BY STYLE CORRESPONDENT ARTS promoter and businessman Ngoni Denda, who runs popular joint Pagungwa at Guzha “Chikwanha” business centre in Chitungwiza says he is lining up several musical shows aimed at fighting illicit drug use.
Speaking to Standard Style last week, Denda said it was everyone’s role to conscientise, especially the youths, that taking drugs is not a solution to the economic depression currently rendering most of them jobless.
He indicated that his intension was to involve artists who sing various genres to perform at his outlet, while preaching the message that reignites fading hopes among many.
Denda added that the post-Covid-19 era has also ushered positive developments that can allow music promoters to inject more money into the arts sector.
“The rising levels of drug abuse are worrying; hence we need to unite and fully participate through various means and curb this scourge,” Denda said.
“Our role as business people is to promote arts and bring people together to facilitate the spreading of information that reconstructs our societies.
“When Covid-19 hit hard, our businesses were terribly affected, but with the end of lockdown, it is now possible to host artists and musicians.
“That is why we have been renovating and expanding Gungwa to ensure we can accommodate large numbers of revellers.”
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Several musicians have performed at Gungwa, including Nicholas Zakaria, who used to regularly play at the outlet on a weekly basis.
Pagungwa has hosted Josphat Somanje and Pengaudzoke, Alan Chimbetu, Progress Chipfumo, dancehall artists, among others, as a way of uplifting and appreciating local music.
“Pagungwa, when translated to English means ‘at the ocean’,” Denda said.
“Our wish as an ocean is to promote the exchange of different ideas through various events.
“And like an ocean, we are home to different species; we need every artist who thinks has the capacity to transform revellers’ mindsets in a positive way.
“It is through entertainment that we can preach to the world messages that bind our communities.
“The only sad story is that most musicians lack adequate sponsorship that is why our prime target as Pagungwa is to capacitate them.
“To achieve this desire of a drug-free country, we will also do road shows across Chitungwiza; that would be a better way to communicate to those who may not be able to come to the club.”
Taking of drugs such as Broncleer and crystal meth, widely known as mutoriro or dombo, is on the rise in high-density suburbs, leading to escalating cases of theft and violence, a development Denda says is unhealthy for a peaceful society.
