The Sunday Mail
Andrew Moyo
THE month of March was dedicated to celebrating women as they were appreciated and applauded for their political, economic and social achievements.
International World Women’s Day on March 8 marked the official celebrations.
But celebrating women should not end with the folding of March. It should be a continuous thing — from birth until death.
In the arts sector, there are several women who deserve the “iron lady tag”, having made significant contributions to the growth of the industry.
While this creative field has been known to be dominated by men, these women have pushed their craft to levels many can only dream of.
Names that have easily come to mind are Chiwoniso Maraire, Busi Ncube, Stella Chiweshe, Jesesi Mungoshi, Berry Bickle, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Dorothy Masuka, Mai Charamba, Barbara “Mai Red Rose” Chikosi and Fungisai Zvakavapano among others.
Music fans have witnessed the resurgence of Fungisai Zvakavapano following her transition to Zim dancehall, which has seen her releasing numerous hits that have put her back in the limelight.
Despite her recent triumphs, it must be remembered that she was one of the finest gospel musicians on the local scene.
Boasting of over 10 successful gospel albums, she has successfully transformed herself in line with prevailing market trends.
Her courage and willingness to experiment has guaranteed that she stays relevant in the cut-throat arts industry.
Hits like “Ndauya Ndega”, “Ndosimuka Ndomutevera”, “Toita Zvedenga”, “Pasi Paenda”, “Mwari Makanaka”, “Ndiye Jesu”, “Kurarama Ndimi” are part of the works that have made Fungisai tick since the turn of the millennium.
Her “Vanondibatirana”, which featured top Zim dancehall artiste Killer T, was an instant hit and duly won her a Zim Dancehall Award for Best Collaboration.
Berry Bickle is one of the names that comes to mind when one thinks of the visual arts.
Having been in the game for over three decades, Bickle is one of the most successful visual artistes in Zimbabwe, outshining many others both locally and internationally.
Her work has been has been seen at prestigious exhibitions in countries like Cuba, France, Finland, Mozambique, South Africa, Spain, England, The Netherlands, the US, Israel, India, Italy and Japan.
In 2010 Bickle became a Rockefeller Foundation Creative Arts Fellow and the following year, she was part of the team that exhibited at the Zimbabwean pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia 54th International Art Exhibition.
The film industry has in recent times been criticised for failing to produce exceptional films as it did in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Among the actors who featured in these successful films of yore is the legendary Jesesi Mungoshi, popularly known for her roles in movies like “Neria”, “African Journey”, “African Journey 2” and various television dramas.
“Neria” did not only become Zimbabwe’s highest grossing film, but it also gave birth to one of the most recognisable characters in the history of local film, thanks to Oliver Mtukudzi’s song of the same title.
Mungoshi recently made a comeback on the small screen in the drama series “Muzita Rababa”.
No one can deny that like fine wine, she is getting better with age.
Another lady who has been a shining light in the arts industry is Tsitsi Dangarembga, whose literary prowess is undoubted.
Her debut novel, “Nervous Condition”, was a major success, winning the African section of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize in 1989 and considered one of the 12 best African novels ever written.
She has also made a massive contribution to the local film industry, writing the story for “Neria” and directing “Everyone’s Child”, another big movie to come out of Zimbabwe.
Last year, she was selected by the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center for their 2015 Artistes in Residency Programme.
