The Sunday News
Mbongeni Msimanga, Sunday Leisure Reporter
RENOWNED dancer Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi and female film maker Priscilla Sithole-Ncube were last week honoured with awards at the Women Arts Festival (Wafest) for their outstanding work in the showbiz industry.
Ndebele-Sibindi and Sithole-Ncube came out tops in their categories.
Ndebele-Sibindi scooped the best dance accolade that also featured the late Elizabeth “Katarina” Taderera.
The late Katarina was once one of the most popular female musicians and dancers in the country and also featured in a local drama, Mukadota Family.
Sithole-Ncube managed to scoop the best film award, in a stiff competition that had the likes of renowned author and film maker Tsitsi Dangerembga.
Sithole-Ncube, who is no stranger to the film industry with a career spanning 25 years, said her work gained recognition, as it was aimed at uplifting women.
“My work mainly addresses the plight of women. I mainly do films for women, outreach programmes and documentaries. I am elated to have achieved this award as I fought off stiff competition from film legend Tsitsi Dangerembga,” she said.
Sithole-Ncube runs a film academy that seeks to equip women with skills in film.
“I have done well in the film industry and there are a number of films that I have also directed. I have a film academy that mainly trains women and I believe the award was well deserved,” she said.
Wafest is an annual event hosted by Young Voices Network.
The festival celebrates the achievements of female artistes in Zimbabwe and creates a platform for female artistes to showcase their talents.
The festival has been running since 2013 and empowers female artistes to use their various art forms to respond to gender inequalities in their communities.
This year, a total of 18 women who contributed to the development of arts in Zimbabwe since independence were honoured.
Apart from Ndebele-Sibindi and Sithole-Ncube others were: Mbuya Mlambo, Joyce Jenje Makwenda, Tsitsi Dangerembga, Pretty Xaba, Patricia Mabviko, Netsai Mukomberanwa, Susan Chenjerai, Elizabeth Taderera, Dorothy Masuku, Stella Chiweshe, Dorris Kampira, Rumbi Katedza, Annie Mpalume, Virginia Phiri, Beula Dyoko and Freedom Nyamubaya.
