EU donates USD $63K to NACZ
INTERNATIONAL musician Vusa
Mkhaya who is nominated for the best diaspora artist award in this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima) has tipped young South African based rapper Mlue Jay to win the same.
Mlue Jay is nominated along with Nox, Dr Chaii and Vusa Mkhaya.
Posting on his social media, Mkhaya said Mlue Jay more deserves to win the ZIMA award.
“Mlue Jay, if I had a chance to in uence this (award process). I was going to give it to you, because you have been consistent and you put in some work this last year till today,” tweeted Mkhaya.
In a follow up interview with the Standard Style, Mlue Jay said he was excited about the nomination itself and considers it as a win already.
“It's already a win for me. Those that have been supporting me since way back know how hard I have worked to get that nomination. Zimas are the most important awards in the country and for me to be nominated means a lot to me and my fans," he said.
“I honestly didn’t think I would even make it but now that has given me hope to even believe that I have a chance of winning that gong.
“I thank everyone who has been behind me and everyone who has been streaming my music, the journey doesn’t end here, it has just started, and the nomination is fuel to more adventures. I also thank the awards organisers for considering artistes who are based in the
Style,
Diaspora like me,” he said.
Mlue Jay is riding high with his latest album release ‘Less talk, more action’ which features Soko Matemai, Jeys Marabini, Lisa Mbali, Luminous, Kuda K and Indigo Saint.
The 11-track album was recorded and mixed at YeahWeLit Entertainment, run by Mlue Jay. Production was handled by Aboriginal Junkie from Russia, Mlue Jay, N1, Vampir3lif3style, Fired Up touch, Broskiboi, M.O, Radi on the track and JB Sauced Up.
Born Mlungisi Moyo, the artiste hails from Mangwengwe West, in Bulawayo. His debut album Donatella got him recognition as he won the Best Diaspora award at the Zim Hip hop awards.
The artiste was introduced to music in 2008 and started recording in 2010. He went on to study sound engineering in South Africa where he is now based.
The rapper named his debut album — Donatella after his daughter. Donatella is an Italian name meaning “gift” or “gift of God”. “Donatella is a gift from God. Donatella is my beautiful daughter whom I was blessed with by the Almighty and I want to share that gift of God with the rest of the world through music," he said.
“She is the reason I do what I do every day. I hustle, I work hard in-between shifts, and also do music which is my love and passion.” .
THE National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, in partnership with the European Union (EU), o cially opened this year’s culture month in Harare on Thursday.
The EU made a donation of US$63 000 to the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe meant to fund Culture week, which will run under the theme, Promoting Cultural Diversity, Unity, and Peace.
The event was attended by the minister of Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry and the Ambassador of the EU to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann (pictured).
In his remarks, Jobst von Kirchmann applauded the culture month theme saying it aligns with the United States of America (USA) motto which is ‘United in Diversity’.
“We have to look at what unites us, our motto in the USA is united in diversity, culture week theme is what we identify with thus cultural diversity, unity and peace,” said KirchCoventry mann. encouraged people to embrace cultural diversity.
“Culture month is really very vital for everyone and I think that cultural diversity allows some sort of common ground to exist as people and if we can nd more time to acknowledge each other’s cultural diversi cation we would actually be a lot further than we are today,” she said.
NACZ deputy director Josiah Kusena said the European Union found resonance with them and collaborated by funding the culture month activities.
“The European Union has found resonance with us in terms of collaboration so they are funding the culture month activities," he said.
“What we have witnessed today is the o cial announcement of the start of the culture month which began on May 1.”
On May 15 there will be a culinary exchange program at Amagugu Arts Centre in Matopos led by Pathisa Nyathi.
Between May 22 to 23, there will be the Europe Day Arts Exhibition at Chitungwiza Arts Centre.
On May 27, President Emmerson Mnangagwa will launch the culture day in Binga. Meanwhile there will launches in every province which will be presided by the respective minister of state in that province whereby people will be celebrating their own provincial cultural diversity.
Culture Month commemorations are an extension of World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, which is celebrated on May 21, a date that was set aside by the United Nations Educational, Scienti c and Cultural Organisation.