admin
Nhlalwenhle Ngwenya
MANY women, on International Women’s day, held last Wednesday, celebrated their achievements in terms of making inroads in gender equality, gender awareness and equal job opportunity chances.
No doubt as well in the arts industry few female icons, like the late Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, and Chiwoniso including others were praised for proving that women too, are capable of making it big in the music industry.
Visible for them, in a male dominated arts industry it was no walk in the park. Nevertheless the question that begs for answers is why women are still struggling to get the same exposure as their male counterparts.
Is it about money or just societal expectations? There seems to be a new breed of women in the arts industry who are prepared to break the barrier and pursue their dreams at any cost.
One such woman is Susan Tarisai (37), who discovered her musical talent at the age of (11), but had no money to record her music until recently.
For many they would have thrown in the towel, but Tarisai who is a singer, composer and scriptwriter decided to venture into business first.
“I have always known that I am talented. At a certain time I came up with several songs, but I could not record because I had no money. Deep down I knew that I would make it in the business sector and record my album and pursue my arts career as well, which is my passion,” she said.
Unlike many upcoming female artistes, who look for sponsors with some ending up being taken advantage of, Tarisai made her own money to see her dream come true.
A mother of three, Tarisai is blessed with a modern husband who understands the concept of gender equality, as she takes care of her family, but at the end of the day she also has to put food on the table by running the butchery and her salon.
Inspired by a friend who was betrayed in a relationship and many more situations she encountered interacting with different women, Tarisai has finished a script of her film titled Betrayal, which is set to hit the screens by end of year.
Serving as an inspiration to other women, what makes her story even more inspiring is that she did not opt for an easy way out, before realising her dream. By end of May she would be launching her eight-track gospel album titled Huyayi Jesu.
“I encountered a lot of challenges to the extent that I even visited T.B Joshua and since then things started opening up. My business flourished. I managed to record my album. I would like to thank AFM, ZCC, and Prophetess Faith Ilunga for their prayers during trying times, and mostly my family for their support,” she said.
Online Reporter