Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FOR many, achieving success can be a pitfall, leading to complacency. However, for Joseph Bhasera, last year’s triumph at the 2024 Presidential Innovation Fair Awards has proven to be a springboard to even greater heights.
Bhasera, a multifaceted artiste and author of the acclaimed poetry book, “Chibongo CheShwiro Ndau,” which secured second place in the Presidential Appraisal Award 2024 Innovation Fair for Best Innovation in Arts and Humanities, has channelled his winnings into establishing a state-of-the-art studio.
This new venture enables Bhasera to promote, not only his own artistic works, but also those of fellow artistes, fostering a spirit of collaboration and creative growth.
By investing in his passion, Bhasera has transformed his award win into a catalyst for continued innovation and success.
The Marymount Teachers’ College student has taken a significant leap in his artistic journey, securing studio equipment to record music for fellow artistes and his own projects.
Born on October 13, 1988, in Chipinge, Bhasera is a married father of two, who currently resides in Mutare.
This talented individual boasts an impressive array of skills, including writing, documentary film production, dance choreography, music composition, playing traditional and modern instruments.
His notable works include the documentary films “Inside Ndau Culture and Manicaland Attached Instruments” and “Dance Exploration” (MAIDE), sponsored by the Zimdigital Migration programme and Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, respectively.
When asked about his inspiration to become an author, Bhasera credited his love for the Ndau language, which is native to his community.
“As a Ndau person, I am proud to help keep our language alive. I am complementing Government’s efforts to promote the Ndau language, one of the 16 officially recognised languages of Zimbabwe.
“I read several books wrote by Shona gurus like Professor Magwa, texts like “Tsika dzevaShona” by Gombe and JC Kumbirai. Those people wrote their books in the language they understand better. So as an author, I found it possible and exciting to write poems in my mother’s language, ChiNdau,” he said.
For the award-winning “Chibongo CheShwiro Ndau” poetry book, the themes of love, encouragement, gospel, shunning pride, general enjoyment of life, laughter, danger warnings, permeate the different poems in the book.
“The book ‘Chibongo CheShwiro’ talks about the good way of living with others. This life needs co-operation, unity and harmony, so the author seeks to reach the message of shaping a good person who is accepted and helpful in the society,” he said.
In addition to his own creative pursuits, Bhasera is dedicated to nurturing the talents of others.
Drawing on his extensive experience in the arts sector, he has been training fellow students in traditional dances, mbira playing, marimba, and guitar.
Bhasera has also been mentoring aspiring poets, including Rudo Tambandini and Margret Zvoushe, among others.
Furthermore, he serves as a resource person on traditional dances in several local schools, including Mutare Junior, Victory Primary, and Chikanga Primary.
“Since I have a lot of experience in the arts sector, I helped my fellow students in training them some traditional dances for dance and theatre lessons, mbira playing, marimba and guitar playing.
“I also help those who love doing poetry, the likes of Rudo Tambandini, a third year student and Margret Zvoushe a First year student and others.
“I am also a resource person on traditional dances in schools like Mutare Junior, Victory Primary, Chikanga Primary, Tilbury Primary, Checheche Primary and New Year’s Gift primary schools among others,” he said.
Looking to the future, Bhasera envisions establishing a vibrant culture centre where youths can learn about Zimbabwe’s rich cultural diversity, language, traditional dances, and theatre arts.
He also hopes to create a library showcasing books in Ndau and other languages, promoting the power of writing.
“I wish to have vibrant culture centre when youths will come and learn more about Zimbabwean cultural diversity, knowledge in language, traditional dances and theatre arts.
“I wish to have a library that displays many books of Ndau and other language so that people would have appreciate the power of writing.
“It is my wish also to partner with some tertiary institutions in training their students for the dance and theatre. Also on how to write some books and also to have a chance of reciting my poems on our community radio stations and ZTV,” he said.
