PHILANTHROPIST BRINGS DRUG ABUSE CAMPAIGN HOME
SOUTH Africa-based philanthropist and musician, Tafara Vandirai, has launched an initiative against drug and substance abuse in his native Zimbabwe.
Called “Giving Back to Community,” the programme provides homeless people with food and counselling to drug addicts. Vandirai, who works for an embassy in South Africa, believes drug abuse, which has been declared a national disaster in Zimbabwe, needs a collective effort to be addressed..
Given the high cost of professional rehabilitation treatment, he said he had identified a strong team to assist him in offering face-toface advice.
He added that he aimed to use part of the proceeds from his music sales to fund the initiative.
“Drug and substance abuse is a serious problem worldwide, which needs collective effort.
“In South Africa where I work at an embassy, I dedicate part of my time to interacting with homeless people in parks and drug addicts who tell me their stories.
“In most cases, drug addicts were forced by circumstances to end up indulging in drugs,” he said.
“The first step we need is to talk to drug addicts and find out why they are into this behaviour.
“I will be happy if I win more souls and help those in despair and drug addicts to quit their behaviour.”
The philanthropist, who also doubles as a gospel musician, revealed that rehabilitation was not enough to address the issue.
“I have also realised that sometimes counselling and talking to those in despair, especially drug addicts works wonders,” he said.
Vandirai has managed to win the hearts of many people across the Limpopo with his three albums, Chengeta Mwoyo, Moments of Worship 1 and Moments of Worship 2.
His singles Fambai Neni and Mwari Shandurai are also doing well on the charts both locally and in South Africa.