CHALLENGES being faced by some Zimbabweans who have flocked to foreign lands like the United Kingdom (UK) in search of greener pastures have inspired actress, dancer and choreographer Enisia “Mambokadzi” Mashusha to create the Diary For Care Worker skits.
Despite the many challenges the Zimbabweans are enduring in foreign lands, migration has intensified and it seems it is not going to abate any time soon given the southern African nation’s unrelenting economic downturn.
In the diaspora, Zimbabweans are pursuing various endeavours such as education, jobs and entrepreneurship.
The UK-based multi-talented Mashusha is famed for establishing the country’s first-ever all-female dance group Mambokadzi that danced its way to fame between 2005 and 2010.
Fronting for the Mambokadzi dance group, Mashusha changed the face of the local dance scene, and several musicians jostled for their services as supporting acts and to feature in their video projects.
Her latest Diary For Care Worker skits being released on social media platform, Facebook appear to have captured the hearts of many, if the likes and comments on them are anything to go by.
“Some challenges faced by new migrants coming to the UK under the skilled visas, particularly those coming to work in the health and social care sector with precarious contracts, inspired the creation of Diary For Care Worker skits,” she told NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, from her Leeds base.
“The Diary for Care Worker skits are derived from the situations that are being faced by healthcare workers, especially those who came through a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is an electronic document that proves that a licenced UK employer or educational establishment has offered a job or place to a suitable and genuine migrant.”
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Mashusha, who is also the Zimbabwe Leeds Community vice secretary, continued: “Some of the migrants came here expecting to work full time hours only to find out that they don’t have enough hours. Some also complain about not getting enough time to rest as they are made to work almost every day.”
She believes that art is key in bringing out and educating people on social issues.
“Art increases awareness and permits us to be open, while entertaining and at the same time educating. It influences society through the creativity process by changing opinions and instilling values across space and time. It is indeed a most powerful tool,” she noted.
Mashusha said risk-taking and self-belief have enabled her to be the artiste she is today in the creative industry fast lane.
As a word of advice for those who might want to fly to UK through CoS and might not be privy to her Diary for Care Worker skits, she said due diligence was important before one travels to avoid a lot of stress, anxiety and depression when one’s expectations are shattered.
