daniel chigunwe
Arts Correspondent
Local hip-hop sensation, Tony Chihota, has said besides having workshops, seminars or talks to curb drug abuse, there is also need to incorporate technology as part of the methods to create awareness.
The Zim hip-hop artiste is worried about the rising cases of drug abuse in the arts sector and so many artistes are destroying their careers because of drugs.
Chihota revealed that he is set to launch a new audio app with his intention to fight the drug abuse pandemic which is a scourge in this country.
In an interview with The Herald Arts, Chihota said he is worried about the soaring cases of drug abuse by artistes here in Zimbabwe.
“I’m very worried about the increasing cases of drug abuse by the artistes here in Zimbabwe, every day I receive the messages of artistes who have been destroyed by drugs,” he said.
In the audio-app, Chihota is encouraging the artistes to shun drugs and focusing on pushing the arts industry forward.
“I want to see our arts industry on top and competing with countries like Nigeria and South Africa,” he said.
Chihota has been in the arts sector for over two decades, and is one of the surviving members of the A Peace of Ebony outfit.
He said he was into drugs for over a decade and later defeated the addiction after he went through rehabilitation, so he is speaking from experience.
“I was into drugs for over a decade, but to thank God I was healed when I went through the rehabilitation process, so I’m speaking from experience,” said Chihota.
Once the audio-app is out, Chihota intends to tour universities so that he can meet with students and teach them about the disadvantages of taking drugs.
“The audio-app is not only for the artistes, but it is for everyone here in Zimbabwe and also beyond our borders,” he said. “So, when the audio-app is out I’m going to tour many universities with it and teach the students about the negative effects of taking drugs.”
Chihota believes that if the local sector is free from drugs it can compete against the top countries like Nigeria and South Africa.
He said there were talented people in Zimbabwe, but they were being destroyed by drugs.
“We have talents here in Zimbabwe, but the problem we are facing is drug abuse, if our artistes are avoiding taking drugs I believe that our arts industry can compete with countries like Nigeria and South Africa,” he said.
Recently, there was the case of musician Saintfloew who went to South Africa for rehabilitation after he was addicted to drugs for some years.
There is also Dobba Don who is now destitute and living on the streets because of drugs.
Online Reporter