Join us for a Five Bhobh inspired readings and creative writing session with Zimbabwean authors, Virginia Phiri and Nomsa Mwamuka.
Listen to excerpts from several prolific texts that highlight some of the themes in the exhibition, Five Bhobh: Painting at the End of an Era. Then observe, reflect, write and share in within small groups in designated gallery spaces.
Phiri and Mwamuka will read from several texts including Township Girls: The Cross-Over Generation which comprises the stories of women who grew up in two countries, Rhodesia, prior to Independence and Zimbabwe post-1980. The contributors reflect on their childhoods with refreshing candour. Many of their memories retain the crystalline clarity of childhood and thus provide insights into worlds that have often remained unexplored. Highway Queen which touches on the daily global challenges of unemployment, poverty, crime, health, ed treatment, education, and economics from a woman’s perspective and Desperate,a collection of stories about the circumstances that lead women to commercial sex workers, and their lived experiences.
Please note that this event is free for University or College groups that have booked in advance. Click here to book. For all other guests, this event is free with museum admission or Zeitz MOCAA Membership. Tickets available at the door or online. RSVP is essential. Click here to RSVP.
About Virginia Phiri:
Virginia Phiri was born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Having been raised in a family of political activists aligned to the Zimbabwe African Peoples Union, she was actively involved in Zimbabwe’s liberation war at the age of seventeen. Later in 2000, together with Zimbabwe Women Writers, she contributed to an anthology, Women of Resilience – the voices of women ex-combatants. Her most popular books include, Highway Queenwhich touches on the daily global challenges of unemployment, poverty, crime, health, education, and economics from a woman’s perspective and Desperate a collection of stories about the circumstances that lead women to commercial sex workers, and their lived experiences. Phiri has been involved in many important initiatives including the Zimbabwean Academic and Non-Fiction Authors Association, the Zimbabwe Women’s Writers, and the Zimbabwe International Book Fair Trust.
About Nomsa Mwamuka:
Nomsa Mwamuka is a researcher, writer, producer and project manager with over 20 years’ experience working across various media platforms from film, TV and radio to print, focusing, in particular, on arts events and cultural festivals. Mwamuka contributes feature articles to various publications and is the award-winning author of Makeba: the Miriam Makeba Story. She is currently conducting interviews and research for a series of biographical stories documenting the lives of pioneering and influential African women, cultural and political activists, and icons under the working title, Acts of Activism: Stories of Inspirational African Women. She is well known for the book, Township Girls: The Cross-Over Generation, which comprises the stories of women who grew up in two countries, Rhodesia, prior to Independence and Zimbabwe post-1980. The contributors reflect on their childhoods with refreshing candour. Many of their memories retain the crystalline clarity of childhood and thus provide insights into worlds that have often remained unexplored.
