Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
VICTORIA Falls based songstress JustLeo is set to put out her eagerness theory into practice as she will launch an empowerment programme named Zazi initiative.
Zazi (a Ndebele word literally meaning know yourself) inspired the Zazi initiative which is an arts, culture and community development platform founded created to empower communities particularly young people.
The empowerment is through creative expression, cultural preservation, education and meaningful social engagement.
Rooted in the philosophy of knowing oneself, knowing one’s culture and owning one’s story, Zazi creates a platforms where music, arts, heritage and community development intersect.
JustLeo said the initiative to be launched in the resort city on October 31, focuses on youth arts development, cultural preservation, creative workshops and community
outreach
“This also goes alongside social-awareness programmes including mental health awareness, drug and substance
abuse prevention, and gender-based violence awareness. Zazi also seeks to preserve Zimbabwe’s diverse languages, traditions, stories, music, dance and indigenous knowledge by creating opportunities for intergenerational learning, cultural documentation and contemporary
creative expression.
“We seek to empower communities, especially young people, through arts, culture, creative expression and meaningful social engagement, while preserving cultural heritage and creating opportunities for personal and collective development,” said JustLeo.
She said she envisions to build a thriving African cultural and creative movement where people know themselves, value their
heritage, develop their talents and use creativity to build stronger, healthier and more connected communities.
“Through partnerships with artists, schools, cultural practitioners, community organisations, NGOs, government
institutions, festivals, businesses and other stakeholders, Zazi aims to create sustainable opportunities for young creatives while using the arts as a vehicle for education, empowerment and positive social change.
“The Zazi experience represents the live expression of this wider initiative—bringing together music, fashion, poetry, dance, storytelling, cultural education and community conversation. The long-term vision is to grow
these experiences into a recognised festival and year-round cultural and community development platform,” said JustLeo.
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