Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter
BIRDS fly in the sky and are a symbol of liberty from oppression but what happens when conflict with humans leads to their demise? In the world of film, Marvel has assembled a team of super heroes including Spiderman, Batman, Captain America, Thor and Aquaman to save the world.
In Zimbabwe, wildlife artist, George Mgona has conjured up a team to fight for the survival of the Southern Ground Hornbill, (ihundundu) the Vulture (Inqe) and the Black Eagle (Ingqungqulu) at the 15th Pan-African Ornithological Congress (PAOC15) to be held in Elephant Hills Conference Centre, Victoria Falls from 21-25 November 2022.
Ornithology is a branch of zoology dealing with the study of birds and PAOC15 will be hosted by BirdLife Zimbabwe, a full member in BirdLife International (BLI).
BLI is a global partnership of 120 membership-based organisations that have a common interest in the conservation of birds and biodiversity. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the African Bird Club (ABC) are some of the funders for the upcoming congress.
PAOC15 which is held quadrennially will be held under the theme, “Urbanising Africa and its effects on birds.”
It aims to further the study of African birds, promote the preservation of African birds as an integral part of the African Heritage, foster the appreciation of birds and discussion of African birds in relation to man, disseminate information on African birds through appropriate international meetings (e.g. the Congresses) and publications (e.g. the proceedings of the Congresses).
At the congress, there will be a wide range of excellent symposia, great plenary speakers, round table discussions, social events and field trips, pre and post congress bird tours in this Important Bird & Biodiversity Area of Zimbabwe, home to the famous Victoria Falls, the “Smoke that Thunders.”
Victoria Falls will be worthy hosts as it boasts of a checklist of more than three hundred species including Taita Falcon, Rock Pratincole, Hartlaub’s Babbler, African Finfoot, Pel’s Fishing Owl and many others.
Through his George Mgona Art for Conservation (GMAC) Trust, Mgona has assembled a five-man team to represent his trust at the congress and the mood is buoyant in camp building up to the event.
He expressed excitement at the prospect of meeting up with fellow wildlife artists and captains of industry in championing the protection of endangered bird species.
He told Saturday Leisure that the postponement of the congress which was initially scheduled for 2020 owing to the Covid-19 induced lockdown makes the wait worthwhile and exciting.
“My Trust is partnering with Birdlife Zimbabwe to take five of our artists to showcase bird art. This is an international event and we are excited and ready to be part of it. After the postponement, we have managed to usher in months of the Go Nature Go Art Exhibition at the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo to raise awareness on the importance of wildlife conservancy through art.
“Our main objective at this Congress is to show that we spread awareness about the conservation of birds using art. When we present art with deliberately chosen themes, we can raise the consciousness of people to start loving the birds and therefore start taking care of them in one way or the other. At this Congress, we have narrowed our depictions, as a trust, in the conservation of three bird’s species, ” said Mgona.
To Victoria Falls, Bulawayo will be represented by Mgona, Talent Kapadza an abstract artist, Powell Matsongoni from Ruwa who will bring paintings while Madalitso Khuoge and Trevor Mhlanga are coming in with poetry about the endangered birds of Zimbabwe.
Mgona, an exceptional wildlife artist, outlined the purpose and strategic objectives of his Trust, especially in relation to the upcoming Congress.
“Our fundamental purpose is to promote the survival of bird life in Zimbabwe and elsewhere for its intrinsic value and the enjoyment of future generations. Our strategic objectives are centred on species, sites/habitats, people and sustainability, ” he said.
Khuoge, a poetess from Bulawayo said she cannot wait to touch base in the resort city of Victoria Falls for the Congress.
“I have mixed feelings towards this but all the same, I cannot wait to meet up with artists and environmentalists, even intellectuals. I just can’t wait to showcase myself in the zone. This means that I will be getting exposure and my art will be going out there.
“I never thought I would be advocating for wildlife and worse still, birds since the Congress is a focus on birds but here, I am advocating through poetry. I never thought of it. I want to learn how to improve my art in poetry and how to communicate better through my art and get connections through networking, ” she said.
To organise the Congress, PAOC also enlisted the help of the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe and the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development of Zimbabwe for taking on the role of Chair of PAOC15.
In his welcome message, the chairman of the PAOC committee, Dr. Sidi Imad Cherkaoui underscored the excitement of coming to Zimbabwe.
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