By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
On Friday 26 November 2021, the Institute for Young Women Development (IYWD), Zimbabwe Coalition of Debt and Development (Zimcodd) and Southern Africa Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST) will host the premiere of the film production, Ndafunga Kure, a short movie series that uses the lens of everyday community to theatrically stage a view point on the issues that affect women and girls.
The premiere will be held at Ster Kinekor Borrowdale. Whilst it is strictly by invite due to the COVID-19 regulations, the film will be screened on various social media channels.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY4M3I5fVIA
The film, a star studded production stars Anthony Tongai, Stewart Sakarombe, Stelhah January, Charles Kamara, Felstus Tizora among other new and established actors. Created by Tirivashe Mundondo, the movie was produced by TBGA – LightImages and was directed by the award-winning Zimbabwean filmmaker Melgin Tafirenyika. The film soundtrack was performed by Kelvin VITO Tapi, the Zvachose maestro of the Chamhembe era who is one third of the contemporary band Trinity.
The 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV) is an international campaign that commences on 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and ends on 10 December (Human Rights Day). Originally created by activists, it continues to be coordinated each year by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership.
The United Nations supports this civil society-led campaign through the “United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign (UNiTE)”. The UNiTE campaign utilizes the colour orange to represent a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls, as a unifying theme running through all of its global activities. The Institute for Young Women Development (IYWD), Just Associates, Zimbabwe Coalition of Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) , Southern Africa Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST) have come together to use visual arts in Commemoration of 16 Days against Gender based Violence.
The Production – 16 days (The Series)
A 16 episode series of short movies with a continuing sequence whose content deliberately weaves in our areas of convergence as per the goals of our campaigns above. The movie will feature mixed cast and one episode will be widely circulated from the 25 November to 10 December to achieve the following:
The Objectives and Outcomes
- Create awareness – among young women, women, men and the society at large about GBV and other forms of violence, its roots and causes, how they have increased during the COVID-19 crisis;
- Communities and organisations and power-holders share strategies – to prevent, respond and address GBV and the other increased gender inequalities.
- Advocate – for gender equality as means to prevent any form of GBV.
The Expected Outcomes are:
Communities and organisations sharing experiences on gender based violence ;
- Communities and organisations and power-holders commit to adopt strategies to strengthen preventive mechanisms as well as accountability and justice systems to bring perpetrators to book;
- Coordinated Advocacy Campaign developed end violence against women.
Memorable Quotes :
“Ndafunga Kure” awakens society to the reality of the pervasiveness of violence against women and girls. It shows how multi-dimensional the violence is, from physical, sexual, economic, psychological and emotional violence among others. Drawing from the 30th Anniversary theme marking the 2021 16Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence focusing on From Awareness to Accountability. The film amplifies the 7 #WhatWomenWant demands made by diverse Zimbabwean young women and women to end structural violence against women, and at the same time hold local and national government accountable on the issues. Through collaborations with organisations like SAPST and ZIMCODD, we are also ensuring that tackling gender based violence is a collective responsibility and rewriting the narrative that women and girls are not only victims/survivors but powerful change agents who articulate their needs and wants to thrive in modern society is important”. Glanis Changachirere – Executive Director: IYWD
For me, Ndafunga Kure is a reflection of the untold story of women who suffer structural violence, exclusion and gender-based violence based on where they have been positioned by the patriarchal system. The beauty of the battle is that women are finding a voice, one girl at a time. They are not just victims but survivors and champions of their destinies. Janet Zhou – Executive Director: Zimcodd
“The role of Parliament in efforts to eliminate all forms of Gender based Violence cannot be overempasised. Parliament should ensure the passing of laws that seek to deal with gender based Violence in all its facets. The oversight role of parliament on the implementation of laws and policies against gender based Violence needs to be strengthened”. Chengetai Kanyangu – SAPST
Movie titles are overrated and often cut out the real creators of the narrative. While the credit for creating this movie is aligned to my name, I take it with grace, conscious of the fact that such a story is a product of multiple narratives that we project as a society. – This is a story that most women relate to in silence. Tirivashe Mundondo – Executive Producer / Director.
I have seen these things happen in my eyes, Ndafunda kure is an escape song from victimhood to survivor. Kevin VITO Tapi – Singer / Songwriter.
LightImages was named under the scriptural inspiration that we ought to be the light of the world. Knowing that this production shines a light on the societal injustices that women face is in itself a source of pride. Melgin Tafirenyika – Director.
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