Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Maskiri, Trevor Dongo, Leonard Mapfumo Arrive in UK for Tour

Maskiri, Trevor Dongo, Leonard Mapfumo Arrive in UK for Tour

By: Michael Chipato

 Maskiri, Trevor Dongo, Leonard Mapfumo and Super Producer Macdee‘s arrived in UK for their maiden UK tour early Thursday morning.

The ‘Tsotsi’ star Alishias Musimbe aka 'Maskiri' arrived for UK gigs following a successful year in which he was crowned the Zim Hip Hop BEST MALE ARTIST 2012. Trevor Dongo of the ‘Ndashamisika’ fame and current romantic anthem spinner will also grace the UK stage. To crown the musical adventure on the performances, Leonard Mapfumo and Producer Macdee are ready to set the house on fire.

The two shows slated for Coventry, Platinum on 22 December and the second on 23 December in London at the newly renovated Club Kartana, formerly Club 19 will prove critical for much praised artists who are all freshman on UK stages and truly out to prove their worth in the face of fresh audiences. The hunger for Zimbabwean art is evident as Zimbabweans have supported artists from the motherland endlessly over the past couple of years.    

All the artists are thrilled and promising shows of a lifetime. Maskiri the Zim Hip Hop Godfather promised a movie scene performance, while King of Rnb Trevor Dongo promised mouth-watering performances.

Speaking to EmCeeMedia,multi-talented Leonard Mapfumo said “I think it’s a gateway to a new territory and we hope to make a lot of noise that will turn heads of people who have never heard of us before. We hope to reach out to other nations or groups. We hope by the time we come back we will be having new fans”.

Super producer Macdee who has promised few surprises will be working with the different acts on the tour. “I feel this tour was long overdue to the UK fans. This is a rare combination of the Zim Hip Hop gurus, Rnb King and a renowned producer” Macdee said.

Zimbabwe Urban Grooves Take Over Maskiri ,Trevor Dongo,Leonard Mapfumo and McDee. 2 Shows Only.
22nd Dec @ Club Platnum, Tower Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1JN
31st Dec @ The Newly Refubished Club Kartana (Formally Club 19) 19A Upton Lane Forest Gate E7 9PA London.

TICKETS & INFO call/WhatsApp :02036646496, 07833454107, 07525741060

Bedrock Entertainment has confirmed that Maskiri, Trevor Dongo, Leonard Mapfumo and Super Producer Macdee‘s visas are all out and the tour is going ahead as planned.

The ‘Tsotsi’ star Maskiri leaves Zimbabwe with a successful year which in which he was crowned the Zim Hip Hop BEST MALE ARTIST 2012. Trevor Dongo of the ‘Ndashamisika’ fame and current romantic anthem in Zimbabwe will also grace the UK stage. To crown the musical adventure on the performances, Leonard Mapfumo and Producer Macdee are ready to set the house on fire.

The tragedy of forgetting children in the new dispensation: Michael Chipato

The United Nations News Centre published shocking statistics on Zimbabwean children in November 2009 and if they are a true reflection of the Zimbabwean children and women’s situation, then there is immediate need to visit the domain of human reason and basic logic- Children are the future.
The Zimbabwean experiences over the past decade and a half have been tumultuous, challenging and tragic for the future. Losses have been incurred across the social strata and children have not been spared from this impact. The Multiple Indicator and Monitoring Survey (MIMS), which was conducted in May 2009, reported a decline in access to many key social services for women and children, particularly for the poorest populations and in rural areas. The greatest impact of poverty always hits hardest on women and children who occupy the ‘highly risk vulnerable category’ especially in the developing countries.
Dr. Peter Salama, UNICEF Representative issued a statement that “... everyday in Zimbabwe 100 children below five years of age are dying of mostly preventable diseases.” Health and education provision collapsed and became affordable only for the rich, with teachers earning 100USD per month, the challenge that the government faces is huge. Employment creation, economic stability, increased trade to boost to build foreign currency reserves, human rights observance on the Rights of the Child can energise the nation to new levels where the welfare of the child occupies the centrepiece of the national economic regeneration agenda.
The data from the national survey, which had a sample size of 12,500 households in Zimbabwe, revealed constricted support to the country’s orphaned and vulnerable children. With 79 per cent not receiving any form of external assistance this exposes a wide gap in the welfare system which needs to be filled. The operations by NGO’s have effectively cushioned the violence inflicted by poverty on children through supplementary feeding programmes and rural microfinance initiatives for rural women in running programmes like Rural Microfinance Project (RMFP) by CARE International amongst many others which have community empowerment components.
The survey provides data on Zimbabwe’s progress in attaining international priorities like the MDGs, which includes among its targets reducing under-five mortality by two thirds by 2015. Health care services are a core component in managing the destiny of the nation’s children as they are future leaders and national participants in the nation building mission. The process is continuous and like a relay race in athletics, the baton must be passed on to an equipped team of healthy and educated children.
Zimbabwe has prided as the beacon of educational excellence from independence onwards fulfilling the demands of Article 2 of the Human Rights Act which underscores the centrality of educational rights. In his comments on the unity government’s commitment, Professor John Makumbe described it as,"... a standstill government; it's limping heavily because the involved partners are pulling in the opposite directions ... there is little this unity government can claim credit for.’’ The education crisis which started last year saw a marked depletion of teachers, plummeting school attendance rates from over 80 per cent to 20 per cent and postponement of national schools’ exams.
As long as the future is forgotten by half digestedly approaching child welfare and education in Zimbabwe, energies will be laid to waste. The welfare of the child must be central to demonstrate government’s commitment to rebuilding the country.
In his Christmas message, the Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai underscored the shifting in focus by government, ‘from stabilisation to consolidation’. For the sake of Zimbabwean children and the future of a onetime prosperous nation, the cattle need to come back to the kraal, leaders need to disengage from disagreeing and favourably agree on what is best for the nation.This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to show their commitment to Zimbabwe and its children.
For too long the education system in Zimbabwe has been a shame and in shambles, yet this is the very empowering tool that can continue to liberate the country for the future.

The language tragedy: By Michael Chipato

Many sociolinguists have emphasized on how language inevitably carries the core values of any given culture. In other words when one chooses a language they also inevitably choose a culture. I wish to stir some turbulent waters in the language debate and at the same time rekindle the love for vernacular languages amongst Zimbabweans both at home and in the Diasporas.

For me to use the English language in this article appears to be the first contradiction as I will be encouraging both the young and old to embrace their first languages as they are part and parcel of an individual’s identity. Ngugi Wa’Thiongo argues that within the context of the colonial experience, ‘Speaking and writing in the language of the colonizers will naturally be different than in the language one speaks while at play or with one's family. In addition, the language of the colonizer is often a truly foreign one: segments of society understand it badly, if at all, and so certain audiences can not be reached by works in these imposed languages’. The essence of language is communication and the moment a child from Zimbabwe fails to communicate with Grandmother when he /she goes kumusha, becomes tragic.
A lot has been written in literature and for theatre about the loss of culture as individuals half digestedly embrace foreign languages and their respective cultures. There is nothing wrong with the use of English and the respective culture, but there is a sad tragedy in the way things are today where a 10 year old boy who arrived in the UK six months back miraculously loses his native language to the point where it becomes extinct even in the home. The problem appears to be the parents who are often heard saying ‘Tee haachagoni Shona uyo…’ (Tee can’t speak Shona anymore)
A domestic social context that embraces the excessive use of other people’s languages at the expense of one’s own is essentially destructive. Language has the potential to take us further from ourselves to other selves, from our world to other worlds. This is the tragedy of the migrant communities across the globe. What communities lack is the ability to hold on to that which defines them.
Speaking during a telephone interview Mbuya Zvabva said that she was nauseated by the extent of irresponsible cultural neglect in parents who do not make an effort to teach their children their mother languages at home, let alone use them for everyday commmunication. ‘Pavanotofonera handivanwzisisi, pavakauya kumusha handina kumbomunzwa ini, aingotaura chingezi chete. Baba vake vakati haachagoni Shona. Zvakandirwadza kutadza kutaura nemuzukuru wangu nepamusana pekusagona Shona kwake , iye ari MuShona’. This social lamentation by Mbuya is just the tip of the iceberg; there are endless examples that are likely ringing bells in your mind as you read this.
Even in the wake of diffusionism and acculturation as inevitable in the context of the world we live in as a global village, it remains imperative for all generations to hold onto the core values of a people, their language, identity and this inevitably builds dignity and respect in the communities we live in. The danger with half- digested consumption of foreign culture, language, value systems and other anthropological concepts is that when you make a mistake it exposes and ridicules you more. Alfred Masayire from Luton said that, ‘The best thing to recognize you as somebody from somewhere is your language, how would you identify yourself as Ndebele outside the linguistic framework?’
Sandra Brown from Birmingham blasted Africans who have no pride in their identity and language saying that ‘I am angered by Africans who promote cultural loss by not promoting the use of vernacular languages in the home’. There is no doubt that English and other languages are key in business and commerce, but English is not a value asset for cultural sustenance.
Those who have disconnected themselves and family from VanaMbuya ekhaya, they become fixed in the no-mans zone and both ends of the cultural battlefield may fail to call you their own.

Congenital Elephantiasis nightmare for Bulawayo boy. Stage set for Birmingham Fundraising - Thembani

By Michael Chipato

Thembani Phiri(15)

UK’s musical fraternity will on the 3rd of March 2012 showcase a wide array of musical talent for a worthy cause in Birmingham to raise funds for Thembani Phiri who suffers congenital elephantiasis. The concert dubbed Thembani- In my Name is organised by Chris Kusema and Khamani in conjunction with The African Boabab Foundation.
Thembani Phiri aged 15 lives in Bulawayo. He was born with the condition which has rerouted what he and his family wished for 15years ago- a healthy child. Elephantiasis is mostly caused by an obstruction of the lymphatic vessels, which results in extreme swelling of the skin and tissues, typically in the lower trunk and body. The disease, which can be painful and uncomfortable, affects the legs and genitals, resulting in baggy, thickened and ulcerated skin, along with fever and chills. It also causes complications like obstructed blood vessels, which limits blood supply and causes the skin to become infected and gangrenous.
Thembani has been struggling all his life and his leg has grown big that it’s become too heavy for him rendering him zero mobility. To compound the need, Thembhani`s father, the family breadwinner was retrenched in 2011 leaving the family helpless. ‘Completing my O’Levels is my wish’, said Thembani.
‘A wheelchair is our main priority, and we would like to help him pay his school fees so he can sit for his O levels this year, then we of course long term medical help will be needed afterwards’ said the organiser Christopher Kusema.
The fundraising concert will feature artists from both gospel and circular music with the likes of Khamani, Mahali Selepe, Tsitsi Mutsago, Obert Mazivisa, Shingai Mushayabasa and many more.

ADMISSION £5, FOOD AND GOODIES WILL BE SOLD ON THE NIGHT AND ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE FOR THEMBANI.
A RAFFLE WILL BE HELD AND A FOOTBALL SIGNED BY MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB PLAYERS IS UP FOR GRABS.
3 March 2012
TIME 1600-2200HRS
* Where AFM CITADEL, 4 LOVEDAY STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B4 6NP, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/domestic-abuse-multi-agency-protocol.pdf

http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/domestic-abuse-multi-agency-protocol.pdf

Occupational Asthma Threat in Car Painting Industry

The creative genius inherent in Zimbabwe’s small scale businesses in the motor vehicle refurbishing and reconditioning industry is undisputed, creativity unparralled, but notably risky! There is growing concern and asthma alert bells are loudly ringing particularly in the motor vehicle painting industry where reactive paints are used.

Isocyanates which are characteristically reactive chemicals are mainly used in motor vehicle spray paints, adhesives and in the manufacture of polyurethanes. These can cause damage to the human respiratory organs through sensitisation if usage procedures are not followed. Workers across the country have regular exposure to Isocyanates and consequences range across the spectrum, from health, through social to economic outcomes.

Motor vehicle paints have the mass fraction of airborne particle size making it either inhalable through the nose or mouth, respirable and penetrating to the airways of the lungs particles thereby able to penetrate the respiratory system. The fine paint particles produced through the spraying process magnify the risk posed. In the design of controls during the painting procedure, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the respiratory mask mesh size are important to enable the stoppage of the hazardous particles penetration. The question that the busy workmen in Zimbabwean garages need to ask themselves is; are these available and secondly are they being used?

The motor vehicle repair industry in Zimbabwe relies on the two pack paints which offer long life corrosion protection and are used for paint finishing where they are believed to protect the surface for up to 20 years in the harshest of weather conditions. The use of such paints is inevitable and as such The Environmental Agency and Ministry of Health must put in place controls if populations of individuals working with them are to be protected.

Extended exposure to isocyanate vapour at barely measurable levels can cause asthma or asthma like conditions in some individuals, referred to as occupational asthma. Alternatively, a single event involving a high exposure may have similar effects. International Labour Organisational exposure limits to paints are set at the maximum exposure limits (MELs) for Isocyanates at not more than 0.02 mg/m3 (8-hour time-weighted average) and 0.07 mg/m3 (15-minutes).

The reality is, the vehicle spray painters are exposed to organic solvents in Isocyanates during their work and this poses risks that range from health, economic and even eventual death. In order to delimit the development of this industrial silent killer…Controls must be put in place in order address these concerns so as to minimise the risk as part of the risk management process. It must be understood by the faithful industry operatives that the target organs for occupational exposure to Isocyanates are the lungs; this unequivocally calls for appropriate respiratory protective equipment.

Studies have shown that the greatest risk of exposure is within small to medium scale enterprises that often offer no staff training and education which is vital in ensuring that staff is aware of the dangers that they are exposed to during work to cultivate of culture of good practice and professionalism. A Health first approach must be injected into the hearts of small scale business operators for the safety of the workforce.

Small businesses are prone to have hazardous workplace features, e.g. confined space, poor ventilation, ergonomic limits and a lack of training for staff. These contribute to the overall high rating of the risks that are posed in these work places.

Statistically Isocyanates exposure causes between 5% -10% of asthma cases among young men and women internationally. Besides allergic asthma, Isocyanate exposure may also induce irritant asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and possibly accelerated lung function decline.

Recommendations
Operational guidelines for Isocyanates use in Zimbabwe must reinforce that staff must remember that most airborne paint mist is invisible. Detection is at levels that the naked eye does not recognize often leading staff into the false belief and misconceptions around gaseous clearance and booth safety during car spraying in MVR workshops. Knowledge about clearance time is imperative if the problem of exposure is to be controlled in an effective manner. As guidance to those who work in small to medium enterprises, spray booths or spray rooms must be used; and not an open workshop. Open workshops render the vapour freedom that becomes unmanageable and consequently widens the exposure area and this in turn heightens the potential for exposure as the areas would be an uncontrolled open zone.
Key to behavioural guidance is the directive for car sprayers to keep masks on during the clearance time (or leave the booth or room safely). It is often the interval times that the employee has an uncontrolled period of exposure and this can reverse the good intention of putting on the PPE and removing it for a short period that has aggravation on the health and ultimate wellbeing of the workforce. In addition a culture of regular equipment checks and maintaining the booth and air-fed breathing apparatus ensures that there would be minimum periods of exposure and exposure effects.
Local exhaust ventilation and procedural reviews of machine functioning can also be considered as part of the prevention and control strategy.
Related to the use of protective clothing is the element of behaviour management as part of the control measures. Sprayers, and other users, must know the clearance time of their booth or room, keep visors on for protection and reduce risks. The sprayer must not flip up the visor of the air-fed breathing apparatus (BA) during the clearance time
Finally, occupational asthma, dermatitis and other respiratory complications are associated with exposure to 2-pack isocyanate paints. As Zimbabwe celebrates the indigenous business motor vehicle manufacturing and refurbishing industry, these elements are key for the safety of the workforce as a healthy workforce is a core element in national development!
(By: Michael Chipato, Registered Occupational Health and Safety Specialist/Advisor, IOSH, NEBOSH) mikelgodza@yahoo.co.uk (06/12/2011)

Nox Guni and Stunner end UK tour!

UK fans Knocked and Stunned into 2012
By Michael Chipato

Nox Guni and Desmond Chideme aka Stunner wound up their series of gigs in Dunstable and London on New Year’s Eve with sensational performances in Birmingham at the Drum as revellers embraced 2011 with oozing music from two of Zimbabwe’s top urban maestros.

After a month long musical marathon that saw the artists competitively pelt tune after tune ranging from Wenera, Ndinonyara and Wandinoda to Godo and Stayera UK had a chance to club in a truly Zimbabwean style.

Nox knocked into the hearts of his established and fresh legion of fans hearts as Stunner stunned many with his versatile rap from the heart of Zimbabwe. The two preformed a memorable gig on the eve that the hit Wenera scooped the Video of the Year position whilst Winky D ‘Bigman’ ft Lipsy froze on number two with the Expandables breathing closely on 3rd position in the video categories on PowerFM. Stunner and Baba Shupi’s Godo triumphed as the number one hit on Zimbabwe’s Power FM Top 100 for 2011! Ngonidzashe Kambarami and Alishias Musimbe racked the second spot in the charts with Wobvira and Maskiri’s -Wenera feat Nox and Chagwa Black on third position. As a matter of current supremacy, reinforcement to Stunner’s musical Tazoita Cash Records musical dictum, ‘We lead, Others Follow’, has been proved!

Zim RnB star Nox tweeted with ecstasy ‘…its official....video of the year is WENERA. Big up to the video director: Chagwa Black, big up to Maskiri aka Alishias Musimbe for such a great composition. Big up to the late TBA the Playboy for producing such a platinum hit’. Music producer TBA died in a tragic accident in October and this success is part of his legacy beyond the grave! TBA was known for his great work including kick-starting urban grooves in 2001 at That Squad Studios
Speaking after the Birmingham gig Nox dubbed the shows ‘worth the archives’, whichever way it is looked at these young artists currently appear unstoppable as qualified by their supremacy on Zimbabwe’s top 2011 charts!

Happy New Year!!