THE Imagine Afrika song writing competition run by ZBC radio as part of the continental broadcasting initiative to combat HIV and Aids was won by Andrew Maramba, a 20-year-old art student from Bulawayo currently residing in Chitungwiza. The song, submitted on a CD, was voted the best entry by listeners to Power FM Radio, who submitted their votes by telephone, short message service (sms) or e-mail.It has been sent to South Africa, where it will be judged alongside entries from other sub Saharan African countries.The winning entry will be recomposed by a renowned musician, translated so that there are versions in English, French, Portuguese and KiSwahili, and broadcast throughout sub-Saharan AfricaThe song writing competition was open to local citizens between the ages of 15 and 25. The song had to include the phrase “it begins with you”, the slogan being used in a radio and television advertising campaign adopted by the more than 40 broadcasters in more than 30 sub-Saharan African countries participating in the initiative to combat HIV and Aids through broadcasting.The broadcasters are part of African Broadcast Media Partnership Against HIV/Aids. Both ZBC radio and ZBC television belong to the partnership, which initiated the continental reality show Imagine Afrika.Last year Zimbabwean Yvonne Mangunda took part in the reality show and was part of the winning team. This year University of Zimbabwe student Dudzai Mureyi is taking part in the show, which will be broadcast on ZBC television weekly from October 20.Maramba’s entry was entitled simply: It Begins With You. His entry was one of 89 received by ZBC radio. It will be judged alongside entries from other countries by a panel of three judges in South Africa.Most of those who submitted entries submitted them on CD’s, while one submitted a recording on an audio-cassette and some simply submitted the lyrics of songs yet to be set to music, which were read out on radio.The song competition is expected to feature in episode 10 of the Imagine Afrika reality show. – Own Correspondent.
