Blessing Chizhande
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
Culturalist and creative Prince “Dr Gasolo” Ncube has been honoured with a special medal by the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Project Trust in recognition of his work advocating for peace, unity, culture and the arts.
The award recognises Dr Gasolo’s efforts to promote the restoration of culture and the arts through various platforms, where he has used his influence to also promote peace and unity in Zimbabwe and across Africa.
Among the platforms he has been involved in are the Imiklomela kaDakamela Cultural Festival and the King Mzilikazi Commemorations, where he has played influential behind-the-scenes roles.
Dr Gasolo said being recognised by the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Project Trust was both humbling and motivating, as it showed that his work was making an impact.
“The late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo stood for unity, tolerance and putting the nation before himself. To have my small efforts in peace and culture linked to that legacy feels like being entrusted with a great responsibility.
“It tells me that the work we do behind the scenes when no one is watching does not go unnoticed.
And it pushes me to do more, because recognition is not the end. Actually, it is a call to do even more,” he said.
Dr Gasolo said peace was not simply the absence of conflict, but also the presence of dignity, justice and freedom for people to express themselves, mostly through culture.
“Peace is when an elder can speak in their language and be heard. Peace is when a young person can ask questions about history without being shut down. Peace is when communities can disagree and still come together and celebrate good things and eat together.
“I personally decided to be an advocate for peace because I have seen what division does. I have also seen what culture does. Culture gives us tools to talk to each other.
“I deliberately chose this path because I believe if we don’t actively build peace, we pass wounds and hatred to the next generation. I would rather pass memories, songs and good cultural stories that keep people together,” he said.
The poet said more than a decade of working behind the scenes at cultural events across Matabeleland had helped in shaping him into a committed arts and cultural administrator.
“Working behind the scenes has taught me a lot of lessons, including humility. Due to offering my services in reviving culture, I have seen university students and professors coming to me when doing their research, not because I’m clever or anything, but because I have learnt through working behind the scenes of these big cultural events.
“In organising these events, I get to rub shoulders with people from different religious and cultural backgrounds. This has taught me that culture isn’t ‘old-fashioned’. Culture is alive, and it is very powerful.
“It is this exposure that has pushed me to be more intentional and collaborative and be recognised by the Dr Nkomo Trust,” said Dr Gasolo.
Going forward, Dr Gasolo said he would continue advocating for peace at grassroots level, working behind the scenes and focusing on the basics.
Online Reporter