Our Motivation Today!... The Filmmaker/Writer Tsitsi Dangarembga: A Superwoman Undisputed!

"I was not sorry when my brother died. Nor am i apologizing for my callousness, as you may define it, my lack of feeling"      - Tambudza in Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga


Such an arrogant and insensitive way to start off in any book, you may think. But this was not the only thing that drew me to be inspired by the phenomenal feminist writer, Tsitsi Dangarembga. As an aspiring writer myself, I draw my influences from my local Zimbabwean society, and especially from renowned Zimbabwean writers like Tsitsi, who have managed to embrace their African identity with their uncontested talents. Let me explain a bit more about my Super Woman.

 Tsitsi is a filmmaker and writer was born in pre-colonial Zimbabwe ( then referred to as Rhodesia) in 1959. She received her education in England and the  back to Zimbabwe , at the University of Zimbabwe in the capital city of Harare. She is well known for writing Nervous Conditions , She No Longer Weeps and The Book of Not, just to mention a few. Her works made such a huge impact in increasing the importance of feminism and consolidating women's positions in the heavily patriarchal tiers in the African society. Nervous Conditions is a book centered around an African girl named Tambudzai (which means 'trouble') who deals with the intense struggle of being an African female in a patriarchal and chauvinistic society in pre-colonial Zimbabwe. The book is one of the of the Literature texts used in most high schools in Zimbabwe, and I am glad to have been introduced to the values of feminism and gender discrimination through this book in high school. It has also been selected as one of Africa's 100 best books for the 20th Century. And it doesn't stop there, she has worked on the popular Zimbabwean classic movies such as Neria and Everyone's Child. Masterpieces which i would personally RECOMMEND everyone to watch, she definitely outdid herself there.
      In a society where sexism is still very much alive, it takes boldness and zest from outstanding feminist activist and veteran like Tsitsi to remind the African girl child, that it is OK to be herself, to be confident , independent and to be heard. She is a motivational force for young African females like myself, because unlike many others she has stood her ground and developed her talents not only for herself, but to help uplift those who suppress their true selves because of the society. Just as well, I'd forgotten to proudly mention that she also founded the International Images Film Festival for Women in Zimbabwe. And of course, even though having spent part of her childhood in England, she has stayed true to her rich African roots!
        Finally, with all this been said, I can say that Tsitsi Dangarembga may not have the "Superwoman" logo intricately ingrained on her chest, but she is one of the visionaries and highly uplifting female figures behind our dreams as a young beautiful and independent African woman. Tsitsi Dangarembga, I do salute you!

To learn  and read more about Tsitsi's works Here!


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 - Written by Rudo Maria Ruzengwa, Accounting graduate and ACCA student at Global training (University of Nicosia), Cyprus 
visit my blog: The Libran Oracles