Sibonginkosi Moyo

- Creative Avenue
  
  Posted at 1:02 pm by Sibonginkosi Moyo, on Apr 14, 2020
  Youth in Arts:Creative Avenue
  
  In February, I had the opportunity to go to an event called Creative Avenue in Harare. This was an event for the youth in the arts. There I saw many talented people who are fashion designers, jewellery makers, artists and musicians. The most inspiring part of this project was that a young man named Rowan was the brains behind the event. Rowan is passionate about youth in the arts showcasing their talent and gaining some opportunities.
  
  Rowan(left), Sibonginkosi (right)
  
  Rowan pitched his Creative Avenue idea to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation, companies and some foreign embassies. Finally he was able to get funding from the British Council. Funny enough I wore my Union Jack T-shirt that day, I don’t know if it was intuition or just a coincidence.
  Art and Clothing exhibition
  Creative Avenue begins with a masterclass that lasts for two months. After the two months, creatives come together to showcase their talent at an event. Apart from organising Creative Avenue, Rowan also has a clothing line called Domane. You can check out their merchandise here: http://www.domane.co.zw/
  Posted in Events | 0 Comments | Tagged African youth, Creative youth
- African Heroine Celebration: Part 3
  
  Posted at 2:59 pm by Sibonginkosi Moyo, on Mar 31, 2020
  
  African Heroine
  
  For the last part of my heroine series, I go back to my home country Zimbabwe, to celebrate a phenomenal woman who has inspired generations. This woman is none other than Charwe Nehanda Nyakasikana(Mbuya Nehanda). She stood at the forefront of the first Chimurenga(“Revolutionary Struggle”) to resist the Colonial Settlers when they initially arrived. She carries the title Nehanda because she was a spiritual leader as well, a spirit medium.
  
  Cecil Rhodes arrived in the country with the British South Africa Company( BSAC). When the BSAC invaded the country, they possessed the land, imposed heavy taxation and forced labour on the indigenous people. This oppression now led to a rebellion. Mbuya Nehanda and other leaders such as Sekuru Kaguvi were responsible for organising and directing people to resist the invasion.
  
  The resistance began in 1896 till they captured Mbuya Nehanda and sentenced her to death by hanging 1898. The defeat came as they ran out of resources and the BSAC had superior firepower. This first resistance of colonialism was not in vain, as there was a second Chimurenga(“Revolutionary Struggle”) which gave birth to Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980.
  
  The story of this great woman’s, bravery, leadership and resistance to colonialism will be passed on to future generations. We celebrate you Nyakasikana; you continue to inspire Zimbabwean women to be strong leaders!
  
  Posted in Celebration Series | 0 Comments | Tagged African feminist, Women Empowerment, Women's History month
- African Heroine Celebration : Part 2
  
  Posted at 1:49 pm by Sibonginkosi Moyo, on Mar 29, 2020
  
  African Heroine
  
  For the second part of my African heroine series,I am celebrating Wangari Muta Maathai(1 April 1940 – 25 September 2011), a political and environmental activist from Kenya. Although she is now late, she made a significant contribution to the African continent. This great woman was the first Africa woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize when she won in 2014. Also, she was the first woman in East Africa to have a Doctorate degree when she got her PhD in 1971 from the University of Nairobi.
  
  Wangari studied Biology, getting her Masters from the University of Pittsburgh and also obtained a PhD. In 1977, she started the Green Belt Movement, an organisation that mobilised women in rural Kenya to plant trees, reverse deforestation, stop soil erosion while they make an income and have a source of fuel. By the early 21st century, the Green Belt Movement had planted about 30 million trees and had inspired similar projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
  
  We celebrate this great heroine, continue to rest in power Wangari!
  
  Posted in Celebration Series | 0 Comments | Tagged African feminist, African women, Women Empowerment, Women's History month
- Youth Time Series: Part 3
  
  Posted at 3:58 pm by Sibonginkosi Moyo, on Mar 27, 2020
  
  STEM For All
  
  Anza Tshipetane and Nnditsheni Netshimbupfe are two young women I met at the Youth Global Forum who are passionate about making a difference in their community. They are medical students from South Africa who run a non-profit organisation that helps children who want to pursue a STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) career. They were inspired to start Bright Young Leaders Initiative(BYLI) after realising that many children from African rural areas do not have opportunities to pursue a STEM career.
  
  Anza and Nnditsheni took part in the 2019 Youth Time Idea Grant contest and won the grand prize of 10 000 Euros. Being the Pan Africanist that I am, I took the victory as my own and celebrated with them and our other fellow delegate Warren who is also from South Africa.
  
  2019 Idea Grant Awards Ceremony
  
  Anza(left), Warren, Sibonginkosi, Nnditsheni(right)
  
  Some of the programs run by BYLI include a Rural School Innovation Camp and BYLI Science and Innovation challenge. You can check out their website to see more: https://www.byli.org/
  
  Posted in Youth Global Forum | 0 Comments
- Youth Time Series:Part 2
  
  Posted at 12:18 pm by Sibonginkosi Moyo, on Mar 26, 2020
  
  Mental Health
  
  Mental Health is an essential part of one’s wellbeing. The youth like everyone else can be having depression, anxiety, bipolar and other mental health challenges. While at the Youth Global Forum, I met Shinelle Bayrd, whose passionate about addressing mental health in her home country Guyana. A World Health Organisation report in 2014 stated that Guyana had the highest suicide rate at 44.2 per 100 000. That’s alarming for a country with a population of under 1 million people. After becoming aware of these statistics, I could now understand why Shinelle is passionate about addressing mental health in her country.
  
  Shinelle at the 2018 Idea Grant Competition
  
  In 2018, Shinelle was the winner of the Youth Global Forum Idea Grant, and this resulted in her creating a Wellness Centre. The Centre helps those with mental health illness by improving their mental, physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
  
  The youth can definitely be at the forefront of providing support to those with mental health challenges as Shinelle has done in Guyana. You can check out the Wellness Centre website: https://thewellnesscentergy.com/.
  
  Shinelle(left), Sibonginkosi (right)
  
  Posted in Youth Global Forum | 0 Comments | Tagged Mental Health, Youth Empowerment
- African Heroine Celebration: Part 1
  
  Posted at 10:02 am by Sibonginkosi Moyo, on Mar 17, 2020
  
  African Heroine
  
  To start our women Celebration series, we begin our trip by going to Liberia, a West African country that gave the African continent its first female president. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made history the day she became president. For the first time ever, a woman was president on the continent. This was quite a landmark achievement on a continent that struggles with a history of toxic patriarchy. Issues that affect women and girls in African nations range from child marriages, female gender mutilation, minimal Economic opportunities and other problems. Having a Female president brought hope and showed that one of the highest glass ceiling could be shattered.
  
  Madam Sirleaf has impressive credentials, she studied Economics and Business Administration, and got a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University. Before becoming president she served in public office as a Finance Minister during the Doe regime. She clashed with the head of state during this time, and as a result she was imprisoned, nearly executed and finally exiled.During her time in exile, she was an Economist for international organisations such as the World Bank.
  
  Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ran for presidency in 2005, was sworn into office on 16 January 2006 and remained in office till 2018. In 2011 she won a Nobel Peace Prize. Additionally, she won the 2017 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, recognizing the good changes that happened in Liberia during her presidency.
  
  We Salute you Madam President!
  
  Posted in Celebration Series | 0 Comments | Tagged African feminist, Women Empowerment, Women's History month
- ADA International Women’s Day Celebration
  
  Posted at 6:28 am by Sibonginkosi Moyo, on Mar 10, 2020
  
  Celebrating Women
  
  Africa Day Australia (ADA) joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day by hosting an event in Melbourne. The event was well attended and there were some inspiring speakers. Our keynote speaker was Dr Mimmie Watts who is an academic, author, African-Australian leader and much more.
  
  Our amazing facilitator was Zione Walker who is a powerful woman in her own right. For the panel discussion session, the panelists included two men (Mohammed Yassin and Phillip Gai) who happen to both be fathers of two girls. Although a women’s event, it was important to get a male perspective on women empowerment.
  
  Some valuable lessons I took from the keynote speaker Dr Mimmie Watts: -Do not settle for what is below your level of achievements. -Be honest with yourself and others. -Mentor and sponsor others. -Value and appreciate what you have, especially your family
  
  I had fun volunteering at this ADA event and madam president Shillar Sibanda(ADA president) ensured that everything ran smoothly. Surely a great event celebrating women.
  
  Posted in Events | 0 Comments | Tagged Women Empowerment
- Young Women Empowerment Conference
  
  Posted at 12:44 pm by Sibonginkosi Moyo, on Mar 9, 2020
  
  Delegates
  
  On Saturday 22 February, I had an opportunity to attend a Young Women’s Empowerment Conference in my hometown Harare. This event was put together by an organisation called SHE ROARS. SHE ROARS is an organisation that empowers young girls and women to break gender stereotypes and help them find opportunities. One thing that stood out at this conference was, there was someone who was translating the presentations into sign language for the deaf. This is really important as no one should be left behind because of a disability or special needs.
  
  With Miss Deaf Pride Zimbabwe
  
  Among the presenters, we had Honourable Minister Monica Mutsvangwa (Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services) and media personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa.
  
  Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa
  
  Some of the valuable lesson I learnt from the conference:
  
  1. Its crucial to build your self-esteem
  
  2. It’s important to take care of our mental health
  
  3. It is essential to be financially literate. How many financial books have I read?
  
  4. I learned to be distinct, as distinction makes you different from another person
  
  5. Don’t leave another sister behind. Carry other women along when opportunities come
  
  Posted in Events | 1 Comment | Tagged Women Empowerment, Youth Empowerment
- Happy International Women’s Day
  
  Posted at 4:02 pm by Sibonginkosi Moyo, on Mar 8, 2020
  
  Happy International Women’s Day to you all. In US, UK and Australia March is Women’s history month. Time is taken out to commemorate and celebrate the important role of women. In Canada Women’s history month is celebrated in October. Women have been historically disadvantaged in many areas be it socially, economically etc. Its sad to say that for some women this is till the case. According to a UN Women report, out of 189 economies assessed in 2018, 104 economies still had laws preventing women from working certain jobs and in 18 economies husbands can legally prevent their wives from working.(https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/economic-empowerment/facts-and-figures). These figures are really depressing. However, equality can still be achieved.
  
  I usually love paying special attention to the important women in my life as they are part of my support system. I’m grateful to descend from brilliant and resilient women and I’ve always had other strong women support me. Growing up my mother would say, ” Mwana musikana akakosha uyezve anochengetedzwa.” This basically means a girl child is precious . She should be taken care of and protected.” Growing up with such affirmations, I grew up to be an ambitious, empowered and strong woman.
  
  For those of us who are empowered women, we will not leave any sister behind. It’s such an honour and privilege to be a woman and I’m proud to be one. To celebrate Women’s history month on my blog, in addition to other articles, I’m running a 3 part series celebrating 3 women on the African continent who have stood out and inspired me over the years. Let’s celebrate, empower and encourage the lovely ladies in our lives. Once again, Happy International Women’s Day.
  
  Girl Power!
  
  Posted in Events | 1 Comment | Tagged Women Empowerment
- Youth Time Series Part 1: Have a Voice
  
  Posted at 9:13 pm by Sibonginkosi Moyo, on Feb 18, 2020
  
  At the Youth Time Forum, I got to participate in a group activity where we concentrated on Inclusive growth, and our focus was people being able to have a voice. If you ever find yourself as a minority, immigrant, or part of a marginalised group, you understand the importance of having a voice. If you are unable to speak out for yourself, there is a risk of being misrepresented in the media, and other people keep on carrying negative stereotypes due to their ignorance or misinformation.
  
  Some of our groups points of discussion included the following:
  
  -Freedom of Speech
  
  -Town hall meetings
  
  -A diverse representation in the media space
  
  Below is a summary of the discussion that our group had. Be a voice wherever you find yourself to speak up for yourself or for those who are not give a platform to speak.
  
  Summary
  
  Posted in Youth Global Forum | 0 Comments | Tagged inclusive growth, Representation
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