Maravi

(HERALD) Capleton visits Rastafarian shrine

Capleton visits Rastafarian shrine
By Problem Masau
Monday, 27 December 2010 19:30

JAMAICAN artiste Capleton yesterday visited the Rastafarian shrine, Dzimbahwe, in Glen Norah and called on African leaders to unite in the fight against neo-colonialism. He also called for the eradication of the perception among some people that Western countries are pacesetters of civilisation.

The shrine was brought to life as hundreds of followers of the Rastafarian religion and fans that thronged the revered place jostled to catch a glimpse of the celebrated reggae musician.

Capleton’s visit coincided with their annual Kwansa Celebration and as a renowned prophet of the Rastafarian religion, Capleton took the opportunity to deliver a sermon and touched on a wide-range of issues.

The dancehall maestro applauded the unity in the country and commended the leadership for moulding citizens into a peace-loving nation.

"I felt unity from the moment I arrived and there was pandemonium at the airport when I arrived, Zimbabweans are warm and they made me feel at home," he said.

"This is a place to reconnect, to restore lost identity and to repatriate. Unity is togetherness as highlighted by the sizeable number of people who gathered here," he said.

Capleton beseeched the leaders in Africa to cultivate and encourage unity and togetherness of the continent saying "this is where the humankind originated".

"We must be determined to fight colonialism and its organs which continuously try to manipulate people into believing that Western countries should be the pacesetters of civilisation. It (civilisation) originated in Africa," said Capleton.

He also took the opportunity to advice youth to abstain from drug abuse and sexual immorality.

"Youths should uphold education as it is one way of emancipation.

"They should learn to work hard and avoid being drug addicts and stop indulging in early sexual activities to combat HIV and Aids," said King Shango as Capleton is popularly known.

Trevor Hall, who is popularly known in music circles as Ras Jabu, also took a swipe western countries which imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe saying the move was meant to counter the country’s self determination and self reliance.

"Our theme for the second day of Kwansa is self determination, as a country we are facing economic embargo because of our quest for self reliance," he said.

Capleton arrived in the country on Wednesday and is due to perform on New Year’s Eve at the Harare International Conference Centre.

He is one of many Jamaican artistes who have put Zimbabwe on the limelight after their successful shows in the country.

Others include King Sounds, T.O.K. Beenie Man and Sean Paul, among others.

Labels: REGGAE

posted by MrK @ 3:30 AM