INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
PAMBERI TRUST is a Zimbabwean non-governmental Arts organisation that operates The Book Café and The Mannenberg live arts venues, stages 900 arts events annually and manages the widest-ranging arts development program in Zimbabwe. Pamberi Trust is founded on the belief that the arts are critical in shaping values that reflect society. Cognisant of the economic potential of the arts and the need to create free, diverse means of cultural expression; Pamberi Trust exists as an enabling facility, by which all performing artists and producers of culture may develop, promote and perform their works, and participate in building the nation.
Pamberi Trust is an independent registered charitable trust, governed by constitution, and under authority of Board of Trustees.
The FLAME (Female Literary, Arts & Music Enterprise) project was launched in October 2006 as an arts development program designed to practically promote women artists into the mainstream of the arts in Zimbabwe, by providing performance opportunities, exposure, skills workshops, networking possibilities and publicity. In 2007 FLAME established ‘Sistaz Open Mic’, a monthly event held on a Saturday afternoon, created to encourage young women to come out in the safety of daytime, and participate in the arts. The event features 29 artists and attracts over 100 audience each month, and the response was overwhelming to date.
The FLAME project has worked with hundreds of women artists of Zimbabwe since its inception, and expanded to a regional outreach in 2010 with the first-ever FLAME REGIONAL TOUR, which included 4 top women African artists – ‘Mingas’ (Mozambique), Mpumie Twala and Ndithini Mbali (South Africa) and Dudu Manhenga (Zimbabwe) touring the region and performing in Maputo, Swaziland, Johannesburg and Harare in May/June 2010 – a riveting performance and powerful stance by women artists of Africa which attracted many hundreds of people in total.
FLAME has actively worked towards and staged the following music and poetry events surrounding the 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women over the last 3 years:
§ 2007 - NOV 24 – FLAME 16 DAYS CONCERT – “Harare Divas Against Violence” –
The Book Café & Mannenberg Jazz Club, Harare, 2pm – 2am
The Book Café, 2-11pm - A jam-packed, star-studded 12 hours of good music and strong message from ‘Harare Divas Against Violence’ featuring Busi Ncube & Band Rain, Bernie Bismark & Utopia, Chiwoniso Maraire & Vibe Culture, Dudu Manhenga & Color Blu, Edith Katiji & So What?, Patience Musa & The Other Four, Selmor Mtukudzi, Sister Flame, Vimbai Zimuto, poet Linda Gabriel, and a performance by Global Arts Theatre - encompassing traditional mbira to jazz, rhythm & blues to afro pop and reggae, poetry and theatre. The venue was filled to capacity, ending in ‘standing room only’ as the audience swelled throughout the day and evening. A second show at The Mannenberg carried the same message, and featured Rute Mbangwa & Jazz Sensation, Yulith Ndlovu & Prudence Katomene-Mbofana with Jazz Invitation. Venues were filled to capacity.
§ 2008 - NOV 29 – THE FLAME ‘16 DAYS CONCERT’ (15) – “SAY NO!”
On 29 November participating women artists joined the world in standing up against violence at an exciting music concert at The Book Café from 2-7pm. The concert featured top women artists of Zimbabwe who are widely acclaimed household names, alongside up-and-coming young women who have emerged in the course of the year, the concert will relay a strong message against violence against women. The concert followed the 2008 campaign theme “Human Rights for Women, Human Rights for All”, and featured established and emerging women artists Busi Ncube, Dudu Manhenga, Rute Mbangwa & Jazz Sensation, Edith Katiji, Vimbai Zimuto, Hope Masike & Kakuwe, Eyahra Mathazia & Kibo, Anjii Greenland, Carmen Hwariri and Louisa Mlambo with African Destiny, and dynamic young poets Batsirai Chigama, ERS Muchemwa, Black Heat, Xapa, and Kadeija. This amazing line-up offers great entertainment across the genre board, from traditional mbira to jazz, rhythm & blues to afro pop and reggae, and a strong message through poetry - ‘the spoken word’.
§ 2009 - NOV 28 – ‘16 DAYS CONCERT’ AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
On Saturday 28 November at The Book Café in Harare, FLAME proudly presented the ’16 Days Concert’, running for its third year. The concert provided 5 hours of great music and poetry by some 18 women artists of Zimbabwe - poets, singers and musicians who have emerged strongly onto the Zimbabwean music scene, including Aura Kawanzaruwa, Auxillia Mazhambe, Batsirai Chigama, Black Heat, Dudu Manhenga & Color Blu, Edith Katiji & So What?, ERS, Flow Chyld, Hope Masike & Kakuwe, Juvination, Kessia & Stanley Magosha, Rina Mushonga & The Zimfellas, Sista Fire, Thanda & Da Imani Troddaz, uZanele and Roxanne ‘Xapa’ Mathazia. It attracted 200 audience, filling the venue to capacity, with standing room only. The exciting music campaign continued at The Mannenberg on the same night, where the message was carried by young jazz singer Faith Mandipira.
Artistic and Literary discussions have been a long tradition of Pamberi Trust at The Book Café, Harare, which have included focus on gender and women’s issues among many others. Over the years some memorable discussions have included ‘Women Provide the Backbone of Zimbabwean Society’ – a two-part discussion on the books ‘Women of Resilience’ and ‘Mothers of the Revolution’, followed by ‘Zimbabwean women in the 21st Century: Co-opted or ignored?’; ‘Female Affirmation, Identity and Racism: Voices from Nicaragua and Zimbabwe’ with Nicaraguan poet Andrina Watson and Zimbabwean poet Xapa Mathazia, provided a fascinating discussion between women from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The Gender Forum was created at The Book Café in November 2009 as a platform for the discussion of gender and women’s issues. Aimed at contributing to initiatives of advancing gender equality and promoting women’s rights in Zimbabwe, the monthly discussion targets human rights activists, members of civil society, women artists and members of the general public. The Gender Forum has become a popular space for tackling issues of concern, a platform which is also offered to any women’s or gender-based organisations who participate and support the forum, and have welcomed the creation of the only regular public platform of its kind.
Seven discussions have been held to date, of which some interesting topics have been
Women Defeating the Odds of Violence; Woman-to-Woman: for better understanding; Sisterhood Redefined; Engendering the Constitution; Zimbabwean Marriages – What Women Should Know; and Is the involvement of men relevant in the struggle for gender equality?
Association for Women in the Performing Arts in Zimbabwe (AWIPAZ)
This association grew out of FLAME workshops, which called for a registered representative national body. A network of over 150 women artists around the country has been established, and FLAME continues to offer administrative support to the association in its early stages of development.
Success Stories
ZIMBABWE: Success stories from the Sistaz Open Mic (Harare) include:
· The most senior participant of Sistaz Open Mic, 50-something Roxanne ‘Xapa’ Mathazia realized a longstanding dream to perform her poetry - created over many years but inhibited without an appropriate platform for exposure. She participated regularly in the event from the beginning, won recognition by the public, earned invitations to perform at other local events, and grew to reach the South African stage at Johannesburg’s annual Arts Alive festival in September 2009. In 2010 Xapa performed at many various events in Harare including the ‘Poetry Africa 2010 Tour’ alongside the famous poet Mutabaruka and others, and in 2011 with the regional ‘Afro-Slam Poetry Express’ in Johannesburg on 24 September at the Goethe Institute.
· Edith Katiji (Bass player and singer) & Utonga - Women instrumentalists Edith Katiji (bass), Tariro Ruzvidzo (guitar), and Rumbidzai Tapfuma (percussion) evolved into the group UTONGA at the Sistaz Open Mic, a predominantly female group which grew steadily with exposure slots at the Book Café, and continue to claim more space on the wider arts stage in the capital. UTONGA have enjoyed the benefits of Sistaz Open Mic and workshop training, where Edith has also been involved as a facilitator. She said “There is nothing as gratifying as seeing an artist, upcoming artist, grow from attending these workshops. The artist comes out more confident, willing to explore another part of themselves they didn’t even know existed! Seeing them take part for the first time at Sistaz Open Mic leaves one thinking its a lost cause, but the transformation after attending the workshops is amazing! I am about to launch my debut album, and thanks to the FLAME initiative, even as a facilitator, I have managed to look at my band and my music as a business and with that business approach, I KNOW I’M GOING PLACES!” In 2010 they launched their debut CD ‘Edith weUtonga’ which receives good airplay on national radio (www.edithweutonga.com).
· In 2010 alone FLAME has supported the launch of 3 debut albums by artists who started on the Sistaz open mic platform. Francisca Mandeya (Singer, leader ‘Inkanyezi’) said: “The platform boosted our confidence. Sistaz Open Mic is a safe platform I could bring my 14-year old daughter and feel at home and trust that everything would be handled professionally. FLAME also helped us with the launch of our debut album, in essence FLAME helped us realise our dream.”
· ‘FlowChyld’ Cynthia Marangwanda (Poet) said “Sistaz Open Mic is a platform where people first heard my voice. The idea of sisters coming together without competition of male energies was liberating for me.”
· Aura Kawanzaruwa (Poet) said “Sistaz Open Mic has opened so many doors for me! It’s an incredible platform that has given women of all ages and backgrounds a chance to express themselves in a gender friendly environment. It has created countless opportunities for networking and my growth within the arts. The workshops have also provided a wealth of knowledge and a chance to address issues unique to women artists. I hope the flame never dies and that all women artists have a chance to experience Sistaz Open Mic.” (www.myspace.com/494077161; www.plaxo.com/directory/profile/.../e0a49325/Aura/Kawanzaruwa)
· ‘Uzanele’ – Zanele Manhenga (Singer/songwriter) said “I have grown, it was the workshops that made me realise my self-worth, opened possibilities for me: I look at people who are considered big and say to myself, they could use the information I know to perfect their craft, I know I am just beginning but with the information I have I am equipped to face the challenges of the industry head-on.”
· Kessia Magosha (Singer & Dancer) said “The workshops were very beneficial. We were taught to stand for ourselves and value ourselves. I have been elevated.”
· Prudence Katomene-Mbofana (jazz singer, actress) said “I just want to thank you for opening your doors to the artiste to rehearse. Some of us who have been in the business for a while know just how hard it is to put together a rehearsal. From looking for a venue to getting the PA system. On behalf of the artistes in Harare, thank you FLAME, Pamberi Trust, Book Cafe and Mannenberg.” 27.4.10
· ‘Thanda’ Richardson - a young woman singer/songwriter who, after 9 years of struggle along the ‘music road’, formed her backing band ‘Da Imani Troddaz’ in 2007 while studying at the Zimbabwe College of Music. She participated in Sistaz Open Mic where she attracted attention, grew in confidence. The end product was well-rehearsed and greatly improved artistic performances, and good publicity which pushed her to a higher level in the public eye. Since then she has come to the attention of a wider audience which led to local and international exposure, with performances in the southern African stages, and in Holland, Denmark in 2009. Thanda launched her debut album “Give Thanks and Praise” in 2010.
· In an interview Thanda said: “Support from Pamberi Trust has enabled us female artists, particularly myself, in offering a lot of publicity, empowering workshops through the FLAME project, performance opportunities, and cultural exchange. When I needed help, they helped me to grow, they have shown us we can do it. The publicity helped me to get to HIFA [Harare International Festival of the Arts] and many other stages. I will always be grateful”.
· Rina Mushonga - Dutch-Zimbabwean singer songwriter Rina Mushonga returned to Zimbabwe in 2008 to explore and connect with her musical heritage, and to further immerse herself in the Zimbabwean cultural scene. She found a group of talented young musicians in Mutare, carving their own niche and searching for new musical horizons. Together they entered the Harare music scene on the Sistaz Open Mic platform, gaining recognition from artists and audiences alike. They performed frequently at Book Café and Mannenberg, and launched their debut album with assistance from the FLAME project at the Mannenberg in November 2009.
· Hope Masike – As a music student with the Zimbabwe College of Music Hope often performed at the Sistaz Open Mic. She later formed her own band ‘Kakuwe’ performing regularly at Harare’s Book Café under the FLAME programme from 2008 to 2009, growing in strength and popularity, and launching her debut CD ‘Hope’ in May 2009, before leaving in 2010 to further her musical studies in Norway. She also participated in such regional and continental cultural initiatives as Ubuntu Festival and Umoja initiative, and while in Norway joined a fascinating collaboration between artists of diverse cultures, ‘Monoswezi’ which will be touring southern Africa, performing in Harare, Johannesburg and Maputo. (www.hopemasike.com)
· Hope said “[Sistaz Open Mic and performances at] Book Café is somewhere to grow as a performer, as a band. With or without finding gigs elsewhere, I’d always know I have a regular stage to keep me in practice, somewhere to grow an audience, to get used to staging a show, stagecraft etc. You always have somewhere to refer to for prospective clients to come watch your act. Basically, having a ‘music home’ for me to discover myself as a musician, experiment, bring in other musicians and play around with my music.” 4.1.2011
· Kudzai Sevenzo – Singer/songwriter Kudzai was not new to the music scene, but had participated in the Open mic to hone her performance skills and soon moved on to establish her own group. She recorded and released her debut album in 2010, and it is now on sale in the Book Café. She said: “Thank you for all you've done to promote local artists. It’s such a breath of fresh air to hear developments like these, and the workshops you've done to help us local artists.” (www.kudzaisevenzo.com)
· Tina Watyoka – Long-time backing vocalist and regular performer at Sistaz Open Mic in the last year, Tina Watyoka launched her debut CD “Introducing Tina” in June 2011, with the assistance of FLAME, and special exposure season on the main Book Café stage every week in July. She said, “Thank you so much for the love and support you showed me. You made my dream come true. Much love to Pamberi Trust.“ (www.myspace.com/563232180)
· Dudu Manhenga - a dynamic young Zimbabwean singer/songwriter who leads and fronts the group 'Color Blu'. She has been instrumental in the success of the Sistaz Open Mic project, playing an important role as a leading figure in the Zimbabwe music scene, both as a facilitator, mentor and participant, validating the programme by her participation. Already well established in Zimbabwe with three successful albums to her name, Dudu also benefits from the wider FLAME programme, and toured 4 southern African countries under the FLAME Regional banner in 2010, and in Johannesburg in 2011 at the Arts Alive Festival. In July 2011 she launched her fourth CD ‘Ngangiwe’, and said “Media words are not enough to thank you for the support you continue to give to our brand. We are humbled by your interest in our work and continued validation. Thank you for always being there when we need a helping hand, you truly are on the artists’ side. Thank you for allowing us to grow our ideas under your roof.” (www.dudumanhenga.com).
SOUTH AFRICA: Several young women have been given great opportunities through our Sistaz Open Mic and BAS Rootz gender & youth programmes. A few examples of ‘sistaz’, whose careers have been given a nudge with the Sistaz Open Mic initiative, are:
· Nkulee Dube (daughter of the late South African reggae artist Lucky Dube), used the platform to establish herself as a solo artist. Previously she had appeared as a backing vocalist for the late Lebo Mathosa, Ntando Bangani and in her father’s band “One People”. Subsequently, she has gone on to sign with Native Rhythms Productions and her track ‘Give It To Me’ has appeared alongside some of the world’s great reggae and ragga artists in a compilation album released by Sillywalks Entertainment in Germany. She is fast on her way to becoming a star in her own right, opening for many international acts and touring as far afield as major festivals in Australia, Holland, Papua New Guinea and French Guyana.
· Ayanda Nhlangothi, who has become relatively well known in South African circles opening for established artists, and appearing on local TV, said “African Synergy’s Bas Rootz & Sistaz Open Mic sessions created a culture whereby artists started supporting each other, it created that unity and a networking space for us artists, we felt like it was a home for artists and we had guidance and support from both old and young successful artists. Audiences were curious and the standard was high, made u do your best. It was a home for all proudly African artists and we had all genres under one roof. And I got a lot of opportunities from these projects.”
· Maleh first performed at BAZ Roots as a raw vocal talent, with neither a band nor a demo recording. Her performance was so outstanding, that several artists and promoters approached her thereafter to work with her. Since then she has collaborated with popular South African artists in various recordings. She has also been invited to perform in different venues and jazz festivals throughout South Africa and Lesotho. Maleh’s new album “ Just” is due for release in November 2011 and her new single “Under My Skin” receives good play on all SA radio stations.
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