KIMBERLY KUASAUKA
HARARE–Multi award winner spoken word icon and advocate, Shaznay Megan Wood popularly known as Thee Amartian by her legion of fans in the arts sector is overcoming one obstacle after another in her quest to be the best in the cut throat industry.
“Thee Ammartian was derived from Ammara Brown’s fanbase name Ammartia, so I just named myself Thee Ammartian because her work inspires me,” Shaznay told The Midweek Watch.
Shaznay an albino grew up like a normal kid from infant since she was living in an environment with coloureds as well as people of black skin.
‘‘My childhood was normal just like anyone else’s, my family is of mixed colour so I did not face any discrimination and I grew up in a small coloured community so colour or different complexion was nothing new to them,’’ said Thee Ammartian.
Shaznay said she was born talented as an artist and she started writing at primary level and turned professional in 2018.
‘‘God motivates me, he gave this talent, therefore I cannot run away from it or ignore it, it runs in my blood.
‘‘I started off as a writer in 2012 when I was still in primary school, then I made my first spoken word piece when I was 15 that I performed at Queen Elizabeth School and my journey officially began in 2018 as a professional in the industry,’’ said Wood.
Shaznay said she was not intimidated by those people who tried to discourage her saying the arts industry is only for the male and she is looking forward to go international. Her talent attracted a few famous artists whom she has worked with so far.
‘‘Well as usual people discourage their women from pursuing a career within the arts because they believe that it is an industry for those with loose morals of which show business requires performance and out of the box ideas in terms of costume, makeup and concepts be it videography or photography.
‘‘To be where I am I have worked hard and the quality of my work is what attracts famous artists like Jah Prayzah, Nutty O, Baba Harare, Sabastin Magacha and Qounfused whom I have worked with so far. My dream is to tour the world in the near future so that I gain the much needed international exposure,’’ said Wood.
Zimbabwe Albino Association Project Officer Kudakwashe Machiha said the integration of people with Albinism in Zimbabwean society is quite decent as they are being accepted in various fields.
‘‘People with Albinism are trying as much as they can to live with other people in the society. We have inclusion programs we are carrying out where we are encouraging them to take part in and programs in their societies.
‘‘We are glad that they are taking part in sports and arts and they are being accepted in the society so we will continue with awareness programs,’’ said Machiha.
Shaznay is a spoken word artist for weddings, parties, corporate events, funerals, birthdays, dedications, anniversaries, brand adverts, voice overs and ghost writing. She is on Twitter, Tiktok, Instagram and YouTube as Thee Amartian.
In Zimbabwe and worldwide, people living with albinism suffer from discrimination and stigmatization. Albinism is a congenital condition characterized in humans by the partial or complete absence of melanin pigment in the skin, hair and eyes.
In Zimbabwe it is estimated that a total number of 70 000 are living with albinism. People with albinism are often affected by poor vision and skin cancer if they do not get their lotion.
Agnes Kumire from Albino Association Education Masvingo said there is still some strong discrimination sentiments in the society and is affecting marriages as well as relationships between boys and girls with albinism with other people.
“There is still challenge where most people do not accept that we are the same people as them, it’s just a different skin colour. When we walk in the streets we are called out with hateful names by little children while their parents are there. This shows that the society has not yet accepted us.
“Another challenge comes in when we get married, our in-laws are not accepting us for who we are, the stigmatization is still there.
“It’s the same thing for both girls and boys when they propose to other people they are looked down upon,” said Kumire.
