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Dereck Mpofu

Sydney Kawadza
“LET us preserve our today for a better tomorrow. We have what we have because of our forefathers preserved it yesterday so for our children to have a tomorrow, let us preserve it today,” says Dereck Mpofu. The world is going through environmental degradation that has shockingly been ignored while its effects such as global warming, desertification, river siltation and all sorts of pollution on land and water bodies take their toll.

The effects can be seen in Zimbabwe’s cities and towns but still people continue to ignore it.
Motorists and commuters continue to throw away rubbish from moving vehicles while  pedestrians are equally guilty.

These are some of the issues highlighted by Mpofu, a young artiste who has become a Zimbabwean ambassador in the  fight against this scourge that has become part of our life.

Working with Government and Harare City Council, Dereck early this year produced the album “Mr Green Ambassador Sir”, a six-track album which highlights the good of preserving the environment and the deleterious effects of degradation.

Mpofu is the Zimbabwe Goodwill Ambassador for water conservation and zero littering and most of his work is dedicated to promoting environmental issues.

“I did songs on that album to highlight issues affecting the environment and I am glad the response has been quite overwhelming. The crowds at the shows we have held have been great.

“You will be surprised by the appreciation we are getting at both public and corporate functions. The album was not for commercial purposes but most of the CDs we put on the market have been sold out,” he said.

Dereck, known for his “Chisikana Changu Zimbabwe” single, followed up the launch of “Mr Green Ambassador Sir” album with a live DVD recording at the 7 Arts Theatre in September this year.

“The DVD is ready and we will be launching it at the end of the month. Although I did most of the songs on the album we added some more featuring guest artistes such as Pastor G and Albert Nyathi,” he said.
Dereck is backed by the Green Rainbow Choir.

“We are taking the green cue from the beauty that is Zimbabwe and the rainbow from the children I am working with on my projects from children’s homes and those in the ghetto.

“All this is inspired by the same them encapsulated in ‘Chisikana Changu Zimbabwe’ and ‘Denga Rinonzi Zimbabwe’ which is a reflection of Zimbabwe’s beauty, which beauty needs to be preserved at all costs.

“I am proud to be Zimbabwean. My father is Ndebele and my mother is Shona and I understand why we are a beautiful people as Zimbabweans, which is our diversity. Zimbabwe is a melting pot of cultures and my music seeks to celebrate that.

“I do a bit of some revelations of the issues that people have chosen to ignore. It is sort of a metaphor for a country that is very spiritual and besides being a Christian nation we are not taking advantage of all the good things endowed on our country,” he said.
Dereck also had special mention for all those who have been backing him on his projects.

“Government has been my biggest supporter linking me to the corporate world. Special mention should go to the then Environment and Natural Resources Management Minister Francis Nhema for discovering the potential in me and taking me on board and Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere for continuing to work with me in this environment initiative. I have also been all over the world and was the youngest artiste to perform at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly thanks to Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi,” he said.

Dereck is already in the studio polishing up a commercial project featuring Jah Prayzah, Adiona Maboreke, Pastor G, Albert Nyathi, Teererai Mugwadi and upcoming artistes like Faresi Edward.

“The album, to be called Mr Green Ambassador Duets (Diplomatic Alliance), features various collaborations with various artistes and we hope to launch it very soon,” he  said.