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Peace Caravan to continue promoting peace in Zimbabwe
Irwin
Chifera, VOA News
August 27, 2013
View this article
on the VOA News website
A local civil
society organization, Artists for Democracy Trust in Zimbabwe, says
its peace-building project, dubbed the Peace Caravan, will continue
to target troubled communities in a bid to stop politically-motivated
violence.
The project,
launched ahead
of the July 31 national elections, will now become a permanent
feature as artists use musical shows and exhibitions to promote
peace.
Prompted by
disturbing violent scenes in past elections in the country, Artists
for Democracy Trust in Zimbabwe mooted an idea that saw 25 popular
musicians such as Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu, Weutonga and the
late Chiwoniso Maraira getting together to promote peace in various
communities ahead of the disputed July elections.
The artists
called for peace Tuesday and at a meeting to review their project,
they agreed at least Zimbabweans voted peacefully with far less
violence incidents being recorded.
ADZT officials
and some musicians who took part in the campaign commended each
other for a job well-done saying their efforts contributed to the
peaceful atmosphere that prevailed before the polls and after.
Musician Edith
Weutonga performed at many peace shows and helped produced a peace
album ‘Moyo Munyoro’ which was distributed for free
by ADZT before the elections.
Another artist,
Christine Ndoro, said though the elections were peaceful, there
is simmering anger in some communities over the outcome of the polls,
adding that is why it is necessary for ADZT to continue providing
a platform for peace building in the country.
Weutonga said
political violence has become endemic in the country, noting that
it is important for everyone to play a part in maintaining peace
all the times. Elections in the country have long been marked by
violence
with the worst being recorded in 2008.
ADZT director
Stanley Kwenda told VOA Studio 7, the Peace Caravan project and
other efforts by politicians, independent groups and the unity government
were crucial in making sure the July 31 harmonized elections were
generally peaceful.
Kwenda said
the organization will continue running the program and use more
artists to ensure there is everlasting peace in the country.
The musicians
were commended by many for preaching peace and promoting peaceful
elections.
During the campaign
they also produced the album, Moyo Munyoro. The album has four tracks
- Peace, Our Peace Runyararo and the title track Moyo Munyoro -
which denounces violence and calls for unity and peace in Zimbabwe.
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