South Africa: Musician of Goodwill

South Africa: Musician of Goodwill

The East African (Nairobi)

April 10, 2007
Posted to the web April 10, 2007

Fred Orido
Nairobi

SOUTH AFRICAN ACTOR, POET and Kwaito musician Zola has taken to the role of a United Nations goodwill ambassador like a duck to water.

An acclaimed actor who portrayed the rich gang leader Fela in the 2005 South African Academy Award-winning movie Tsotsi, he was at ease with children as he distributed foodstuffs and clothes in Kibera slum in Nairobi and later in Kiambu, during a UN event on ending sexual violence against women and girls in conflict situations.

Tsotsi put South African filmmakers on the world map when it won an Oscar for the best Best Foreign Film and was also nominated for the Golden Globe Awards and received two nominations for the Bafta Awards.

Born Bongi Dhlamini in a tough neighbourhood of Soweto called Zola (from which he took his name), Zola is a multitalented Kwaito superstar.

Though aware of his achievements, Zola has not forgotten his humble background. His upbringing in Soweto exposed him to life's harsh realities, which he says made him address issues such as prostitution and statutory rape and the need for fathers to stand and be counted (in his latest album, Ibutho).

He has been at the forefront of the fight to end violence against women in his country, earning him recognition from the UN, which last November named him a goodwill ambassador.

During his visit to Kenya, Zola gave a talk on violence against women. He blamed the escalating violence against women on the unchanged mindset of men. "Educating women on the issues of violence and leaving out men, who are the perpetrators, will not help the situation. If the war on violence against women is to be won, then its focus should be directed to changing the mind set of men," he said.

HE HAS ALSO CALLED ON African governments, especially Kenya and Ethiopia, to offer free education up to university level. He said it was unfortunate that many African countries are not investing heavily in education and instead were engaging more in war and corruption.

For Zola, education is the only way to end Africa's economic, social and political woes. "I don't think we will ever win the struggle to completely liberate ourselves, but if we have a well educated population then a lot can be achieved. This is why I'm urging the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments not to deny children education simply because their parents cannot afford to pay fees," he said.

The South African star who also hosts a weekly TV show, Zola 7 on the South African Broadcasting Corporation's channel 1 used the visit to film episodes for his show.

The Kwaito musician has three albums to his name. He released the first, titled Umdlwembe, in 2000; it sold over 180,000 copie,s attaining triple platinum status in less than a year. The second album, Khokhovuka, was released in October 2002 and has sold over 100,000 copies to date. The album's hit track Sana Lwam, featuring Unathi, topped many radio chart shows in South Africa.

In 2004 he released his third album, Bhambatha, which reflects a mature Zola. He said, "Being a father has made me appreciate and cherish life more, I have to think twice before I do something irresponsible."