South Africa: Empowerment Organization Girlchildcreativity Grows
By Martin Chemhere – Johannesburg: The young but vibrant creative empowerment project is realizing huge growth with local media buzz leading to unprecedented awareness around Harare city and many parts of the country.
Mbizo Chirasha - The Black Poet
Form today until the first week of August, Girlchildcreativity (www.girlchildcreativity.blogspot.com) will host a collaboration young females talent showcase and dinner in conjunction with the New Ambassador Hotel at the new hotel in Harare.
Coming together are artists and students from 3 schools to participate in a performance for schools such as Hopely Farm, Premier College (Hatcliffe) and Chiedza Childcare centre from Mbare. Taking part are artists Elsa Kamsoda, Vasadza, Mutumwa Pavi, Amanandos Dance Group, Trybe Africa, Petina and Friends, Victor Moyo, Ruvimbo Mtasa, Doc Vikela.
Another major promising event lined up is the Mind Blast Discussion at the Book Café , and a collaboration between the Book Café, Pamberi Trust and Girlchildcreativity. Speakers include Mbizo Chirasha, Masimba Biriwasha, Flow Child and Patience Gamu Tavengwa.
Since its launch in June this year support has also been rolling from organizations like the US Embassy’s Public Affairs department as well the New Ambassador Hotel, Harare.
The idea kicked off with an activity supported by The US Embassy and in the form of a seminar, motivating creativity in girls. It drew participants from schools around the city that send girls to brainstorm on issues pertaining to talent realization and self worth. Slum Cinema was the other collaborators in the event.
During the day of the African Child this year, Girlchildcreativity was hosted by Chiedza Childcare centre in Ardbenie, near Mbare for a workshop on creative motivation. Female students from Seke and Mbare participated in events facilitated by young female poets including Black Heat Deshanti, Breezy, Flow Child, Rutendo Tapiwa, and Eve Nyemba among others. The workshops touched on how to identify talent, self belief; self worth, writing skills and poets also gave a brief of their experiences as female artists. A writers competition was included in the programming with young girls wining books , meals, cash and writing books as well as certificates to honor their writing and creative skills.
“We will keep working with all our current stakeholders – international governmental institutions, local NGOs, creative institutions, private business, media, artists of all genres , the government and other players,” said Mbizo Chirasha, producer and creative director of Girlchildcreativity.
