Opinion / Columnist
Gukurahundi fundraising appeal for a crucial theatre play
27 May 2016 at 05:05hrs | Views
In 1983 the government of Robert Mugabe, the then Prime Minister of Zimbabwe started mass killings in Matebeleland and Midlands, which international organisations have now certified as genocide against the Ndebele people of Zimbabwe. The physical genocide stopped in 1987 when Dr Joshua Nkomo signed the humiliation document, known as the Unity Accord.
People were not allowed to mourn their loved ones and were also not allowed to bury them according to their customs, which in actual fact means that their loved ones' souls haven't rested in peace.
Many organisations have tried to institute commemorations for the genocide and to initiate proper mourning and reburial programs; however, the Zanu-PF government is not interested and uses its police to stifle the progress towards psychological healing of the victims of the genocide.
From nowhere God has sent a Theatre Group of young visionary, fearless and vibrant youth from South Africa to tell the forbidden story. The Siphesakhe Theatre Group has come up with a play called Uloyiko a Xhosa word for fear.
The creators of uLoyiko have explained that they chose the title uLoyiko (The Fear) due to psychological scars which were inflicted by gukurahundi genocide on the surviving victims, the scars which are still very evident today. They went on to say that they were aware that the Zimbabwean government was not giving any room in Zimbabwe for victims to talk about their plight which took many forms, including psychological trauma.
To kick the ball rolling, the Group will hold a Gukurahundi Commemoration on the 4th June 2016 at Samora Machel Community Centre Hall, Cape Town, South Africa.
On the 25th June 2016 the Loyiko gukurahundi play will be officially launched in Johannesburg at Hilbrow Theatre. This event promises to be one of the biggest events so far regarding the genocide as the Siphesakhe Youth Organisation unleashes its talent in telling the untold story of gukurahundi genocide. The event will mark the proper start for the internationalisation of the plight of the gukurahundi victims, as it is hoped that the group will start touring every width and breadth of South Africa and other African countries showcasing their play.
Many people who were not aware of the genocide will start to look at the government of Robert Mugabe in a different light and this will force the South African government to re-assess its relationship with the Zimbabwean government.
For those willing and happy to support the work of this enterprising group, they can go to their crowd funding page: https://www.gofundme.com/24vhdd74 and make their donations, already people have started donating, the fundraising campaign was started yesterday the target is to raise £600 and already over £100 has been raised.
You can also contact them directly at: loyikotheatreplay@gmail.com or call 0027717548206/0027627649602 and 0027849603154
People were not allowed to mourn their loved ones and were also not allowed to bury them according to their customs, which in actual fact means that their loved ones' souls haven't rested in peace.
Many organisations have tried to institute commemorations for the genocide and to initiate proper mourning and reburial programs; however, the Zanu-PF government is not interested and uses its police to stifle the progress towards psychological healing of the victims of the genocide.
From nowhere God has sent a Theatre Group of young visionary, fearless and vibrant youth from South Africa to tell the forbidden story. The Siphesakhe Theatre Group has come up with a play called Uloyiko a Xhosa word for fear.
The creators of uLoyiko have explained that they chose the title uLoyiko (The Fear) due to psychological scars which were inflicted by gukurahundi genocide on the surviving victims, the scars which are still very evident today. They went on to say that they were aware that the Zimbabwean government was not giving any room in Zimbabwe for victims to talk about their plight which took many forms, including psychological trauma.
On the 25th June 2016 the Loyiko gukurahundi play will be officially launched in Johannesburg at Hilbrow Theatre. This event promises to be one of the biggest events so far regarding the genocide as the Siphesakhe Youth Organisation unleashes its talent in telling the untold story of gukurahundi genocide. The event will mark the proper start for the internationalisation of the plight of the gukurahundi victims, as it is hoped that the group will start touring every width and breadth of South Africa and other African countries showcasing their play.
Many people who were not aware of the genocide will start to look at the government of Robert Mugabe in a different light and this will force the South African government to re-assess its relationship with the Zimbabwean government.
For those willing and happy to support the work of this enterprising group, they can go to their crowd funding page: https://www.gofundme.com/24vhdd74 and make their donations, already people have started donating, the fundraising campaign was started yesterday the target is to raise £600 and already over £100 has been raised.
You can also contact them directly at: loyikotheatreplay@gmail.com or call 0027717548206/0027627649602 and 0027849603154
Source - Thulani Nkala
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