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Children’s Fund regional goodwill ambassador, becoming the latest Zimbabwean Unicef ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Gospel diva, Shingisai Suluma, was appointed Unicef goodwill ambassador in 2009 and has been assisting to highlight the plight of abused children
Mtukudzi, affectionately known as “Tuku” by his legion of fans, was honoured at a ceremony to mark the Day of the African Child on Thursday at the Unicef offices in Belgravia, Harare.
Announcing the appointment, Unicef country representative in Zimbabwe, Dr Peter Salama, said Mtukudzi had made bold endeavours in using his talent to improve the lives of children and young people.
“In his 20-year musical career, Tuku has demonstrated a genuine commitment to communicating strong and clear messages about the importance of children and young people’s rights, including their right to live free from HIV and Aids,” said Dr Salama.
TOUCHING MOMENT AS TUKU SHEDS TEARS ON STAGE
By being accorded this child rights advocate role, Tuku joins the list of well-known and highly respected personalities all over the world including child rights advocates, sports, music and performing and film artists who are serving in this capacity.
Accepting the new role, Tuku called on Zimbabweans to support him to achieve results for Zimbabwe’s children.
“I cannot play this role alone,” said Tuku.
“We need each other as Zimbabweans and Africans to make our continent a better place for our children. We have to work together to stop child abuse, child molestation, violence against children, to prevent HIV, to stop stigma and discrimination and to give a home to children living on our streets . . . “
Through his goodwill ambassador role, Tuku will cover the Eastern and Southern African region focusing on HIV and Aids prevention, youth development and participation, assisting Unicef in its advocacy and programmes and in communicating to a broad public, young people in particular, the vision and values that guide Unicef’s work for children.
Unicef has a strong presence in over 150 countries as well as through 36 national committees in the industrialised world.
“This global reach will give Tuku a unique access to audiences around the world to help disseminate Unicef’s messages,” said Dr Salama.
“This appointment would also provide Tuku with a platform to urge political leaders to commit more human and financial resources to creating an Africa truly fit for children. We are very pleased to be working with him.”
This year’s Day of the African Child commemorations were held under the African Union theme: “All Together for Urgent Actions to Street Children”.
It is a realisation of the huge challenge facing children living outside the family environment, whether because of poverty, abuse or HIV and Aids.
In Zimbabwe, the growing population of children living on the streets is a reflection of the high orphan population in the country.
One in four children in Zimbabwe has lost one or both parents, most of them as a result of HIV and Aids.
Undoubtedly, many of these young people face immense challenges and deprivations and struggle to access even the most basic social services, forcing them into undesirable situations such as living on the streets.
While many children who end up on the streets are running away from sexual abuse, other forms of violence and poverty, the issue of violence extends far beyond just children living on the streets.
At least 25 percent of girls affected by HIV are exposed to sexual violence before their 18th birthday while 13 percent of girls report being sexually harassed by teachers or fellow pupils. Of these, 7 percent report having been forced into sex at least once.
These are the many challenges facing children in Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa that await Tuku as the new Unicef regional goodwill ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Tuku was last month bestowed with yet another prestigious ambassadorial role by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to spearhead tourism programmes.
Known for sobriquets, Tuku had been the cultural ambassador since 2009, an honour bestowed on him by the Project Concern International and in 2008 he was designated Zimbabwe’s tourism ambassador by the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe. – Correspondent-Herald Reporter.
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