Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights Coordinator Michael Mabwe said the function was aimed at using poetry to preach tolerance which he emphasized is a necessity to society because it helps people to understand each other and communicate.
We are calling upon our people to be tolerant, to act upon issues that we, as young poets, put on the agenda, he said.
Unlike the usual poetry slams which actually slam' the audience without giving it a chance to respond, this event alternated between performance and discussion to bring up open interaction between the poets and the audience. This also helped to discuss relevance, technique and impact of each poem, a self-training process in itself for the participating poets.
A poem by Cynthia aka Flow child titled I have a Dream rhymed that there was hope on the other side where all people will be equal, where there will be no poverty, as long as there's tolerance. Other poets such as Anesu Katerere aka the guerilla poet' and Tapfuma Jongwe Wezhira who did a poem called House of Stones enthralled the audience and generated very informative discussions.
ZPHR was formed in July 2007 by a group of young poets to create a platform for artistes and the general public to interact and exchange ideas resulting in a better understanding of human rights. They also endeavor to expose factors that lie at the basis of violations of human rights – such as autocracy, corruption, impunity, nepotism and suppression through poetry and related art forms.
 The organisation has so far conducted a number of human rights-based poetry forums within Harare and has worked with different arts organizations such as Vhitori Entertainment, BWAZ, and Savanna Arts Trust. They have also partnered with various civic society organisations such as Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Crisis Coalition, MISA Zimbabwe, ROHR Zimbabwe, ZINASU and CHRA amongst othersÂ
The organization has helped poets to understand their craft in different forms such as what they call poetic theatre', poetry-music fusions', and poetry on canvas'. Poetry on canvas aims to bring the visual impact of poetry as seen in words and images.
We deal with the issue of human rights through poetry in different forms from different points of view, said Michael Mabwe.
He also said that ZPHR feels that the issue of human rights has not been discussed at grassroots level and has only been regarded as their issue.
We are trying to simplify this issue in our society. When the ordinary men/women in the street hear about human rights either they don't budge because they don't know about it or quickly associate it with politics. It is not about politics only, but also about rights of the disabled people, the HIV positive people, women, children, every one, he added.
They hold a poetry forum every month. The next one will be held in February to coincide with the Black History Month and the theme will be Black History Poetry in Motion.
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