ENTERPRISING music teacher Tatenda Chioniso Rushwaya has pleaded for more space to capacitate female artistes into professionalism.
The singer, songwriter and mbira player runs a female artiste training hub, Vasikana Dzidza, which serves as a nurturing ground for female creatives and a catalyst for creativity, resilience and female empowerment in the community of music.
Rushwaya has set June 24 to July 1 for the Vasikana Dzidza Music Camp in Domboshava. Vasikanaka dzidza is an imperative Shona phrase which means “girls get educated.”
Rushwaya told NewsDay Life & Style that she will be running a training programme to capacitate female artistes.
“The aim is to nurture the female artistes’ musical talents, enhance their skills, teach them how to play instruments like mbira, acoustic guitar, song writing, percussion and provide a platform for artistic expression,” she said.
“The initiative is powered by partner mum Cathy Mhlanga of Vision of Hope. Vision of Hope is a Christian ministry based in Domboshava whose mission is derived from its name, which is to give a vision of hope to the less fortunate and disadvantaged in the community.”
She said Vasikana Dzidza was a training hub for female artistes which served as a catalyst for creativity, resilience and female empowerment in the community of music.
Rushwaya’s star continues to shine after launching Ku-Mbira Lounge in April 2023. She said Ku-Mbira Lounge was a social event that promoted inspiring conversations between emerging and seasoned creatives while telling their stories through mbira music, original musical compositions and poems accompanied by the mbira instrument. The Ku-Mbira Lounge project is one of her ways of ensuring cultural preservation and restoration which has been a favourite to many.
A graduate from Music Crossroads Academy, Rushwaya emphasised that the girl child should prioritise education and professional development ahead of anything else.
She appreciates the role her parents played in moulding her to be the person she is today.
Rushwaya said the hub would host 10 female artistes.
“There is vast room for accommodating more participants as we wish to impact the girl child in all corners of Zimbabwe.”
Rushwaya’s Vasikana Dzidza training hub is one of many existing efforts that have recently emerged in empowering the girl child through provision of relevant skills.
