The Nehanda Statue

Song by Black Afro (26 years, Zimbabwe) @ blackafro070 BlackAfro070

Sharleen Eunice Jirongo also known as known by the name BlackAfro is a vocalist and mbira player, born on the 19th of October 1995. Currently pursuing studies in Travel Tourism and Hospitality. Very social, fun and enjoy travelling, music is my passion and I am looking forward to further studies in music. In 2021 Black Afro was also part of the #16WomenVoices project by POVOAfrika Trust in comemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against gender based violence.

Producer - Spencer (Diamond studios)

Nyakasikana Icon II

By Yemurai Mafi (39 yrs, South Africa) https://www.linkedin.com/in/yemurai-mafi-a330a253/

My creation is a concept, motivated by the need to simplify the imagery of nyakasikana. Creating an icon or symbol like depiction. A graphic that is easy to apply or re-render for any visual purpose. A visual upgrade that gives more options apart from the only image we currently relate to.

Mafi - Yemurai is a visual graphic artist. Inspired by my name, my thinking and expressions to life are forever presented in the best artistic way possible. My God given visual intelligence, has seen me into a career of over 15 years. An all-rounder with impactful contributions passed to, and experience gained within Ad Agencies, Publishing, Production and Corporate entities.

Digital Illustration 2021

The Woman Who Refused To Change Her Name

By Thema Vimbainshe Goronga (23 yrs, Masvingo, Zimbabwe) @ icing_sugar_xx

“This job called greatness, you don’t choose it, You don’t pursue it, It comes to you like a Thief in the night and grips you on The chest, right on your dear life. In a nutshell this job called greatness You don’t choose it IT chooses you.”

1840

Awoman is in great pain. It is dark and the atmosphere outside is rather tense. The woman is sweating, her eyelids dilated as another contraction jolts through her body. The midwives are attending to her, one is wiping the sweat off her forehead, the other telling her to push as the baby is almost coming out. At the dawn of the new day an ear splitting scream fills the atmosphere and a baby girl is welcomed on the planet. The father of the baby rushes into the hut to see the sex of the baby and to his great dismay he is informed that it is a girl. He stomps out of the tent screaming heart-wrenching curses to his wife for failing to produce an heir for him and now his wife is met with a new kind of pain disappointment. The baby begins to cry, and the midwives try to shush her but the efforts are in vain. The mother on the other hand refuses to hold her own babe, at the agony of failing to produce the ever longed for boy. From nowhere an Eastern wind blows mildly at first with a voice softly chanting the name Nyakasikana. But as the baby’s cries get louder the magnitude of the wind gets stronger. The voice becomes more audible and no longer soft as if screeching the