Dhamu: Voices from the Tent scoops two awards

By The NewsDay | Dec. 20, 2014 | 2 Min read

JOURNALIST Terry Mutsvanga and filmmaker Kumbulani Zamuchiya have been awarded with two accolades by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association as recognition of their great works in the documentary film Dhamu: Voices from the Tent.

Mutsvanga won the Outstanding Journalist Award for 2014 in recognition for his outstanding works in defending Human Rights in the groundbreaking film produced in July 2014.

The film also won the best documentary of the year accolade with Zamuchiya being honoured for his work in directing the film An elated Mutsvanga could not his joy and gave tribute to the people of Chingwizi.

“I feel honoured to be given such a prestigious award and I dedicate it to the people of Chingwizi and millions of suffering citizens who endure daily hardships such as lack of adequate food, water healthcare and employment. The government should start providing safety nets that cushion the poor. I will continue working in defending and exposing human rights violations,” he said.

The award handover ceremony was scheduled for yesterday in Bulawayo.

Dhamu: Voices from a Tent was chronicled after Mutsvanga was moved by the plight of the people of Tokwe-Mukosi villagers who were forcibly evicted to Chingwizi transit camp to make way for the construction of a dam.

The evictions were triggered after the incomplete Tokwe-Mukosi dam spilled sending huge water volumes downstream and swallowing hundreds of homes.

At Chingwizi, the villagers were forced to endured five months of untold suffering characterised by lack of food and health care. They were then kicked off to small plots of land without any compensation.