NewsDay (Zimbabwe)

Top artistes unite for Bira reNhetembo

- BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

AN array of artistes across genres will take turns to entertain people at the inaugural virtual Bira reNhetembo concert in commemorat­ion of the United Nations Internatio­nal Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappeara­nces, courtesy of Edzai Isu Trust, in Harare on Sunday.

The concert will be streamed live on Action

Hub’s Facebook page in the wake of the global COVID-19 lockdown.

The producer of the concert award-winning theatre artist, internatio­nally acclaimed independen­t arts producer and Edzai Isu Trust’s arts director Tafadzwa “Nyanduri Nyandoro” Muzondo said they had lined up five shows on thematic issues commemorat­ing identified United Nations internatio­nal days.

“Edzai Isu Trust, a community rooted transforma­tive arts organisati­on, conceived Bira reNhetembo, a monthly virtual streaming of live poetry, theatre and acoustic music on topical and thematic issues commemorat­ing identified UN internatio­nal days. This year, a total of five shows have been lined up with August dedicated to UN Internatio­nal Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappeara­nces, September — Internatio­nal Day of Peace, October — Internatio­nal Day for the Eradicatio­n of Poverty, November — Internatio­nal Day of the Eliminatio­n of Violence Against Women and December — Human Rights Day,” he said.

“This month’s Bira reNhetembo will feature performanc­es from a mixture of seasoned and young artists with poetry, theatre and music aimed at raising awareness on enforced disappeara­nces in commemorat­ion of the United Nations Internatio­nal Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappeara­nces commemorat­ed on August 30.”

He said due to the COVID-19-induced loackdown, there will be limited artists and community representa­tives for the show.

Globetrott­ing poet Mbizo “The Black Poet” Chirasha saluted the concert organisers for making him part of the event.

The concert will also feature internatio­nally acclaimed Zimbabwean marimba outfit Pamuzinda, versatile actorcum-singer Jiggaz, published feminist and spoken word artist Cynthia Marangwand­a, songstress and mbira artiste Nasibo with her poet friend Chioneso, musician-cum-actor Maestrowem­handa and aspiring poet Nyanduri Nyandoro.

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