Harare — A hospital is a boring place sometimes. What with hours and hours in the company of the ailing and the maimed? What with the quiet nights when everybody else has gone to bed?

The hospital is a very empty place sometimes - empty emotionally. Thrown in such a situation, creative souls do not allow themselves to die emotionally but find ways of fighting the emptiness and conquer that gnawing loneliness. Fifty-four years ago at one such hospital in the then Salisbury, a group of bored nurses who had nothing to do after work and during the weekend came together to have some fun. Among those who went out in the sun were Dorcas Fry, Rose Samkange, Tetiwe Solani, Martha Mabhena, Grace Mandishona, Tabeth Kanyowa, Ruth Jero and Victoria Chingate.

They called themselves the Gay Gaieties. Although Chingate had received her training in South Africa, the rest were among the first students to be enrolled at Harare Hospital. Initially the group, that also staged plays meant to educate the black community about the importance of seeking early treatment, entertained the hospital community, it later ventured out and one of its maiden shows was at Mai Musodzi Hall in Mbare.

From Mai Musodzi Hall, the group took up more shows in halls around Harare where the public was surprised upon learning that the group was made up of nurses. With time, even white nurses who had initially taken a back seat came to be part of the fun. Then came Christmas parties where the group met other great groups of the time, namely the City Quads that was led by Sonny Sondo with whom Chingate shared the stage. The Gay Gaieties had a great time when they played with another all-female group - the Yellow Blues - which was fronted by Sylvia Sondo, Sonny's wife, at Runyararo Hall. The group also enjoyed the backing of the police band and shared the stage with Dorothy Masuku.

Just when the group was going places, Chingate left for the United Kingdom to further her studies and later the remaining members were dispatched to different hospital around the country where most probably they became lonelier and emptier.