Whilst WeCre8te Afrika was having its 8th edition of the Words Matter show on the 29th of November, one that had them commemorating the 16 days of Activism against gender based violence. You should have been there to see the performances because for that one, I might need an entire day filling you in because I wouldn’t want to leave out any details.
Anywho, on that very day, Starlight and Cuben Voice got to represent WeCre8te Afrika in Harare at the Accountability Incubator Exit Friendraiser and Graduation Ceremony at Accountability Lab Zimbabwe. The feedback they got from the audience was proof enough that they managed to not only represent their mentor SoxThePoet or WeCre8te but rather Bulawayo poets as a whole.
All thanks to the Director of Accountability Lab Zimbabwe Dr. McDonald Lewanika and the programs and Campaigns officer at Accountability Lab Zimbabwe, Mr. Zibusiso Dube, who made sure that the two WeCre8tees got to feel at home. They created an atmosphere that had the poets seizing the opportunity to do what they do best, and that being appealing to the emotions of people and demanding accountability in the leaders at present.
They got to perform in front of the U.S Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Pamela Tremont. I wasn’t there but word on the street says that her reactions indicated that she was taken away by the performances from Cuben Voice and Starlight. Cuben Voice also went on to mention how her biggest highlight throughout the event was her being on stage. The very moment she began to share her story which reflected on gender based violence, she could not help but let out her emotions and the audience wanted more of her performance.
Starlight commented on how her piece was also under the themes of 16 days of activism, particularly touching on the issues of abuse that takes place in institutions but goes unmentioned. Though for her, her biggest highlight was meeting Natalie Gwatirisa, one of the Accounterpreneur graduates and one of the many Climate Justice Activists who inspired her journey towards demanding Climate Action and sustainability within communities.
The two WeCre8tees still continue to comment on how much they are grateful to the kindness that was extended to them throughout the journey. Their stay at Accountability Lab was short but it impacted their careers greatly. They mentioned that they look forward to more of such opportunities because what they experienced in Harare should not be a once in a lifetime moment but however it should be a culture.
Written by: WeCre8te Afrika
