442km) – In July a small workshop was held with Bulawayo poets to advise and assist in the setup of ‘The Lounge’ as a poetry platform. It quickly gained independence as the monthly slam in the second largest city, and grew in strength and popularity. Average participation is between 55-60 poets, as it is the only platform of its kind in the city. In August 4 poets from Bulawayo joined the Harare slam: Tswarelo Mothobe, ‘Black Pha I’, and ‘Vuki’ and ‘5 Dot’. • GWERU (200km) – poets and organisers workshopped to establish a slam in this third city, the first of which took place on Sat 22 August at the Midlands State University, which was well supported with 22 participating poets and 4 guest poets from Harare: ‘Ishkold’ ‘Semalo’, ‘Mutumwapavi’ and Ticha Muzavazi. • JOHANNESBURG - Regional Outreach took place on 24 September with the invitation and performance of - 6 poets at the ‘Arts Alive: African Connection’ festival in South Africa. Poets were ‘Cde Fatso’, ‘Outspoken’, ‘Mutumwapavi’, ‘Xapa’, ‘Ishkold’ and Batsirai Chigama. The winning South African poet then traveled to Harare to participate in the final slam of the year on 05 December. The success of this performance resulted in the establishment of a regular Poetry Slam at Alliance Francaise, Johannesburg – a major achievement which will start a rich exchange of poetry in the southern African region, facilitated by Pamberi’s sister-organisation African Synergy Trust in South Africa. • Story-Telling Open Mic is a developing project still building momentum and has strengthened in quality and numbers. An average of 14 storytellers take part in the monthly event. • ‘The Circle’ and ‘Magamba’ platforms receive venue, technical and publicity support for these popular monthly events. The House of Hunger Poetry Slam is validated by the participation of acclaimed poets of Zimbabwe such as Chirikure Chirikure and Julius Chingono. Featured guests who started out at the slam and are now traveling the world – Sam ‘Cde Fatso’ Monro and Tongai ‘Outspoken’ Makawa, and others.
Sistaz Open Mic SISTAZ OPEN MIC is one of the highlights of the FLAME project, a monthly Open Mic session where female artists come together to 'DO UR THANG!!' - MUSIC, POETRY, DANCE - WHATEVA!' on the second Saturday afternoon of each month. The Programme has seen the emergence of many promising young women, poets, singers and musicians. There has generally been a notable improvement in the professionalism of the artists, and a wider representation of women artists on the local arts scene in Harare. Young women artists are gaining confidence, being inspired by each other, and experimenting within their genres. There is a great spirit of improvisation, with each event seeing unlikely but lively and highly successful impromptu collaborations, some of which have developed into substantial arts products, featured on other stages in the city. Professional artists use the event as a scouting ground, and several women artists have gained employment with existing bands from this exposure. Young women poets are expanding their performing skills by following trends for fusion with music, collaborating with women instrumentalists. This has led to a strengthening of both the women artists and the programme, and inspired more young women to take up musical instruments. SISTAZ OPEN MIC 1. Jan 17, ‘Stepping Out Into 2009’ encouraged new spirit and courage for all women artists; featured guest divas who are already established and support the programme. 2. Feb 14, ‘Valentine’s Day Special’ – It’s all about LOVE! 3. Mar 14, ‘Celebrating Women’s Day Week’ 4. Apr 18, ‘Independent Sistaz!’ explored wider definition of independence for women on the occasion of Zimbabwe’s National Independence Day 2009 5. May 16, ‘Commemorating Mothers’ Day’ – older women singers, mothers in the industry; featuring Mrs Magosha, mother of Kessia and others. 6. June 13, ‘Daddy’s Girls’ commemorated Father’s day and promoting good relationships between women and their fathers, especially in the music industry. Featured Zoleka daughter of drummer Blessing Muparutsa and afrojazz diva Dudu Manhenga-Muparutsa. 7. July 11 – ‘Hot Sistaz Chillin’ featured over 20 artists, and a number of newcomers - Sistaz from St. Giles Rehabilitation Centre: Kudzaishe Chamunorwa (vocalist), Deborah Wallah (mbira/recorder), Trish Nhatarikwa (mbira) and outstanding young violinist Alisha Ashburner; with a special guest performance by SA arts student Aura Kawanzaruwa (poet, actress, dancer). The featured artist was Kessia Magosha, and approximately 100 audience attended (including artists). 8. Aug 8 – ‘Celebrating S/heroes’ paid tribute to women heroes of Zimbabwe during the country’s Heroes public holiday weekend, featuring 22 female artists and over 100 audience (including other artists). The special guest was writer Primrose Dzenga who read from her new book ‘The Unsung Heroine, Auxillia Chimsoro’. The featured artist was Rina Mushonga with The Zimfellas. 9. Sep 12 – ‘Celebrating Peace’ ahead of International Peace Day, featured 20 female artists of which 6 were first-timers. The featured artist was ‘uZanele’, a gifted young singer now making her own way in the music world. Approximately 115 audience filled the venue. 10. Oct 10 – ‘Sistaz Summer Party’ – 90+ audience, with special feature Edith Katiji & So What? 11. Nov 14 – ‘No Turning Back’ – 120 audience, 12. Dec 12 - ‘Santa hanging with the Sistaz’ – 26 artists, 65 audience, special featured artists: Lindsay Yon and Zeena Beins with ‘Subway’ Sistaz Open Mic success stories, for women who participated from the outset of the programme in the past, include:
Paw Paw JamA Celebration of Cultural Diversity, the ‘Paw Paw Jam’ is a monthly showcase of cultural diversity featuring artists from different cultural backgrounds, bringing people together to promote tolerance and understanding in the arts. With budget cuts for all project activities, the Paw Paw Jam event was considered too costly and impractical in the current environment. In June 2008 the Paw Paw Jam was postponed due to cash flow problems, and by July cancelled until 2009. Two events were held in the first half of the year:
PAW PAW JAM: Celebration of Cultural Diversity
Seven events were held over the year, bringing artists of diverse music cultures and genres from South Africa, Senegal, Spain, Holland, Niger, and Mozambique, France, Italy, UK and USA, together with a total of 44 Zimbabwe artists. 5 Events were supported by Pamberi Trust. The diversity of participating artists also attracts a wider and more diverse audience of 100 and more to each event. PAW PAW JAM: CELEBRATION OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY 1. March 27, a ‘Paw Paw Jam: A Celebration of Cultural Diversity’ event was held at The Book Café under the Nguva Yedu youth festival, and featured a diverse line-up: Zimbabwean Tomas Zhidinha (ex London), Nomad-Yi (SA), poet Antonio Lyons (US) and Zimbabwe’s Sam Mtukudzi & The Ay Band. In all, the Nguva Yedu youth festival included 21 visiting artists from South Africa, Uganda, UK and the US, creating rich cultural exchange. 2. May 27-28, ‘Demachena’, Spanish/ Zimbabwean guitar trio with Adam Chisvo (mbira) 3. July 16, protest poet Cde Fatso & Chabvondoka (6 artists) and Zim/Dutch singer/songwriter Rina Mushonga & The Zimfellas (7), 4. Sep 18, Etran Finatawa (Niger) with Zimbabwe’s Mokoomba (8). 5. Oct 01, Salque & Peirani (France), in collaboration with Alliance Francaise de Harare 6. Oct 11, Ital-Jazz (Italy) with Color Blu (6 artists), in collaboration with the Italian Embassy 7. Dec 12, Chico Antonio (Mozambique) with Color Blu (6)
JAZZ APPRECIATION 7 events featuring 63 Zimbabwean jazz artists were held at The Mannenberg A Jazz Workshop was held On 02 May by acclaimed US jazz quartet Helen Sung and the Nu Generation in cooperation with the US Public Affairs Section, in which 18 artists participated. Hosted visiting jazz artists from South Africa, the US, France and Italy in collaboration with other arts partners. Jazz Appreciation 1. March 28, a Jazz Appreciation event was held during the Nguva Yedu youth festival, which featured two young afro jazz groups, ‘The Other Four’ and ‘Afrodiziak’. (5+6 artists, 65 audience). 2. May 02, Jazz Workshop by Helen Sung & The Nu Generations courtesy of the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy in Harare. 18 Artists attended, and their was rich music and cultural exchange. 3. June 04, ‘Jazzists from the Region’ were welcomed to a special get-together for artists, 45 audience. 4. Aug 29, A jazz partnership was entered into with the young and gifted jazz group Color Blu for a series of events, to host emerging jazz artists and promote African jazz, starting with the music of “Letta Mbulu”. Each event attracted around 40 audience. 5. Sep 17 Color Blu; “The music of [legendary Zimbabwean guitarist] Louis Mhlanga”. 6. 11 Oct – Dudu Manhenga and Color Blu welcomed Ital Jazz, in cooperation with the Italian Embassy. 7. 26 Nov – Color Blu : “Celebrating Township Jazz” with Dudu Manhenga, Jimmy Buzuzi and other guests.
DISCUSSIONS 10 Literary Discussions held, with an average of 30 attending, total 314 in 2009 5 ‘Artists’ Voices discussions’ were held in the year with 121 attending altogether. 8 ‘Mindblast!’ (Imagine Africa) discussions were held with a total of 307 artists attending through the year. Supported 17 public discussions by other civil society organisations. Topics including human rights, democracy, community broadcasting, cultural industries and political economics; average 60 in attendance, total 735 in 2009.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION : Discussions Literary Discussions 1. Feb – Meetings and consultations were held to establish a new advisory team comprising Irene Staunton (publisher Weaver Press), Chirikure Chirikure (celebrated published poet) and Stanley Mupfudza (Zimbabwean writer) and a 4-month plan for discussions. 2. Mar 12, ‘Is Writing Craft Or Emotion?’ – Lively discussion with award-winning Zimbabwean writers Shimmer Chindoya and Tsitsi Dangarembga, chaired by Stanley Mupfudza. 32 attended. 3. Apr 23, ‘Traditional, Self, And Electronic Publishing’ with publisher Irene Staunton, writers Luta Shaba and Virginia Phiri, webmaster Fungai James Tichawangana, and journalist Ish Mafundikwa, chaired by published poet Chirikure Chirikure. 23 attended. 4. May 26, ‘Do Prizes Play A Role In Developing Literature And The Arts?’ Speakers: Elvas Mari (National Arts Council of Zimbabwe), Farai Mpfunya (Zimbabwe Culture Fund Trust), Murray McCartney (Weaver Press), and award-winning writer Shimmer Chinodya, chaired by Ray Mawerere. 24 attended. 5. July 30, ‘Performance Poetry: Will it Last?’ Speakers: Acclaimed Zimbabwean poets Chirikure Chirikure and Comrade Fatso, and Musa Zimunya (University of Zimbabwe English Language Dept), chaired by Pamberi Trust creative director Paul Brickhill. 25 attended. 6. August 27, ‘An Elegy of Easterly’ by Pettina Gappah, an controversial work, published in April 2009, acclaimed in other parts of the world but harshly criticized by local state media. Guest speakers were Ruby Magosvongwe (University of Zimbabwe English Language ) and Ray Mawerera (writer). 25 attended. 7. September 24, ‘Literature in Culture: A Dutch perspective’, Speakers Rob Wildschut (HIVOS Arts/Culture desk) and Kizito Muchemwa (writer, lecturer Zimbabwe Open University). 18 Attended. 8. Oct 15, ‘Female Affirmation, Identity and Racism: Voices from Nicaragua and Zimbabwe’ with Nicaraguan poet Andrina Watson through HIVOS, Xapa Mathazia, Rumbi Katedza. 55 attended. 9. Nov 05, ‘Cultural Diversity in the Written Word’ – 30 attended. 10. Nov 23, Welsh poet Owen Sheers, through British Council – 70 attended. Artists’ Voices Discussions 1. Feb 19, ‘Music Piracy’ – Discussed vital issues surrounding piracy which is rife in Zimbabwe. Speakers were professional established artists Dudu Manhenga & Sam Mataure, and there was a good turnout of 27 artists. 2. June 11, ‘Where is the Musicians Union?’ An attempt to discover the status of the long-silent union. Former union leaders failed to attend, exposing collapse of the body. Speakers were leading afro artists Victor Kunonga and Dudu Manhenga. The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe attended along with 20 young artists who are confronting the issue for the first time. 3. July 16, ‘(Musicians) Union or Association?’ A follow-up to the previous discussion. Speakers were Judith Chiyangwa and Dudu Manhenga, chaired by Mandla Ncube. Turnout of artists was 26. 4. Aug 27, ‘Leaving Home’ provided a platform for sharing of information between artists about traveling out of the country to perform. Speakers were musician Albert Nyathi, Cuthbert Maziwa (National Arts Council of Zimbabwe), chaired by Mandla Ncube. This was in response to a request by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, 26 artists participated and valuable information was shared. 5. Oct 15, ‘Intellectual Property Rights: How Fair is Fair Use?’ - 20 attended. Mindblast! Discussions 1. Mar 24-25, ‘Mindblast!’ – Debates and discussions under the Nguva Yedu / Our Time festival (for strengthening youth and civil society), included 2 dedicated days and 18 selected artists, writers and activists, facilitated by Paul Brickhill, Rumbi Katedza and Philip Machingura. Burning issues that arose included freedom of expression, the scars of political atrocities and their burden on the new generation, the desire for artists to disassociate themselves from a repressive political regime, and national healing. 2. Mar 26, ‘Mindblast: Identity, Culture’ - extended to public platform, 50 youth / 2 sessions. 3. Mar 27, ‘Mindblast: Contradictions’, Our Time’ – Public debates continued, 50 youth / 2 sessions. 4. Apr 16, ‘Mindblast2’ - a follow-up discussion on the same topics by the newly established network of artists from the March debates. 23 attended. 5. May 01 – Artists’ Roundtable Discussion: ‘Artists in time of Crisis’ held in cooperation with Zimbabwe German Society. Speakers were Cont Mhlanga, John Eppel, Dudu Manhenga and Mishek Masamvu, with Rumbi Katedza as Moderator, and Professor Flora Viet-Wild in attendance. 90 attended, and the discussion was filmed. 6. Aug 20, ‘Mindblast: Artists and The New Constitution’ - Speakers were poet Samm Monro ‘Comrade Fatso’ and Michael Mabwe (Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights) and Nicholas Moyo (National Arts Council of Zimbabwe); 23 attended. 7. Oct 22, ‘Mindblast: ‘Access to funding’, Speakers Farai Mpfunya (Exec Director, Zim Culture Fund), Bob Nyabinde, +28 attended. 8. Nov 18, ‘Mindblast: ‘Enlightenment’ – Artists sharing information on corporate and legislative issues, Speakers: Cuthbert Maziwa (Nat Arts Council), Dudu Manhenga, +25 attended.
FILM SCREENINGS – The monthly film club grew into weekly screenings, having established relationships with local film organisations to screen their films free to the public in a bid to promote a film culture amongst Zimbabweans.
52 Free film screenings held in 2009, with average 24 audience Included The Mannenberg was a screening venue for 23 films from the International Images Film Festival 2009. Films provided by Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe International Film Festival Trust, MS Zimbabwe, the Spanish Embassy, British Council and US Embassy Public Affairs Section.
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