Artistes on breast cancer awareness campaign

Angeline Mpofu Entertainment Reporter
BULAWAYO artists have joined hands with the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe in raising awareness on breast cancer and fundraising for treatment of cancer patients.
The artists have donated their artworks such as paints, prints and sculptures that will be sold at the National Gallery in Bulawayo at the ongoing “Pink Perspectives” exhibition to raise funds for cancer patients.

In an interview, National Gallery in Bulawayo curator Cliford Zulu said his organisation was proud to host the exhibition.
“We are pleased to host the Pink Perspectives, which started on 27 October and will run until the end of November. This is an exhibition of contemporary works by Bulawayo artists as we join hands with the Zimbabwean community in commemorating the Breast Cancer Awareness Month and raising awareness about the disease.

“Through the gallery’s education department, Pink Perspectives explores the different views that African societies have towards cancer in general. The institution focused on breast cancer in particular as it is often misunderstood. African societies have certain beliefs regarding breast cancer and this has led to an increase in deaths because many patients do not seek treatment,” he said.

Zulu said according to the African tradition, causes of cancer and its treatment vary from culture to culture.
“In Ndebele culture imvukuzane has sometimes been likened to an object or insect inside one’s body that keeps moving around the body which can be trapped by an inyanga and removed,” he said.

Zulu said due to these beliefs, cancer patients sometimes seek treatment late.
“We have engaged creative artists to zero in on breast cancer in particular and reveal through different art medium how the contemporary African society views breast cancer,” he said.

One of the artists taking part in the initiative, Dumisani Ndlovu, said the first step to conquer breast cancer stigma is to talk about it openly.

“This artistic forum explains breast cancer and how it can be treated. As people enjoy this exhibition, let us not lose sight of the seriousness of breast cancer and its adverse impact on our society. Change of societal perspectives begins with an individual,” he said.