The Sunday News
Rebecca Nyathi
THE Women, Wine and Words event, which is part of the Intwasa Arts Festival program, will this year host two internationally acclaimed poets.
United Kingdom poets Deana Rodger and Francesca Beard are billed to liven up the event, which will be held at Bulawayo National Art Gallery.
Other performances to look forward to at the event are from the likes of Nomashawekazi Damasane, popularly known as Lady Tshawe, known for her breath taking and artistic performances.
The list also includes Fungai Z Mombeshora, Tinashe Tafirenyika and Moreblessing Size.
The festival director Raisedon Baya said they had decided to give more female poets the opportunity to showcase their artistic skills.
“The Women, Wine and Words poetry night will see more women conducting performances. Their works of poetry have amplified women’s voices through acts that they have performed,” he said.
Lady Tshawe said this would her third year performing at the Intwasa festival.
“The presence of Rodger and Beard is surely going to get the tickets sold out like hot cakes. I am not saying we, the locals, are not that good to get the tickets sold but having the European artiste share a stage with us it’s an honour and I bet they are going to be appreciated a lot hence increasing the number of audience,” Lady Tshawe said.
Rodger has won various competitions which include the UK Slam Poetry Competition in 2007-2008 and has performed at prestigious venues that include Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street.
Beard is said to have performed her poet all over the world with the British council in places like, United Kingdom, Britain, and China.
Tafirenyika, who started performing in 2013, has also had the privilege to perform at the Shoko Festival in Harare, Protest Arts International Festival (PAIF) and Book Café.
This would be her debut appearance at Intwasa.
When it comes to issues pertaining love and women struggles the Harare born Size seems to be doing everything right.
Lady Tshawe stated that as artistes everyone had their own strong point concerning certain topics, hence as poets they would be tackling topical issues.
“I love, love poems and I believe a lot of people do. I am very sure I will perform a love poem and the audience is going to love it because that’s what I am good at,” she said.
The six artistes are going to be supported by One stand Band featuring three young talents in the name of, Qeqeshiwe, Sea-girl and Ntombiyolwandle.
Intwasa festival roars to life on 21 September and will be held at various venues around Bulawayo and will run for six consecutive days.
