Online Reporter
Online Reporter
IN a bold and timely intervention aimed at addressing Zimbabwe’s growing youth crisis, philanthropist and prominent mining figure Alloyd Moxen Moyo, through his company Moxen Investments, has joined forces with veteran broadcaster and mining journalist Tafadzwa Dube to revive the once-popular dance television competition Tjukutja Kasi to Kasi.
The programme, which previously aired on ZBC TV and became a cultural phenomenon in the early 2010s, is now being repositioned as more than just entertainment—it is a strategic platform aligned with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the broader Vision 2030 agenda of transforming the country into an upper middle-income economy.
Tjukutja Kasi to Kasi was originally celebrated for unearthing raw dance talent from Zimbabwe’s high-density suburbs, giving young people a platform to express themselves creatively while competing for recognition.
Its revival now carries a deeper national purpose—supporting government priorities under NDS2, which places emphasis on youth empowerment, skills development, employment creation, and innovation.
By integrating arts with structured development pathways, the program directly feeds into Vision 2030, which seeks to build a prosperous, empowered, and skilled Zimbabwean society.
Zimbabwe’s developmental ambitions face a serious threat from the rising levels of drug and substance abuse among youths. In Bulawayo and surrounding areas such as Gwanda, Filabusi, and Kezi, the crisis continues to deepen.
Community-based findings indicate that up to 40 percent of youths in Bulawayo have been exposed to substance abuse
Around 30–35 percent in districts like Filabusi and Kezi are regular users or have experimented with drugs
Substances commonly abused include broncleer, crystal meth (mutoriro), marijuana, and alcohol
This growing crisis undermines productivity, fuels crime, increases school dropout rates, and weakens the human capital base required to achieve NDS2 targets and ultimately Vision 2030.
Moyo stressed the urgency:
“We cannot build a nation when our youths are battling substance abuse. We must intervene now and give them direction.”
The revival of Tjukutja Kasi to Kasi introduces a structured model where dance becomes more than performance—it becomes a tool for rehabilitation, discipline, and opportunity. Evidence from youth development programs shows that creative arts significantly reduce risky behavior while promoting confidence and social cohesion.
Through this initiative, young people will gain a constructive outlet for energy and talent, positive peer influence and mentorship, national exposure and confidence-building and access to structured development opportunities
From Dance Floor to Skills Development: Linking to Mining and Vocational Training
What distinguishes this initiative is its direct link to Zimbabwe’s economic sectors. Leveraging his experience in mining through Moxen Investments, Moyo has committed to ensuring that participants transition from performance into practical skills training and employment pathways.
A key component of this vision is the integration of participants into institutions such as the Nyongolo Vocational Training Centre (VTC), where young people will receive hands-on technical training.
“We are identifying talent, but more importantly, we are building livelihoods. Through vocational training centres like Nyongolo, these youths will gain skills that empower them for life,” said Moyo.
Participants—especially winners and standout performers—will benefit from:
Mining-related training exposure, tapping into Zimbabwe’s key economic driver Vocational skills development at institutions like Nyongolo VTC Entrepreneurial pathways within mining and related industries
The revival of Tjukutja Kasi to Kasi has already begun to attract praise from arts stakeholders. Renowned musician Jeys Marabini welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to unlock Bulawayo’s rich talent base.
“We are very excited with such an initiative because, as you know, Bulawayo has talent and we should use that. We would like to thank Moxen Moyo for coming up with such an initiative and assisting the youths from Bulawayo and the Matabeleland region,” said Marabini.
His sentiments reflect a broader consensus within the creative sector—that platforms like Tjukutja Kasi to Kasi are critical in nurturing and sustaining local talent while addressing pressing social challenges.
At the core of Moyo’s intervention is the JCK Life Changers Initiative, a grassroots-driven program designed to transform lives through empowerment, mentorship, and opportunity creation.
Redirecting youths from harmful behaviours through engagement in arts and sports, providing access to vocational training and life skills, building responsible, community-driven young leaders.
By integrating Tjukutja Kasi to Kasi into the JCK framework, the program becomes more than a television production—it becomes a pipeline for youth transformation, linking talent discovery with real economic opportunities.
With over 60% of Zimbabwe’s population under the age of 35, the success of Vision 2030 depends on how effectively the nation empowers its youth. Initiatives like this directly respond to:
The urgent need to combat drug and substance abuse, the demand for skills training and employment creation, the importance of integrating youths into productive sectors like mining.
By bridging entertainment, education, and economic empowerment, Moyo’s vision demonstrates how private sector leadership can complement national development goals under NDS2.
The revival of Tjukutja Kasi to Kasi is not just about bringing back a television show—it is about reclaiming Zimbabwe’s future. It is about turning talent into opportunity, creativity into careers, and vulnerable youths into productive citizens.
Through the combined efforts of Alloyd Moxen Moyo, Moxen Investments, and Tafadzwa Dube, supported by institutions like the Nyongolo Vocational Training Centre, a new chapter is being written—one where rhythm meets responsibility, and talent meets transformation.
In Moyo’s words: “If we guide them, train them, and give them opportunity, we are not just saving lives—we are building the Zimbabwe of tomorrow.”
