Poets Shine at HIFA

The Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) this year saw poets invading Street as they once did two years ago. This year running under the theme, "The Engagement Party" saw poets performing at the usual HIVOS poetry cafe run by the HIFA consultant Chirikure Chirikure and also perfoming along international artists in Harare's First Street. The street poetry programme saw poets performing alongside Gospel Power, Zimbabwe College of Music Brass Band and also the Dutch rock and roll band "The Moke". The Moke band is very popular in the Netherlands and is based in Amsterdam.

The band also closed down HIFA with a spectacular act alongside the Zimbabwean songbird Chiwonison Maraire. The poets in First Street perfomed alongside this energetic band without boring the audiences. The poets who thrilled the audience in First Street include Thando Sibanda, Mbizo Chirasha, the duet of Robson Isaac Shoes Lambada and Michael Mabwe, Elizabeth Zaza Muchemwawere, VaSadza and the Malawian based Linda Gabriel.

Some of the poets at the Pro-Peace Poetry Party

Pro-Peace Poetry Party Pictures

ZPHR, ZGS and CHIMOTO host the Pro-Peace Poetry Party

On Wednesday the 22nd of September, revolutionary poetry and hip-hop movements, Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights and Chimoto came together to commemorate the International day of Peace. The event was held at the Alliance Francaise de Harare. There was a whooping crowd of more than 100 poetry lovers in attendance. The most unique aspect of the party was the game-no-rules aspect that saw poets doing their stuff with a lof props and costumes and the variety of languages that they used that include shona, english, ndebele, kalanga and shangani.

In partnership also was the Zimbabwe German Society that provided visual artists who were capturing the mood of the verses on canvas. The event was part of the Ukubambana Youth Peace Festival which ran from the 21st to the 25th of September and was being supported by the Zimbabwe Youth Organisations Network.

Young Artists in Kadoma Condemn Violence

zimbabwe poets for human rights member performing
On Saturday the 13th of March youth in Kadoma mobilized themselves to speak on the political violence that engulfed the 27 June 2008 sham election. This comes at a time when the President of Zimbabwe Cde R.G Mugabe announced that next year there shall be elections whether a new constitution is in place or not. Therefore, there are fears that if elections are going to be held under the current constitution, there is a high likelihood of the resurfacing of violence any time soon since there are no electoral reforms to facilitate the holding of free and fair elections.
Poets, theatre actors, dancers and musicians based in Kadoma gathered at Rimuka Hall from 1400hrs to express their dislike of political violence through all forms of art. All artists were in the age range of 11 to 30 years.

The event took a forum format where there were performances and later on discussions to interrogate the content of the artistic performances. 10 members of Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights (ZPHR) took to the stage denouncing the 2008 election violence followed by theatre performances by Budiriro Cultural Club that vividly exposed the events leading to the 2008 election violence. The discussion forum saw young people agreeing not to be used by politicians in the next elections which Mugabe pronounced that they will be held next year.
The event was organized by Ziyon which is a network of more than 25 youth organizations spread through out the country. Present at the event was the Ziyon Organising Secretary who said, “The 2008 elections left a trail of suffering and mourning and hence there need to be a comprehensive process of national healing for the country to realize lasting peace. These artistic events for peace are being led by ZPHR which is one of the founding members of the network. ZPHR’s co-founder and leading poet Robson Isaac ShoesLambada was also present and assured the

the nation that they shall be going to Masvingo, Bulawayo and Mutare with these events.

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