The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
FINGERS Modelling Academy director and one of Zimbabwe’s most dignified artistes, Sarah Mpofu- Sibanda (pictured) has set her eyes on developing and launching a festival centred on celebrating women across the country.
The festival — October Female Festival (Oct-Fem-Fest) will be launched in October, which is women’s month.
Oct-Fem-Fest not only seeks to celebrate the diversity of women alongside the 16 days of activism but also to empower them with knowledge.
“The Festival will be held in Bulawayo; however the venue is yet to be announced. This will be a national event open to all women, and will encompass a variety of festivity disciplines within the arts and culture, inclusive of a diverse showcase of a number of acts such as but not limited to: poetry, music, dance, modelling, theatre, cookery, pottery, motivational speeches, and debates to mention a few ideas,” she said.
Mpofu-Sibanda said the Oct-Fem-Fest will not only celebrate women in society, but would create a pattern of social engagement for a better future for all members of society.
“Where we come from matters less than where we are going, women are the preservers of our norms and values (Omama yibo abagcini bamasiko ethu),” she said.
Mpofu-Sibanda said that women were generally marginalised in society, with most living in a shell.
“The festival will serve as an anchor to try and address this issue, and make women realise that they are more powerful and valuable than they think, or than what society portrays them. It will be the starting point of giving all women a voice; a voice that will empower them through encouragement, strength, opening one’s mind to greater opportunities, and motivate the women of Zimbabwe — the women of Africa, said Mpofu-Sibanda.
It is the festival’s hope to help the women to be able to cope with harsh situations.
“It has become the norm to identify or describe women by using physical features, or stereotyping them using their weaknesses. That is not true, that should stop. A woman is powerful. Showing weakness or pain does not define less important. Dr Michelle Johnstone, in the New Independent Women’s Series, describes a woman as someone who can carry a lot of weight (strong), and have perseverance when the going gets tough.
“She is strong because she can identify when she needs help, and knows what she stands for even if it means standing alone for what is right, and not being changed by what society thinks. Strong, is what a woman is, because being strong is being able to live a balanced life, being capable of doing a lot, but not foolish enough to do more than she is able to. Dr Michelle Johnstone further describes a woman as someone who is independent. A woman is independent through taking responsibility for her life, without allowing societal norms to dictate her life,” said Mpofu-Sibanda.
She said that as this would be the inaugural edition of the event, she would be engaging various stakeholders to petition for funds.
“As the old African adage goes a prophet is more respected in a foreign land than in his own home town, it only leads to follow that for the festival to gain respect and favour amongst the targeted participants it will have to seek partnerships with other relevant female groups or independent women beyond the borders of its country of origin,” said Mpofu-Sibanda.
@peterkmatika
