Zukiswa Nzo
By Simon Manda
Local disability activist and ambassador, Zukiswa (Zuki) Nzo, recently featured in a music video that also boasts the inclusion of a lot of prominent celebrities from around the world.
The video for the song “Love one another “-is the latest offering by Jackson 5 legend Tito Jackson from his latest album, “Under Your Spell.”
The blues-infused record streaming on all download platforms from the SRG ILS label imprint contains the hit single “Love One Another,” featuring George Benson, Eddie Levert, Bobby Rush, Marlon Jackson, and Stevie Wonder.
Zuki features in the video that spreads the message of peace alongside Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kim Fields, Magic Johnson, UB40, Smokey Robinson, Brian McKnight, Deborah Cox, and Chris Tucker, amongst others, with cameos from Jackson family members including sisters Janet and La Toya, brothers Jermaine and Jackie, and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to an army of superstars, Jackson also enlisted extended members of his famous family.
The video begins with an introductory message from Katherine Jackson, the matriarch of the Jackson clan who makes a plea;
“Stop that killing, fighting, racism and all the bad things that are happening today. We need to love one another.”
Through Urban Cohesion Project, a non-profit organisation based in Tokyo and also has offices in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and Johannesburg, Zuki was head hunted by the founder of the project, Allan Harrito.
“We aim to empower African youth through music and art. As an important leader of youth, we strongly believe in what Zuki stands for and knew that she would add a very positive vibe to the video.
We also believe that Zuki can be and already is a good bridge between Japan and SA for our future plans,” Harrito said.
“Tito Jackson and his team found us on the internet and invited us to his new video “Love one another” and it was an obvious choice to consider Zuki to appear in the video, “Harrito added.
“For me being part of a music video of this nature which clearly articulates a beautiful and very much needed message and reminder to “love one another” was a no brainier to be part of as I saw an opportunity to be part of the diversity that we clearly see in the video with various international artists (including legends that I grew up listening to and watching such as Janet Jackson, UB40, Brian McKnight, Chris Tucker to mention a few) who comprise of diverse races, age groups, cultures, genders from diverse backgrounds, and even continents. This was a gap in my view to demonstrate disability inclusion within the arts, at a global level,” quipped Zuki.
“On the other hand the artsy side of me greatly appreciated the music itself and couldn’t resist being part of such clean, and may I add, and very catchy quality song.
I’m thoroughly grateful to the Lord for introducing me to Urban-Cohesion who facilitated this opportunity. May they be blessed with many more opportunities as an NPO that continues to tirelessly aim for African talent and artists to be recognised on global stages, while advocating for diversity and inclusion in the global arts.”
A lifetime student with a background in Economics from North West University (Potchefstroom), Zuki also holds a master’s degree in Regional Development Studies from Toyo University (Tokyo, Japan) where she did Social Policy on socio-economic inclusion of People with Disability.
She will soon be leaving for Japan to pursue a Social Governance PHD at Waseda University in Japan.
Zuki has worked in local economic development, resource mobilisation and stakeholder liaison positions.
An injury which left her paralysed created her interest in social transformation and inclusion, where she has worked as senior disability equality facilitator under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Zuki has undertaken other voluntary advocacy work, while serving on various government and NPO committees aimed at promoting inclusion, such as the Presidential Working Group on Disability, The South African Disability Development Trust, the Department of Public Works Disability Advisory forum and as well as being the Wings for Life World Runs Ambassador for 4 years – a Red Bull initiative aimed at finding cure for spinal cord injuries.
Zuki is a Mandela Washington Fellow and did a 7-week programme in Leadership at Indiana University – Bloomington in 2016
Other achievements by Zuki include; serving on the board of the South African Disability Development Trust, serving as the Deputy Chair of the B-BEE ICT Sector Council- whose primary objective is to strengthen transformation requirements in Information and Communications Technology, being a member of the South African v Presidential Working Group on Disability, being a nominee for the North West University Alumni Award (2016), being a volunteer and member of NCPD Subcommittees/ ad-hoc task teams and a Gold Winner of the Social Transformation Award at the Gauteng Disability Awards in 2019.
