Of Litfest Masvingo

Of Lifest Masvingo

Big things mostly happen in the big cities, while the small towns seem destined for small things even though the dreams are the same, the opportunities not so much.

I hail from such a small town, always awed and in envy of the creative arts communities in Bulawayo and Harare; a quick check of events and you will find from hip hop conferences to creativity workshops; while the only constant event I can name from home is the Masvingo Drama Festival.

One thing I really love about the internet is that geographic boundaries do not constrain you, everything is a click away whether you are in a smallest of towns or the largest of metro-cities in the global village we might as well as be standing side by side…

While scrolling through my timeline on the interwebs I was delightfully surprised to find Litfest was coming to Masvingo ….again.

LitFest Harare is an annual event, to celebrate Zimbabwean Literature and they are currently running a poetry outreach programme in collaboration with various stakeholders.

Whilst checking out the details for the poetry slam, I was both pleased and dismayed to also discover that a poetry Masterclass was in progress; pleased because I love it when these things happen in the small towns and dismayed at the fact that I was finding out only then, while it was already happening; that it was happening…..

@MaivaSimba presenting about marketing and branding during the poetry master class in Masvingo @ZaMuchemwa @usembassyharare @GlasgowWarriors @UofGlasgow pic.twitter.com/NnksXt9kiR

— LitFest Harare (@litfestharare) February 6, 2019

The poetry workshop covered

• From novice to professional poetry
• Publishing
• Technology, marketing and branding
• Perfecting the art of writing

Facilitators Rudo Chakanyuka, Chirikure Chirikure, Robson Shoes Lambada an Edward Dzonze

I missed out on the workshop but I was there for the slam, the performances were so electric that there was an electricity blackout ok

…. maybe that was not the reason why there was a power cut but still the show went on, first under the light of phone flashlights from the audience and then generator power; mains electricity came back on in time for the final round……

The lineup for the poetry slam had the following ensemble;

• Ngoni The Poet Wenduru
• Lisa Sibanda
• The Cyclone
• Christopher The New Tone
• Takudzwa Mhuru
• Takudzwa Mashoko Mazwi

Intervals between rounds were filled with guest perfomances by Chirikure Chirukre, NRS The Nameless Radio Station, The Preacher

The slam comprised of three elimination rounds, as wordsmiths dished out verbal servings on the poetic platter with a menu ranging from the serious to the whimsical that included identity, jilted lovers, domestic violence, feminism, love and even how to deal with a bad debtors.

A shoutout to the debut performers; it takes heart to stand in front of a group of people and bare your soul… and congrats to the lucky poet of the evening Ngoni The Poet Wenduri

The Litfest team was then heading to Bulawayo for another poetry treat

This is a great initiative in engaging the creative arts and I really feel creatives need to learn how to embrace the digital space establishing the brands that they are, and you can read that as me encouraging people to take up blogging, so the rest of the world can discover the gem that you are and your story……..

~B

Image credits Litfest Harare