By Dumisani Ndlovu
A new poetry anthology is set to highlight the talents of artists with disabilities in Zimbabwe. Gweru based Hodzeko Arts and Culture Association (HACA) and Harare based Disability HIV and AIDS Trust (DHAT) are collaborating to publish a trilogy of poetry collections featuring emerging poets from across the nation.
This project is supported by a generous grant of US$4000 from the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust and the European Union through its CreativeACTIONs 2 initiative for 2023-2025. The anthologies will be available in Shona, English, and Braille, ensuring that the voices of these poets reach a broad audience.
Ndhlovu, Productions Manager at HACA, expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “Their funding has enabled us to provide a platform for emerging poets with disabilities to share their stories and showcase their talents.”
Moses Magazeni, part of the Directorate for disability-inclusive programs at the Zimbabwe International Disability Inclusive Arts and Culture Festival (ZIDIAC), noted that this funding will create valuable opportunities for people with disabilities to connect and share ideas. He emphasized the impact of shared experiences, saying, “Having someone communicate ideas and feelings that a downtrodden and isolated person with disabilities never suspected was shared by others can be a turning point for many.”
This anthology aims to promote artistic expression and inclusivity, shining a light on the creativity of poets with disabilities in Zimbabwe.
The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust and the European Union’s support for this project demonstrate their commitment to promoting artistic expression, cultural diversity, and social inclusion. Their funding has enabled HACA and DHAT to create a platform that will have a lasting impact on the lives of poets with disabilities and the broader community.
As the project moves forward, we celebrate the talented poets with disabilities who will be showcased in these anthologies. We also applaud the tireless efforts of HACA, DHAT, the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, and the European Union for their dedication to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and artistic expression in Zimbabwe.
CreativeACTIONs 2 (2023-2025) builds upon the foundations laid by its predecessor, CreativeACTIONs 1 (2020-2021), with a clear trajectory to support capacity development, talent, and creative sector innovations. This initiative is designed to empower the creative sector ecosystem and foster resilience and rebuilding in the post-COVID-19 era.
The program aims to strengthen the capacities of individual practitioners and creative civil society organisations, with a focus on enhancing digital skills, production, marketing, networking, and arts education. It also seeks to support innovative artistic and cultural creations from artists, cultural practitioners, creative civil society organisations, and private operators in the cultural and creative industries.
Furthermore, CreativeACTIONs 2 endeavours to empower the creative sector to participate in policy dialogue and advocacy, contributing to an enabling operating environment for the cultural and creative industries. A key consideration of the program is to promote participation and inclusivity, with a particular focus on women, youth, and people living with disabilities.
