Thandeka sings for albinism
Singer steps out of the entertainment limelight to back a unique fundraising initiative to empower albinos
POPULAR musician PJ Powers, also known as Thandeka has thrown her weight behind a storytelling project in Zimbabwe, that aims to raise funds for people with albinism.
This week the singer joined forces with Miss Albinism Trust Zimbabwe and Khulisa Social Solutions to launch the one-year project, called Dare to Dream.
The Jabulani hit maker performed in Victoria Falls last Saturday and in Harare on Wednesday, when the project was officially launched.
Besides raising funds, the project is aimed at inspiring people with albinism to embrace their unique identity through storytelling, and to develop mental resistance to doubt or discouragement.
Powers said the resilience displayed by Zimbabweans had inspired her to join the project, and she wanted to be involved in efforts to assist other marginalised groups.
“People know me as a performer and an entertainer, but this is something that I have always wanted to do,” she said.
“I have been blessed so much in my life, and all I want to do is give back to the community. With this project, Khulisa has given me the platform to do that. This goes beyond any other charity project that I have worked on as PJ Powers… I am throwing off the entertainment hat to take my worth in this project to another level.”
Powers, who shared the stage with local singer Silent Nqo at the Harare concert, said she was highly impressed by the latter’s talent.
“I have never seen such a remarkable talent, and the plans are for us to work and record something at the MMX Studios here in Zimbabwe, because there was a connection – something that in my long career has only happened once… I am definitely going to work with the young man.”
The Dare to Dream project is being backed by South Africa-based Zimbabwean business mogul Joseph Busha.
He said he was honoured to be working with Powers to uplift people with albinism in Zimbabwe.
“This initiative is awesome and I give it my 100% support.
“We (and people with albinism) belong together as we are one people…
“Through love and understanding each other we can conquer anything in the world. The initiative must play a role in making people accept albinism. There is nothing that makes us different from each other. The colour of our skin is not important. Let’s not discriminate – we are one people. They (people with albinism) love us, and it’s we who don’t love them. They are at peace with who they are,” he said.