Patience Bambalele

Patience Bambalele

Kwaito star L'Vovo Derrango has been roped-in by the Mpumalanga government to educate the public on voting through music.

L'Vovo, whose real name is Thokozani Ndlovu, will for the next three weeks tour Mpumalanga to educate the public about the elections on April 22.

Ndlovu is probably the first musician to be involved in such a campaign as an educator more than as a singer.

Sindiso Nkosi, who conducts voter education on behalf of the Independent Electoral Commission, told Sowetan that the star would visit shopping centres and taxi ranks in Mpumalanga.

"We will be touring with L'Vovo in our 18 municipalities to encourage the public to vote," he said.

Nkosi said using celebrities to educate the public was the best way to catch their attention.

"Our voter's education strategy is very different. Firstly, we start with a theatre play performed by Izigi. We then have IEC dancers who also talk about voting issues. Then we have L'Vovo teaching people and asking them questions. We wrap everything with his performance," he said.

Asked why they chose him, Nkosi said Ndlovu was the most popular musician in the province.

"We realised that L'Vovo is big in Mpumalanga and people have not been well-exposed to him.

"Using an artist is the best way to get the message out there."

Ndlovu said it felt good to be part of the campaign.

"To me it is a way of giving back. I love to work with people on issues concerning them."