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Mandaza Chikarango Arts Correspondent
VETERAN journalist Martin Chemhere has embarked on a musical project that is aimed at eradicating societal ills such as drug abuse, high crime rate and violence.
The project targeting the ghetto youths in suburbs such as Mbare, Epworth, Dzivarasekwa, Mufakose and Mabvuku, among others, is set to bring sanity to the community.
In an interview with The Herald Arts, Chemhere said he will start the campaign with one of the oldest suburbs, Mbare.
“Mbare has for decades been burdened by several challenges such as high crime rate, drug abuse, violence, sexual immoralities and other societal ills.
This can’t be ignored and it seems most people are accepting the situation and it portrays a bad image,” he said.
“We shouldn’t be myopic about the ills but rather proffer a solution.”
Chemhere said he was opening doors to all aspiring and upcoming musicians to come and record their songs, but will be working under a theme as part of the campaign.
“The initiative will see artistes from the ghetto recording an album and shooting accompanying videos. The township’s emerging artistes will also be featured as a way of exposing them,” he said.
“They are the ones living in the township so we want them to tell their own story using music and by that they will give a real image to society.
“Gone are the days where we used to hear stereotypical tales, people saying Mbare is known for thieves, but we want to tell a different story.”
The journalist and promoter said they were also looking for sponsors for the initiative to take off.
Turning to the themes of the project, Chemhere said the music will encourage cleanliness and honesty in order to fight crime.
“The theme of the musical project revolves around healthy lifestyle, cleanliness, uprightness, honesty, drug abuse awareness (say no to drugs), respect for each other, positivity, love, togetherness, success, progress, prosperity, community development, entrepreneurship, hard work, focus, future, connectivity and self-reliance,” he said.
The significance of the project is based on its potential to spark discussions and better influence the way Mbare is viewed at large.
“We will work with some of the best artistes to produce some of the best music and videos,” said Chemhere.
Musician Isaac Chirwa, who is part of the initiative, said Mbare is a great suburb that has given Zimbabwe and the world great music and musicians.
Online Reporter