SAYWHAT, a youth and student centered organisation which works around sexual reproductive health (SRH) says they are ready to host the creative Reproductive health arts for transformation (CRAFT) festival on the 22nd of October 2022 in Harare.
By Patricia Mashiri
The CRAFT is a national event that brings together winners of The CHASE competition drawn from all provinces around Zimbabwe. Its participants are first position winners in poetry, drama, music and public speaking. A total of 36 winners from across provinces will be participating at the festival.
Running under the theme “Amplifying Young people’s voices on Sexual Reproductive Health and Gender Based Violence through Art,” participants are supposed to develop and contextualize the performances around the theme.
Mr Leo Munyonho, Senior Programs Officer,SAYWHAT said they were ready to host the 36 participants in Harare for the finals.
We are supporting these young people come to Harare on the 21st of October and will compete on the 22nd . Our panel of judges are derived from different art sectors and who have expertise in the areas. We will emerge with national winners.
“The next stage will be promoting their content nation wide. We will help them record and master. They are giving to present one song at the competition but of course thy have other songs. We are expecting these young people to emerge, to start recording albums etc,” Mr Munyonho said.
He added that the CRAFT refers to the creativity that young people embed in their products as they seek to influence positive behaviours in their respective communities.
Costa Nkomo, the Information and Communications Officer said there were more than ready and for the first of its own kind festival.“We are also expecting big artists to grace this occasion the likes of Freeman, Alick Macheso, Enzo Ishall among others. They will perform as interlude during the competition.
Meanwhile, Bridgetti Mambondiani, the CRAFT festival poetry finalist and a third year law student at the University of Zimbabwe promised a high quality of performance.
“The thing that moves me more in life and makes me put more effort is from my siblings because they look up to their sister, so I send that image that they have to be go-getters.
“You should expect fireworks because I am all in, I am all prepared, I am sure you are also preparing your fire presentations. Yes it is a competition but let us have fun, enjoy and network,” said Mambondiani.
Mambondiani has been a poetry writer for years and is very excited as the with CHASE Competition providing her with a platform to try out performing it and showing the world her talent as a young artist. The SAYWHAT has been implementing a lot of projects for the youths as a way of creating positive communities who are free of drug and substance abuse, gender based violence free and who are aware of sexual reproductive health.
