Bongani Ndlovu
Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]
The death of a pupil believed to have succumbed to drug abuse a few years ago has inspired Magwegwe High School learners to take a stand against the scourge through music, culminating in the launch of a song titled Izidakamizwa on Friday.
Those painful memories inspired pupils at Magwegwe High School to record and launch an anti-drug song titled Izidakamizwa on Friday as part of efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of drug and substance abuse among young people.
The song was written by pupils at the school and mixed and mastered by So Much Music, a studio run by former pupils of the institution.
During the launch event, pupils showcased a variety of talents including modelling, arts and crafts, singing and dancing from various arts groups.
Magwegwe High School headmaster Mr William Ncube said the day was significant for the school as it marked both the South-South competitions and the launch of the school’s first recorded song.
“This is a song recorded by our music learners with the assistance of the art teacher. We launched the song today and it’s a beautiful song which will assist us to keep the prevalence of drug abuse in our school, in the community.
“As the Magwegwe High community, two or three years ago, we buried one of our students who the family said died as a result of drugs. It was a sad day and this song comes at a time when drug abuse is under increase.
He said they want to take the song to district, provincial and national competitions.
“It is a beautiful song and we encourage everyone to listen to it, not just the melody but as well as the message that is in that song.
“We thank everyone that has taken part in it, the media fraternity and the studio So Much Music that assisted and recorded the song for free. We thank you everyone. Let’s listen to the song, let’s keep track abuse and let’s say no to drugs,” said Mr Ncube.
The group behind the song is called Vocal Essence and is made up of Bonginkosi (T.Millor) Lunga and Michael (Abakwazz) Soko who deliver the rap verses, Simphiwe (Black Barbie) Nyathi and Shayne (Semi Cee) Chabata who sing the chorus, while Nolwandle Ndlovu, also known as Daughter of the Thunder, performs the poem at the beginning of the song.
Magwegwe High School music teacher Ms Novangeli Sibanda said the pupils composed the song after witnessing the growing scourge of drug and substance abuse in society.
“This song is targeting school-going children and also school leavers who are affected by this scourge. We recorded the song at a studio in Bulawayo, courtesy of the former Magwegwe High School pupils who funded the project,” she said.
Former pupil and ex-police officer Mthokozisi Manzini-Moyo, who completed his O-Levels at the school in the late 1980s, also attended the launch alongside representatives of the Magwegwe High Former Students Association.
Mr Manzini-Moyo said he was proud to return to the school and encouraged pupils to stay away from drugs and substance abuse, adding that former pupils felt it was important to support the project.
So Much Music was represented by radio personality Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda, who encouraged pupils to continue pursuing their musical talents and come forward to record more music.
Zimbabwe has in recent years been battling rising cases of illicit drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people, prompting schools, communities and authorities to intensify awareness campaigns.
derick.khumalo