Our very own Lady Zaza!

Zimbabwe has Lady Zaza, a poet with a sharp and sometimes smooth voice, depending on the message she wants to hammer home. She is with no doubt a strong contestant to the throne of Poetry Queen, the huge audiences and the standing ovations wherever she performs bear testimony to that.

Zaza, real name Elizabeth Vuramai Sharon Muchemwa, is now set to take a stride in her career with the release of a poetry album. Described as work in progress, the album will feature many of the poems that have endeared her with poetry fans. Not new to the arts industry, Zaza started poetry five years ago, drawing inspiration from the effects of the countrys political upheaval and economic meltdown on ordinary people. She started off as a slam poet, competing for space on stage with other established artists.

It was not easy facing those reputable poets but each time I was beaten, I felt challenged to improve she said. Zaza says she got help from other artists who did collaborations with her. It was through these collaborations that Zaza got a chance to fuse her poetry with music, dance and theatre. Last year, she moved a step further and learnt to play the mbira while she churns out her poems.

Soft spoken, shy and rather reserved offstage, she turns fiery with words when it comes to delivering her social commentary poems on stage. In one of her performances at the popular Mannenburg, she left the audience begging for more after doing her poem entitled A knock on my head. The poem indirectly refers to the fear of having the police on your doorstep as part of governments crackdown on perceived opponents.

For Zaza, it is not just about writing a perfect piece of poetry. It is more about the performance and how you communicate the message, she said. Drawing her inspiration from many things including the bad and good things she sees in the our society and the artists she talks to, Zaza believes in God, and all the good things He put on earth for everyone to enjoy. The dreadlocked artist does not only write and perform poetry; she also writes and directs theatre plays.

This year she directed the highly reviewed play, Just Papers. The play was a significant part of the line up of this years edition of the Harare International Festival of the Arts and it received rave reviews from local and international critics. Speaking of the future, Zaza said she would like to see herself penetrate more deeply into the arts industry. In the next 10 years I would like to direct at least ten plays and for me it is not about the product, but growth and spiritual understanding of my work, she said.

Turning to the political situation in Zimbabwe, Zaza urged everyone in Zimbabwe to participate in the rebuilding the country. It is really sad that not all people are willing to take part in processes that lead to how we would like to be governed. When you talk about the constitution, they say it is politics when in actual fact it is about every aspect of our life. People are afraid of the reports they read in the press about abductions so they decide that it is safer not to just participate in anything but it is dangerous because we need to collectively chart our destiny, she said.

Zaza speaks out

Tapwia: Tell us a bit of your history.

I was born fourth in a family of six on the Valentines Day (14 February) of 1986. I attended Bondolffi Primary and Victoria High Schools in Masvingo, my home area.

Zaza: Outside your work, what do you enjoy doing?

I love watching movies, my favourite is Desperado. I also like going out with friends and travelling.

What is your taste of music like?

I listen to all kinds but of course there are all time favourites like Bob Marley and Salif Keita.

And your taste for food?

Give me any chicken dish.

Preferred colour(s)?

I love green and black.

Matters of the heart?

I am not married, I am not searching. I would want to have three children.

What was the saddest moment of your life?

When my grandfather passed away. I was six years old and I felt the loss mainly because I was so close to him.

And the most embarrassing moment?

It happened while I was in primary school when…oh wait it is still embarrassing to me so I will tell you this one, I was walking in town with my sister when I tripped and fell down and my skirts were flying all over. Luckily my sister was there to pick me up before many people could notice.

Any message to the women and girls aspiring to be artists?

They need to realise that the arts industry is a business and one has to work hard and commit all their effort to that work.