Masvingo singer sheds light on social issues

AT the age of 41, Haskes Everet, a veterinary officer from Masvingo, has reignited his passion for the arts with a focus on edutainment. His mission is to shed light on pressing social issues such as drug abuse and to empower communities.

This year, Everet released a track titled “Mutoriro” and a music video for the song “Hondo neJanuary Disease,” under the mentorship of Dr Jairus Machakwa.

Everet’s song “Mutoriro” addresses the troubling issue of drug and substance abuse among the youth.

“This year I recorded ‘Mutoriro,’ a song that encourages people to refrain from using illicit drugs and substances as many people have been hospitalised, dropped out of schools, some lost jobs and others died,” Everet said.

In his music video “Hondo neJanuary Disease”, which began as a poem, Everet aligns with the Government’s efforts to combat Theileriosis (January disease) in livestock.

“After writing a poem ‘Hondo neJanuary Disease,’ I turned it to a song which was recorded early last year and then managed to release the video in January, this year. This is an awareness, edutainment song which I recorded after realising high morbidity and mortality of livestock especially cattle, as a stop gap measure to alleviate the scourge while complimenting government effort to curb the disease,” he said.

Everet’s dedication to social causes is evident in his artistic work, which aims to positively impact the public and address critical social issues. Following the recording of two songs at Magic Land studio in Zvishavane, he is now working on three additional tracks — “Transformer,” “Cholera,” and “Nherera.”

“‘Cholera’ seeks to conscientise people on the negative effects of the disease, and how to avert it, while ‘Nherera’ encourages people to be benevolent towards everyone,” Everet stated.

Born on November 11, 1982, with ten siblings, Everet is happily married with four children. He initially pursued an arts career before shifting to the sciences as a veterinary officer. He has explored various art forms, including singing, dancing, and poetry writing.

“I started singing when I was grade five. In 2000, I wrote a drama titled ‘Zvowoenda Munyika’ and that same year I was crowned Dancer of the Year at Mushandike High School before leaving arts to concentrate on Sciences.”

Currently, Everet serves as a Veterinary Extension Supervisor in the department of veterinary services in Masvingo South. —@NyikaLingani