Chronicle Editor
Sipepisiwe Moyo, [email protected]
AS Zimbabwe joins the continent-wide celebration of Africa Day, the Jairos Jiri Craft Centre in Bulawayo marked the occasion in a unique way by unveiling newly painted murals on its exterior walls.
Talented women artists from Matobo district transformed the facade, giving the craft centre a fresh and vibrant look.
The unveiling ceremony yesterday attracted a number of dignitaries including Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube (represented by Boetsoarelo Noko), German Ambassador to Zimbabwe Udo Volz and Pathisa Nyathi.
In his speech, Mayor Coltart said he wasexcited to unveil the artwork on the eve of Africa Day.“I am exceptionally excited that we are unveiling this decoration and art work on the eve of Africa Day. This is because it reminds us that we need to continually celebrate our culture and heritage particularly in Bulawayo which is the country’s cultural hub.
“It is also a reminder that as a city we have produced many pioneers and exceptional artists in the creative sector who have had a huge global impact. The art from women of Matobo really shows that our creativity is beyond gender, age and social bearing,” he said.
Also present at the event were two cultural groups Amaqaqa and Asante Mo who showcased their expertise in song and dance.
Noko, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of State said, “I am happy that the German Embassy partnered with the city in repainting the Jairos Jiri Craft Shop to not only preserve our history and heritage but to also provide a beautiful working space for our people with disabilities who use these offices.
“This project was also an empowerment platform for women of Matobo who can economically survive from their artistic talent. These paintings are a mix of traditional and modern, showing the high level of adaptation to the ever-changing environment that suits creatives who embrace both traditional and modern craft.”
Board member of Jairos Jiri association, Steve Goremucheche said he was not only thrilled but humbled and overwhelmed to witness the historic occasion of the rebranding of the Jairos Jiri Bulawayo Craft Centre.
“The rebranding, painting of the Jairos Jiri Bulawayo craft shop has upgraded it to be another tourism attraction centre in the City of Kings and Queens. It is going to attract both local and international buyers into the shop. The funds generated from this shop are used to better the lives of people living with disabilities,” he said.Ambassador Udo Volz also said he was happy with the paint work.
“I am honoured to be here today to share this moment with all of you as we witness the work done by the ladies from Matobo. This is work of a journey started about three years ago and it’s all standing in the work of ‘My Beautiful Home’. The ladies have taken their work to new heights, something which most people would be afraid to do but they have done it exceptionally well,” he said.
Nyathi explained the designs: “What you see here is not confined to the painting of walls, you will see it on the flag. The women are good in executing the designs but the interpretation of the triangle and circle remain unknown to them. The circle represents the world which is about circularity and it means there is no beginning and no end.
So the design represents eternity, perpetuity and continuity, the African got it by merely looking up at the heavens. On the other hand, the triangle is a representation of anatomy of human beings and it is a representation of the womb. The womb is the critical important organ which ensures continuity, eternity and perpetuity.”
One of the Matobo women artists, who is part of the “My Beautiful Home” initiative, celebrated being one of the artists involved in the project to beautify the Jairos Jiri Craft Centre.
“I am happy to have met my superiors from the My Beautiful Home project which we started together in 2014. I am proud to be part of the women who made this place beautiful.
We have also painted pots at the national art gallery before. We sometimes enter competitions where we win prizes through this art but we always enjoy painting our houses back in the village, making them look beautiful,” said Simeluthando Nkomo.The event ended with women from Matobo and other dignitaries taking to the stage in celebration of a job well done.
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