Online Reporter
Arts Reporter
In a bold initiative to uplift women in music across Africa, renowned gospel artist Sharon Cherayi (pictured) has organised the inaugural summit, “The Great Awakening Ladies Boot Camp”.
Scheduled for September in Harare, the event aims to empower female gospel artists and promote their development in the music industry.
“This summit is a first in Zimbabwe, if not in Africa,” Sharon stated.
“We are gathering as female gospel artists to discuss, share skills, and support each other in developing our genre.”
With three years of planning behind it, she believes the time has come to unite women in gospel music.
The two-day event will conclude with a gospel concert and an awards ceremony celebrating outstanding contributions by women in the genre.
“We want to show that we are not in competition but rather complementary to one another,” she said.
“Women can be allies, and it’s time to break the stereotype that we are jealous or unsupportive.”
The ‘Fara Iwe Moyo Wangu’ hitmaker, stressed the importance of women in society, stating, “when we empower women, we uplift entire communities. Strong women lead to stronger families and healthier societies.”
However, the summit is not limited to gospel musicians; it is open to all mature women, including single ladies. “Every woman is invited because we want to inspire and empower all women,” she explained. These gospel singers are role models for our young girls.”
The summit’s agenda is packed with activities, including workshops, seminars, and motivational sessions featuring reputable speakers.
“We have invited participants from neighbouring countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Zambia, and Tanzania,” Sharon noted.
“This is a pan-African initiative, and we want to share knowledge and experiences across borders.”
Among the proposed speakers are Auntie Joy, Mrs. Zimunya, Mai Gwatidzo, and Mrs Sibotsha.
“We are finalising details with speakers from Nigeria and South Africa, and I am excited about the insights they will bring,” Sharon added.
She believes that sharing these experiences will empower women and foster collaboration.
The summit also aims to tackle social stigmas that women face, particularly single mothers.
“We want to build an institution that helps empower women who have suffered long enough from the stigma of being treated poorly.
“We aim to create projects that can help sustain families and provide them with dignity.”
The need for such a summit is pressing, as many women still face barriers in pursuing their dreams.
“By providing a platform for women to connect and grow, we can help dismantle these barriers,” Sharon explained.
“This is about creating a supportive network where women can thrive.”
She emphasised the need for collaboration to make the summit a success and called on potential sponsors to join her effort.
A portion of the proceeds from the summit will benefit the Sharon and Ellard Foundation, which focuses on providing education for underprivileged children.
“We are seeking scholarships and donors who want to help pay school fees for children in rural areas,” she stated.
“Education is crucial, and we want to make a difference in these young lives.”
Sharon also highlighted her ongoing farming project, which includes poultry, goats, and pigs.
“This initiative will create employment opportunities and offer teachings about agriculture and cultural practices,” she explained.
“We want to equip women with skills that can help them sustain their families.”
Sharon concluded that, ‘The Great Awakening Ladies Boot Camp’ promises to be more than just a musical event; it aims to empower women, foster collaboration, and challenge societal norms.
As Sharon put it: “This summit is about building a future where women support each other, leading to stronger communities and a brighter tomorrow.”
