Online Reporter
Johnsias Mutonhori, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
SHURUGWI-BASED musician “Micky Royal” (real name Mike Mvula), has released a powerful new single titled, Rinouraya Guka, a hard-hitting track that confronts the growing crisis of drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe.
Translated as “Drugs Kill”, the song delivers a chilling warning about the life-threatening consequences of addiction—particularly in mining towns like Shurugwi and high-density suburbs, where drug use continues to devastate lives and families.
In an interview, Micky Royal said the inspiration for the song came from witnessing the increasing number of young people whose lives are spiralling out of control due to drugs.
“It’s heartbreaking. People turn to drugs hoping to escape temporary problems, but they end up trapped in a cycle that leads to death. The challenges that push people into drug use are often solvable, but the solution they choose only leads them deeper into destruction,” he said.
Driven by a sense of purpose, the artiste believes music is one of the most powerful tools for spreading awareness.
“Music is everywhere — bars, markets, taxis — and it can spread a message faster than any campaign. We as artistes must speak up and fight the normalisation of drug use.”
However, Micky did not hide his frustration with some of his peers in the music industry.
“Sadly, some artistes are deep into drugs themselves. Worse still, they glorify it in their songs. That’s a huge setback for those of us trying to raise awareness. But I won’t stop. Drugs are killing our youth and someone has to speak up.”
Rinouraya Guka goes beyond highlighting the death toll of addiction. It shines a light on the ripple effects — lost talent, school dropouts and irresponsible sexual behaviour —often linked to drug use, especially among the youth.
“The song touches on how drug abuse leads to self-destruction, from ruined futures to exposure to HIV through reckless acts,” said Micky.
According to the 2024 Sub-HIV National Estimates, mining towns hardest hit by drug abuse are showing alarming HIV prevalence rates. Shurugwi stands at 0.28, while neighbouring Zvishavane tops the list at 0.31 — raising serious concerns about health literacy in drug-affected communities.
Micky’s message is clear: drugs are not a solution — they are the beginning of the end.
With Rinouraya Guka, Micky Royal joins a growing number of artistes using their platforms to confront a silent crisis, offering not just a song, but a lifeline.
