Story by Tamuka Charakupa
A Chinhoyi Technical High School Upper Six learner Tawanda Mhako is set to represent the country in Greece in December after coming out tops in the Colours of Hope Arts Exhibition held in Harare last week.
19-year-old Mhako will be part of the five artists who will represent Zimbabwe.
Mhako was among the top five contestants who participated at the Colours of Hope Arts Exhibition held in Harare last week, which focused on drug and substance abuse.
“I am excited to be part of the delegation that will exhibit in Greece. The coming on board of the heritage-based learning has in a way promoted other inherent talents that we have, apart from academic excellence,” Mhako said.
Mhako, a pencil artist, says fighting the scourge of drug and substance abuse should be a collective effort, calling for increased awareness campaigns in schools.
“My drawings also visualise the dangers of drug and substance abuse. Among my pieces is a drawing that shows the world in crisis, with the solution being to throw drugs and other illicit substances into the trash bin. I believe that if we do not talk about drugs in schools, we will end up having unemployed youths involved in this malpractice just because they missed the message while still in school,” he said.
Mhako is not a stranger to conquering after being named the 2022 Zimbabwe Open Under 16 Chess champion.
