Mbamba Centre comes alive with Women’s Day festivities

THE Women’s Day celebrations were held in Tsholotsho’s Mbamba Centre last Friday, in a colourful ceremony featuring unique entertainment and a display of art like handbags, key holders and baskets made by women.

Each performer had a chance to shine on stage, celebrating women with their acts. The maskandi band Ibhinca likaMaskandi stood out with their special dance and stunning traditional clothes, making everyone get up and dance. The group’s founder Zibuseni Ndlovu expressed pride in their performance.

“I have been in the entertainment industry for a very long time now, I started singing traditional Maskandi group in 2013 in South Africa and only came to form another group here in 2019, where I groomed fresh talent and today I am here with my youngest members.

“We have performed in many places though sometimes we fail to secure transport to the venues, all the boys in my group do not engage in drugs as they are always busy with both their school work and rehearsals. To our followers, stay tuned for more this year as we will give what you need,” he said.

A group of children, part of the Orphans Friends and Community Development Trust, captivated the audience with their music. The organisation, which supports young people, women, and vulnerable children, highlighted the needs and rights of girls through their songs and dances. They also presented a poem celebrating the vital role of women in life, likening a mother to a nurse, chef, teacher and more, all rolled into one for her children.

Bongile Gonde, who leads the programmes at the Trust, said they have a dedicated art department at their skills training centre.

“We have time allocated for these kids to showcase their talents in art, irrespective of gender, some are good in singing, some in poetry, some in dancing and now we have introduced drum majorettes, something we have always seen happening in Bulawayo but we now have it in Tsholotsho.

“On Thursdays they showcase their talents in arts through drama or plays based on gender based violence awareness, or on drugs and substance abuse, or any other educative issues, which come up,” she said.

The Emthonjeni Women’s group shared their music and poetry, speaking about the daily struggles women face, such as gender-based violence and their many tasks.

At the event, women showed off their crafts. Pretty Vundla displayed her beaded and woollen handbags and key holders, a skill she picked up in Bulawayo. She explained that the sales help her buy medicine and pay for transport to medical appointments.

Josephine Ncube demonstrated her basket weaving, made from grass and plastic. She said the income from her baskets helps feed her family and gives her some financial independence.