Stanley Chirimbani and Mike Machinda

THE Mutare District United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF) Dangamvura East circuit and Gwese United Methodist Youth Fellowship were the overall winners of the recently held Song and Dance Festival in Mutare.

The festival which was sponsored by Pillar, Plants, Prevention, Support and Empowerment (PAPPSE) and the Africa University Clinical Research Centre (AUCRC) ran under the theme, “Don’t let drugs get in the way of your dreams.” The competitions were held as part of the district’s anti-drug abuse campaign in the church. There were two separate competitions that ran alternately for the urban and rural United Methodist Church (UMC) circuits in Mutare district, which were held at Hilltop UMC in Sakubva and Munyarari UMC in Zimunya Central respectively.

Dangamvura East circuit

In the Mutare Urban competition, eight circuits contested, namely Zimbern, King David, St Mary’s, Dangamvura East, Hilltop, St John’s Chikanga, St James and Holy Trinity. Dangamvura East walked away with US$100 as the best creative group, whilst King David and St John’s Chikanga scooped the second and third runner’s up prizes of US$50 and US$30 respectively.

Gwese circuit

In the rural competitions 11 circuits took part namely Gwese, Zimunya Central, Chitakatira, Zimunya West, Dora North, Zimunya North, ZImunya East, Dora South, Rowa, Nyahuni and Zimunya South. Gwese United Methodist Youth Fellowship won the top prize with Zimunya Central and Chitakatira as the runner’s up winning the same prizes as their urban counterparts.

The director of the AUCRC and PAPPSE projects, Dr Fadzai Mutseyekwa said the Song and Dance Festival was more than just a celebration of music and dance but a powerful youth engagement strategy to conscientise youths in the church about drugs and substance abuse which is now an issue of concern in the country. She said the creative competition also gave the opportunity for local talent to contest through song and dance.

“By using creative arts as a platform, we gave young people an opportunity to express their voices, talents and dreams in a positive and empowering way. According to research, drivers of drug abuse include peer pressure, broken families, emotional and physical abuse, and curiosity, often resulting in addiction, so this was the message we want our youths in the church to know about and help spread in their respective communities,” she said.

Dr Mutseyekwa added that events like this help build a sense of belonging and shared purpose in combating drug and substance abuse. She said there is need to counter American pop culture that portrays substance abuse as ‘cool’ and stylish.

“Young people in Africa are hooked onto television where film and music stars glorify drug usage. The popular culture depicts drug usage as a positive thing and a key ingredient to having fun. This narrative should be changed,” she said.

Latest reports and surveys from 2024 and 2025 indicate that drug and substance abuse is considered a rampant, society-wide challenge in Zimbabwe, with approximately eight in 10 citizens (79%) reporting it as widespread in their communities. A significant proportion of mental health admissions are currently linked to drug abuse, particularly among young people.

In Zimbabwe, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) commonly abused drugs include Codeine, Methamphetamine (crystal meth, commonly known as meth, speed, mutoriro, Chalk, Ice, Crank, Guka} Glue, Broncleer (Bronco), Solvents — Fembo and Genkem, Chlorpromazine — Maragado, Mangemba, Cane spirit, Cocaine and Cannabis( better known as Marijuana but is mostly abused or traded under a variety of street names such as — Mbanje, Ganja, Dope, Weed, Blunt, Grass, Pot, Boom, Spliff, Mary-Jane, Skunk, Kiff).

PAPPSE is a comprehensive research and outreach programme dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of adolescents and young people. It was established in 2017 under the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). Since its inception, the project has implemented a range of activities focused on combating drug and substance abuse among young people.

People that attended the festival enjoying the performances.

PAPPSE community engagement officer, Evidence Mwayeka, said the turnout was overwhelming for both competitions.

“These competitions were made possible by GBGM from the United States, in response to the needs of youths living with HIV/AIDS and the increase in drug and substance abuse amongst youths. This program has been guided by Psalms 144:12, which notes that, May our child in their youth, be like well nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, curved to beautify a palace,” he said.

He said the initiative offered a safe space for the interaction of teenage and adolescent girls and boys to also learn more about puberty, etiquette, personal hygiene and health.  On HIV/AIDS, PAPPSE and AUCRC urged youths to shun stigmatisation of young people living with HIV/AIDS in the church.

One of the recitals by Dangamvura East.

Gwese circuit pastor in charge Paul Tawona said drug and substance abuse is everywhere including rural areas. “We are saddened by how the drug and substance abuse scourge has negatively affected the youth even in rural areas. As a circuit, we will continue to teach our youths through song and dance how to avoid drugs and teach others in the community,” he said.

Adding, “Programs such as these have been eye openers as we also learn from each other as competitors, but in the end, you can see that no one lost. Rather, we held a round table discussion and everyone through their performances spoke loudly, shunning the ripple effects of drug abuse.”

All the participating circuits were given consolation prizes of US$25.