Maumau, Nyanga will be abuzz tomorrow as local celebrities from various entertainment sectors gather at the SBsound building for the IVATI Music, Arts, Sport and Fashion Conference.

Empowering youth

Event organiser and businessman Sello Mangwana described the second annual one, as an empowering initiative aimed at emerging artists, fashion enthusiasts and footballers.

“We are targeting young people who want to make something of their lives, especially those who lose hope and end up turning to crime. We are trying to encourage and motivate them to stay away from wrongdoing. Many young people are involved in extortion, smash-and-grab incidents, substance abuse and other harmful activities. We want to help them become better individuals.” He said people from neighbouring areas were also welcome.

Call for youth transformation and opportunity

Everyone deserved a second chance, Mangwana said, noting some young people were drawn into crime through peer pressure, very often the result of having challenging family backgrounds.

“We are trying to give them that second chance. We believe they can change and stop engaging in negative activities. Everyone is welcome, as long as they are willing to change their lives and become better people. We will have well-known guest speakers who will address them with a view to inspiring them.”

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He said he had reached out to young people through social media, posters at taxi ranks, flyer distribution, radio interviews and direct messaging, and expected more than 200 people to attend the conference.