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In a collaboration aimed at tackling Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) among young people, Savanna Trust has partnered with Family Support Trust (FST) to empower adolescents across Harare through theatre-based education and advocacy. The partnership brings together the creative power of the arts and the technical expertise of social health practitioners to address one of Zimbabwe’s most pressing social issues - SGBV. At the heart of this initiative is a simple yet powerful idea: when young people understand, express, and act, change begins. Savanna Trust, known for its innovative use of theatre for social transformation, is leading the capacity-strengthening component, training students in high schools across Harare to use performance as a tool for dialogue and awareness. Through the theatre workshops, learners are not only developing acting skills but also learning to dramatize and reflect on real life experiences related to gender norms, abuse, consent and respect. On the other side, Family Support Trust brings in the technical and educational expertise, offering students accurate, age-appropriate information about SGBV - what it is, how it manifests, and where to seek help. Their sessions unpack the legal, psychological, and social dimensions of gender-based violence, equipping adolescents with the language and knowledge to protect themselves and others. The partnership between the two organizations is more than a collaboration: it’s a fusion of art and advocacy, of creativity and care. By blending theatre and technical education, young people are not just being informed - they are being empowered to lead change. Results from the schools involved are already showing as teachers report that students are speaking more confidently about issues previously considered taboo. In some schools, learners have gone on to form drama clubs dedicated to promoting gender equality and challenging harmful practices such as bullying, shaming, and discrimination based on gender. For many students, the experience is transformative. Through role-play and storytelling, they learn empathy, self-expression, and the power of voice. As Savanna Trust and Family Support Trust continue this work, their vision is clear - a Zimbabwe where every child, regardless of gender, grows up in a society that values respect, equality, and safety.

The premiere of Zi Animal Farm was more than just a theatre opening, it was a celebration of community, resilience, and the power of storytelling. At the heart of this success were two cultural champions, Nick Zemura and Eddingtone Hatitongwe. Nick, a Zimbabwean film producer based in the United States of America, and Eddingtone, a theatre practitioner also making waves in Canada, both reached across borders to support the production in a powerful way. By purchasing a large number of tickets, they helped Zi Animal Farm sell out its very first show but more than that, they gave families, friends, and young theatre lovers the chance to experience a production that speaks to our times in a bold and creative way. In Zimbabwe, theatre doesn’t always have the luxury of big budgets or endless sponsorships. Every production is a labour of love, carried on the shoulders of artists who believe in the power of storytelling. When diaspora based cultural practitioners step in to support productions like Zi Animal Farm, they’re not just buying tickets - they are saying "We believe in you. Your work matters. Your voice must be heard." That kind of support fuels artists, inspires audiences, and strengthens the creative ecosystem as a whole. What Nick and Eddingtone did sends a clear message to others in the diaspora that supporting homegrown art doesn’t require millions, sometimes it’s as simple as making sure the seats are full and the actors have an audience to perform to. It’s a reminder that every ticket purchased is a seed planted in Zimbabwe’s cultural soil - a seed that grows into confidence, opportunity, and continuity for our creative sector. As Zi Animal Farm moves beyond its sold out launch, the example set by Nick Zemura and Eddingtone Hatitongwe will remain a source of inspiration. They’ve shown us what it looks like when Zimbabweans at home and abroad pull together for the arts: a theatre full of energy, a community buzzing with pride, and a story that refuses to be silenced.

Director for Savanna Trust has defined theatre as an advocating tool that can be peacefully employed to address and raise awareness, on topical issues affecting people in their communities on day to day lives. Daniel Maposa cited that theatre allows people to split up social conflict issues that hinder development for lacking knowledge.Speaking to shout-africa.com, on the sidelines of provincial launch of International human right day that falls on 10 December annually, that was held at Gweru Civic Centre on Wednesday David Maposa said art plays the pivotal role in our society to address mammoth tasks with wit.On the play that brought Savanna Trust to Gweru, the playwright and director said Hatidzokeri shure aimed at empowering and enlightening youths on their social rights.