Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
AFTER its establishment this year, the Slimzar Wa Africa Foundation, curated by celebrated wheel spinner and music producer Slimzar Wa Afrika, has already hit the ground running, calling on members of the public and the local business community to donate musical instruments and gadgets.
The donations will be used to empower underprivileged youths who will be working with the foundation, as it seeks to uplift them through the arts and technology.
Dubbed the “Donate A Music Instrument Campaign,” the initiative aims to equip children’s homes across Bulawayo with the tools required to nurture creative talent and create professional pathways into the music industry.
To this end, the foundation has extended invitations to individuals, corporate partners and the general public to donate new or used musical instruments.
These will be distributed to local orphanages, where the foundation will facilitate ongoing mentorship and practical training.
“As a unique move to bridge the gap between traditional performance and modern technology, the campaign is also calling for donations of computers and laptops. These devices will be equipped with music production software to allow children to learn the technical art of sound engineering and digital composition.
“We welcome donations of guitars, pianos, keyboards, violins, saxophones and drum sets. Traditional instruments like marimbas, mbiras and drums are also welcome, as well as laptops, desktop computers, MIDI controllers and studio monitors,” said DJ Slimzar.
He emphasised that once donations have been collected, the foundation will collaborate with a network of professional local music artistes to conduct regular music lessons and music production workshops at beneficiary children’s homes.
The Slimzar Wa Africa Foundation was created to ensure that underprivileged children and youths are fully integrated into global development trends through a unique blend of traditional support and modern skill acquisition.
The foundation aims to bridge the digital and social divide by providing the less-privileged with access to high level skills, career guidance and emerging technologies.
Slimzar said his upbringing and the community he grew up in inspired him to establish a foundation that would uplift underprivileged people.
“Growing up in a community where every child is everyone’s child, where a mother is every child’s mother, the experiences I had pushed me to come up with this initiative of giving back to the community, at the same time playing my role and taking up responsibility as a member of the community.
“The formation of this foundation came as a way of us saying let us be a brother to that drug addict and call upon someone that can assist, and let us be the father to the orphans and come together to offer fatherly comfort, protection and provision. No matter how little it may seem, it goes a long way for someone who doesn’t have it,” said Slimzar.
To empower the underprivileged, Slimzar’s foundation designed a curriculum and support system that ensures no child is left behind because of their background or economic status.
The organisation adopts a multi-disciplinary approach, focusing on digital skills and technology, creative arts, climate change awareness and action, green skills and innovation, as well as social welfare and community support.
“Our mission is to ensure that our youth are not just spectators of the future, but are active participants in it, whether through music or coding or environmental advocacy. We are committed to providing the best skills and technologies to those who need them most.
“As such, we will be training youths in coding and AI usage and digital literacy to ensure that they are fully integrated into global developments. We will also educate them on sustainable practices and climate resilience to help them understand and mitigate environmental impacts in their local communities, among other skills,” said Slimzar.
As its calendar of activities gets underway, the foundation will begin with music lessons and professional skills development sessions led by industry experts to nurture young talent.
Career guidance talks will also be offered to help youths make informed decisions about their lives and career paths.
The foundation is also planning to roll out anti-drug and substance abuse campaigns in various townships across Bulawayo, targeting youths, who are among the most affected.
“Personally, I am a dedicated climate change advocate, hence we will be raising awareness on this path, as we will be engaged in tree planting drives and arts competitions that promote climate change and foster environmental responsibility,” said Slimzar.
