Rutendo Chirume
MASVINGO – Young poets from across the province took to the stage at paMbudzi Lodge on June 07, harnessing the power of spoken word to deliver a compelling message against drug and substance abuse during the 2026 UDZAMU Poetry Slam.
Organised by UDZAMU Poetry Director Shepad Chidima, the competition aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of drug and substance abuse while nurturing young talent and building confidence through creative expression.
Held under the theme “Choose Life, Not Drugs,” the event brought together 36 participants aged between four and 15 years, with poems urging their peers to reject harmful substances and embrace positive life choices.
The Guest of Honour, Bikita West Member of Parliament Daniel Nhatiso Makusha, was represented by his Personal Assistant, Joshua Chamisa, who commended the initiative for empowering children and educating communities about the devastating effects of drug abuse.
Addressing participants and guests, Chamisa encouraged young people to continue using poetry as a platform for positive change and personal development.
“Poetry has the power to educate, inspire and transform lives. Continue using your voices to influence others to make the right choices and contribute positively to society,” he said.
Chidima expressed gratitude to Makusha for sponsoring prizes for the young poets and providing refreshments for adjudicators and support staff and but acknowledged that limited financial resources remain one of the major challenges facing the programme.
“Increased sponsorship and support from stakeholders, development partners and well-wishers would enable the UDZAMU Poetry Slam to expand its reach, nurture more young talent and strengthen community efforts to combat drug and substance abuse.
“This successful event highlighted the important role that arts and culture can play in addressing social challenges, demonstrating that young voices can serve as powerful agents of change,” he said.
