Online Reporter
Brenda P Shumba, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
FOR years, women in the mining town of Zvishavane have had to travel to larger cities such as Bulawayo and Gweru to enjoy curated, women-only lifestyle events. But that narrative is changing — thanks to the inaugural Glow and Shine event, formerly known as Doek and Shine, which lit up the small town and gave local women the celebration they have long deserved.
Held two weeks ago at Mtonjeni Gardens, the event was the brainchild of Simbarashe Sithole, a 26-year-old local events organiser. Inspired by the nationwide success of Doek & Slay, traditionally hosted in major cities, Sithole sought to bring the same level of joy, style and empowerment to the women of Zvishavane.
“Many women approached me saying they wanted something special in their own town. They were tired of having to travel for fun. That’s what sparked the idea of creating Doek and Shine, now rebranded to Glow and Shine,” said Sithole.
The event embraced a vibrant vintage theme, which attendees welcomed with enthusiasm —donning colourful head wraps, elegant attire and radiant smiles. Social media buzzed with videos from the event, capturing everything from soulful dancing and laughter to heartfelt conversations and networking moments. From the footage and trending posts, it was clear that Zvishavane’s women had found their moment.
“This was long overdue,” said one attendee, while another added, “We reconnected with old friends, networked and even talked business. It wasn’t just about dancing; this was empowerment.”
Despite its resounding success, the journey to the event was not without its challenges. Sithole revealed that organisers of Doek & Slay threatened legal action over the use of the word “Doek” in the original event name. As a result, the event was rebranded to Glow and Shine.
“I was contacted by the Doek & Slay organisers who said we weren’t supposed to use the word ‘Doek’ and threatened legal action. We didn’t want drama, so we rebranded to Glow and Shine,” Sithole said.
Still, the event achieved its mission — to put Zvishavane on the map and offer women a space to unwind, uplift one another, and celebrate themselves, right in their hometown.
“We achieved our goal because the event trended and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The people of Zvishavane want more, and we’re going to give them more,” said Sithole.
His team is already planning the next edition, but Sithole insists that Glow and Shine will remain rooted in Zvishavane.
“This is a local thing. It’s for the women of Zvishavane,” he said, proudly acknowledging his team’s hard work and the community’s support that turned the vision into a vibrant reality.
