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Rumbidzai Mhlanga, Sunday Life Reporter
For a long time female artistes have been crying about a lot of issues, chief among them fair treatment in the industry.
They have also complained about sexual harassment and the fact that they are never given the same opportunities as their male stars. They want to succeed and be famous, not because of their facial appearance or beautiful bodies but because they have talent and they are as good as their male counterparts.
Bulawayo-born songstress Edith “Weutonga” Katiji in an interview with Sunday Life said there was no fair treatment.
“The playing field is not level and so women put in an extra effort for them to be renowned and more is required for opportunities, therefore if one does not have a good support system it is easy for her to be compromised, taken advantage of and still not get paid or get far,” Weutonga said.
Taking a look at big concerts, few have been headlined by female artistes and sometimes it feels as if they are there only to warm the stage for male artistes. Women are not recognised, it seems.
According to the bassist, songwriter and singer women are harassed, abused and they end up compromising themselves to be recognised and climb up the ladder of being famous hence they have formed forums where they can advise and guide young women joining the industry.
“Sometimes all we need is someone who shows you the ropes. Some of us learnt through mistakes and the hard way but the young ones do not have to suffer the same way. We need to equip them. The registered Trust identifies talent, nurtures and refers or recommend them,” the songstress continued.
Following the treatment women get and the challenges they face Weutonga and other prominent women in the industry saw it appropriate to have forums where they discuss such issues and help each other where they can.
“We have the Zimbabwe Musicians Union the Women’s Desk. We also have a platform for United Women in Music and we have clinics and workshops we host where we talk about what we come across in our day to day life,” said Edith.
Chioneso Rutsito a writer, poet, vocalist and instrumentalist shared the same sentiments with Weutonga.
“The music business already on its own is a cut-throat industry. It is so much harder for females to breakthrough and make it to the boys table because you have to contend first with sexual abuse and then prove yourself as an artiste as well. There is no back up for females,” said Chioneso.
“The public end up name calling us, they assume that female artistes are loose, that is why most females do not work in nightclubs and bars and sometimes end up taking the gospel route which is much safer for us,” continued Miss Rutsito.
“There are platforms like the Music Crossroads Academy that have tried to even the playing field by giving women a place to learn to better their skills,” ended Chioneso.
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