Hodzeko launches eight books, website
Shesham senior official, Happiness Dziva cuts a ribbon to officially launch the books. On the right is Hodzeko Board Chairperson, Mavis Koslek.
Midlands -based Hodzeko Arts and Culture Association affiliates has published eight short stories and poetry books which they simultaneously launched with their website last Friday at the Gweru Memorial Library.
The English Shona and Ndebele books titled “The Bleeding Tree, Long Night ending, Tipindewo mudariro, Ngoma yedzimbabwe, Gangaidzanwa, Mhere yenduri, Yorira ngoma yedzimbabwe, and Inkondlo ezindlobonhlobo” signal the authors’ uniqueness in style and inevitably in themes when one compares it with other 21st century poetry.
The idea for the title Mhere yenduri came from sobbing of poets after learning about the untimeous death of an avid writer, editor, proofreader and a revolutionist of art Godwin Muzari. The concept of death is discerned and captured in most of the poems in this anthology. These poems express human emotions and their reactions to death.
The sole purpose of the title is to demonstrate tribute, condolences and feelings to the late Godwin Muzari, a fellow Writer, is a dedication to the late veteran arts journalist, Godwin Muzari.
“The Bleeding Tree is an enclave of a condensed pain from entangled voices. The poetry anthologies echoes the accapella of poets in anguish in seclusion, grief, emotional, physical and psychological bloodbath”, sighted one writer Amstrom Mabhodyera.
The self-published books and some published by Essential Book Publisher and Dream Discovery recently launched are ideologically diatribes against the condensation of weaker individuals by the stronger, the young by the old and the ruled by the rulers make you feel the dreams, the anxieties, the loss and yet the natural humanity of Zimbabwe’s intellectual 21st century writers.
The well attended launch in Gweru was exciting as it also turned out to be a literary confluence of Midlands poets in particular and Zimbabwe poets. The colourful event were the books were physically launched by launched by one of Midlands’ legitimate and biggest land developers, Shesham Investments, Director Clever Mandaza.
Speaking on his behalf ,his personal assistant Happiness Dziva hailed Hodzeko for the perseverance.
“I am happy; Hodzeko looked beyond covid 19 threats, turning the associated challenges into opportunities. Through networking, it managed to establish a website and through the use of virtual platforms, managed to achieve some of its annual calendar objectives, “he said.
On the same event Hodzeko website was officially launched by its France site sponsor, Dr Tendayi Munyebvu. The Doc who officially opened the site through virtual platform skype urged the authors to read widely.
Although the guest of Honour, described the launch as have described it as artistic obligation bearing fruits, it offers a deep view of how Hodzeko watered the emerging provincial literature’s gardens of hope with top class essayists’ opportunities.
Had these books not been launched, who would have known some of the association’s authors are also brilliant performers? Before the launch, the poets recited a few poems from their new books, which they performed much to the amazement of everyone.
Artists join fight against destructive mining
SHURUGWI -Midlands Arts Association have roped in its Shurugwi and Gweru district affiliates to assist in the fight against environmental degradation and destructive mining through multilingual community radio plays.
This follows reports that most mining activities are leaving open pits which endangers both humans and
livestock. The programme, which is being spearheaded by Hodzeko Arts and Culture Association (HACA) and its affiliates High Voltage Poets from Gweru and Dorset Performing Arts from Shurugwi, seeks to educate communities to guard against destructive mining.
According to the association’s chairperson Mavis Koslek, the program was inspired by a research
undertaken by Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association (ZELA) titled: “Covid-19: Mining Sector and Communities Situational Reports.”
“Our aim is to provide advice to victims related to Covid-19 and mining activities. Some of the contents
for the play was borrowed from ZELA’s Report. The radio play is a continuation of our efforts to communicate with various communities after finding out how they would like policy makers to solve the Coronavirus, environment and natural resources affairs,” she said.
The script, which is now being polished, was co-written by Dorset Performing Arts’ experienced and dynamic
script writers, Siphosami Ndlovu and Charlton Nyoni.
The video teasers and trailers have already stolen the hearts of many on some social media platforms.
“I am so excited that some of our promotional video clips of the poetry and plays are receiving overwhelming
support on social media platforms,” Koslek added.
Artistic Director and script writer Ndlovu said the production has 20 episodes in Shona, English and Ndebele
versions.
“I am extremely happy that the association success story is being brought to life. Art is very important
especially during these trying times.People always pay attention when it is acting, singing or poetry, hence we
believed we can do our bit to the intended awareness through audio and short visual productions.
“It is in this respect that we are coming up with such hilarious and educative artistic contents,” he said.
Ndlovu added that their creativity comes from the curiosity revolving around destructive mining and raise
awareness on the environmental impacts caused.