A groundbreaking exhibition that showcases the artistic talents of young Zimbabweans aged between seven and 14 has been launched at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Harare.
The exhibition will be showcased for a week.
Africa Alive! Uncovering Africa Through Young Eyes is an exhibition by the children from Kids’ African History Club.
The Kids’ African History Club is dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation for Africa’s heritage among the next generation. Through art, the club aims to ignite curiosity, critical thinking and a sense of belonging.
NGZ executive director Raphael Chikukwa told IndependentXtra that the project is important as it empowers children in African storytelling.
“African stories are well captured in this exhibition, from our cultural heritage to our sad stories of cultural genocide that happened during the slave trade. It’s all shown in this exhibition,” Chikukwa said. “The exhibition is a tool for them to express themselves through art. The artworks are true reflections of the voices of our diverse kids, which is impressive. We better catch them young for they are the future historians.”
The club is the brainchild of wellness coach and conversation architect, Nomkhita Ndlovu. It started as a response to a gap in the homeschooling community for a quality curriculum that introduced African history.
“This exhibition would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the parents from the Homeschool Club who firmly resolved to sow seeds into their children’s future by enrolling them in the course,” Ndlovu said during her speech at the exhibition opening last Friday.
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The participants are namely Aliyah Michaela Ndlovu, Cleo Julia Wakeling, Ian Mhiza, Janelle Chikomo, Jasper Wakeling, Jelani Chikomo, Juna Wakeling, Mayah Jordan Ndlovu, Micah Ndlovu, Mufaro Tsanga, Munesu Tsanga, Phoebe Albertyn, Rudo Tsanga, Rumbidzai Tsanga and Zoe Mhiza.
The exhibition uncovers Africa through young eyes. The young contributors are all part of the club, which focuses on Africa’s ancient civilisations and vibrant cultures. The dynamic showcase features a diverse range of artwork exploring Africa’s rich and complex history, from ancient civilisations to the continent’s contemporary challenges.
Through painting, sculpture and other creative mediums, the young artists delve into themes such as geography, cultural heritage and the fight for freedom.
The exhibition consists of artworks that have a geological overview of Africa, its wildlife and diverse cultures as well as the powerful kingdoms of West Africa, the rise of lslam in Africa versus Christianity in Africa and the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
The exhibition is a collaborative effort between the NGZ and the Kids’ African History Club. It serves as a call to action for educators, parents and policymakers to prioritise African history in the curriculum.
Ndlovu is a seasoned conversations architect with proven experience in creative and strategic communications, public relations, fundraising, research, video and podcast production and event organisation.
She has worked with some leading brands such as the American private foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, the talk event platform TED (New York), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and McKinsey & Co, a global management consulting firm, among others.
