"Zinduka!" Raises Its Voice

Malaria No More's signature program, Surround Sound—a bold, on-the-ground initiative that brings together all sectors of African society to fight malaria—recently held the Zinduka! Concert in Tanzania to kick-off the Malaria Haikubaliki campaign.

Malaria Haikubaliki (meaning "malaria is unacceptable") is an innovative education and awareness campaign led by the Tanzanian Government and supported by partners including Johns Hopkins University, Population Services International and United Against Malaria.

The Malaria Haikubaliki campaign urges all Tanzanians to Zinduka! ("wake up!" in Kiswahili) to the threat of malaria and protect themselves against the disease. In support of this effort, Tanzania's top music artists wrote and performed Zinduka!, the campaign’s signature pop song—ensuring that all of Tanzania will be moving to a new malaria-defeating beat.

Check out the Zinduka! music video on the website of MNM USA!

Tanzania Cries Zinduka! ("Wake Up!") to Malaria

As part of Tanzania's unprecedented and ambitious attack on malaria in 2010---to become the largest African country to achieve universal access to mosquito nets and malaria treatment---the government is revolutionizing how the country talks and thinks about malaria. Tanzania's most popular musicians are coming together as goodwill ambassadors for malaria, getting the word out with a huge concert and a brand new pop song, Zinduka!, now playing on popular radio across the country and featuring ads with the artists and President Kikwete.

Download the Zinduka! song here (4MB mp3)

His Excellency President Jakaya M. Kikwete is signing on to lead the Malaria Haikubaliki: Tushirikiane Kuitokomeza awareness campaign- meaning "Malaria is unacceptable: Working together, we can eliminate malaria." In addition, the Ministry joined with Tanzanian music stars, international partners and leaders in government, business and the entertainment industry today to announce the nationally-broadcast Zinduka! ("Wake Up!") concert on February 13th at the Leaders' Club in Dar es Salaam. The concert will rally a call-to-action to Tanzanians for the malaria fight.

This year, Tanzania will become one of the first African countries to achieve universal access to mosquito nets and affordable treatment for all of its citizens. In support of this landmark effort, President Kikwete and the Malaria Haikubaliki campaign urge every Tanzanian to take responsibility for protecting themselves and their families from the threat of malaria. Tanzania, a leader in the global malaria fight, is calling on all sectors of society-including entertainment, business, sport and faith-to join together to battle malaria across the country. Under the leadership of the President and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, this innovative campaign targets every Tanzanian community to change the way individuals think about malaria. The objective of the effort is to increase practices to prevent malaria such as consistently sleeping under an insecticide treated mosquito net; detecting and treating malaria early; and ensuring antenatal care for pregnant women.

To kick off the 2010 activities, President Kikwete is hosting a nationally-broadcast launch Zinduka! concert, featuring Tanzania's top performers including campaign spokesperson Lady Jay Dee, Professor Jay, Tanzania House of Talent (THT) and others. Through television and radio, the concert event will reach millions of Tanzanians with a message of personal responsibility for malaria control. In addition, Tanzanian popular artists have composed and released an original song about malaria featuring 18 musicians-the biggest collaboration on a song ever made in Tanzania.

Malaria Haikubaliki: Tushirikiane Kuitokomeza is led by the Tanzanian Government and Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Additional malaria campaign partners include the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, Malaria No More, Population Services International, Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs, Tanzanian Red Cross, United Against Malaria, MEDA and World Vision with support from the Global Fund to the Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative.