Conversations at Siyaya

Reconnecting with Siyaya and Desmond was an important step ~I'm sure of that. During our conversation I was again reminded of the importance of me having returned to Zimbabwe and humbled by it. I'd said I would come back and I saw that it mattered to people I'd met and journeyed alongside in 2008 that I'd kept my word. I've had a bit of stick about the delay (I came back 3 months later than I'd originally thought I might when I left Z in June) but a bit of banter and it's all fine. I'm here now anyway!

With Des at Amakhosi Theatre last year

Des was one of the founding members of Artisan Zim, started in May 08 by 2 of us who had been involved with Artisan in the UK. I will definitely be writing more on Artisan. But in a nutshell, it's to bring together people from across all disciplines in the arts around the idea of 3 things: Unity, Humility and Prayer. The general gist is that it's a safe place to come together and share, encourage and grow together in fellowship and community. We recognise and are very excited by the unique and engaging role the arts play in society and want to see individuals free to pursue their creative giftings, whether in media, sculpture, fashion, music, visual arts... etc.

Artists in all disciplines face big challenges too, whether it's the fact that they often work in isolation and add odd times (!) or from the financial uncertainty and instability of freelancing, creative blocks, questioning your vocation...whatever it is, it can be a tough road. In the current conditions in Z it can be extremely tough (as demonstrated by the large number of Z'ean artists who are currently working in South Africa or further afield.) Those still here have welcomed the idea of Artisan as a collective which supports, champions, celebrates and shares together. Expectantly!

With our Artisan hats on we chatted about how things had been for both of us and then I shared how I not only want to see all kind of artistic expressions kicking ass here in Z, but that I believe in the significance of the arts in a trauma-related capacity. My heart is to use the principals of sharing, empathising, stepping into others' situations and backgrounds, in order to promote understanding and reconciliation. I know it's a big call, but I'm passionate it works and will make a difference.

Co-incidentally a new friend who I'm already working with on another project "The Lounge" was also visiting Siyaya that afternoon, he's a performance poet, and Tswa was great for this conversation too.

Des & Tswa

We talked about how we might get something started that's more about sharing stories and building bridges, using theatre and drama as a facilitation mechanism and came up with a few ideas to think on... :D I left Siyaya feeling STOKED and EXCITED. Bring it on.

The next day I had to call in and see a friend at Zoe, which is a Tearfund partner organisation (way back I did 4 months of my gap year with Tearfund in Lesotho). Zoe helps orphans and communities to care for their orphans - many of which have lost family through HIV/Aids. My friend Jean asked what I'd been up to and out of that conversation I think I may be able to get hooked up to the Zoe trauma-councilling unit. I think some training in trauma councilling, likely cases that we may encounter that are Z-related, the methodology they find most helpful, as well as a point of contact to refer to and ask advice from would be invaluable! I realise that while I have worked on a reconciliation programme and watched Fr. Michael Lapsley of the Institute for the Healing of Memories last year in action, the most I've done personally is probably a student soup-run in Nottingham...

I think this contact may well be a crucial one to equipt me better for what I want to do.