Masvingo Artists join the COVID 19 Campaign

The Covid 19 pandemic which has negatively affected communities and did not spare artists either. It is against this background that My Age Zimbabwe partnered Culture Fund and European Union to come up with with an online performance.

The Program is running under the theme “Rethinking Arts and pandemics Project” The performance was recorded live at Charles Austin Theatre where 35 artists performed live on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube . Some of the artists who performed are Mambo Guramatunhu (The Poe) Blessing WekwaMaramba, John Guma and the Black Africa Band among others. My Age has been the backbone of activities at Charles Austin theatre and the Director for the organization, Onward Gibson is part of the Masvingo theatre and arts club which took over running of the theatre from Masvingo Drama club. Since 2012 to 2019 My Age has been working with Patsimeredu edutainment Trust implementing the Buddyz for Luv project. Every school term project reaches out to 20 000 young people in primary, secondary school and in tertiary institutions around the Province with serial age appropriate plays addressing pertinent issues like HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancies, school dropouts, drug and substance abuse, menstrual health, intergenerational relationships among others. In 2019 the Youth organization also launched MAYA (Masvingo Youth Arts Festival) under the theme: Youth Participation in Civic Engagement through the Arts.

The Festival has brought back an e-learning and exchange platform for the arts sector in Masvingo and beyond. ct*theme 35 artists perfomed live on Facebook Youtube The COVID-19 crisis hits hard at arts, culture, and the creative economy, this includes industries such as film as well as creative occupations such as musicians, artists, performers, and artistic designers. The RAP project will be a platform for artists to showcase their talent on online platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram in response to challenges that came with lockdown restrictions. The project will also capacitate artists to be able to use online platforms for their work and capacity building topics include social media marketing, professionalism, entrepreneurship, brand management and content creation. The project will also play a part in the COVID19 response not only by following regulations during activities but also raise awareness through music, poetry and short videos. Last Friday night saw an opportunity of artists showcasing their talents, musicians, poets and dancers performing during the live sessions which were broadcasted live on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram. 10 Live sessions were recorded as live and Posted on a New Online TV Station 263 Youth TV! GZTimes online