Sizzla - File

Rastafarian artiste Sizzla Kalonji seems to be setting up a base in Zimbabwe, Africa, having opened a studio in the country.

In a recent article published in Zimbabwe's Sunday Mail newspaper, the singer, born Miguel Collins, told the newspaper that he is here to stay.

According to the article, Kalonji's work permit has been issued by the Zimbabwe's Department of Immigration, making him the biggest name in International music to relocate to Zimbabwe. The singjay is currently in Trinidad and Tobago performing at a number of shows.

He reportedly told The Sunday Mail that he had made up his mind to work from Africa saying, "Zimbabwe is home. I have received tremendous welcome."He added, "In Zimbabwe we have already started recording. I am also looking into areas Judgement Yard can invest in for the upliftment of Zimbabwean youths."

The newspaper reported that among Sizzla's investments are a farm he has been allocated by the Government in Chegutu, on which he plans to set up agro-industries for youths under his Jamaican social responsibility banner, Judgement Yard.

In a previous interview with THE STAR, Sizzla's publicist Olimatta Taal cleared up rumours published in an overseas newspaper which claimed that the artiste had fled from Jamaica to live in Zimbabwe because of gun and murder related charges.

The article in the overseas publication stated, "Mugabe offers Jamaican artiste farm for ZANU-PF public relations", which was published in The Zimdiaspora on Monday, claimed that Sizzla "is on the run from Jamaican authorities for gun related and robbery cases in Kingston and is preparing to set up base in Zimbabwe after he was offered a farm. Indications are that he will not be returning to his native Jamaica where he is under investigation for several violent crimes which include armed robbery and murder."

irresponsible journalism

It continued, "Zanu PF is allocating a farm to Sizzla so that the Jamaican star would do international public relations for the former ruling party whose fortunes are fast waning following its drubbing at the March 2008 harmonised elections by the Movement for Democratic Change."

However, Taal has dismissed the claims and labelled the article as irresponsible journalism. She said that Sizzla was given land for his two performances in Zimbabwe for the country's 30th independence celebration. But the land, she said, was in no way related to politics.

"The allocation of the farmland does not have any relation to any political party. Instead of giving him cash (for the performances) they gave him land. Although they want to discredit and criminalise him, it is very honourable that he would take land instead of cash," she said, noting that the land received is for the Rastafarian community.

The Sunday Mail article also claims that Kalonji is understood to have made inquiries into the local textile industry, expressing strong interest in a clothing factory that will manufacture Rastafarian and African regalia and directly create hundreds of jobs for unemployed youths. Sizzla's commercial concerns will be run along similar lines as his Jamaican enterprise, Judgement Yard in August Town, Jamaica.

According to the story, Sizzla is now in the process of importing high-tech sound equipment for a studio whose doors he has already opened in Borrowdale, in the northern outskirts of Harare. He is currently working with Zimbabwe's reggae artistes, such as Ras I and Transit Crew to put together his debut album from Zimbabwe.