What do YOU stand for in this day and age?

The #IAMFOR series looks at local artists, activists, and influencers making a difference in our society. These “day in the life of” profiles highlight the efforts of these enterprising innovators who have affected our communities in a positive way.

Gilmore Tee, who is part of Forbes Magazine 30 Under 30 Class of 2019, believes that creative careers can be sustained with the right investment, education and partnerships. Over the years he has helped mould the careers of Mbo Mahocs, Ara Kani, Asaph and Sanah Designs – and he is on a mission to make private stakeholders to see the economic value of the creative Arts.

With 15+ members and growing, the Megatronz Empire dance crew has worked with the likes of Oskido, Gigi Lamayne, Jah Prayzah, EX-Q, DJ Fresh and Asaph, but they regard working, training and “providing a home for other dancers to develop” as their greatest achievement.  This crew is using dance to improve the career prospects of the youth in Zimbabwe.

Zenani Masuku is a mental health activist and the founder of the African Institute for ending Violence , Depression, Bullying and Suicide (AFRIBS). With suicide cases rising in Zimbabwe, her work with AFRIBS is raising awareness on mental health issues all over the country.

“Community work is God’s work”, says multi-talent singer / actor Hwabaraty. Despite making four albums, Hwabaraty’s real passion are his “visits” to local townships to help artists, actors, musicians, and dancers develop a project, from conception to completion. As the co -founded the Hothaus Lab, Hwabaraty has been providing these interdisciplinary apprenticeships for emerging artists for years.

Not just a pretty face, Miss Albinism Zimbabwe 2019 and co-founder of Miss Teen intellect Zimbabwe, Ayanda Sibanda, is using beauty pageants to raise awareness on gender issues, discrimination and education. True beauty, according to Ayanda is ” through action”.

Rasquesity Keaitse is a ZimHipHop Award and a Bulawayo Arts award winner and the founder of Creative Pot Africa and Keaitse Films. Over the years he has worked for Mnet, Econet, World Vision, Cal_Vin, Team Bho, Arthur C Evans and Team Bho. He uses film as an agent for social change.

#KeepBulawayoClean is an initiative started by Tonderai Shoko and his brothers 1000+ days ago. The campaign has helped raised awareness on environmental issues in Bulawayo and has spread to neighbouring towns, cities and countries.

“Music is supposed to be felt not heard”, says musician MJ Sings. MJ Sings is a singer / songwriter who is using his song writing skills to expand the fledging African music scene in the country. MJ Sings has collaborated with Cal_Vin, Djembe Monks, and Lee McHoney, just to name a few.

Once Dialo Dube decided to make a career out of Art, he invented his own technique called “Dialoism”. “Dialoism” is a celebrated movement that is “medical, mechanical, graphical and meant to heal the fractured African spirit of community”, according to Dialo.

Team: This series was created as a part of MUD’s female empowerment Accelerator skill-sharing program.

Produced, Directed, Graphics, and Edited by Alex Gwaze.

Assistant Director / Camera 2: Rasquesity Keaitse

Camera 1 / Accelerator Interns: Prudence Siziba, Presencia Tawuya and Nomuzi Ncube. Production Assistants: James Mandaba, Wilson Madzikure, and Serena Tshuma Music by: Treble Clef (KyoteGuy)