Zimura to build youth centre

Lorraine Mathe

THE Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) has taken a leading role in the fight against drug and substance abuse among the youths by building a multi-purpose complex that is set to offer recreational facilities to young people in Bulawayo.

The facility to be known as Zimura Music and Culture Centre is being constructed in Emhlangeni suburb.

Speaking to board members recently in Bulawayo, Zimura spokesman Alexio ‘Goodchild’ Gwenzi said lack of recreational facilities was pushing the youths to indulge in drugs and substance abuse.

He said the construction of the facility was part of their organisation’s mandate in addressing the abuse of drugs by the youths.

“The recreational facilities in places such as Mpopoma, Njube, Luveve, Pumula and Tshabalala suburbs, which used to be run by Bulawayo City Council (BCC) are now dilapidated or are being leased for other purposes and that is turn impacting negatively on the daily lives of youths.

“We got a stand for the recreational youth centre in Emhlangeni suburb and construction is expected to start this year, so we are really excited about this project,” said Gwenzi.

Zimura chairperson Albert Nyathi said the centre would house a number of activities in the arts sector such as lessons for playing the guitar and piano, dance, as well acting lessons among other activities.

“These activities are aimed for the use by the youth so that they are not staying idle at home or in the streets. We believe that keeping them (youths) busy will prevent them from taking drugs.

“The centre will also be a place where creatives meet and share ideas on the creative and business side of the arts sector,” said Nyathi.

The cultural centre will be built on a 5 000 square metre piece of land in the ‘new’ suburb.

The centre will comprise a sound proofed auditorium, a recording and filming studio, training and rehearsal rooms, music arts library, a museum, cafeteria, coffee bar and a garden with Wi-Fi facilities.

Zimura is a non-governmental revenue collecting society whose mandate is to protect and promote the rights of music composers, authors and publishers in Zimbabwe.