Online Reporter
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
GOSPEL musician Rebecca Manford has emerged as one of the strongest artistic voices backing Government efforts to curb drug and substance abuse, using her music not only as a form of worship, but also as a powerful social intervention aimed at saving lives and restoring broken futures.
At a time when drug abuse continues to ravage communities, families and derail the dreams of young people across the country, Manford says artistes have a responsibility to speak where silence has failed.
She believes music can reach hearts that policy statements and warnings often cannot.
“Drug abuse has become one of the biggest threats to our communities and our nation,” Manford said.
“Every day we see young people with so much potential throwing their lives away. Families are being broken, and futures are being stolen. I felt a deep responsibility to use my voice and my platform to support the fight against drugs.”
Her stance aligns closely with ongoing Government campaigns aimed at combating drug and substance abuse, particularly among youths. Manford says her music is meant to complement these efforts by taking the message directly to the people in a language they understand — sound, emotion and lived experience.
“Music has the power to heal, to warn, to uplift and to open eyes,” she said.
“Sometimes conversations fail, but a song can reach the heart instantly. If my music can inspire even one person to walk away from drugs, seek help or save someone else, then it has done its job.”
Manford’s musical journey is rooted in faith and community. She grew up singing at school and in church, performing in youth bands where her voice and passion for music began to take shape. Over the years, music became her chosen medium of expression, a way to serve her religious beliefs while addressing real issues affecting society.
“Music is the art through which I express myself, my faith and my values,” she said. “It allows me to communicate ideas, challenge mindsets and speak on issues that matter in our communities.”
Though widely known for her gospel sound, Manford’s music goes beyond praise and worship. Her songs often carry messages that encourage moral responsibility, personal growth and community upliftment — a blend that has earned her respect beyond the church space.
Her latest project, “Say No” directly confronts the growing scourge of drug abuse, drawing inspiration from everyday realities she witnesses around her.
“Almost everyone knows someone who had a promising life and lost it because of drugs,” she said. “That reality is what inspired this project. Drug abuse is destroying families and robbing young people of their future — the very future that should be full of dreams, creativity and purpose.”
Manford describes the project as both a warning and a message of hope.
“The song is my way of saying we can choose better, we can protect our future and we can save lives,” she said. “It is a call to action, not just for the victims of drugs, but for parents, communities and leaders.”
Beyond music, Manford is a high achiever in the corporate world — a chartered accountant, CEO of a multi-million-dollar company in the tobacco sector, an international public speaker and a multi-award-winning business leader. She says discipline, purpose and hard work allow her to balance her demanding career with her passion for music.
“I put my all into everything I do,” she said. “I believe strongly in productivity and putting in the work. Being busy does not overwhelm me — it energises me.”
As she prepares to release more music, including a forthcoming album, Manford remains clear about her mission: to use her gift responsibly.
“I do not release music just to stay relevant,” she said. “I release it when it is meaningful and ready. But people should expect more — we have been working hard, and there is so much more to come.”
With her latest project, Rebecca is not just making music — she is lending her voice to a national cause, proving that art, when guided by purpose, can be a powerful ally in shaping a healthier and more hopeful society.
