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Indosakusa member opens up on abuse

Life & Style
CELEBRATED Isichatamiya gospel outfit, Indosakusa The Morning Star leader Oscar Siziba has opened up about the abuse he suffered before venturing into music between 1999 to 2000 when he worked as a gardener in his latest song Pikinini (Small Boy), which has an accompanying video.

BY SHARON SIBINDI

CELEBRATED Isichatamiya gospel outfit, Indosakusa The Morning Star leader Oscar Siziba has opened up about the abuse he suffered before venturing into music between 1999 to 2000 when he worked as a gardener in his latest song Pikinini (Small Boy), which has an accompanying video.

The song’s video, shot in Hillside and in Pumula, Bulawayo, was directed by Praise Nkala and Zizo Motion Pictures.

It is sung in three languages — English, Ndebele and Silaphalapha.

Siziba told NewsDay Life & Style that he decided to share his experience through music as most people were scared to speak out when abused.

“Our music video Pikinini is a piece of art based on a true-life story which happened to me when I was working at a white lady’s house as a gardener and house boy. I was treated like an animal … I would go for four days without eating and no one cared. I remember, I was eating lemons and being forced to work hard,” he said.

“I decided to narrate this experience through the song because it hurts me a lot. I was working tirelessly, earning peanuts … It’s a must-watch visuals set in another time and experience of life. Most people are being abused, but they don’t share their story with other people. They hide until they die.”

Siziba said he had buried the hatchet and moved on.

“I have forgiven the lady, I once met her some years back and we talked. We as Indosakusa do all our things through God. So when God says do it, we do it and I feel this video came at the right time,” he said.

Siziba said the song and the video, which features a young coloured boy and a white lady, reminded people about their history before Zimbabwe attained its independence in 1980.

Follow Sharon Sibindi on Twitter @SibindiSharon