Harare — THE empowerment drive seems to have caught up with everyone, including Zora musician Leonard Zhakata, who for the past months has taken his music to rural and marginalised communities.

Apart from staging free gigs, he has been holding workshops for aspiring musicians and poets.

The programme, meant to identify talented youths in remote villages has been a success, bringing together whole villages.

"The programme brought people from all walks of life, the young and the old. The people sat and listened to poetry and music. My band played for free and for some in the audience it was a dream come true," says Zhakata.

Zhakata says most of the songs he played had to do with issues of nation building and living together in peace.

He adds: "Music can send strong messages to the people -- messages of hope. The people of Zimbabwe deserve better and as musicians we are encouraging them to fight on as there is light at the end of the tunnel."

The rural communities were affected by the 29 March post-election violence that resulted in hundreds being murdered and thousands being displaced.

Zhakata says political violence created divisions among peace loving villagers. "As artists we have no power to stop the violence, but through songs we have been advising people against it."

Zhakata believes Zimbabweans can pull through these dark days and make the country a model of peace. The musician's aim is to help aspiring musicians and poets discover their talent.

"I want to help them nurture their talents. I want to connect them to producers and the market."

The programme has so far covered three provinces and Zhakata is set to take it to seven more provinces.

He adds: "We have managed to fully equip four bands in these provinces and we hope to record these groups."

As unemployment hovers around 80 percent the only way out for young people in marginalised communities is to equip them with self help skills.

Zhakata says: "I have been a musician since 15 and surely it is time that I give back to the community that supported me all these years."