INTRODUCING DORCAS GWATA :

#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