BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Legendary rock musician Bono once said, “music can change the world because it can change people.”
And Daniel Barenboim added saying, “the arts, including music, can be a powerful tool for healing, transformation and social change.”
The above words show how much music can foster positive change and indeed one song on the local airwaves has proved this.
The Love Shouldn’t Hurt collaboration has such a strong impact as it speaks against gender based violence (GBV).
The song which features artists Winky D, Ammara Brown, Freeman, Sandra Ndebele, Holy Ten and Hwabaraty, is part of the Population Solutions for Health (PSH) with support from the Swedish Embassy, #LoveShouldn’tHurt Campaign.
And this song was prominent during a recent sports tournament which was held to celebrate Freeman’s birthday.
The tournament was in promotion of the #LoveShouldn’tHurt Campaign and various people spoke of how the song had powerful lyrics which promote love and is against GBV.
“This is a powerful song. When I first heard it, it was quite thought-provoking because I remember that’s the time I really had issues with my wife.
“I’m someone who is short tempered such that I used to end most of our arguments with violence but you know, part of my positive change I owe it to this song,” said one man who preferred anonymity.
He added that he felt the song had been sung for men like him, because it resonated well with what he was doing.
“I felt this song was really speaking to me, because all the lyrics, that love shouldn’t hurt and that mistakes are common in relationships, so lets not resort to violence.
“So along with other measures, I had to change my ways.
“And the song was so prominent such that in a day, you would hear it three or more times, so I’m happy I managed to change my behaviour,” he added.
Similar thoughts were shared by Marx Kundanga, who said although he was not yet married, he and his girlfriend had made it one of their favourite songs.
“My girlfriend and I have agreed that this song shall be part of our playlist when we get married because it speaks to an issue of GBV which is really menacing to many relationships.
“And one thing that also made me to love it more is the fact that three of my favourite artists, Winky D, Freeman and Holy Ten feature on this collabo,” said Kundanga.
Winky D on one of the verses sings, “murudo munoda happy kunge Gaffa party, hamudi bhutsu kana uppercut, kana makonana usamubata shati (shirt). Akakurova fambisa nhau se paparazzi, because tinoda kushambadza vanoita so, aiwa kuma Gaffa hazviko, tikavafumura vanoita bhoo, ngavasatambire patiri no”.
Then the chorus which has become the anti-GBV anthem and was sang by Ammara Brown and Winky D goes, “ukaona ruchirova harusi rudo, aiwa harusi rudo, nekuti rudo harurove, harurove.”
Other verses sang by Freeman, Holy Ten, Hwabaraty and Sandra Ndebele also speak of this strong anti-GBV message and it was made to be quite a hit, alongside a good beat expertly produced.
Speaking of the #LoveShouldn’tHurt Campaign Freeman said, “the theme speaks for itself, Love Shouldn’t Hurt, love should just be something that must be cherished, must be lovely, must flow smoothly without conflicts or fights.
“As an artiste I was so interested in joining this campaign because I felt like my voice can also help the community to stop the violence out there, to stop the violence within relationships, within homes, even within brotherly relationships or sisterly relationships.
“I just want to spread the word out there that people should stay away from violence,” he said.
According to PSH, the project goal of the #LoveShouldn’tHurt campaign is to contribute towards reduced GBV against women and girls, including child marriages.
The campaign whose first phase was in 2020, is also accompanied by a secondary call to action message encouraging raising hands to love and not to hurt.
“Campaign theme is premised on the insight that when men perpetrate violence, they do not realise the pain they are inflicting, rather they view it as discipline or even as a sign of love.
“Love Shouldn’t Hurt brings this sentiment to life as a way that doesn’t vilify the perpetrator.
“It reframes their actions, it’s a simple idea that shows what love is, and what it isn’t,” reveals a report from PSH.
