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Suluman Chimbetu and Clarence Kira Garura

Showbiz Reporter
DENDERA king Sulumani Chimbetu and Bulawayo-based gospel musician Clarence “Kira” Garura have been appointed Goodwill Ambassadors for the Bulawayo Public Library Braille section in a bid to save it from shutting down.

The Braille section of the Bulawayo Public Library launched an empowerment programme last Thursday that will see visually impaired people having more access to information.

Braille is a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are blind. In August, Sulu and Kira teamed up with Jeys Marabini to try and raise $50 000 to revamp the library.

Bulawayo Braille Library co-ordinator, Killion Dube said the two were chosen because of their integrity and influence.

“Sulu and Kira are people of integrity who demonstrate a strong desire to help mobilise public interest and support our cause.

“They also have potential to reach out to significant audiences including decision makers,” said Dube.

Sulu said he was honoured by the new appointment and will soon be in studio to compose a song meant to raise awareness on the plight of the visually impaired.

“I’ll collaborate with my co-ambassador, Kira for the song. Ideally, it must be out by the end of the year.

“Hopefully, those who follow my music will see the need to help the Braille Library and also show that the visually impaired need to enjoy the same rights such as access to information, like us,” said Sulu.

Said Kira: “I’m honoured to be chosen among a plethora of gospel musicians to be an ambassador for this worthy cause. I hope and pray that with my influence, I can articulate their issues to the populace.”

He said as part of raising awareness, they were planning to hold shows around the country.

“We’re planning to hold concerts around the country to spread word that the Braille Library, the only one in Zimbabwe needs help.

‘‘We shall rope in other artistes to help us spread the word. I’ve visited the library and it’s in a deplorable state. The books are outdated as they don’t contribute much to the academic side of the visually impaired,” said Kira.