Story: House of Arts Festival

ON A SUNNY WEDNESDAY in Mbare, more than 2000 festival goers from near and far came by to support the line-up of more than 35 artists at the House of Arts Festival, the HAA Fest. Young artists from Mbare and other near-by communities showed off their talent, entertaining the audience with rap, acrobatics, percussion, poetry, dance, comedy and much more. The festival was House of Arts Association’s biggest to date. Casper, head of House of Arts says:

“It was really important for us to have the festival exactly in Mbare. Right now in Zimbabwe, so many young people are venturing in to art. We’ve got so many talented young people within our marginalised communities. Mbare is a very art oriented community. There are a lot of young musicians, dancers and street-artists. You also see it in the streets; there is a lot of graffiti and wall-art on the buildings. Those artists don’t have a platform where they can get exposed, where they can showcase their talent. The festival worked as a platform that would give them the chance to showcase what they have.”

The festival is an example of the growing movement of young people from slum communities, who come together to take the lead in creating societal change. Through the language of music, poetry and performance they want to create awareness of the challenges in slums. A lot of the young artists are pushing the boundaries by communicating the need for change in their communities and in society in general. Using culture and art, they can question the state of things, without provoking or hurting anyone while doing it. This is how they inspire the government to cooperate and support young people in their quest to create change. The transition from art to activism became particularly relevant as Nomsa Moyo Mpofu, the Deputy Director for Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation participated in the festival. She and her fellow members of the Ministry were there to absorb the voices of the young people, expressing their dreams for the future through art, music, drawings and writing. Furthermore, House of Arts had created a billboard where young people were encouraged to write and share their wishes and visions for their community and their dreams for the future. In the end, the billboard was presented to the Ministry of Youth. Mpofu read the needs and wishes from the youth and signed the billboard, and she thereby committed to solve the issues presented by the youth. The participation of the governmental authorities in the HAA Fest marked a big step in the advocacy work by House of Arts Association. It marked the power of linking art with activism and advocacy, thereby giving young people a voice in society.

During the day, the festival was packed with people. A big audience was there to listen to and see the young artists perform. Among the artists were Fantastic Boys, Mc Doc, Tripple D, Youth and Students for Peace, Prometheus and the Hip Hop Basement, School of Music Band, Mentor, Church Boy, Ranx Tee, Milz Million, Kiddo, Rap Killer, Kuda Run It, Wallace Poem, Gully Flexors and many, many more. In the end, the festival was a platform for the growing young group of artists in Mbare and other near-by communities. Producers from record labels were there to scout talent.

“We live in communities where no one believes in young peoples’ dreams. You spend your whole life trying to follow what you think other people want you to do. Young people are afraid of showing what they want to pursue. This is a chance to show your talent, to show what you love.” - Langa, young film writer, Bulawayo.

Overlooking Mbare HAA-Fest

Fantastic Boys dance and acting group

A dance group that made the entire audience laugh, dance and scream