While various musicians have taken a stand against
coronavirus (Covid-19), sungura musician and Zimbabwe Red Cross Society
humanitarian ambassador Alick Macheso has become a leading light among artistes
involved in the fight through consistent and tailor-made public education
messages.
The musician, who was one of the first to comply with the
ban on public gatherings, quickly announced that it was not business as usual
after government announced the initial measure of not more than 100 people per
gathering.
In an official statement on his social media platforms
then, Macheso revealed they had put a stop on all public performances and
called on citizens to comply with government measures to mitigate the losses
from the pandemic.
“The Covid-19 scare is real and so is our love for you,” Macheso
said in a statement then.
“We are putting all public performances on hold until
further notice. Remember to get as much information about coronavirus as
possible and avoid risky behaviour.
Even when government later on reviewed gathering limits to
50 people and eventually effected a lockdown, Macheso had long complied and was
sharing constant updates on prevention and effective management of the virus
through his public communication platforms.
Thanks to his relationship with the ZRCS where he has been
humanitarian ambassador since February 2013 to date, Macheso has also aided
efforts to educate the public on Covid-19.
“I am the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society humanitarian
ambassador and two weeks ago, I was recording public education messages on
coronavirus thanks to a partnership between the organisation and one of the
media houses with interests in both print and electronic media in Zimbabwe,”
Macheso said.
“The message is all about preventing the spread and making
sure that those with symptoms are diagnosed and assisted in time to prevent the
spread.”
Macheso is this week expected to record more public
education messages on coronavirus to be flighted on both radio and TV as well
as published in the print media.
“We are doing the best we can under the circumstances and
we hope we will be able to manage this crisis and mark a return to normal
life,” he said.
“This week I hope to record more messages to help emphasise
the need for compliance with the national lockdown.
“The virus doesn’t move, but it’s people who move with it
and I believe with better education and improved hygiene we will win this
fight.”
ZRCS head of communication and corporate affairs Stambuli
Kim confirmed that they had partnered Macheso for an aggressive Covid-19
awareness campaign.
“In the wake of the national lockdown, we have devised
innovative information dissemination initiatives through use of the social
media as well as the mainstream media such as newspapers, radio stations and
television,” Kim said.
“Our humanitarian ambassador and celebrated musician Alick
Macheso is actively engaged in this initiative as we strive to mass-disseminate
and appeal to people to heed the national call to stay at home and maintain
social distancing.”
Other artistes and celebrities who have used their
influence to fight Covid-19 include Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria, Selmor
Mtukudzi-Manatsa, Godfrey “Chief” Koti, through his podcasts on travel and
tourism, as well as Dendera crooner Tryson Chimbetu, among others. Standard
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