POPULAR South African musician Penelope Jane Dunlop — popularly known as PJ Powers or Thandeka — is in Victoria Falls for an awareness show for people living with albinism.
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
PJ Powers told a Victoria Falls Press Club meeting on Thursday that she had jetted in for her show dubbed “An Intimate Close Up” with Miss Albinism Zimbabwe Trust (MAZT) being the beneficiary.
She said she decided to throw her weight behind the Khulisa Social Solutions, which works with marginalised communities, adding people with albinism were close to her heart.
“We must be very careful not to become over politically correct to the point where we can’t actually highlight people that face challenges to our communities. It is a known fact worldwide that human beings are uncomfortable with people that don’t look the same as them,” PJ Powers said.
The There Is An Answer hitmaker said she was still in the process of getting to know more about the disability, but her experience was that people living with albinism often faced a lot of obstacles in the pursuit of their passion.
“I am learning because I am new at this and I believe Africa must help itself and we can manage the continent,” PJ Powers said.
Head organiser Bud Cockloft said they expected a high turnout today, where tickets will be sold for $35 and $65, including refreshments and snacks, at Elephant Hills Hotel resort, where she will be supported by local band, Flying Bantu.
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PJ Powers said she started her humanitarian music career at the age of 10 and had since produced 15 albums to her name.
She has released hit tracks including Jabulani and Music for Africa.
The Victoria Falls-based albinism association has partnered with Afro Age, International Fountain Foundation and Abangane/Shamwari to impelement environment-friendly projects to improve their lives and to tackle discrimination and stereotypes against people living with the condition.
