MEMEZA STREET FESTIVAL

By Ronald Mureverwi

Itai aka Madiz performing with his group above

Scores of people from all walks of life gathered along first street in the city centre of Harare on Saturday 20^th of June to commemorate the day in which more than 500 students were killed protesting against inferior education in apartheid South Africa in 1976. The Memeza maiden festival which exploded into dance, poetry, mbira and music was organized by Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights(ZPHR) in conjunction with MISA Zimbabwe, Contradictions for Arts Development Trust (CADET) and Girl Child Network.

Memeza is a Ndebele word for ‘’speak out, shout ,scream’’. The festival which was held under the theme, “Africa fit for children” rolled into life around 10 00hrs through a live performance by a Mbare dance group Pachedu school of Arts. The audience were treated to an invigorating performance by Zimbabwe’s best young artist among others John Pfumojena, Alexio Kawara, Hope Kakuwe, Itai Madzikure (madiz) and poets from Zimbabwe poets for Human Rights. Also in attendance were school children from various schools.

Takura Mafika from the Mbira society applauded the artist for taking part in the festival and encouraged them not to tire as artist bear the burden of directing issues on addressing the problems facing the nation at large.

Speaking to journalist at the festival Mike Mabwe the coordinator of Zimbabwe Poets for Human rights said he was inspired to honor the Day of the African Child because it symbolizes what the Zimbabwean child is facing today. The youths and children are the hardest hit in the 29 year rule of Robert Mugabe which is characterized by a history of abuse of state resources, corruption, misrule rampant human rights abuses and betrayal of freedom. Zimbabwe once had the best education system in Africa when Robert Mugabe took over power from Ian Smith in 1980, but the last 29 years has been a reversal not only of the sound education system but also the gains of the liberation struggle.

The majority of youths find themselves with nothing to do with unemployment estimated at 95%. Thanks to the state’s lake of diligent priorities the University of Zimbabwe where most of those in government were educated remains closed because of lack of water and dilapidated infrastructure.

Commenting on the role of the media, Tabani Moyo the advocacy officer of MISA Zimbabwe encouraged the inclusive government to move swiftly to address the deliberate moves of maintaining ZBC’s monopoly over the air waves. “On this fateful day 33 years ago, the African Child sow a seed of courage by clearly expressing that he/she could no-longer stomach the unjust society they were living in, but it did not end there, their struggle shapes our country’s struggles today as we seek to challenge the suffocation of the media space on a day to day basis. There are some political parties which continue to behave as if they are the ZBC shareholders. You the people of Zimbabwe are the genuine shareholders and you should be accorded the right to direct ZBC’s operations… By the same token, it is the right of every community to establish community radios but since 2001 when the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) was promulgated no single license has been issued to the communities.’’

Speaking on behalf of the ZPHR, the advocacy information and advocacy officer Thomson Phiri said Memeza was the beginning and not the end. It is set to become an annual event targeted at bringing artist from the region. The festival will seek to empower children to speak out on challenges they face in daily lives which include sex trafficking, sexual abuse, exorbitant tuition fees, poverty and the scourge of the HIV and aids pandemic.

MEMEZA Street Festival to rock Harare

Its a beehive of acvtivity in Harare's First Street on Saturday 20 June 2009 when Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights (ZPHR)take on the challenge to join African children to commemorate the Day of the African Child through a Street festival christened MEMEZA which literally means "SHOUT OUT". This year's theme is, "Africa fit for children: A call for accelerated action towards thei survival." ZPHR has been staging street programmes since 21 March 2009 when they put up a marvel to watch World Poetry Day commemoration before the World Press Freedom Day Commemoration at the same venue.
The day was set up by the African Union then Organisation of African Unity after the mass massacre of protesting hundreds of black school children on June 16 1976 in South Africa Soweto. "The protest was against the use of Afrikaans as a compulsory subject in their school curricula by the apartheid regime which was a violation of their rights" commented Robson Shoes Lambada the Programmes Manager of ZPHR. "This year as human rights poets we are advocating for the inclusion of Zimbabwean chuildren's socio-economic rights in the constitution and wide consultation of these children in the constitution making process," continued Shoes Lambada.
The event shall take plce from 1000hrs to 1700hrs. A fascinating package is lined up in the likes of Pachena School of Arts kids, Poetry from members of the Girl Child Network school clubs, Madiz, Magesh dance group and Alexio Kawara amongst others.

Zim Poets Commemorate Operation Murambatsvina

ARARE - The Zimbabwe Poets on Tuesday evening commemorated Operation Murambatsvina with a poetry night at the Quill Club in Harare.

The poetry night was sponsored by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)."It is basically a night of rememberance. We are working with artists to commemorate Operation Murambatsvina a dark era in the history of our country," said Takura Zhangazha, MISA Zimbabwe National Director.
Operation Murambatsvina was unleashed upon Zimbabwean citizens by the government in 2005 to drive out filth. The operation which was widely condemned, left more than 700 000 people homeless.
"Today we shall seek to refresh the memories of the authorities of what has become of the victims of this operation and what has become of the beneficiaries of Operation Garikai," said Shoes Lambada Programmes Manager of the Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights."Africa, Africa will never, never, ever develop, Africa will continue to struggle, workers will continue striking, children will continue starving, women will continue to be battered, journalists continue to be arrested, languishing behind bars, Africa will never, never, ever develop until victims of Operation Murambatsvina are compenstated," belted a young poet identified as Thomas as he opened the night's proceedings.
The poetry reflected what happened during Operation Murambatsvina and also touched on themes to do with thenumerous human rights violations that continue to be witnessed in Zimbabwe even after the formation of coalition government between Zanu PF and MDC.

HIFA 2009: Lunch Is Read !!!

(Pictured above is part of the crowd at Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights inaugural First Street Poetry Forum on 21 March 2009)
Lunch is ready! Harare International Festival of the Arts
By Tomson Phiri
Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights will this year take the Harare International Festival of the Arts into the First Street Shopping Mall from Wednesday the 29th to Saturday the 2nd of May during the lunch hour breaks. The vibrant and hard hitting arts platform shall seek to serve poetic meals spiced with issues to deal with press freedom and freedom of speech, youth and constitutional rights. “ZPHR draws pride from sensitization of masses on aspects pertaining to their rights in a simplified and enjoyable version as weapons of mass instruction” says the Programmes Manager, Robson Isaac Shoes Lambada. The cast includes among others Lexter ‘Shagada’ Mutasa, Jongwe Wezhira; internationally acclaimed and Award winning Julius Chingono; Michael Mabwe; Cynthia the Flow Child; Sister Fire and ERS Muchemwa.

The Harare International Festival of the Arts dubbed Enligh10ment will run from the 28th of April to the 3rd of May and what better enligh10ment than enligh10ing Harare’s first street shoppers and travellers alike. As one PSP ZION a poet from ZPHR avers, “There is a gun for every Catholic nun/And for every enligh10ing book a ban” so hooray to Enligh10ment.

Detembo iri rakanyorwa naNyanduri ShoesLambada. Rakambonzwikwa ku House of Hunger Poetry Slam muHarare, Masvingo (Spirit of Great Zimbabwe Poetry Slam), Senegal, Dakar uyezve kuIndia nyangwe vazhinji vaisanzwa zvairehwa nedetembo iri. Dzimwe nguva rinombodetembwa nembira dzinoridwa nagwenyambira Takunda Mafika uyo anoridza nechikwata chake chinonzi Tru-Bantu.

TARIRO
Vanondiunzira mbuya Chiweshe chembere
Hunzi chembere mukadzi hazvienzani nokurara mugota
Vanondiunzira MaSibanda akaonda somutsvairo
Hunzi une ganda une nyama
Vanondiunzira MaMoyo anozikanwa nokuroya
Hunzi ko iwo makunguwo zvaakatya mangani akafa
Vanondiunzirazve Madhuve
Zigadzi zigobvu-gobvu zidema-dema rakanyangara zvinodzinga vapwere padare
Hunzi gudo kuipa kuipa haro asi haridyi chakafa choga.
Asi ndakati ndaredza yangu mbambande mwanasikana Tariro
Mutsvuku-tsvuku akatsvuka-tsvuka zviya zvokuda kusvika pakutosviba
Zvikanzi mukadzi mutsvuku akasaroya anoba
Guyu kutsvukira kunze mukati rina masvosve.

Tariro ana matama akakwenenzverwa semhenderekedzo dzengoda
Iro bvudzi rakati tsva tsva tsva
Pakake kasoro kakaumbwa Zame achangobva mukusvusvura
Ane meno akati chechetere sengoro dzechitima
Machena-chena akati mburetete
Seiya nduma yandakapa vatete
Vake vatete vaya vezwi dete-dete
Tariro ane chivakasure
Chinotyora mitsipa nokutarira sure

Tariro ndoda utondere
Ndoda utondere kuti unotapira setsvigiri
Kwete kuvava semhiripiri
Chiuyaka tifambidzane vamwe vari vaviri-vaviri
Ndoda utondere kuti hausi mukadzi wechipiri
Ndorangarira zuva riya tiri parwizi pataiva tiri
Ndoda utondere kuti wakakosha kudarika rengoro vhiri
Woregaka kuganza somukono wenjiri

Tariro mwanasikana tarira
Tariro mwanasikana tariro
Tariro mwanasikana Tariro
Tariro mwanasikana teerera
Ndichiteerera matauriro ako Tariro
Nakatarira yako hanzu ine mitaro mitaro tariro
Ndinonzwa kuturwa mutoro sendabuda mutirongo
Ndichitatarika-tatarika sendatorohwa netototo
Dai waiterwa mutero Tariro
Ndaitera mitero mitatu zvakapetwa katanhatu
Ndoteterera kuna tateguru
Ndiine tariro yokuti tichava nokusingaperi tose Tariro
Tariro mwanasikana tarira
Tariro mwanasikana tariro
Tariro mwanasikana Tariro
Tariro mwanasikana teerera

This poem was written by Robson Isaac Shoes Lambada interrogating the concept of Political Independence in Zimbabwe which was gained on 18 April 1980 through an armed liberation struggle led by the current President Robert Gabriel Mugabe. Mugabe has now become a dictator and people no longer enjoy the benefits of independence. ShoesLambada is the co-founder and Programmes Manager of Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights, the most vibrant poetry movement that advocates for the respect, recognition and observance of human rights in the face of anti-democratic situations. Even at a time when there is a new political dispensation in the form of an inclusive government between ZANU PF and the MDC, ShoesLambada still continues his struggle for the respect of human rights through the spoken word.
Sopranic echoes of silence

FREEDOM

Aggravate the complications of my bitterness
The high-pitched voice of muteness
Pricks the inner wound covering my tears
That will only dry when freedom is freed.

A whirlwind and fragment
Of thoughts entirely flummoxes my conscience
When I imagine hand-cuffed and leg-ironed freeom:
Freedom behind bars!
They fought for freedom
Were awarded freedom
Celebrated, dined and wined for and with freedom
Yet when freedom uttered her free thoughts,
Paradoxically they frantically slapped freedom in the face
And silenced her by a battery of diabolic statutes.

The inspired voice of freedom now speaks in silence
Visiting in my dreams like an ancestral instruction
I hear sopranic echoes of silence
Aggravating the complications of my bitterness.
The high-pitched voice of muteness
Pricking the innerwound
Which will only heal and dry when freedom is freed.

This poem was written by Ronald tapfuma Jongwe Known as Wezhira in the Zimbwbwean poetry circles. Wezhira is an international poet who has performed at international platforms like the Highway Africa in South Africa, UN Habitat International Youth Crime Prevention and Cities Summit, SADC Regional Youth Hearing and the Harare International Festival of the Arts. This poem is sometimes performed as a duet in collaboration with Shoeslambada at various platforms locally and internationally.

My Son.

My son when you were born
Echoes of joy where herd from all corners
For your birth my son
Was a moment of jubilation
It was a moment of ululation
It was a moment of emancipation
The world my son saw your birth as a defining moment
They saw your birth as a refining moment
Your birth my son was indeed a designing moment
Thus the legendary Bob Marley was there to sing for you my son
And Prince Charles of the royal family
Came to honor the potential king of Africa

My son when I your father saw the potential that was in you
With the consent of the nation
I handed you over to the so called first secretary……ROBERT
For he was equipped and armed with five university degrees,
Intelligence and profound eloquence and I you father
Thought you were in safe hands
My son little did I know………

My son you became the paradise of Africa
Your economic prosperity was once an exhibition of Africa’s’ potential
You were a river that flowed with excess vigor and velocity,
A river that was the backbone of Africa’s agriculture
A scenic visa for the lovers of nature
But now my son you are struggling,
Ailing and lying in your death bed
Long before your 30th birthday
And they call it BLACK EMPOWERMENT!!!!!

My son! What is black empowerment?
When unemployment is floating at 90%
Whose democracy is it when your security agents
Use weapons of mass destruction against students armed only with their brains
What is sovereignty when the nation sweats and works for tax
So that they build mansions and villas in Beijing and Kuala Lumpur
My son now you talk of the turn around policy
But why should we turn around when the only alternative
Is to go forward
Why look East when we can’t even look at
Where we are standing
What is economic prosperity?
When ten civil servants can not afford
One crate of Castle Lager….. I WONDER


My son stand up and reclaim what is yours
Forward ever backward never
For the struggle is like a catapult
Understood backwards but lived forward
You and I need to unite for revolutions are symbolic
Of the power of the united people
Let our prophets be murdered everyday
But our voices shall be heard forever and ever
Let their armed forces brutalize us
And intoxicate our eyes with their tear gas but our voices
Shall be heard forever and ever
Let us unite to dislodge the despotic forces
For we cannot take this anymore
My son ZIMBABWE

Bound To The Street

This poem was written by Robson Isaac Shoes Lambada. It has been recited at the House of Hunger poetry slam, Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights poetry forum, Harare International Festival of the Arts, Regional Youth Hearing in South Africa, The Info-Activism Camp in India and The Africa Cultural Night in Senegal.

Ragged and funny
In dire need of money
I bruise the pot-holed streets of the city
Maiming the waste-filled alleys and dirty
Daily I play twinkle-twinkle with death on the razor-sharp edge of humanity.
Once I had a home
Now I cannot pay the dues
Once Iwent to college
Now I cannot pay the fees
Once I had a wife
Now I cannot afford the price
Poor the result of no economic emancipation
Bound to the street because some people's creation
In a vacuum-filled belly I try the robber's invention
Oouch! I cry in incaceration
This cry , my cry, I cry
Bound to the street, is it God's case
Bound to the street, the street my place
Bound to the street, the street I hate

Eyes closed, tears drop
The drama of my sleeping mystery unfolding before my mental eyes like a tapestry
I ravish and languish in hunger
Feediong on left-overs
Left by generous shoppers
Hungry I was, am and still will be
The history but of the hiterto societies is a history of class struggle
and exploitation. How shall I leave the street struggle
In such a society tailor-designed to suffer the helpless
Where the should-be-helpers
Are the pioneers of the exploitation,
Suppression and oppression of the defenceless
As for me and my street-mates
We will travel along singing a song
The song, my cry.
Bound to the street, is it God's case
Bound to the street, the street my place
Bound to the street, the street I hate

I come from far further
Iam not a bird of your further
You are a son to your father
You are your mother,s daughter
I have non to call father or mother
Nither to call sister nor brother
But pay no attention to criticism like weather
Rather lets read the holy book together
Ang gather as a congregation together
The bread as you gather
Lets break share and eat together.
Until we harness a new philosophy
I will always cry
This cry my cry.
Bound to the street, is it God's case
Bound to the street, the street my place
Bound to the street, the street I hate

Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights-Media Institute of Southern Africa commemorate World Poetry Day

MISA- Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights commemorate World Poetry Day
As part of its mandate to promote freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, MISA-Zimbabwe together with Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights on 21 March, commemorated the International World Poetry Day in a poetry session dubbed Weapons of Mass Instruction.

The poetry session, which featured twenty four poets from Harare and attended by approximately 200 people, was held at the First Street mall and paid tribute to late poets, Dambudzo Marechera, who during his time performed his poetry at the same venue and the late Solomon Mutsvairo who wrote the popular poem, Nehanda Nyakasikana, recited by the late Vice-president, Simon Muzenda during national events.
In a commemorative message, MISA-Zimbabwe advocacy officer, Tabani Moyo, emphasized the importance of freedom of expression in a democracy and raised concern over the continued incarceration of freelance journalist, Anderson Shadreck Manyere is charged for acts of insurgence, banditry, sabotage or terrorism under Section 23 (1), (2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act
The poetry performances touched on the themes of love, culture, the daily life challenges of the ordinary Zimbabwean and the need to be able to speak out. ZPHR Programmes Manager, Robson Isaac Shoes Lambada lamented the way in which poetry has been playing second fiddle to other artforms and so encouraged everyone to respect poetry as a form of expression. "Poetry has been part and parcel of our Zimbabwean culture since time immemorial as evidenced by bits use in traditional rituals like thanks bgiving and brain-making." said Shoeslambada
63-year old poet, Julius Chingono who performed an unpublished piece, My uniform, that described the advantage that uniformed police officials had over ordinary Zimbabweans during the food shortages when they skipped the queues, was briefly detained by the police who alleged that the poem was offensive. He was released after convincing them that the poem reflected what happened in the past.
MISA

Poets make mark in India

From the 16th to the 26th of February 2009, Robson Isaac Shoes Lambada and Fungai Machirori (Harare based poets) were in India attending the inaugural Info-Activism Camp hosted by the Tactical Technology Collective . They joined other 148 participqants from more than 40 countries worldwide. They were participants as well as performers.

ShoesLambada is one of the poets known for his critical tortured language poetry, which he says, is inspired by the rot, corruption, human rights abuses and the economic decline which has been caused largely by the Mugabe regime. Fungai is an advocate for the rights of many especially women. Fungai touched the heart of many when he recited the poem, “Cashless Society”. She bemoaned the cash shortages that hit the country from as back as 2004 up to now. This resulted in account holders being unable to withdraw their money from banks. ShoesLambada’s poem, “I want to understand” was published in the Camp Magazine, “CampBuzz” on 19 February 2009. ShoesLambada went on to perform “Politicians and Governance” which questioned the course of action masses should take if politicians decide to govern in a way that jeorpadises the well-being of the majority.
“What shall we say and do
When they use violence as a tool
To keep the elite few
In top rule shunning majority rule
And treating the majority as one fool.” Said ShoesLambada.

Shoes went global when he recited the poem, “ Bound to the street” which explored the lives of street people which is a worldwide phenomenon. ShoesLambada lamented the unwillingness of policy makers to rectify the problem.
“ How then shall I survive this street struggle
In such a society tailor-made to suffer the helpless
Whereby the should-be-helpers are the pioneers
Of the degradation of human dignity
Benefiting from the suppression, oppression and exploitation
Of the defenceless” recited ShoesLambada.

ShoesLambada works with Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights (ZPHR) and is popular for various collaborations he has done with many ZPHR members. In India he had an opportunity to collaborate with Tessa, a UK based flute player and Vijay a guitarist based in Bangalore India. They collaborated on the poem, “I will miss you” which is a dedication to all Zimbabweans who are in the diaspora. It explores the political changes that Zimbabweans in the country are experiencing that the diasporians are missing. The two poets displayed that Zimbabwe is culturally rich and poetry is an effective advocacy tool in socio-economic issues. "It is the compelling voice behing the verses that makes poetry powerful, unique and different from other art genres" said ShoesLambada.

Whither thou goest – Zim arts?

By Tomson Phiri
Present day Zimbabwe is the extreme version of its own former self if one goes down not very far though along memory lane. Space for dissent; intellectual debate and artistic production has literary been shut since the turn of the century. Great odds exist for any attempts at producing any objective and independent artefacts whilst opening up of such space for debate is akin to going even where angels fear to tread. History is replete with what has happened to many an artist since the turn of the twentieth century who have dared told truth to power. The majority are harassed by state agents whilst others are disillusioned by the glaring reality of the constricted and protected public space and hence have to cow to the elitist demand of acceptable truth. As one protest artist puts it and rightly so, “In Zimbabwe, you can have freedom of expression but you may not have the freedom after expression.”

However, artists in Zimbabwe have not been massaged into a condition of acquiescence by the demands for acceptable orientations. If anything these artists have established themselves as independent and objective thinkers who have used art as a medium to communicate their philosophical and intellectual take on the forces that shape contemporary Zimbabwean cultural and artistic creations. Apparent in contemporary Zimbabwe today is the growing crop of defiant artists who do not mind state harassment. Some artists have moved from merely showing contemporary Zimbabwean life but even proceeded to condemning the post independence establishment on issues of governance; social and economic policy. Because contemporary Zimbabwe poetry is conceived in a politically volatile social space and in equally difficult economic circumstances that have a bearing on the creative imagination, the resultant art naturally becomes an epitome of art imitating life. As a result, writing becomes a process of participation in national politics. It is a serious form of art which functions as an indispensable site of resistance with the potential to function as the prime instrument in the imperative process of creating a counter discourse that opens up the public sphere and confronts the vicissitudes of contemporary Zimbabwe life in an independent manner. As Michael “Stones” Mabwe, the Coordinator of Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights avers, “We do not seek to incite anyone, neither do we set out to excite anyone. Rather, we seek to give people insight.” But that is before he adds, “However, we do not care whether you get incited!!” Talk of using a comic vision to contend with tragedy.

It is this process of performing against the permissible patriotic narratives that is a strong indication of significant steps towards opening up the space for public debate and freedom of expression. The ability to gather an audience for poetry recitals is not only an act of great courage, but also a stunt rarely pulled because of the insurmountable odds that always pull you down. In effect the attempt to still beat the drum and let the music play in spite of the political odds to the contrary demonstrates these artists’ commitment to participate in the process of public contestation and making of the contemporary cultural artefact. The artistic productions’ attempts to dismantle things such as the falsified versions of patriotism and such other identities whilst replacing them with more inclusive socially produced definitions of the phenomena mark the dawn of a new questioning era in Zimbabwean arts. What is clear though is that the political situation has contributed immensely to the dearth of creative and intellectual space in Zimbabwe and Doris Lessing, the 2007 Nobel Literature Prize winner has summed it up thus: “Writers are not made in Zimbabwe. Not easily, not under Mugabe”, what remains to be seen though is what the arts can in turn do to the crisis?

GenderJustice, Equality and Equity

Gender Justice, Equality and Equity
By Ronald Jongwe

Redifining Masculinity:" Are we getting any closer to attaining a gender equal society in Africa?"
This article was written by Ronald Jongwe a Zimbabwean poet. He advocates for the respect recognition and observance of human rights for all including women.


While I was in hospital a few weeks ago I overheard an argument that made me ask a lot of questions. The feamale nurses in one of the wards were mocking one male nurse and "accusing" him of having taken up a ladies' job. I felt sorry for the poor fellow as he could not say much to justify why he had chosen the profession. His only arguement was that this was a new world where eqaul opportunities should be granted to all irregardless of sex or gender. As the arguement went on I wished I could jump out of my bed and help the brother but unfortunately my health condition could not allow me. When the arguement finally eneded one question that kept on recurring in my mind was, "Are we getting any closer to attaining a gender just society in Africa or we are still a thousand miles away?"

Most people will agree with me that if we are serious about creating a gender just society where man and women are seen as eqauls in all spectrums of the society then such an agenda should not only be a women's agenda but a society's agenda that should start to be pushed at early stages of life such as the primary socialisation phase. As long as our African society continues to raise the boy child and girl child differently keeping them from engaging the same opportunities to pursue their self determination and to decide the best options to attaining individual accomplishements, then our quest torwards redifined masculinities and gender assertive societies might remain a futile chase after the wind.

Over the past years if not decades gender activists have offered and proposed numerous solutions aimed not only at ending poverty but also redeeming African women from the yoke of patriachal exploitation and dormination. While there are notable victories in as far as the emancipation of women in africa is concerned the reality is that much work still needs to be done as such victories might remain theoretical.

Given the current nature of our African societies where the total humanity of women is still being denied people who push for positive changes towards the current gender relations will find themselves faced with a big obstacle on their way. Personal expiriences complimented by stories and happennings from all over the continent are barely adeqaute and clear evidence that creating a gender just society in Africa is possible but it will require a lot of hard work, patience, resources and willingness not only from women but also from governments, men, NGOs, the youth and other interested parties. I'm not being chauvinistic nor am I being persimistic but a total transformation of the society's norms, values, ethos and attitudes towards the way we see our female conterparts is not an event or a strall in the park but an ongoing process that requires total commitment from all concerned parties and stake holders.

Over the years women groups, gender activists, pressure groups and some NGOs have proposed various intervention strategies that can be used in attaining a gender just society. These strategies include but are not limited to the following: peer education, constitutional amendments and policy reforms at company, government, regional, continental and international level amongst others. In reference to the last strategy most African governments are signatories to these protocols, conventions, declarations and charters that aim at emancipating women and creating a gender assretive society, such as The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Beijing Platform of Action, Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women(CEDAW) and The Protocol of The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.

When ever such instruments are signed there is ululation, celebration and jubilation from different organisations and individuals from different member countries as such signings are seen as positive steps towards the attainment of total gender eqaulity. However the patriachal set-ups and systems which are still inherent in most governments have resulted in most of these instruments being signed and never put into practice at country level. While there are other reasons behind the failure of attaining total gender equity, the failure and inability by most governments to translate international instruments into local laws can be seen as a majoor hinderance towards attaining gender just societies. As long as there is no domestication of these international and continental charters and protocols then our efforts could still be hitting a brick wall as these instruments will just pile and no action will be unfolding on the ground.

All having been said and done it should be borne in mind that it is not only the responsibilty of governments and NGOs to work towards the attainment of gender equity but everyones' responsibility because until and unless we accept that men and women are eqaul in every aspect we will never ever succeed in curbing social practices that degrade women and totally eradicate cultural practices that discriminate women such as virginity testing, pledging of girls for the appeasing of spirits and genital mutilation among other practices. In the fight for a gender just society men should thus be engaged at all levels and as eqaul partners if we are to make any ,meaningful change. However gender equity in Africa can remain a pipe dream if there are no combined efforts from all sectors of the society and if people do not walk the talk and translate their words into action. Furthermore governments have large role to play as they should ensure that there are adeqaute systems to enforce gender equity related reforms and effective domestication and implementation of international instruments. Given that the youth are tomorrows leaders we should also be seen to be playing a pivotal role towards the attainment of a gender just Africa, as such we should also demand that resources be alocated towards the domestication and implemantation of these international and continental instuments that our countries are signatories to. Furthermore we should openly condemn and denounce discriminating practices and values that constantly put at risk the physical and moral integrity of women. Lastly while much has been written and said and declarations, conventions, charters and protocols have been attended and signed with the aim of emancipating not only the African woman but the global women lot, the biggest stride is in translating words into action if we are to make any meaningful change.Let's walk the talk and talk the walk.
(Ronald Tapfuma Jongwe is a member of ZPHR and a civil rights advocate based in Zimbabwe)

Top poets speak on power sharing agreement

Top Poets Speak on power-sharing agreement
ZIMBABWEAN poets last Tuesday challenged the current political situation in a poetry session. Popular with young poets based in Harare and Chitungwiza the poetry slam, which ran under the theme "What next after GNU", saw poets being critical of the "complex" power-sharing agreement.

Most poets argued in their verses that the GNU concept was "disrespectful of the will of the people who voted against Zanu PF on March 29 2008". Anesu Katerere, who recited the poem Mother and Child, argued that the MDC-T was just a junior partner in this inclusive government as the Prime Minister is neither a head of state nor government. He said the future of the ordinary people -- "the grassroots mother and child" -- was not guaranteed in the power-sharing deal signed by the parties. The poem also ignited the issue of the national youth training programme which the parties recognised as desirable to inculcate values of patriotism, discipline, tolerance, non-violence, openness, democracy, equality, justice and respect.

Another poet, Acme Chinyani in his verse Anything Can Happen raised uncertainty over the result of the marriage between the three parties which the audience thought was a "pain-ease rather than a pain-killer". Poet Ishkold brought a new dimension to the poetry slam when he recited a poem on the black snake (a reference to corruption). "This black snake is not viper, adder or python or human. This black snake is greed. . ." Ishkold said. He attributed the woes the country faces to corruption by greedy politicians. In the spirit of entrenching accountability values in our leaders the poet suggested the black snake should be killed to realise national benefits for all rather than the elite few. This was complemented by Ticha Muzavazi's Chitima CheBhuruwayo, which satirically explored the history of past coalition governments in Zimbabwe from the Muzorewa/Smith Zimbabwe Rhodesia coalition of 1978 to the compromise government of 1980 and the Zanu PF/PF Zapu Unity accord government of 1987.

"Poets are not only wordsmiths but also vital stakeholders in shaping the destiny of Zimbabwe," said Shoes Robson, session convener. The poetry session was facilitated by the Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights (ZPHR). ZPHR holds the human rights poetry forums once every month and aspires to create a genuine and sustainable national solution that will eventually pave the way for economic prosperity and creation of democratic space for all citizens. "The secret mode of the talks posed major flaws to the whole process," Robson said. "As a result the agreement is an inadequate tool in addressing the national crisis and other major issues like transitional justice and restoration of human rights." Relevant Links Southern Africa Zimbabwe The next poetry session is on October 29 at the US Embassy's Public Affairs auditorium in Harare