Wednesday 18 December 2013

Speaking Out Women/Girls Resilience through poetry- Journal

December is a very busy month for poets and creative arts organizers. This the time when poets and artists showcase their solidarity with women ,girl empowerment organizations and other community development project to realizing the resilience displayed by these organizations in fighting against gender based violence/16 days of gender activism, resilience against HIV/AIDS pandemic/World Aids Day, Conservation of environment/National Tree Planting Day.

Women have played a very scintillating role in defending the lives of their communities through various activities. A group of poets both male and female Poetic License 365 are complimenting the excellent and resilient work women are doing with a well packed , iconic poetry evening, a volcanic mixture of known and unknown voices. The event will take place at the book cafe on the 6th of December 2013 from 5.00-730 pm. The Program Poetic License was founded by Young rising poet Tendai Maduwa aka African Kid , the Curating Consultant of the program especially the 6th of December event is international poet/creative/literary projects Expert Mbizo Chirasha.

The Speaking Out Women/Girls Resilience through poetry event will be hosted by Zanele Manhenga aka Uzah Uzah- one prolific and rising Afro Jazz fusionist and Lexta Mafumhe Mutasa aka Dapi- Prominent actor , poet , script writer and dancer and a mesmerizing events presenter. The Poets of the day include Umind/ Peggy Shangwa, Karen Mkwasi , Tinashe Tafirenyika , Sharon Andrew , So profound ,Ticha Muzavazi , Shoes Lambada ,Derreck Mpofu ,Orator,Dapi , Black Poet , Afrikan Kid,Muzvare Betty Makoni,Sista Zai,Mutumwa Pavi, Dzonze the Poet.

Who is Who Speaking Out Women/Girls Resilience through Poetry.

Tinashe Tafirenyika- rising up young female poets with a sweaty, crispy ,resonating voice.Regular winner of the Poetry Slam, Zimbabwe. Perfomed at 100 Thousand Poets for Change -Zimbabwe Chapter 2013. Tinashe Participated at the 2013 Protest Arts International Festival University Zimbabwe.

Dege- Iconic , mesmerizing , award winning , intellegent , funny filled and dramatic poet , filled with great maturity and artistic exuberence.
Peggie aka Umind - Strong Voice in Poetry circles , contributed much of her poetry at thebook cafe , Women and Gender Official programs .One of the official poets at Macfest Zimbabwe 2012.She is part of the Poetic License 365 December theme- she will bring new feeling and unique touch to the festival .
Sista Zai- She is an international having graced Australian stages with her mesmerizing volcanic voice , a poetry touch and she makes vivid experimentation with poetic forms. The poet exudes with talent and great motivation as well as confidence.

Muzvare Betty Makoni- An iconic women/global activist, teacher, counseller, poet and a writer , award winning human and girl child activist. She is bringing a new leaf and breath to the festival.Will be represented by a young girl on the day.

Uzahh UzahhUzah-Uzah- Afro Jazz Fusionist, Poet , Presenter, Writer. Uzah is a well travelled young female musician and artist. She have worked with Dudu Manhenga , Victor Kunonga and other established names. She is bringing her presenting and artistic skills to the festival.

Mbizo ChirashaBlack Poet /Mbizo Chirasha- Curating Consultant/Producer of the Speaking Out Women /Girls Resilience through Poetry-Poetic License 365 Event , He is the Administrator of the Poetic License 365 Facebook group. He is the Founder/Creative Director of GirlchildCreativity Project,Country Coordinator of 100 Thousand Poets for Change-GirlchildVoicesFiesta. He is a member of World Pulse. International Poet ,Writer, Creative /Literary Projects Expert.

Ticha MuzavaziTicha Muzavazi- Celebrated Shona Poet , Coordinator of Special Schools arts festival , Mbira teacher and producer. Well travelled in Southern Africa . His last international show was in Botswana at a Poetry Festival. Ticha Muzavazi is a soft spoken poet with deep metaphors and double shona irony.He is bringing maturity and depth to the festival.

Tinashe MuchuriMutumwa Pavi- Well known Shona Perfomance Poet . The popular poet have graced and intertained at a number of festivals, gatherings, book fairs and was one of the founding poets of the House of Hunger poetry Slam. He is well published and well travelled. The poet is bringing sharp simplicity and pricking laughter to the Festival.

Sharon Sherlize AndrewSharon Andrew- Young epitomic, confident and futureful poet. She believes in commercializing poetry and taking to a higher level . She is also a professional Model , Event organizer and good speaker. The Poet is bringing ambiance and glow to the festival.

So-Profound- Iconic , volcanic and fast rising young poet with a fusionist voice that resembles celebrated poet of the United States of America ADDISA.The poet is full of intellect ,wit and optimistic. The young poet graced a lot of vital and official events.He got a lot of awards from the Poetry Slam Zimbabwe. He does his poetry with exuding passion.

Karen Mkwasi- A film maker, Film events Manager, Writer ,Poet and WFOZ chairperson. The poet graced a lot of events with her work. She is a major contributor to the processes of International Images Film Festival. She is bringing resonance to the Festival.

Marshall SangoOrator- Young generation poet with unquestionable talent and passion. The young man touches on a lot of themes from environment, love , politics ,cultural and social issues. He have performed at 2013 Shoko Festival and very much contributing to the growth of poetry in Zimbabwe. The Poet is bringing bloom and a youthful touch to the festival.

Vokal Da Poet- Husky voiced, wit , intelligent , unpredictable poet . Well socializing, flexible and easy going. His Poetic art is full of thunder, hope , depth and literary wizadry.The poet is full of strong jargon. He is verbose, he experiments truly with poetry . He is in love with English Language, metaphors, irony and satire. The poet brings literary prowess to the Festival.

Robson Isaac ShoesLambadaRobson Shoes - Lambada- persistent poet , hardworking , Coordinator of Zimbabwe poets for human rights , country representative of global experience , well travelled , highly recognised and popular in poetry circles. Will bring poetic beauty and ambiance as well as maturity to the festival.

Xapa- International acclaimed female poet , have grace a number of both international ,regional and local festivals. She is endowed with great love and deisre to see the rising of women and girls in all spheres of life. An excellent and educative perfomer . Icall her our Zimbabwean Maya Angelou. She brings motherly passion to the festival.

Tendai MaduwaAfrikan Kid- Founder of the Poetic License , represented Zimbabwe in Kenya in a big international Poetry festival . Poetry works published in various journals exudes with a lot of zeal and passion for developing poetry in Zimbabwe . Travelling for an Indian festival in this month of December.

Edward DzonzeEdward Nzonze- High rising poet will to participate in unique programs of creativity and arts . Exudes with detail, intellect and verbose very proud of his art . A regular artist/poet at House of Hunger Poetry Slam and Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights events.

Dapi - Humorous, well thought , thought provoking dramatist , writer , poet , lecturer and presenter. He is the Poet of hope , very popular of highly recommended vocci and syntax. His rhyme, assonance and rhythm is strong. The Poet exhibit a lot of maturity, creative touch He is the Director of Shagada Productions and featured on a number of Television Soapies and Production. He will be presenting on the Festival as host.

Dereck MpofuDereck Mpofu - Singer extraordinaire, artist par excellence, patriot. Well known for his powerful, educative song CHISIKANA ZIMBABWE. Good will Ambassador for environment. The Green Ambassador. Well Known for his hypnotic creativity and artistic excellence.

We have a strong belief and Zeal to see more people taking part in this program Speaking out Women Resilience through Poetry.

Written and compiled by Mbizo Chirasha
Curating Consultant- Speaking out Women Resilience through poetry

Wednesday 20 November 2013

About Mbizo Chirasha:-Biography





Mbizo Chirasha is an internationally acclaimed Performance poet, Writer, Creative /Literary Projects Specialist, an Advocate of Girl Child Voices and Literacy Development .He is the Founder and Projects Curator of a multiple Community, Literary, and Grassroots Projects including Girl Child Creativity Project, Girl Child Voices Fiesta-100 Thousand Poets for Change, Urban Colleges Writers Prize, and Young Writers Caravan.
Mbizo Chirasha has worked with NGOS and other institutions as an Interventionist [using creative arts as models of community education, information dissemination and dialogue].The interventions include HIV/AIDS Branding Project [Social Family Health Namibia 2009 - 2010 ], HIV/AIDs Nutrition Project[Catholic  Relief Services 2006] , Arts for Drought Mitigation[Swedish Cooperative Centre2006]
He is widely published in more than Hundred Journals, Magazines, and Anthologies around the world. He Co-edited  Silent Voices Tribute to Achebe Poetry Anthology , Nigeria and the Breaking Silence Poetry anthology,Ghana.His Poetry collections include Good Morning President ,Diaspora Publishers , 2011 , United Kingdom and Whispering Woes of Ganges and Zambezi,Cyberwit Press ,India ,2010.
 He was the Poet-in-Residence from 2001-2004 for the Iranian embassy/UN Dialogue among Civilizations Project; Focal Poet for the United Nations Information Centre from 2001-2008; Convener/Event Consultant This Africa Poetry Night 2004 - 2006; Official Performance Poet Zimbabwe International Travel Expo in 2007; Poet in Residence of the International Conference of African Culture and Development/ ICACD 2009; and Official Poet Sadc Poetry Festival, Namibia 2009.In 2010 Chirasha was invited as an Official Poet in Residence of ISOLA Conference in Kenya.
In 2003 Mbizo Chirasha was a Special Young Literary Arts Delegate of Zimbabwe International Book Fair to the Goteborg International Book Fair in Sweden. He performed at Sida/African Pavilion, Nordic African Institute and Swedish Writers Union. In 2006  was invited to be the only Poet /Artist in Residence at Atelier Art School in Alexandra Egypt. In 2009 was a Special participating Delegate representing Zebra Publishing House at the UNESCO   Photo –Novel Writing Project in Tanzania..
Mbizo  Chirasha works as a   Performing Poet for Educational, Diplomatic, International, National, Media and Cooperate organizations .He also works as a Proof Reader/Editor , Poet /Writer in Residences for Institutions , Media Relations Strategist for  projects,GirlChildVoices /Talent Advocate, Literacy Development Activist and Creative/Literary Projects Advisor/Specialist.