By Nevison Mpofu
In the face of continued conflict and humanitarian devastation in Gaza, Palestine is turning to the arts — specifically theatre — as a powerful tool to raise awareness, promote peace, and call for global recognition of Palestinian human rights.
In Harare this week, the Embassy of the State of Palestine hosted a moving cultural and advocacy event where Ambassador Dr. Tamer Almassri addressed the worsening situation in Gaza.
The event featured a theatre performance by local Zimbabwean artists in collaboration with the Zambuko/Izibuko Theatre Group, aiming to humanize the statistics and shine a light on the lived realities of displaced families, especially women and children.
“The humanitarian situation is catastrophic,” said Ambassador Almassri. “There is no food, water, or electricity. Nearly 76,000 people have died — many of them women and children. These are not just numbers; they are lives lost. Our rights have been stripped away by ongoing aggression.”
With nearly two years of continuous conflict, the Ambassador said that efforts like the theatre campaign are essential to keeping international attention on Gaza.
“Our hope is that, through art and dialogue, people around the world will understand our cry for dignity, peace, and freedom. We ask for solidarity — not sympathy — as we continue to demand justice and human rights.”
The theatrical performance delivered by Zambuko Theatre portrayed emotional scenes of displacement, fear, loss, and resilience — giving voice to those silenced in the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The actors used traditional African storytelling and symbolism to draw connections between Palestine’s struggles and other global movements for justice.
Tariro Magurumure, one of the featured performers, said the goal of the drama piece was to provoke thought and compassion.
“This is not just theatre. It’s a wake-up call,” she said. “We want people to understand that behind the headlines are human beings — children, mothers, families — all caught in a cycle of violence they didn’t choose.”
“As Zimbabweans in solidarity with Palestine, we are taking this awareness into communities. We want people to realize that these are fellow human souls — suffering in their own homeland.”
The event drew notable local and international solidarity figures, including Robert Mshengu Kavanagh, a Scottish-Zimbabwean theatre practitioner and long-time activist formerly with CHIPAWO (Children’s Performing Arts Workshop).
Kavanagh reflected on the historical parallels between the Palestinian experience and liberation movements elsewhere.
“Many nations — from India to Ireland, from South Africa to Zimbabwe — have walked the path of resistance,” he said. “What is happening in Gaza is a humanitarian tragedy that mirrors the darker moments of our shared global history.”
“This theatre initiative is part of the cultural resistance — telling stories that must not be erased.”
The use of theatre as a means of advocacy underscores Palestine’s broader cultural diplomacy efforts, aiming to foster empathy, stimulate public dialogue, and amplify calls for a peaceful resolution.
The Harare event served not only as a memorial for the lives lost, but also as a rallying cry — for justice, for freedom, and for the recognition of Palestinian human rights across the globe.
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