Young artist forms association

Vongai Masuka

A YOUNG Harare artist has formed an arts association, which is aimed at providing a platform for Zimbabwean creatives to express themselves, through writing and workshops.

Lennox Gondo, popularly known as Lion Paw, has launched “Spoken Word and Writers Association.”

It’s an initiative he believes will transform the arts industry in Zimbabwe.

“Seeing that spoken word artists are the marginalised group of artists triggered me to create a platform for them to fully express themselves,” he said.

Gondo is a writer who has worked with several renowned and upcoming artists, who include Abel Mauchi, in an anthology entitled “Dripping Ink”.

Gondo has also partnered with Save the Boy Child and Youth Connect Forum and the two organisations have been supportive since the birth of the association.

The association is registered under National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ).

“We are affiliated with the NACZ and writers will benefit through seminars and workshops,” said Gondo.

The secretary for SWWA, Rumbidzai Pasirayi Gwabanayi, affectionately known as Poetry Lady, told H Metro the newly-launched association comes at the tight time.

“Information isn’t readily available and SWWA is there to act as a midpoint where artists collaborate, work together and network.

“It is that bigger family that connects the artists,” says Gwabanai.

A member of the association, Mary Mitchell Makoni, affectionately known as Storm, said:

“The initiative will certainly change the perspective on art in Zim as well as make people more confident with our local talent and support it.”