Rooftop Promotions gets boost
By Kudzayi Zvinavashe
Rooftop Promotions’ Theatre in the Park has received yet another boost with US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Harry Thomas handing over 107 African American authored books valued at $2500 on Thursday afternoon.
The book donation is an initiative made possible by private American citizens.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Rooftop promotions director, Daves Guzha said, “…This donation comes after 2 months when the ambassador came to Theatre in the Park in an informal visit and we discussed having books by African American authors.”
Ambassador Thomas said, “I am so delighted to be adding to the rich history of Zimbabwean theatre which has seen the rise to fame of people like Danai Gurira who will be starring in an upcoming American movie. I believe the donation will go a long way in assisting the current and future generations of those involved in theatre here in Zimbabwe.”
The ambassador further re-assured Rooftop promotions that they will continue supporting Theatre in the Park.
Guzha added that the books would help cultivate g a reading culture in Zimbabwe.
“A lot of artistes frequent this place (Theatre in the Park), some rehearse from this space and having books around will help them as they can read before or after their rehearsals free of charge.”
People will also be able to take the books home but Rooftop Promotions is working on measures on how they can ensure books are returned without any damage.
Such an initiative is not a first to Rooftop as veteran playwright Stephen Chifunyise has made a similar donation previously.
“We are working on a virtual library that will provide information that is seldom online. Zimbabwe has a lot of information that is not online for instance the theses written in universities are not online yet they contain in-depth information.”
