adminNgqwele Dube, Sunday Leisure Correspondent
VICTORY Siyanqoba Trust has come up with a theatrical presentation to unpack some chapters of the Zimbabwean constitution to ensure that people have a clear and relative understanding of it.
The play, being staged in Gwanda district, is presented in the local Sotho language.
VST director Desire Moyo said despite the constitution of Zimbabwe having been resoundingly adopted in the referendum of 2013, rural communities still wait to get in-depth indulgent of the important document.
The presentation, which incorporates villagers from various wards, also dramatises Chapter 2 of the constitution which outlines the National Objectives.
“We have assembled a strong team of 50 talented people to dramatise Chapter 2 of the constitution in each ward. The act will be done in Sotho, the predominant language in Gwanda so that there is genuine and deep seated understanding of the fundamental human rights.
“The presentations kicked off in September and would culminate in a festival dubbed the “SETSO sarona rural gala” at Ntepe Business Centre in March 2016, where at least 10 000 people are expected to attend and learn from creative conversation, developed by local villagers in telling their own stories the way they understand them,” he said.
Moyo said one village head summed up the predicament faced by most ordinary people when he said: “People still do not understand what the constitution says about their rights. Most voted for it because their political leaders told them it was a good document.”
Moyo said most rural folk are usually relegated from these important processes since they have no access to regular media like their urban counterparts. Gwanda South is the worst affected as even cellphone network is as sporadic as the radio signal.
The community is plagued by drought and hence investment on radio, cellphones and newspapers is a pipeline dream.
Moyo said they are holding legal clinics in partnership with Abammeli Human Rights Network to further deepen constitutional understanding.
“Councillors of ward 11, 14 and 15 have endorsed the programme as they have attended all events with no fail. Village heads also have shown an exceptional appreciation of the civic engagement as they have exhibited a quest to see the project manifest its outcomes,” he said.
Areas that have been covered so far include Nhlamba, Selonga, Mandihongola, Tshongwe,Thibeli and Bhalula.
Victory Siyanqoba Trust is a youth community based organisation, which was established in 2009 to empower citizens on their rights and freedoms using theatre as a communication tool.
The project is supported by Culture Fund Trust of Zimbabwe.
“The use of art as a communication tool countenances rigorous interaction between citizens as it is easy to understand as opposed to regular monotonous meetings,” said Moyo.
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