Rusape artistes fight child marriages through music
AT A time when Government, human rights activists and various Non-Governmental Organisations are advocating for an end to rampant child marriages in the country, a group of Rusape-based artistes recently composed a soulful track in support of the initiative.
The track titled, Vana Ava is a fusion of afro-Pop, dancehall and hip hop.
The 12 artistes who composed the track include, Anesu ‘Xpd’ Chihwai, Tafadzwa ‘Tha Mad kid’ Chirara, Kayz ‘6 Itan’ Kadura and Takudzwa ‘Splits Loui’ Man’aira, the song takes a swipe at parents who marry off their helpless girl children.
Musician and producer of the track, Splits Loui said lyrics on the track were inspired by the plight of girl children who were being ill-treated by their parents and guardians who are be greedy and selfish.
“As young people, we witness a lot of young and under-age girls being forced into marriages. This is usually done at a very tender age where the girl child has no say in the matter. Those people are usually left with no option but abide by their parents’ orders.
“At the end of the day, the girls, now under-aged mothers, who are later abused by the husbands, are left to fend for their babies alone while the husband approaches other women. The sad development (of child marriages) leaves the girl children exposed to physical abuse, sexually-transmitted diseases and mental instability among other things,” he said.
The song carries powerful lyrics that encourage listeners, particularly parents and guardians, to empower their children and encourage them to value education. Part of the lyrics say: “Education is the key, siyai vana vakure vamedze maB (education is the key, let the children be educated).”