Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
ZIMDANCEHALL musician Bounty Lisa has shifted her focus to become an advocate for issues affecting men and boys, including keeping boys in school, responsible fatherhood and positive parenting.
The mother of two children, a boy and girl, said she will not abandon her musical career.
However, her focus is now on empowering men and boys who have also suffered in silence.
She has founded a non-profit organisation called ‘30 Degrees’, which focuses on changing directions and building a better future for men and boys.
In an interview, Bounty said her background and experience motivated her to start the advocacy. “I have spent years using my voice through music but today I am choosing to use that voice for something even bigger. “I am a Zimbabwean dancehall musician, a mother of two.
“My journey as a mother has opened my eyes to the challenges many boys and men face often silently and without enough support.
“I am also proud and grateful to have completed my one-year journey of studying advocacy. This journey has prepared me to take this next step with greater knowledge, purpose, and commitment.
“I am now walking a new path as an advocate for men and the boy child.”
She said she will not be abandoning her musical career.
“Music remains an important part of who I am. I am simply opening a new chapter, taking the voice I have built through music and using it to advocate for positive change.
“I am here to listen, to learn, to advocate, to create safe spaces, and to help build a better future for boys and men.
“With ‘30 Degrees’, we want to change directions as well as build futures.
“We believe that every boy deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, feel supported, and build a positive future and that every man deserves access to support, dignity, and opportunities to thrive.”
According to Bounty, the motivation comes from her experience as a mother of a boy. “I wanted to understand those challenges better so I studied advocacy and decided to use my voice and platform to create awareness, promote support, and create safe spaces for men and boys.
“I am using my social media platforms, and my public profile, to raise awareness and start conversations about the challenges facing men and boys. “Through the 30 ‘Degrees Organisation’, I am developing programmes such as ‘Keep Boys in School’ and creating safe spaces where men and boys can speak openly and access support.
“I also want to work with other organisations, communities, and professionals so that awareness can eventually translate into practical support.”
Bounty said she was also trying to erase her past. “I am building something that does not involve my past.
“I need people to just see me as me, not in relation to my past in music, so that people will stop talking about my life back then.”
