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Lovemore Meya Arts Correspondent
Friendly, compassionate and selflessness are the words that define the personality of Afro jazz sensation Rute Mbangwa when it comes to helping the less privileged in the society. To Rute, music alone is incomplete in serving her fans of various ages and the art should be complemented by social responsibilities.“I am serving the community in a bid to make a difference to both the young and old since social responsibility is the key to life. It gives hope to the hopeless while the weak find strength to move on and social outcasts get hope. To me it means putting words to action beyond the music rhythm,” she said.
Rute said as she was growing up, she had a passion for helping others.
“There was a time I needed help emotionally and financially, just a shoulder to cry upon and support in all I was doing, but there was no one to assist me.
“It was an awful and lonely predicament. In short, I know how it feels when one is in a disadvantaged corner,” she said.
The songstress added that she wants be the difference she wishes to see in the communities.
Rute is working with three institutions so as to fulfil her dreams.
“I am working with a number of organisations that include Lions Club Harare, Lady Circle Zimbabwe as well as Children’s homes like Kasipiti and SODA.
“Most of these organisations help flood victims in Muzarabani. While youth clubs linked to Lady Circle help them to be more active in social programmes like clean-up campaigns and preach abstinence from drug abuse,” she said.
She said Lady Circle Zimbabwe is working with children with albinism and recently they identified a number of school children that are in need of fees and they will pay for them.
Rute also got an opportunity to work with an ex-convict group Divine Touch Trust organisation.
“It is always touching to see these people struggling to get recognition and acceptance in the society after incarceration.
“I joined them as their board secretary and I am also responsible for music and communications.
“This is a good experience working with ex-convicts whom I think deserve a second chance to be involved in social issues,” she said.
DTT programmes manager, Abiton Padera said it is good to work with people that have passion for serving others in life.
“Ruth (Rute) represents such people. She is so hard-working when it comes to supporting initiatives that benefit other people, in this case ex-convicts.
“Working with ex-convicts is a passionate initiative and l believe in their abilities to restart their lives and be able to create better communities using their past experiences,” he said.
However, on the musical side, Rute said being silent does not mean she is down and out.
“People might be wondering why I have been silent on releasing some new stuff.
“Let it be known that big things are happening behind the scenes.
“Music has seasons and I feel the themes on my album belong to another season. I have decided to shelve it and release a rather light-hearted double single called ‘African Woman’ to be released by end of September,” she said.
Online Reporter