PROFESSOR JAY AND DITTO MEET WITH STUDNETS IN TANGA USING PERFORMANCE TO FIGHT MALARIA

On the 21^stof July, students from ten schools came together at Usagara Secondary School in Tanga town to take part in malaria themed song, theatre and poetry competitions. The competition was a part of the Zinduka! club initiative, in which youth are empowered with the knowledge and tools to drive forward the fight against malaria in local communities.

The judges were treated to a spectacle of talent as they witnessed an array of performances including poetry readings, songs and even theatrical performances

On reaching the final round, Tanzanian artist, Ditto, took to the stage to talk to the students about how important it is to protect themselves from malaria to ensure they secure their future, before the artist sang the malaria he had written for the Zinduka! campaign which has now become an anthem for a generation fighting against malaria.

The students were then surprised when another guest Bongo fleva rapper and Zinduka! goodwill ambassador Professor Jay joined Ditto on stage to sing the anthem.

The artist has been a prominent figure in the fight against malaria, featuring in the launch of the Zinduka! campaign in 2010 and making regular appearances for the campaign in the field and on TV.Professor Jay then took time to hand out awards to the lucky competition winners.

Professor J had this to say, “I joined the Zinduka! campaign with the hope that through my music I could help to fight malaria in Tanzania. But to see kids wanting to get involved and using music as the platform to fight malaria in their communities, that’s what makes me most proud of the work we have done.

Professor Jay and Ditto then invited youth to join him as he visited a number of houses near Tanga town, where the youth spoke to households about what measures they use to protect themselves from malaria and what they think needs to be done to eradicate malaria in Tanzania.

The Malaria Haikubaliki Campaign is led by the Tanzanian Government behind the leadership of President JakayaKikwete. It is supported by partners including Malaria No More, Tanzania House of Talent (THT), Johns Hopkins University, Population Services International and United Against Malaria. The goal of the program is to achieve universal bed net coverage and eliminate malaria deaths by urging all Tanzanians to Zinduka! (“Wake up!”) to the threat of malaria and protect themselves against the disease