Story by Silibaziso Dlodlo
BULAWAYO came alive in shades of pink this Tuesday as cancer survivors, health advocates, and young people gathered at Alliance Française for the launch of the Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness Tour.
The nationwide campaign seeks to promote early detection, encourage self-examination, and inspire communities to unite in the fight against breast cancer.
A wave of hope swept through the city as breast cancer survivors led the charge, sharing their stories and urging individuals to prioritise their health through regular screening.
“I am a cervical cancer survivor, but today we are commemorating the Pink Tour Bar Festival to encourage, educate and empower women on how they can save their lives,” cervical cancer survivor, Barbara Kamba-Nyathi said.
The campaign also drew the attention of young people who see awareness as the first line of defence.
“I am here today for the breast cancer campaign because a lot of women do not know, and they do not find out that they have breast cancer until the late stages. I think this will help us to minimise getting cancer,” Student, Bulawayo Polytechnic, Kimberly Mabunda said.
The initiative aims to inspire women to prioritise regular self-checks and early screening.
“I became a cancer advocate for early detection as well as a patient advocate after my diagnosis when I was 35 years old. A lot of women under the age of 35 think that cancer is for elderly women. I decided to do the breast cancer awareness tour across Zimbabwe, with Bulawayo as our inauguration. I think the main thing that I want people to get from this tour is that breast cancer can affect you. We should do our self-checks. I am doing a tour to enter into pop culture spaces so that we can reach young women in a language that they speak and within the spaces that they are,” host and breast cancer survivor, Lucia Bopoto said.
“We are here today to celebrate the lives of those who have been victorious over breast cancer and also to be a strong support for those who have been affected by breast cancer directly and indirectly. As a young person in my community, I want to make sure I do my part for those around me, and it starts with us young people who have energy, us who have the platform and us who have the voice we need to speak. That is why we are here today,” co-host and model, Michaela De-Necker said.
“Today, we are here in the city of Kings and Queens to celebrate Pink October. It is very important that this subject is about all of us, we are all together in that,” Director, Alliance Française and French Embassy, Guillaume Ripaud William said.
The Pink October campaign stands as a strong reminder of the power of early detection and the impact of collective action in fighting one of the most common cancers affecting women in Zimbabwe.
As the campaign spreads nationwide, survivors and advocates remain hopeful that its message of unity, awareness, and the importance of early diagnosis will reach communities across the country.
The event marked the first leg of the awareness tour, which will continue across the country throughout October.
