Takawira (Photoveteran Nyashanu) Dapi
Dendera musician Tryson “Sekuru Dhimba” Chimbetu has urged Zimbabweans of all ages to take up fitness training as a way of managing modern-day stress and fighting drug and substance abuse.
He said regular gym and exercise help wash away inevitable life and family stresses.
The leader of the Marxist Dendera Brothers also said traumatised parents should also go to fitness gyms where they will meet, mix, and mingle with their age mates who have similar life stresses from children who are taking drugs and substances.
He was speaking in Budiriro 4, a high-density suburb of Harare, during this past weekend, where there was a new gym which was opened.
“The same with the children, when they come for fitness sessions, they will be surrounded by elders and other normal children, this environment will parent them as it is said.
“It takes the whole village to bring up a child, because every minor belongs to the community.
“So, a fitness gym like this one is now a traditional African home or village where all ages will be meeting.
“As we Africans used to live together for life as a clan,” said Chimbetu.
Chimbetu said youthful mischief is largely due to idleness and peer pressure from street age mates.
“Fitness in your mind and fitness in your body, fitness in your heart, fitness in your brain.
“I have been there and done a lot.
“Those living with drug and substance abuse, let us forgive them as well as have patience.
“They are not stubborn souls, but when they get addicted to drugs and substances, they become medical patients.
“They will need medical attention and medical help.
“To those who are drug addicted, they must know that after rehab, getting it wrong is not being wrong, but being wrong is failing to recover from being wrong.
“Repent, forgive, and move on positively.
“Everybody makes mistakes in his or her life.
“Doing wrong is not bad, but it’s worse when you fail to repent and do your best.
“But when that person who has made a mistake fails to repent and do their best, that’s where the worst of his crime is.
“So, everybody who went into drug and substance abuse must be ready to repent for life, for better,” he added.
He also urged Zimbabweans in the diaspora and back home to take their parents to fitness gyms before they start spending family resources on bedridden parents suffering from illnesses, which he described as curable through fitness.
He listed such illnesses as stroke, sugar diabetes, BP, general body pains, and stress.
On humanitarian work, Chimbetu said he has been Youth Advocate for the Zimbabwe Red Cross and Red Crescent Society since 2013, when sungura music godfather, Alick Macheso was also bestowed with Humanitarian Ambassador status.
Chimbetu said he is also volunteering to be a voluntary ambassador for community-based rehabilitation initiatives.
He described community rehabilitation as a humanitarian home for drug and substance abuse recovery.
He said he is ready to serve if called upon by community health initiatives, as he went into drug and substance abuse unwillingly and unknowingly, went for rehabilitation and survived, and is now successfully united with his mother, relatives, fans and the corporate world.
“Today, do not be surprised why I am talking more about rehabilitation and fitness today during the launch of this fitness home centre gym here in Budiriro, it is because this gym came to mind of its owner after being charmed and encouraged by community services to the vulnerable Zimbabweans.
“This gym is a continuation of what our communities are being influenced to do for our nearest community,” he said.
