Maravi

An artiste is like a mirror, says Mutukuzi

An artiste is like a mirror, says Mutukuzi
Written by Wana Kalala
Thursday, May 14, 2009 3:52:07 PM

RENOWNED Zimbabwean musician Oliver Mtukudzi has said artistes have a responsibility to address health issues in their nations. Addressing the media at Hotel Intercontinental on Thursday, Mtukudzi said artistes as representatives of cultures and nations needed to reflect issues affecting society.

"An artiste is like a mirror of the people. I think whatever we are doing here is our responsibility. We are a bridge between those who don't know and those who know... (This) is why we are artistes, we have to disseminate information to the people; not only musicians, sculptors, visual arts, we all speak the same language," he said.

Mtukudzi, who arrived in Zambia on Wednesday, is scheduled to perform at tomorrow's Rhythm of Life festival to be held at the Lusaka Showgrounds.

The all-day music, dance and art festival will also feature many prominent Zambian artistes, as well as the provision of free health services and information on malaria, HIV, family planning and related matters.

A malaria ambassador in Zimbabwe, Mtukudzi said health issues affected the entire continent, and artistes had an obligation to use their craft to build their countries. "The most important thing here is to talk about health, which is needed in Zimbabwe and it's also needed in Zambia, it's needed in Africa, and as artistes we are doing our best to do our job to make sure we build our nations through art," he said.

Mtukudzi added that journalists were also artistes, and shared the same purpose as musicians, sculptors in bringing about positive change in society.

He expressed hope that the Health Communication Partnership (HCP), which together with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are coordinating the festival, would hold a similar event in his country. "We should adopt this concept...we need to take this concept to Zimbabwe. This concept is just brilliant," said Mtukudzi.

HCP-Zambia deputy chief of party Uttara Bharath Kumar said the participating artistes had pledged to be health ambassadors and would bring energy and focus to health issues that affect everyone.

Labels: ARTS, OLIVER MTUKUDZI

posted by MrK @ 2:54 PM