Siyaya Gets Around!

Very surreal (but wonderful) to walk along Brook Street in London at 8pm last night and hear the feelgood strains of music associated with Makokoba, Bulawayo (and no, it wasn't simply I had my ipod on!) Siyaya again prove how world-class they are by delivering brilliant entertainment during a glamorous benefit dinner at Claridges in London in aid of Zimbabwe.  They definitely warmed up a chilly February night in London with some warm Zimbabwean vibes! 

It was surreal to travel the next day in a packed rush-hour tube surrounded on all sides by people reading The Evening Standard with this in it.  Wonder at the response had I told them the night before these 3 crashed on my bedroom floor for the night...!?!! 

Photo in The Times yesterday

Zambezi Express

A selection of stills from the production Zambezi Express taken at the Bulawayo Theatre during a two week run of the show, March 2010.  Due to popular demand the show returned for a second run in June 2010. 

Photographs by Maciek Malicki

The story of Zambezi Express and of its' run at the Bulawayo Theatre in 2010 is a favourite of my time in Zimbabwe so far.  I first met Siyaya, (the company behind Zambezi) and director Mambazo Saimon Phiri in 2008 and was struck by their ambitious ideas, entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude.  I liked their desire to remain true to their Makokoba roots too (Makokoba's the oldest township of Bulawayo' eastern suburbs.)  When later that year a friend wanted a Zimbabwean arts group to perform at a festival  in France I had no hesitation in recommending Siyaya.  Over the last three years we've established good working relations and friendships, partnering on several occasions. 

Around that time Siyaya started work on this ambitious new project: an all-singing, all-dancing, locally-inspired concept to tie in with the forthcoming world cup.  I saw some of the initial rehearsals where already the high-energy, positive and feelgood vibe that characterises Zambezi Express was evident.  Then I was also at the 'send-off' event in Makokoba before the company left for the UK to finish work on and debut the show in the UK.

In 2009 the Bulawayo Theatre asked if I knew any fully-fledged productions for their main stage and I told them about Zambezi and sang its' praises and then mentioned it to Siyaya as an idea. I seem to remember initially neither side was 100% convinced, perhaps uncertain of whether the combination of venue and audience would work.  However, after discussion both decided to give it a go and partnered to bring Zambezi Express to the Bulawayo stage.  

What happened next really was exciting.  The show opened with an explosion of life and as each performance finished and the audience left, it was a time-bomb scenario as they raved about what they had just experienced and before long word of mouth spread.  Tickets were snapped up and some people came again and again, returning with their whole families, neighbours and friends!  The shows sold out and we packed as many as possible into the theatre.  Extra shows were scheduled in addition to the matinees that were already on the publicity.  The performers were doing several hours of high-energy routines and demanding moves.  Not once did I see any reduction in zeal or effort from them, even though they must have been exhausted! Even once all shows were sold out and a waiting list opened, hopefuls still arrived each night in case they might somehow be squeezed in at the last minute.

All of a sudden everyone was talking about the show, positive and impressed.  I lost count of how often people mistook it for some international company passing through Zimbabwe on tour.  When I explained that the company had been based for the last 20 years or so +/- 10 mins drive from the theatre they were amazed.  I love being able to educate others on the talent that is inherent in Bulawayo and on the benefit of looking beyond your immediate circle to see what's out there.

My Employment/Residence Permit

It's been a long time without any blogging.  One thing I must record though is that after a lengthy, laborious & time-consuming process I am very excited to report that, as of last month, I have a work permit/residence permit valid until 2012 to live and work in Zimbabwe! No mean feat.  After 2.5 years as a tourist, living with a constant degree of uncertainty about my status in the country, it's a relief to have the security and freedom of this.  However, I also acknowledge the lessons in trust and faith that I've learnt over the last 2.5 years! It's always worked out, even if it's been a little hairy on occasion.

I'm equally proud of the route to this, painstakingly working with the systems of bureaucracy and refusing to take "short-cuts" at any stage, despite the frustrations (and my own impatience!)  Such permits are not easily awarded and I am very grateful to everyone who assisted me along the way.  I will do you proud!  I'm also excited as this marks an official start to my partnership with Siyaya Productions and Sabela Music Projects (SMP).  We've been in partnership for some time now in an unofficial capacity, both committed to the Arts industry in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe and throughout the region as a whole, but now we have a more formal partnership.  I look forward to our collaboration together!

Thanks to everyone who's prayed about this process.  It's a minor miracle really and certainly inspires me to be here in Bulawayo, committed to the arts and artists for the next two years.  I'm excited about all that lies in store!

The Arts

So much to report on the whole Arts side of things. It is my main focus and reason for being here this time around, so I figure it's about time I write about it! Reconnecting with people has been the essential thing to do first so that's been my goal this week and last. Catching up and chatting to existing friends and contacts has been great. Inspiring to hear what projects they've been up to and I've been sure to ask after anything in the pipeline. Thus I've heard of some exciting ideas. However it is tough in the current climate, that is also clear. But people refuse to give in and continue with immense resourcefulness, determination and commitment to artistic expression and communication. It's awesome!

Two of my friends, resident artists at the national gallery, share a cheesy moment in the studio!

I had particular conversations in mind to have with certain people and these have gone well and have led to ideas for future collaboration with possible involvement from me. Earlier in the week I caught up with Styx. He's a prolific and respected director and one of his latest initiatives is a theatre programme for young people in his home community a few kilometres away from town in a more rural setting. He started the programme in August and so far has introduced componants of mask, mime and movement and worked with the students on these, fitting it in around the lesson hours of those in school. The 45 students are now starting to look at text. Styx is passionate about preserving the local language and creating theatre that reflects life as it is in local communities. He has recently chosen to write in Ndebele.

Next week I hope to accompany him to see this project in action and possibly contribute to a session myself. I'm wondering about using ideas and games from clown work and look forward to having a lot of fun with that...more on that anon. On Thursday I visited possibly one of my favourite places in the world!

10minutes drive from the city centre, at the start of the western suburbs - the high-density (township) communities of Bulawayo - is the district of Makokoba, home to Siyaya Arts. I first met Desmond, the administrative director of Siyaya, through my previous role with the Angican church. I overheard him in conversation talking about Siyaya and introduced myself and we started chatting. From there, he's become a good friend and great contact to have. Des not only runs an arts outfit that produces, directs, commissions and sends on international tours, talented companies performing various and numerous shows, but his background includes NGO, reconciliation and trauma-related programmes. At his invitation I first visited Siyaya last year and was blown away by the vibe of the place.

A Siyaya company in rehears for the next production, Zambezi Express

Right in the heart of the community companies rehearse outdoors while kids watch, immitate and play nearby. Their work is a fusion of acting, singing, dance & drumming accompanied by various instruments - some made on-site. People continuously stop by and drop in, getting introduced by their particular discipline: rap, spoken word, performance poetry, dance choreography, writing, drums, Mbira... it's a broad range.

Des was out when I first arrived but had left a message for me to wait for him, so I hung out chatting to some guys i'd not met before. They introduced me to the directors, performers and admin guys for the show currently in rehearsal, Zambezi Express, due to tour to Europe later on this year.

Inherent creativity, dedication, hard work and commitment is in evidence from the rehearsal in front of me, to the guys in the office behind who are fixing tour dates and overseeing logistics and liaising with overseas bookers.

I felt I'd come home.