Artistes unite to sing World Aids Day song

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The commemorations were held under the theme End pandemics, End inequalities, End Aids.

BY STYLE REPORTER

Musician Willis Wataffi on Wednesday led a group of artistes to give an awe-inspiring performance at this year’s World Aids Day commemorations held in Chinhoyi.

The commemorations were held under the theme End pandemics, End inequalities, End Aids.

Musicians Feli Nandi, Alexio Kawara, Tahle Wedzinza and Dancehall Kedha gave it all their best, much to the delight of the cheering crowd.

The song, which was co-written into the unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population.

According to Wataffi, the song highlights the inequalities in the health care system particularly on issues such as HIV and Aids.

He said it’s an awareness message shared in a song with particular focus on the youth.

“This song was inspired by the theme for this year’s World Aids Day, which says End pandemics, End inequalities, End Aids,” Wataffi said.

“We are trying to use music to disseminate the message and taking first responsibility and show that as young artistes we are concerned and united we can fight Covid-19, HIV and Aids as well as other pandemics.

He said the theme song, which was produced at Harmony Studios – a production house under Wataffi’s stable, was all inclusive.

“We are expressing the message in three main languages — English, Shona and Ndebele — so that everybody is included,” Wataffi said.

“We want to express issues concerning inequalities and abuse of a lot of people, health, education of women and children, girls not accessing health services as well as some key populations that are affected and not getting treatment that can help curb effects of HIV.

“This is what inspired this song which revolves around the theme End pandemics, End inequalities, End Aids.”

Wataffi, famed for the song Wanga off the album Qaya Music, a production he did alongside Mehluli Moyo as Africa Revenge, was part of artistes that featured in last year’s theme song for the 32 edition of the World Aids Day commemorations that was done virtually due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

He has through his Qaya TV and Qaya Rootz Pictures Africa been involved in a number of campaigns, including child marriage, Covid-19, HIV and Aids awareness campaigns.

Bryn K said as a musician his duties included raising awareness on diseases and disasters, hence his involvement in the World Aids Day theme song production.

“It always feels good being able to use my gift to push for a good cause,” he said.

“I was also able to work with a lot of amazing singers so that was great.”

Feli Nandi, who has been involved in a number of productions around gender-based violence, said featuring in the theme song was one of her greatest achievement and is looking forward to be involved in many other projects of note.

“I was invited by the project manager Willis Wataffi and I realized it was worth accepting the invite since it was for a good cause,” she said.

“I want to be involved in such awareness campaigns and to keep using music to address society’s problems.”

This year’s World Aids Day commemorations were held at the Chinhoyi University of Technology grounds under Covid-19 regulations.

Acts such as IYASA, Mbeu and the Mhodzi Tribe, Albert Nyathi as well as the Police Band entertained the crowd.               

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