AFRICA Unity Square will be lively this Saturday (June 8) when it hosts the second edition of the Special Schools Arts Festival which will see both prominent artistes with disabilities and mainstream artists performing.
REPORT BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
The event, which will be held under the theme, “Breaking Barriers”, will see more than 12 special schools that include Sibantubaye Special School from Bulawayo, Emerald Hill School for the Deaf and Ruvimbo Special School in action. Seasoned artistes like Munyaradzi Munodawafa, Timothy Dube from Bulawayo, Derick Mpofu and Hope Masike among others are expected to light up the festival.
Festival co-ordinator Trust Mutekwa said the absence of arts events in special schools was the major inspiration that resulted in the birth of the event.
“Our arts initiatives at special schools has not been recognised and given a platform of late and this threatened skills and talents of some of our pupils in such schools hence coming up with such an event,” Mutekwa said.
“The event brings together child artistes with disabilities from different corners of the country for the purpose of enjoying themselves, showcasing their artistic skills as well as celebrating their achievements, abilities and contributions.”
Keyboard wizard Munodawafa of the Shandisa Chipo Chako fame told NewsDay that he was ready for the festival and promised an outstanding performance.
“I am really prepared for the show and I am promising nothing other than fireworks come Saturday. This is a noble idea from the event organisers to combine artistes with disabilities and mainstream artistes under one roof to promote art in special schools,” Munodawafa said.
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“It is now left for us as artistes not to spoil the show, but to put up a fine performance that would really bring the significance of the show.”
Mutekwa said the collaboration of the artistes with disabilities and the mainstream brands was meant for the purposes of encouraging pupils and guide them on how to manage their art.
“Collaborations of established artistes and children with disabilities have happened mainly at St Giles and Emerald Hill School for the Deaf where musicians and sculptors have worked in consultation with arts directors.
“However, the festival seeks to observe such collaborations in order to facilitate and promote recognition of children with disabilities through arts among other achievements like sporting and academic prowess,” he said.
