War on Drugs :Mic Inity fights for youths

Marondera-One thing good about reggae music is when it hits you, you feel no pain.

It soothes the soul!

VETERAN reggae artiste Mic Inity (real name Mike Madamombe) has complemented government efforts in tackling the growing scourge of drug and substance abuse in the country.

Dubbed Marondera Unite Muzik, the anti drug abuse concert will be held at Ruzawi Sports Bar on August 31.

He grew up in Marondera where he was introduced to reggae by his father, according to his personal account shared with Express Mail Zim Lifestyle.

The United Kingdom based superstar will be backed by the House of Stone Band- a super talented outfit that recently revived mature music at Zimbabwe Prison Services gardens!

The decorated line – up also include DJ Tamuka, Simrose, Tocky Vibes, Dhadza D, Guspy Warrior, Redemption Sound and African Warrior Sound.

It’s massive, fusing the old and the new school on one stage, if it was IT experts it could simply pass off as Area 51!

Mic Inity told Express Mail Zim this week that he flew into the country to fight drug abuse and he is touched with the plight.

“The youths must know that I’m in their corner and very passionate about fighting drug and substance abuse,” said Mic Inity who has a music career spanning over a decade.

He has shared the stage with the late Lucky Dube, Luciano, Jah Mason, Sizzla Kalonji and his album titled ‘My Journey’ was recorded in Jamaica (the home of reggae) by Kalonji’s Producer Caveman Manning.

Caveman fell in love with MicInity’s music when he toured Zimbabwe with Sizzla and he was also swept off his feet by the late Chiwoniso Maraire’s vocal delivery , a confession he made to this reporter in an exclusive interview courtesy of media shy reggae champion Nhamo Chitimbe in Harare.

Mic Inity popularised Mannerberg at Five Avenue shops with the unforgettable ‘Weddy Weddy Wednesdays’ weekly show, where he then iced the cake at Red Fox on Fridays with Hotta Fire band.

This was after he had parted ways with the legendary Transit Crew and replaced by Cello Culture and Jay Farai.

“Mic Inity ‘s era was when reggae music was still reggae music with Promoters like Robert Zee, Elder Lindo, the late Jah Wise, Badmann B, I- randu etc.

” There was so much healthy competition and they connected uptown to downtown with bagga (sic) tunes, ” said reggae afficianado Tawanda Kasuso.

Corporate world also chipped in and one time Mic Inity committed ‘arson’ at Red Fox with a blazing performance that set the house on ‘fire’.

It was after Winky D had equally committed the same ‘crime’ the previous week at the same venue.

The gig was sponsored by Samsung and DJ Squilla (now going by the moniker Eredha Squilla) had mashed up the place on the ones and twos.

The club was packed such that this reporter had to be smuggled in through the kitchen door by Elder Robert Zee whose reggae promoting legacy remains intact unless if dubious elements try to distort history like what is been done to his uncle and namesake Robert Mugabe who some elements are making futile efforts to ‘erase’ him from history.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa recently launched the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030), a comprehensive approach to tackle the growing scourge of drug and substance abuse in the country.

Mnangagwa said drug abuse is a significant public health concern that threatens Zimbabwe’s development trajectory.

“This scourge knows no bounds. Affecting all socio-economic levels and religious groupings and destroying lives and families,” he was qouted as saying.

The President noted that global trends indicate that drug abuse results in 3.3 million deaths annually, with 15.3 million people suffering from drug use disorders.