Bulawayo Agenda in partnership with the Church and Civil Society Forum will hold a Peace Concert in Ezimnyama village in Plumtree on September 15.
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The concert will be held under the theme “Sustainable Peace for Sustainable Future”, which is the theme for this year’s International Day of Peace. Bulawayo Agenda research and information manager Mmeli Dube said the concert was meant to promote peace in the rural area.
“The peace concert is meant to promote peace and healing within the Ezimnyama area ahead of the anticipated elections next year. It is also meant to enhance the spirit of community cohesion and development,” said Dube.
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“Ezimnyama is one of the areas that were greatly affected by the political violence in 2008, as people in the area still have memories of the traumatic experiences perpetrated by Zanu PF supporters under the Mana uqonde violent campaign.
“Mana uqonde is a Ndebele phrase meaning stand upright. In this instance, it was used by ZANU PF supporters to force community members to publicly declare which political parties they supported in the area and most parts of Matabeleland South.”
Representatives of Joint Monitoring and Implimentation Comittee (Jomic), the Organ on National Healing Reconciliation and Integration, civil society leaders, Members of Parliament and local traditional leaders have been invited to attend the concert. Ndux Junior, Kaissa and Victory Siyanqoba and other local drama groups are expected to perform during the concert.
“The Peace Concert is one of the Bulawayo Agenda’s initiatives to create a platform for the previous enemies to come together and reflect on the past and work together in promoting community healing and development. A similar concert was held in Gomoza village, Lupane, in June this year and attracted an estimated 2 000 villagers, local leaders, Jomic, political parties, among other stakeholders,” added Dube.
