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Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
Zim dancehall youths have over the years branded themselves outlaws through songs that glorify drug abuse, theft and violence.
Because of their shenanigans they have found themselves in constant brushes with law enforcement agents who they refer in their songs as “Porisi”, “Ma officer” or “Babylan”.
In a case of a leopard changing its spots, the youths are advocating for the rights of the vulnerable in an anti-Child Abuse campaign scheduled for this weekend.

Organiser and Zim dancehall chanter Tendai “Tenka” Kanyuchi spoke on the development.
“This was an initiative came upon the realisation that we as artistes need to add our voices in the fight against child abuse.
“It is a serious issue that is on the rise in our communities.

“Children are the future but we are witnessing perpetrators walking scot free despite ruining the future generations,” he said.
The campaign that is running under the theme “save the children, don’t abuse them” will start off with a march from Town House to Africa Unity Square.

The participants that will include children from Glen Norah and surrounding areas will then be treated to top entertainment by the artistes who will be speaking against child abuse.

“We are all going to be performing for free. There is an array of edutainment like poetry, stand-up comedy, theatricals, gymnastics and lots of dancing,” he said. The artistes involved include dancehall chanters Madd Spider, Viper, Tenka, Flodrick, Badman, Magical, Junior Judah (son of the late Judah E) and Lyrical Don Dada who is also the MC together with poet Madzitateguru. While a number of established dancehall artistes seem to have snubbed the campaign, Tenka is confident that his team’s voice will be loud enough.

“We have the blessings of the police who have pledged to give us an escort during the street march. Unicef and Childline have since promised to give us material to distribute during the campaign. We hope representatives from the Government and relevant organisations will consider our invitations,” he said.