By: Nhlanhla Mthembu

Shera Nami provided a platform for youth of Inanda to help them utilise art as one of the key tools to success at Inanda Newtown Sport Grounds on Saturday.

Shera Nami (meaning share with me) is a non-profit organisation based at Inanda,.

The organisation’s main objectives are to stabilize, rehabilitate and heal the community from its social ills through art as platform.

According to organisation’s Deputy Chairman, Mlindi Tshidi, the aim of hosting the art sessions is to give youth a platform to showcase themselves.

He said that at Shera Nami they believe that art can heal society.

They have provided youth platform to express themselves so that they can be able to be heard.

“We want to reveal local hidden or supressed talent via our platform, but mostly we want them to utilise art as an educational tool and the tool to improve financial empowerment,”
added Tshidi.

Performing artist, Pitso Innocent known to his fans as P.I, has been using drugs since he matriculated but said that Shera Nami has supported him in quitting and now he occupies
most of his time recording and writing.

“After I was introduced to the organisation and session I have been writing and recording (music). It has given me less time to focus on other things like smoking and booze. I take it as
my rehab and it has worked. I am doing what I talented in,” said Innocent.

Robson Zondo, a producer from Ceesash entertainment said, “We are grateful to have an organisation like this in our township. We will work together with it to seek and remove our
brothers and sisters on the street and give them hope.”

It is not only artists who are grateful about the art session, parents and residences said that the sessions have minimised the number of youth involved in drugs and criminal acts.

However, funds remain the big issue to promote and continue the organisation.