Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THIS week, with immense pride and a deep sense of national duty, Nomashawekazi Damasane, affectionately known as “Lady Tshawe,” embarks on a significant global journey. The multi-award-winning cultural ambassador, actress, poet, and City of Bulawayo’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Officer has commenced her participation in the prestigious US Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP), focused on “Preserving and Showcasing Cultural Heritage.” She represents not only Bulawayo but the entire nation of Zimbabwe.
Running from Monday, July 21 to August 8, this invitation marks a pivotal moment for Zimbabwean cultural advocacy. For Lady Tshawe, it’s “the immense honour of being chosen to represent my city, Bulawayo, and my nation, Zimbabwe, on such a respected international platform.”
Lady Tshawe views the IVLP as a vital “bridge” for cultural exchange.
“It’s about sharing our stories, our traditions, our contemporary artistic expressions, and learning equally from the diverse tapestry of American cultural preservation efforts. I go not just as an artiste or official, but as a cultural ambassador,” she said.
The programme will explore US laws, policies, and initiatives aimed at developing local economies through cultural tourism and protecting heritage from illicit activities. Lady Tshawe will examine strategic US approaches to cultural and historic assets, focusing on marketing, infrastructure, conservation, funding, and community engagement.
During her time in the US, Lady Tshawe will articulate Bulawayo’s distinct identity — “a city renowned as Zimbabwe’s cultural heartbeat.” She will bring to life its Ndebele heritage, history of resilience, vibrant contemporary arts scene (theatre, visual arts, spoken word, music), and unique urban traditions.
“Bulawayo isn’t just a location; it’s a feeling, a creative energy,” she said.
Beyond Bulawayo, she will illuminate the broader Zimbabwean cultural landscape, highlighting its diverse ethnic traditions, the unifying power of languages like Shona and Ndebele, the significance of rituals, storytelling, mbira music, and its profound connection to the land and ancestors.
As an award-winning actress and poet, Lady Tshawe will demonstrate how artistic expression is a crucial tool for cultural preservation and dialogue. Crucially, her role as the City of Bulawayo’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Officer provides a unique practical dimension. She will share insights into the challenges and strategies of institutional cultural preservation and promotion at a Local Government level.
“My official role is about creating the infrastructure and opportunities for culture to thrive organically. It’s about policy meeting passion,” she asserted.
Lady Tshawe’s mission includes systematically “unpacking” Bulawayo’s cultural offerings, documenting oral histories, traditional practices, and contemporary arts movements. She champions the arts and heritage sectors within local government, advocating for their economic, social, and educational value.
“Culture isn’t a luxury; its essential infrastructure for a thriving, cohesive city,” she said.
Her selection for the IVLP underscores her trajectory as “a force whose convictions and views about equal opportunities for self-expression influence her writing, music, theatrical roles, curation, and conversations.” While eager to share Zimbabwe’s cultural treasures, Lady Tshawe also expresses a keen desire to learn, stating, “I am equally excited to absorb the American approaches to cultural preservation.”
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