The Sunday Mail
Mtandazo Dube
Nyasha Reginald Mano aka Ras Pompy will never have to worry about paying school fees again in his life.
The 13-year-old rising dancehall star has been awarded a full scholarship by Borrowdale Brooke Academy as part of their community programme for disadvantaged but talented children.
The academy’s headmaster, Mr Anderson Muridzi, confirmed the development last week, saying Nyasha had become their fifth student to get such an opportunity from the school.
Mr Muridzi said Ras Pompy was set to benefit from all the school’s activities and resources. “We groom pupils to excel in life and Nyasha is coming here to be groomed to become the best in whatever he wants to pursue in life. We cultivate dreams here, nurture talents, give confidence and prepare our boys and girls to be leaders,” he said.
Ras Pompy was ecstatic about his transfer to the upmarket learning institution, saying the change of environment would broaden his horizons.
“I have been in Mbare for too long. I did my primary education at Gwinyai here in Mbare and now I’m attending Morgan High School just close by in Arcadia. I need this change of environment as I believe that it will be good not only for my music career but my academic side as well,” said the visibly happy young star.
According to the headmaster, Ras Pompy’s educational needs will be taken care of by the academy and he will also be eligible to go on all school-organised trips and “broaden his horizons even further”.
Meanwhile, the young Zim dancehall star is set to perform in the UK on July 25 and 26 courtesy of Y2K Promotions.
In a statement from their base in the UK, Y2K directors Alex Marapara and Fredrick Matenga said they had decided to assist Ras Pompy as it is their company’s objective to promote young and upcoming talents in every way possible.
“We realised that Ras is quite unique and extremely talented for such a tender age. Therefore, we signed him together with many other young talented musicians. All we can do is to provide him with all the necessary support be it in music, education or just general advice for him to remain hard working, grounded and, above all, to remember where he comes from and to dream about supporting his family.
“We are aware of the tough upbringing in ghettos and Ras having grown up in Mbare, Harare, we want him to prove to the world that such an environment, although difficult, is no hindrance as evidenced by other musicians, politicians and footballers. He now has the opportunity to travel abroad and to perform in some of our well-sought-after music events in UK.
“It is vital that he is exposed to an environment to match with his burgeoning talent and steady rise in celebrity status. We can only see success if he stays away from drugs and other distractions of life.
“A look at young talents who have made it at an early age such as Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, Usher, Selena Gomez, Williams’ sisters, Tia & Tamara (Mowry sisters), Lil Bow Wow and Justine Bieber, shows how much they were supported. We, therefore, urge fellow Zimbabweans to support their own.”
The directors thanked Ras Pompy’s family, especially his mother and brother “for their support and coming to an understanding as well as sharing our vision in supporting Ras Pompy”.
“He is a minor and we have been working very closely with the family and we will continue to do so. We also give special thanks to the team behind Ras Pompy and that is his manager DJ Fantan and his producer Levels.
“The team is putting a lot of work and is relentless in their support for Ras Pompy and we will continue to work closely with them as well as support them in their works.”
Ras Pompy will be taking part in Y2K’s July 25 and 26 shows, in the Zvirikumbofambasei Tour, alongside Jay C, Loud H, Dhadza D, Lady Bee and Lewaz High Skattah.
