ZIMBABWE-born South Africa-based television and film personality Jerome Galiao who stars in the feature film series Scandal as Nyasha Mugari is in the country.
He will feature at this year’s Let Them Festival slated for July 27 to 29 at the Let Them Cultural Centre in Domboshava as a workshop clinician and a competition adjudicator for poetry, music and theatre competitions.
Galiao, who is famed for his enthralling humour on such television shows as the then ZBC screened Youth Dot Com and Estate Blues, says his Super Model accolade opened doors for him leading to his appearance in the Mzansi television series Zabalaba, The Queen before he eventually made it to his main job acting as a gynaecologist in Scandal.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Let Them Festival Press conference held at the National Arts Gallery of Zimbabwe, Galiao said he was more than delighted to mix and mingle with diverse talent from home and intended to link with the arts powerhouse Elysian Management which propelled him to fame.
Performances by poet Augustine Kondiwa aka Nyanduri Nyama and Taliana Natalie Kondo, a spoken word artist, were interesting highlights at the Press conference. Kondo became the toast of the day through a scintillating hip-hop chant.
The Press conference had a unique feel and novelty because it allowed the artists to dominate and communicate through their various art forms.
“It is a pity that most artists always wish to get connected through friends and post their applications to wrong channels. Artists should register themselves with the National Arts Council and several arts management agencies for effective and relevant placement,” said Galiao.
“As a hint or tip, mastering local languages is important because all South African broadcast stations and media houses require actors who are culturally diverse and fluent in one or two African languages or dialects.
“In Scandal I was selected because I am fluent in Shona. Art is an imitation of life. What one does in real life should be fully portrayed in acting or artistry. I play the role of a gynaecologist and I have done extensive research on best practice and terminology associated with the gynaecologist profession.”
Asked about his acting creativity, Galiao said when acting he goes beyond the script in order to provide the storylines their much-desired natural feel. As for health gains, he recommended that circumcision for boys should be the first step towards building confidence and health hygiene.
“I have to convince myself first that I am a gynaecologist. As for the current trends on men and women on sexuality, there should be a comprehensive media awareness campaign on male sexual health.
“Cervical cancer is a reality and we all have to be aware of it. There is also testicular cancer and we all have to know about it,” he said.
“When it comes to sexuality, we have put too much focus on the girl child than boys. We have to educate boys on testicular cancer, among other teachings. During the Let Them Festival, I am going to spend some time with boys because a lot of work has already been done with the girls.”
Let Them Trust programmes manager, Paidamoyo Mabhurugwa said this year’s Let Them Festival was themed Njabulo, Ndebele term for happiness, and will be headlined by Zimbabwean music Stars Amara Brown and Alexio Kawara.
Mabhurugwa said Voice2REP, a union of talented socially conscious artists would launch its album Hurukuro Expression at the festival where there would be other performances from the Zimbabwe College of Music, Music Consultancy Society, Music Cross Roads and schools which will be competing in music, poetry and drama.
Highlights of the competitions will be Ubuntu for Poetry contest; a rendition of Soul Jah Love song for musicians; and a Statutory Rape theme for thespians.
Music teacher Prince Nyeredzi promised great performances from his Ocean Waves Schools Performing Arts Clubs.
Let Them Trust founding director Chido Musasiwa said her passion for a gender responsive cultural drive emanated from her rural home experience where she used to listen to folk stories and engage in traditional dances.
Musasiwa, who attended school in Australia, revealed that her constant visits to the rural areas helped in restoring her cultural identity as a Zimbabwean.