#ZIWA BLOGGER
NOMINATION 2015
A Zimbabwean born Public Health Specialist and was recently
awarded for her work with young people and families involved in gang crime in
London. She also works in HIV-Mental Health programs in Zimbabwe, Tanzania and
Uganda, and has been working on an evaluation program looking at lessons learnt
from the Ebola crisis. Her blog Tribal Sands captures embody her work, a
passion for grassroots programs, travel, lifestyle and her philanthropy work
with children's charities. Her popular blogs 'Domestic Violence in African
Diaspora and Notes from an Ebola front line has been published widely. She has
also interviewed African designers and community leaders in the diaspora; she
aspires to capture everyday lives of everyday people. Dorcas has appeared on a
number of media platforms she is a regular African Affairs Analyst for Arise
TV, providing specific analysis on current affairs across the continent,
focusing on the positive narrative of the African experience.
We took the time to speak to Dorcas Gwata about her experience
as being a blogger and some the biggest lessons she has learnt.
Tell
us about yourself and what you do
I am a Zimbabwean
Global Health Public Health Specialist and African affairs news analyst. My
blog www.tribalsands.com seeks to drive a positive African narrative and
provides a platform for discussions of all things African with particular focus
on women development, travel, health and culture. The blog also captures my
Global Health experiences in Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe and my liaisons
with front line health professionals involved in the Ebola crisis as well as my
travel experiences around the globe.
When
did you start blogging and why?
The blog was born out of a restless and unsettled feeling that the positive
experiences of African lives and in particular African women were not being
fully captured on many platforms. The courage, resilience and spirit which
embodies Africans even in the depth of suffering and challenges is often missed,
and I wanted to provide a platform that reflected just that. I started blogging
late at night, after working long hours, totally unpaid, but when you are truly
passionate about something, effort is not hard. I often blog during my travels,
writing is about vision, taste, smell, and what we hear, I am intrigued by
human life and experiences.
What challenges did you face and how did you get over it?
Initially I lacked confidence in writing. There is a level
of vulnerability in sharing yourself and your inner depth in the world that is often so critical and
unforgiving. I attended a seminar talk with one of my favorite writers Ngozi
Chimamande Adichie, when I asked her a question about writing in the
Diaspora, she replied “You must write about Zimbabwe and Africa, the world
needs to hear those stories” and that was it, I was off with no apologies.
How
did you feel about being nominated for
the ZIWA Blogger Awards 2015 ?
I was hugely surprised and flattered to be nominated for
the ZIWA Awards. To be listed among such amazing Zimbabwean women was
heart-warming and encouraging. Ultimately the winner was Zimbabwe, our country
can be proud of its achievements and the women that are doing amazing work in
its development.
What
motivates you every day?
My mother was a teacher and she very charitable, she took
in everyone she felt sorry for which drove us crazy when we were young. She
died just after my 21st birthday, it’s her spirit that gets me up every
morning. My heart is warmed by the many acts of kindness from friends and strangers,
it reminds me that the world is still a wonderful place to live in.
What
are some of your other passions?
I am Public Health Specialist with a passion for
grassroots programs. African women carry the heaviest burden in terms of health
and social outcomes and yet they are also the most innovative and resilient
people in our planet. My passion is to advocate for better health outcomes for
all Africans with particular focus on African women and children wherever they
are. It’s not enough to watch the horrible scenes of Ebola virus wreaking havoc
in our continent, or to be complacent in rates of gender violence in women and
young girls in Africa, my passion is to make event human count particularly
vulnerable groups. I provide analysis on these very issues on African media
platforms such as BBC Africa, Arise TV and Resonance Radio, so yes I am doing
what I love to do.
What
is your opinion on the issues
that women are facing today ?
Poverty and gender violence issues are major issues
affecting African women and our African cultural practices further complicated issues. When we educate a young girl we
empower her to make informed decisions about her life, including the power to
ensure safe sex which can prevent HIV infection. There are aspects of our
culture which are incredibly heart-warming , empowering and equally there are
aspects of our culture which need modernizing because they disempower women. A
true African man is one who can rise above these issues and foster a cultural
environment in which women and children can strive.
Advice
to Zimbabwean women?
Zimbabwean women are renowned for their confidence and
intelligence. When I worked on our
HIV-Psychological Program in Harare, Zimbabwe I meet some of the most humbling
yet poor women who reminded me every day
that empowerment is not embedded in wealth and material but in spirit. We need
to foster this growth and support it wherever we can.
“There is no Tool For Development More Effective than The empowerment Of Women”
The Legacy of True Beauty Team
#Feature Writer Malebo Moloto
