The Sunday News
Rebecca Nyathi Sunday Leisure Reporter
UP and coming female artistes in Bulawayo who felt they were not getting the chance to showcase their artistic prowess can now do so with the formation of Muz’wentombi which is a group that seeks to promote females in arts. The group consists of two directors Zanele Manhenga (29) and Duduzile Sibanda (28).
According to the two ladies, Muz’wentombi is all about promoting up and coming female artistes in the somewhat dog eat dog industry.
“Muz’wentombi is a platform for up and coming artistes. We meet at Bulawayo Book Café every month and give everyone a chance to showcase their talent. Lately, a number of female artistes have managed to show up and present what they have. There are many talented ladies who have managed to come out of their closets with their marvellous talents,” said Manhenga.
The two said since the group was still in its formative stages it was still facing a lot of challenges such as finance.
They, however, said they were determined to make a difference in the lives of female artistes.
One of the artistes, Sanelisiwe Mlilo (27) who started her poetry last year said Muz’wentombi allowed her to grow in her artistic work as they have been promoting her work and building her confidence.
“I do poetry while my partner is playing a violin, it is nice. Muz’wentombi has allowed me to grow in what I do. It has made me improve my confidence. We do not do poetry only, we do everything since we are talented in different ways,” said Mlilo.
Sibanda added that they realised that female artistes were not given a platform to show the public what they can do.
“We want to give female artistes a chance to show the world what they can do. Bulawayo has a few female artistes compared to other cities in this country, it’s not like they are not talented, they are just not given a chance,” said Sibanda.
Muz’wentombi started this year and held their first event at the Book Café early this month. It consists of eight female artistes including Bulawayo’s first female stand up comedian Nomsa Nleya who is also part of Umahlekisa comedy crew.
The ladies have high hopes that Muz’wentombi will grow and many up and coming female artiste will come out of their shells.
