IncubatorZW Launches ‘HerStory’ 

By CtO Banks

In August, British Council in partnership with Zimbabwe German Society and Alliance Francaise de Bulawayo made an open call for young female creatives with innovative ideas that they wanted to pursue. One of the successful applicants was Incubator ZW with an idea called HerStory which they selected young female artists to participate in an innovative, new and exciting performance concept.

To date the on the 13th of December 2018, HerStory had its premiere performance at the Alliance Francaise Old Mutual Theatre in Harare. The production, successfully had the audience at the edge of their seats, experiencing an amalgamation of emotions. The three artists – Vera Chisvo (The Voice), Tanya Ngundu (The Words) and Lynsey Lynn (The Dance) brought vast experience from their different fields which made the performance a one of a kind experience. The unique performance was a cross sector showcase where poetry (The Words), music (The Voice) and choreography (The Dance) meet in an intrinsic web of high quality creativity.

HerStory is the combination of the experiences females in Zimbabwe go through and creatively explores the various aesthetics to deal with these experiences. The aim is to create synergies between young female artists of different backgrounds to work together.

Some of the audience members said, “This performance was electric, these ladies are destined for greatness.”

This exciting, whirlwind of a performance is now set for Bulawayo Arts Extra, that will be taking place this December ending early January. Arts Extra is a follow up festival from Intwasa which now has been rebranded to Arts Extra from its previous name of Intwasa Arts Extra. It has also introduced new products that have never been seen before in Bulawayo.

“What I can say is that all the performances will be new, it is a platform for new products as we usher in a new year,” Raisedon Baya, organiser said.

This year’s programme is not running under any theme.

“We are not running under any theme because we are treating this as a series of shows and not a festival, it’s about ten different shows from different producers and directors and marketed under the same umbrella,” said Baya.

Asked on the reason behind rebranding he said: “We rebranded because Intwasa is not funding the Arts Extra, it is just supporting two events, poetry and comedy, other events are self-funding. It’s a model we are experimenting with.”

Arts Extra is expected to kick-start on the 27th of December by a show called 3sum, by Lady Chawe, Tinashe Tafirenyika and Black Lily, the same day in the evening at Bulawayo theatre there will be a play called Her Story, 28 December, The Witch Hunters at Bulawayo Theatre, 29 December Indigenous Language Poetry, 29 December Ukama and Comedy Night, 30 December Thalitha Koum and Who is Wise, 31 December The Last days of King Africa and Zandezi and finally on 1 January Iyasa’s two decades of dance will close the programme.

Vera who is the project lead said, “We were so excited about the showcase in Harare and now we cannot wait to do even better in Bulawayo. Harare showed us so much love and we are eager to get the same love from Bulawayo at Arts Extra on the 27th December 2018”

About Vera

Funky Jazz musician and singer and songwriter. She has performed in Germany, Poland, Botswana and DRC to date. She has also performed at many local festivals such HIFA, Intwasa and Miombo Magic. Vera has worked with many artists such as Tariro neGitare, Kojo Robinson (America), Deo Munyakazi (Rwanda) and Mr Rebel (Zimbabwe).

About Lynn: Lynsey Lyn is a choreographer and dancer based in Zimbabwe. She has performed with many local dancers and has performed at Dreamstar, Diwali Festival and Jibilika Dance Festival to name a few. She has also toured China and has done choreography for many artists and brands.

About Tanya: Tanya Ngundu also known as Yanta Limey, is a spoken word poet. She was the third runner up for the Lafarge Poetry Slam and has performed at House of Hunger, Intwasa and Miombo Magic.

For further information contact:

Vera Chisvo
#IncubatorZW Project Lead
Telephone: +263 772 844 613
Email: verachisvo@gmail.com

The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them.

The Zimbabwe German Society/ Goethe Zentrum Harare (ZGS/GZH) is a locally registered Trust, an organization that promotes the development and enrichment of contemporary culture between Zimbabwe and Germany, furthering its interest in educational programs related with culture. The ZGS/GZH was started in 1983, the cooperation partnership with the Goethe Institut a few years later in 1996. ZGS/GZH is a cultural institution and language centre that works within the cultural sector in Zimbabwe across genres and partners on various projects inclusive of projects that foster cultural exchange. It offers German, English, Shona and Ndebele as language courses throughout the year. Over the years we have developed local and international partnerships based on the annual programming we undertake.

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