A group of women from Nswazi in Umzingwane District are using art to raise awareness on issues affecting their community such as mental health, gender-based violence and disability issues.
The group known as Extraordinary Ladies, has about 30 members with various skills in music, dance, poetry and creative writing.
Speaking to CITE, one of the founders, Omega Ndlovu said their mission is to bring to use arts to shine the light on some of the social ills they are grappling with in their community.
“With our God given talents we wish to raise awareness through the arts on different issues such as mental health and how they interlink with issues such as gender-based violence, social and emotional abuse of pregnant women, child abuse, traumatic backgrounds, poverty, physical disability, and prostitution and how we can deal with these issues in our communities,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu said they are looking for partnerships with other likeminded organisations and the corporate sector so they can grow their craft.
“We are appealing to different experts who can partner us to help us grow as Extra Ordinary Ladies and also nurture our raw talent that we have here in Umzingwane. We can have companies that can come and talk to our community about issues of alcohol and mental health especially to school going children,” she noted.
“Mostly we are appealing for assistance in areas such as rehearsal space, office equipment and internet connection to market our vast talent.”
Source: Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE)
