A concert with the participation of all-female bands,
was held for the first time at the Music Crossroads Academy campus in Zimbabwe on Friday the 17th of March. The songs played on that day addressed different topics such as domestic abuse, love, birth, boldness and other powerful stories concerning the life of every woman.
In March, Sipiti, one female band from the Academy, has performed at various well known venues: at Miss Tourism gala, event organized by the Zimbabwe Tourism authority, at the Women’s International Festival, and twice in Mutare, Manicaland’s provincial capital.
As newly established band,
Vedu was also very present on the music scene with their first commissioned work for Katswe Sistahood’s[1] celebration of the International Women’s day.
The MCA Women’s Association chairperson, Ms. Chiwoniso Rutsito, commented on their work: “We want our story as women to be told – not by men, but by us because we are the authors of our own lives. It is not, and should not be, a taboo for women to be musicians because women can entertain crowds just as well as men can (as we are showing you now!). Women will always be the best medium to tell women’s stories, so hear our voices now!”
The sudden establishment of all-female bands, their willingness to perform traditional male roles in bands (e.g. drummer, bass guitarist, lead guitarist etc.) and their active social work will have a life changing impact on these serious young divas!
[1] Founded in 2007, Katswe Sistahood is a movement of dynamic young women fighting for the full attainment of sexual and reproductive health rights by women in Zimbabwe.
Article by Amanda Melody Dendera
Programs Officer at MCA Zimbabwe
