Online Reporter
Nodumo Moyo, [email protected]
Zimbabwean Afro-fusion musician and health advocate Dereck Mpofu has elevated his music onto the global stage after presenting the 2026 World Health Organisation (WHO) Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) campaign theme song to WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva, Switzerland.
The milestone came during Mpofu’s participation in a high-level global health engagement where he addressed more than 1 000 health leaders, using the universal language of music to amplify awareness around hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections and broader public health challenges.
His campaign song received the endorsement of Dr Tedros, a significant recognition that underscores the growing influence of Zimbabwean creatives in international advocacy initiatives.
The Geneva appearance adds another chapter to Mpofu’s long-standing commitment to using music as a tool for social change. Over the years, he has blended entertainment with advocacy, lending his voice to campaigns that tackle critical health and environmental issues.
Among his notable contributions is Unite. Act. Eliminate., the official theme song for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) awareness campaigns supported by the WHO and Uniting to Combat NTDs, which reinforced the role of the arts in driving public health messaging.
Speaking about his mission, Mpofu said his goal extends beyond commercial success.
“My vision in the music industry is to be the best original artiste who exports the best of Zimbabwean music while championing health, social and environmental issues through innovative methods like music and dance,” he said.
Mpofu first gained national prominence with his 2011 hit Chisikana Changu Zimbabwe, produced by veteran music producer Mono Mukundu. The song evolved into an unofficial tourism and environmental anthem, celebrating Zimbabwe’s beauty while promoting national pride.
