ZIMFEST 08: Finally! A Charity Fundraiser Concert For Zimbabwe
The newspaper seller stood on the corner of the shallow steps within the hall of the Baxter Theatre while they flitted back and forth in preparation for the show. A benefit show for displaced refugees. He was a South African. On the floor beside him lay a stack of papers, following the newspaper vendor's creed of never holding more in your hands than you're going to sell before your next trip to the depot. Ink can be heavy, and words can be loaded.
The stack of papers, bearing blue front-page lettering reading 'The Zimbabwean', is a new face on Cape Town shelves. The swell in circulation of the paper was likely a response to xenophobic attacks and the issue of Zimbabwe, which, recently, have all somehow been rolled into one big issue. Printing the news you're not likely to read about in The Herald (Harare's government mouthpiece), The Zimbabwean is a wake-up call to South Africans who are coming to grips with the realities of their neighbouring country. Arms being shipped in. Arms being chopped off. Armoured cars attacking opposition officials. Remember the front-page image of the live burning figure? Sensational in South Africa at the time. Less surprising up north.
May 29th 2008 saw the release of Volume 4, Issue #21. You may have seen or bought one. The price in the top right hand corner is $100 million Zim dollars. July 10th, just six issues later, it's up at a Z$10 billion. It's a hyperinflation gameshow in a country with unemployment at 80% and human rights nightmare we've all heard about to the point of indifference.
And there is, of course, also the fact that it is now cheaper to do the post-sitdown restroom essentials with Zimbabwean currency than it is to do with the paper you would have spent it on. Doing your business has taken on a new meaning.
So we're all looking for some good news about the situation in our sister country up North. We have been since earlier in the year, when the silent grudge held by South Africa's poor towards the post-94 pan-African influx belched forward into full-fledged violent killings. What should you do? What can you do?
[SUBHEADING 2] What Can I Do?
If the phrase "what can I do...?" was uttered with less shoulder-shrugging, empowered South Africans may realise that it's actually not rhetorical. It's a question which demands creativity and motivation, and it's the question that has led to the first ever fundraising music festival for Zimbabwe. You're invited to Zimfest 2008.
Overtone is a mobile music and events company presently based in Cape Town. The company, run by a handful of twenty-something music enthusiasts, is proud to present Zimfest 08. Zimfest is a charity fundraiser for the efforts of non-governmental organisations like PASSOP, who work closely with refugees and hands on with displaced asylum seekers. It's one answer to the question, and through bringing some of the bigger names in South African music to the stage in the name of benefit, Overtone hopes to create awareness and social responsibility amongst South Africans.
Overtone CEO Tristan Waterkeyn grew up in Zimbabwe, as did many of the performing artists, and feels a certain amount of responsibility for the cause.
"The time is ripe to address the issues in a non-political way," says the 27-year-old. "Through Zimfest, we aim to create an upbeat environment for fun-lovers to do what they do best in the name of social awareness: to have fun."
All Proceeds from ticket sales will go to PASSOP (People Against Suffering, Suppression, Oppression and Poverty). PASSOP is a community based NGO that advocates for refugee and immigrant rights. PASSOP is an organization about people - a voice for the voiceless.
Recently, Giesecke & Devrient, the German company that prints Zim dollars, announced its refusal to do any more business with the state. And despite Gideon Gono's shrugging, it is a problem. Tesco has also announced that it will no longer be spending £1m a year on Zim vegetables, and the social trend is gradually swinging in the favour of the oppressed, one disgruntled South African with a Zimbo on their stoep at a time. You see, Zimbabwe is not someone else's problem. Ultimately, it's the situation which, by action or inaction, you choose. And if it isn't, it may soon be. See you there.
[SIDEBAR]
ZIMFEST 08
One Day. One Night. One Love.
When: 6th September 2008 (whole day)
Where: Tafelberg Tavern, Gardens, CT
Who: Freshlyground, The Dirty Skirts, The Rudimentals, Ike Moriz, Coda, New Altum, more...
How Much: R150 pre-sold / R200 gate
Tickets: www.zimfest.co.za
