ZIMBABWE Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Commissioner-General Retired Major General Paradzai Zimondi has hailed unity among local musicians in support of prisoners.
WINSTONE ANTONIO OWN COPRRESPONDENT
Addressing the musicians on Tuesday soon after a prison tour, Zimondi said unity among artistes would go a long way in assisting ZPCS to achieve set offender rehabilitation objectives.
“Arts and music have become quite a lucrative business where apart from realising some proceeds for one’s self-sustenance, they also provide entertainment and educate citizens on the socio-economic and moral issues,” Zimondi said.
“This vital occasion certainly gives the inmates time and opportunity to ably interact and learn artistry skills from you [artistes] and this would be of positive use to them on their socio-economic life after discharge from prison.”
Zimondi said musicians were role models to the inmates whom they always cherished to emulate and their visit would help inspire them to be on the music bandwagons, among other artistic aspirations.
“ZPCS was committed to ensure that offenders are given due attention in order to correct their mindset and equip them with relevant skills and knowledge that would capacitate them to ensure that they live as productive and law abiding citizens,” he said.
Meanwhile, ZPCS Brand Ambassador Sulumani Chimbetu donated two tonnes of maize to Harare Central Prison and a water pump for gardening projects at Chikurubi Female Prison.
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The Sean Timba singer led several local musicians from different genres where they toured Chikurubi Female Prison, Chikurubi Prison Farm and Harare Central Prison and made pledges to support upcoming musicians in custody.
Artistes, among them Leonard Zhakata, Cynthia Mare, Dereck Mpofu, Pax Gomo, Joyce Simeti, Sebastian Magacha and Manroad Magaya, were part of the team.
Speaking to NewsDay on the side-lines of the tour, Sulu said he was going to continue mobilising resources for inmates in different prisons.
“As the ZPCS Brand Ambassador, I have seen it worthwhile to come up with such a donation that I believe will go a long way in improving the food situation at Harare Central Prison,” Sulu said.
Sulu was appointed brand ambassador in July during the Conferment of Badges of Rank for the Commissioner-General ceremony.
He will be involved in several programmes that are designed to transform offenders who are behind bars.
During a similar tour in October last year, Sulu donated a guitar for use by the inmates who want to pursue musical careers at Harare Central Prison. Zhakata also pledged to assist inmates interested in gospel music to record an album.
“Our society must appreciate those people who would have come from prisons as reformed individuals,” Zhakata said.
