ERESINA Hwede, producer for the now celebrated short film competition Jakwara asserts that her life revolves around the arts.
In short, she can best be described as a multi-faceted arts practitioner whose talent stretches across many fields which includes and not limited to creative writing, editing, play and poet writing, film production, script writing, digital storytelling, training in digital storytelling and publishing.
Natured through both formal education and personal drive, Hwede finds confidence in making it known that all conflicts and issues of concern regarding a person’s personal and psychological development can be shared and resolved peacefully and in a satisfying manner. In like manner, Hwede stood firm to say the Jakwara Short Film Competition is a peaceful conversation platform created through submission of short films that spearhead development and family unions through sharing advice.
“Jakwara is now in its third phase since its inception and encourages research on issues that need correction or promotion in Zimbabwean culture. The Jakwara third phase is now on and the competition is based on 10 to 15 films produced on research findings on any form of dating or marriage courtship that one is familiar with,” she informed NewsDay Life & Style.
“Producers are free to make as many submissions as possible. We are working on the film competition in conjunction with 3Ktv, Nhaka TV and Nhosvo Media channels including several online platforms.”
Hwede is a creative communication for development specialist who has worked as a communication consultant in several developmental projects which used film and radio as a medium for communication. She holds a BA General Degree and BSc Special Honours in Economics, certificate in Arts and Culture Management, a certificate in Screen Writing, a certificate in Business and The Arts Management, a certificate in Result-Based Management and a certificate in Digital Story-Telling, among several other testimonials.
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Hwede has taken part in other publications like Light a Candle, a collection of short stories and In the Wake of our Shadows, a book promoting lives of women living with children with disabilities which she published in conjunction with the Zimbabwean Women Writers.
When NewsDay Life & Style chatted with Hwede on the sidelines of the last edition of the International Images Film Festival for Women where she was part of the adjudicators she said: “Jakwara Short Film Competition replaces a physical Shona tradition and creates peer amongst the youth through becoming knowledgeable of their culture while avoiding harmful practices through listening to film narratives. Jakwara in Shona tradition can be equated to Nhimbe which are traditional festival were families brewed beer and asked other villagers to help them thresh their grain and would reward their good work over beer and lunch.
“Jakwara would allow people in a community to put away their differences on past grievances and would sit down and iron out their differences in a calm and respectable conversation. Most important, during a Jakwara break the elders would take lead in conversations on issues to do with sexuality, dating and courtship for marriage amongst other societal concerns.”
Hwede further opened up that cultural safeguarding and reinstatement entertainment mediums like the Jakwara Short Film Competition are important because they help inform people about challenges faced in day to day lives.
“People tend to act wisely when they are warned of consequences of certain conducts and in like manner shape their behaviour in such a way that would make them good versions of themselves,” she added.