SAYWHAT to launch “The Chase”

Ashley Mujoma

Students and Youth working on reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) will launch its talent discovery program – The Chase – in August.

The programme is aimed at identifying talented young people who will be groomed in the fight against sexual and reproductive health and rights as well as Gender-Based Violence.

“The Chase” competition which borrows its features from the popular South African Idols will see contestants creating content that addresses Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

In an interview, SAYWHAT Executive Director Jimmy Wilford, said the competition will open doors for many young talents.

“The name of the competition “THE CHASE” is inspired by the urgent need to amplify young people’s voices particularly those who are gifted with artistic work to chase their dreams and capitalize on their talents to influence positive behaviour outcomes in their communities regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights, and Gender Based Violence.

“Young people are therefore required to showcase their talents by contextualizing GBV and reproductive health issues,” said Wilford.

He added: “This competition has four categories; drama, music, poetry and public speaking. From these categories, each participant can compete in one category except for drama where a maximum of three people is allowed to perform as a group.

“This competition has two phases.

“The first phase is provincial based where participant will be competing in their respective provinces.

“The second phase is named Creative Reproductive Health Arts Festival for Transformation (CRAFT) and this takes place at the national level in Harare around August.”

He said young people who are eligible to contest in The Chase completion should be between 10-24 years.

Winners from provinces will be subjected to mentorship in the run up to the Creative Reproductive Health Arts Festival for Transformation (CRAFT) competition slated for August 2022.

“The idea of the mentorship program is meant to help the young people to learn from seasoned artists who could be dramatists, poets, musicians and public speaking legends.

“We believe that artists who have served in the industry for years have experience and they have the capacity to impart skills to the young people.”

SAYWHAT is encouraging young people to be part and parcel of the competition.