MACHESO SPEAKS ON CONDOM USE . . .
SUNGURA kingpin Alick Macheso has urged youths to condomize so that they protect themselves.
He also encouraged them to abstain from sexual activities.
Macheso said this during a performance which was hosted by ZTN studios over the weekend to commemorate international condom day, an event which was coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The programme was implemented by SAYWHAT with the support of UNFPA and in partnership with National AIDS Council, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council as well as the Embassy of Sweden.
In an interview, Macheso said, “we have to protect ourselves from HIV so let’s condomize.”
“Diseases are there, so let us all use these condoms so that we protect ourselves and our loved ones. Please let’s protect ourselves all the time, condomize always,” said Macheso.
‘’Temptations are always there, but condoms are the best, always keep yourself and others safe by condomizing. I know it takes time for people to embrace the use of condoms but I encourage all people to try and use them so they protect one another “kune chakauya ichi’’.
“I know that a lot happens behind our partners but always remember to condomize”, said Macheso.
Macheso also took time to thank his fans who always support him and his band.
Macheso also spoke about his single Zuro ndizuro which was released in December, he is shocked with the appreciation it is getting from fans, because he was not expecting it since it was his first single.
“Fans must always rally behind us especially during these Covid times, as we can no longer perform live shows, because they are super spreaders of Covid”, said Macheso.
“We are hoping to release our latest album end of March or April, we have shelved it because of Covid-19 restrictions, since we rely on live shows because of piracy.’’
“Macheso also added that during this Covid-19 era they have taken the chance to do videos, since they had not been doing videos.
The sungura kingpin also spoke about how they are surviving during Covid-19 times, “It’s a lesson to us as artistes not to depend on music alone but to have other side jobs which are not music related, because many bands have folded during this Covid era.’’
“I am a farmer, grew up farming so I took advantage of that and my band and family are well catered for,” added Macheso.
Also speaking at the same event SAYWHAT executive director Jimmy Wilford said that they are still areas of improvement for the campaign such as ensuring access to Sexual and Reproductive Health services.
“A lot of areas need to be improved during this campaign, such as ensuring easy access to sexual and reproductive health services. The Condomize campaign which used to be conducted physically has since adopted the online approach due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Jimmy.
Jimmy also added that through the campaign they have maintained the service of edutainment and free spaces for dialogues with students and young people.
“These campaigns have enabled us to have free spaces for entertaining and educating these youths through music. However we are hopeful that the campaign will give us the results we seek for and more,” said Jimmy.