Entertainment News

When children sing

MBC Radio 2 FM’s Children’s Time programme enjoyed a fair moment last Saturday from 10 am. The presenter Princess Sakina and her assistant DJ Horace Mkandawire had a great time interacting with children up to 12 years through a phone-in segment.

Apart from interacting with children, one aspect that the programme unveiled was children’s influence on entertainment as far as their music preferences are concerned. And it was plain that most of them requested Tay Grin’s Chipapapa.

Theone sang the hook in the Chipapapa
Theone sang the hook in the Chipapapa

“Children are amazing lovers and supporters of creative arts such as music. Even in our homes, children love entertainment channels. No wonder Chipapapa is attracting massive support from children,” said Mkandawire.

Tay Grin featured Nigeria’s 2Baba and 10-year-old Theone Sapa on Chipapapa whose chorus is a recreation of a childhood song which mostly connects well with the listeners.

However, the strength of the song, which has resulted in children falling in love with it, lies in the incredible voice of a 10-year-old Theone, who delivers a staggering punch on the chorus.

In artistic sense, the Standard 5 pupil at Area 18’s Mphanje Private School simply adds a yummy spice to Chipapapa.

Another talented young singer who keeps on amazing the music fraternity with her powerful voice is Abigail, daughter to gospel musician Evance Mereka.

Dyson Billiat, a young street performer by then, also rocked the music industry with local beats until he received an education scholarship from Kaphuka Private Schools. Now a Bachelor of Social Science first-year student at Chancellor College, Billiat says he is looking forward to a fulfilling music future that is combined with education.

Blossoming and influential young talent in the country can be incomplete without the mention of Mirella Nkhoma who once rocked the music industry alongside Alleluya Banda.

The truth is that the society needs to nurture the talents of children for them to achieve and realise their potential. But the million kwacha question is: how should the talent of children be promoted to ensure that they are not exploited?

Children music trainer Chimwemwe Mizaya says there is a need for guardians and artists who work with children to ensure that their rights are protected.

She says parents and guardians; artists and children need to be civic educated on issues of child welfare and protection.

“When children are involved in any form of art, it is important to ensure that they are protected. Child protection is an important element. Parents and guardians should be keen to send their children to participate in events where they are sure that they will not be exploited,” says Mizaya.

Mizaya, who has been working with Calvary Kids and Adonai Children’s Choir, says parents and guardians need to be actively involved in the process of nurturing children’s talent.

Outgoing Child Magistrate Esmie Tembenu says children have a right to socialise and a responsibility to ensuring that they are not injuring themselves in the course of enjoying their rights.

“Children can be protected from arts like dancing, music, drama and many others depending on the type of art and age of the child. The Employment Act prohibits children below the age of 13 years of age from getting employed.

“So if the child below the age of 13 is hired to perform arts, then that is a violation of that child’s rights, and also illegal; hence, children below the age of 13 years of age should completely be prevented from performing arts,” she says.

According to her, the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) policy and the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act protects children from any type of abuse; hence, the need for stakeholders to ensure that children are provided with proper care and protection.

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