Mbizo Chirasha
Performing Poet and Writer


Mbizo Chirasha was born in 1978 in Zvishavane District in Zimbabwe, and was inspired by his social surroundings at a young age.  As a young man, Mbizo quickly gained prominence as a performing poet and writer in Zimbabwe and internationally.  The themes of his poetry include children's rights, politics, social lives, gender issues, praise and protest, culture and African pride.  Mbizo's poems can be read in print, but are even more powerful when performed by the poet himself.  He has a vision to use his poetry to promote peace, healing, stability, and cultural freedom. Mbizo is a poet with commitment, talent, and a desire to perform whenever and wherever he can.

PUBLISHED POETRY
--"Unveiling Status".  December 2004.  AIDS Out of Africa magazine, Philadelphia University.

-- "Cloud of Rain".  August 2004.  United Nations Information Centre Bulletin. Harare: United Nations.

--"Undying wounds", "Home", "Armageddon".  April 2004. National Constitutional Assembly Journal.

--"Who Shall Stop The War?" May 2002.  Zimbabwe/Iranian Friendship Bulletin.

--"Volcano". February 2002. Cracking Voice: An Anthology, published by The Budding Writers
Association.

--"Peace Described".  April 2001.  United Nations Information Centre Bulletin.

--"When The Rain Season Comes". December 1999.  MOTO Magazine.

--"Wakatamba nedzidzomwanangu". November 1998.  Cracking Voice: An Anthology, published by the Budding Writers
Association. 2001 and 2002 -  Various poems, poetry reviews and interviews published in the Writers' Scroll Magazine.

--"Streets".  June 1997.  Zimbabwe: Mercury Press.

--"Africa, My Wonderland", "African Kings", "African Names", "I Am the Accused". Norwegian Students [SAIH]
Website/ Courtesy of the Budding Writers Association.

PERFORMANCE EXPRIENCE
International Readings November 2003 - Zambia Mbizo was Invited by Zambian female writers to perform
his poetry for Zambian women, writers, poets, lecturers, students, journalists, artists and school teachers.

September-October 2003 – Sweden At the invitation of the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and the Zimbabwe
International Book Fair, Mbizo performed with other well-known international poets at a variety of venues, including a book fair in Gothenburg, the Nordic African Institute in Uppsala, Sida's heqdquarters, the Sweden Writers' Union and the Rinkeby Library.  He both performed and led a discussion at a seminar of the Swedish International Library Association.

National Readings

Annual Readings
1999 - 2005 - Book Café Cultural Centre
2002 - 2005 - Zimbabwe International Book Fair
2001- 2004 - Cultural Sections at Palestinian and
Iranian Embassies
2001- 2003 - Budding Writers Association

2004
July - Commemoration of the 10th anniversary of World
Population Day, held by the United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA).

2003
May - MISA Zimbabwe - Performed "Testimony of the
Scribe" at the 2003 World Press Day.
July - National Organization of Non-Governmental
Organizations (NANGO), for a program held in Zimbabwe
to promote HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and children's
rights.
October - Alliance Francaise, United Nations Day.

2001
May - National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe
June - World Health Organization, for launch of Oliver
Mtukudzi's anti-malaria CD.
September -AFRICA Speaks, a youth program on culture
and youth empowerment.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

December 2003 - November 2004 - Project Director for
The Young Writers' Caravan
- Directed activities for young writers and poets,
both in and out of school, to develop their creative
skills in the arts industry.

August 2003 - Assistant Coordinator and Programs
Presenter for the Zimbabwe International Book Fair
- Coordinated with writers, poets, artists and
musicians for the cultural and literary program of
events during the fair.
- Emceed events, readings, and presentations
throughout the fair.

Early 2002 to Mid-2003 - Publicity and Marketing
Officer for the National Office Secretariat of the
Budding Writers Association of Zimbabwe
- Wrote articles for the association bulletin,
advocating the reading culture and administration of
arts.
- Organized workshops, meetings, and compiled reports
of seminars and gatherings.

May 2002 - Planner with the National Arts Council of
Zimbabwe
- Played a key role in planning of the 2002 National
Arts Council cultural week.
- Served as an event coordinator and facilitated
communication amongst arts groups.

March 2001 - Outreach Assistant, Zimbabwe Book
Development Council
- Visited 29 schools in high-density areas of Harare
in four days.
- Recited poetry  and  promoted the  reading  culture,
advising  school  pupils on the  necessity of reading
books and learning.

mbizoc@yahoo.co.uk
ubuntupoesy@yahoo.co.uk

6773 Bundo Road
Budiriro 4
Harare,  Zimbabwe

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