Due to the energetic activities of several female pressure groups, commendable developments have been made in the business sector – though sadly the same cannot be said politically.
Though the new constitution provides for gender equality, the Cabinet appointments following last year’s elections shunned women to a large extent. And the same is true of the arts sector.
While calls have been made for equal gender representation in political and economic spheres, it is very disappointing to note that less effort has been made in the male-dominated arts sector.
It has become a bottle-neck industry, where male artists get visible recognition way ahead of their female counterparts. Such miscarriage of justice has harboured a patriarchal arts industry – making it extremely difficult for promising female artists to break the gender barriers.
Anna Mariga, the renowned female Shona stone sculptor and wife to the late Joram Mariga, in 2008 attempted to open doors for fellow female sculptors without much success. The discipline has continued to be a male domain where artists such as Dominic Benhura rule the roost.
Most nominees for the Outstanding Two-Dimensional Work and Outstanding Three-Dimensional Work categories for the NAMA awards are men.
The issue is even worse in the music arena. Athough the fraternity boasts plenty of female singers, none have been awarded their due respect for surviving in the turbulent musical waters infested by male crocodiles.
Veteran mbira artistes such as Mbuya Stella Chiweshe, Chiwoniso Maraire, Busi Ncube and outstanding Jazz stars like Dudu Manhenga and Ruth ‘Rute’ Mbangwa, gospel superstars Ivy Kombo-Kasi, Mai Charamba, Shingisai Suluma, Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave have not been accorded due respect despite their international fame.
Not to mention that no female singer has ever been included in the top 10 Zimbabwe’s greatest artists of all times and of the moment. Only male artists have dominated this debate.
Of the shows that have been held, namely The Clash of the Giants or The Big Four, Sungura Night, no female artist is ever lined up to perform.
“It’s very difficult to penetrate the local music industry. Usually male artists are given preference over us (women). Some male music promoters tend to take advantage of me because, I’m a woman,” Jazz sensation Tendai Luwisi.
Thembi Samupindi said she decided to take up the monumental task, becoming one of the few female music promoters to give “the sisters preference.”
“In Zimbabwe, female artists are lowly regarded and not give their due respect and recognition. This is not the case in other countries and it is upon us as women to fight and emancipate ours selves against gender disparities in the male infested arts industry,” she said.
Samupindi is currently managing an upcoming female Jazz artist called Memo.
Post published in: Arts