Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena
CELEBRATED wheel spinner and music producer Slimzar Wa Afrika has established a foundation that is meant to empower underprivileged youth through technology and arts.
Named the Slimzar Wa Afrika Foundation, the philanthropic initiative is dedicated to ensuring that underprivileged children and youth are fully integrated into global developments through a unique blend of traditional support and modern skill acquisition.
The foundation aims to bridge the digital and social divide by providing the less privileged with access to high-level skills and career guidance, as well as emerging technologies.
Slimzar, who is part of Afro-Fusion group Djembe Monks, said his upbringing and the community he lived at, inspired him to come up with his own foundation that will help the underprivileged.
“Growing up in a community where every child is everyone’s child, where a mother is every child’s mother, the experiences I had pushed me to come up with this initiative of giving back to the community, at the same time playing my role and taking up responsibility as a member of the community.
“The formation of this foundation came as a way of us saying let us be a brother to that drug addict and call upon someone that can assist, and let us be the father to the orphans and come together to offer fatherly comfort, protection and provision. No matter how little it may seem, it goes a long way for someone who doesn’t have it,” said Slimzar.
To empower the underprivileged, Slimzar’s foundation has designed a curriculum and support system that ensures no child is left behind due to their background or economic status.
The organisation will focus on a multi-disciplinary approach, including digital skills and technology, creative arts, climate change awareness and action, green skills and innovation as well as social welfare and community support.
“Our mission is to ensure that our youth are not just spectators of the future, but are active participants in it, whether through music or coding or environmental advocacy. We are committed to providing the best skills and technologies to those who need them most.
“As such, we will be training youths in coding and AI usage and digital literacy to ensure that they are fully integrated into global developments. We will also educate them on sustainable practices and climate resilience to help them understand and mitigate environmental impacts in their local communities, among other skills,” said Slimzar.
To achieve all this, the foundation will be working with local and international organisations and individuals who will be key to pushing these goals forward.
As the year begins, the foundation will start with Music lessons and professional skills development
sessions led by industry experts to nurture young talent. Career guidance talks will be available to the youths, so that they make informed decisions about their life and careers.
They are also pushing to conduct anti-drug and substance abuse campaigns in different townships in
Bulawayo, targeting the youths as they are the most affected.
“Personally, I am a dedicated Climate Change advocate, hence, we will be raising awareness on this path, as we will be engaged in tree planting drives and arts competitions that promote climate change and foster environmental responsibility,” said Slimzar.
Peter Tanyanyiwa