Sauti Sol’s Savara celebrates his 30th birthday today (25th May 2017), and with it makes a big announcement. This comes after undergoing a life-changing period this year – two separate accidents with one having left his ankle broken. Though still under recovery, he just launched his imprint community initiative dubbed #SaWA (Savara Women’s Advancement Program).
#SaWA will roll out a series of community events and projects in the upcoming weeks. They will include a football tournament, Sauti Sol’s first mega concert in Eastlands and the launch of a training and mentorship program for young ladies. The Birthday Boy, Savara says, “As I hit the Big 30 this year, I want to give back to my family and fans from Eastlands, where I was born and raised. Every time I am back home, I interact with young people and they have always expressed their longing to engage in fun activities like sports and attending a Sauti Sol concert—that’s how my idea of doing activities that engage and empower the community came about. The football tournament, concert and the ladies training program will bring my fans together not only on a fun level, but also on a development level,” adding, “I feel like I got a second chance to life this year, and I want to share it with my fans.”
The SAWA Community Football Tournament will be held at Camp Toyoyo Jericho from 9 a.m. The tournament is a 5-a-side set up with a total of 20 teams of 5 players above the age of 18. Every team will have to have at least two women and will be competing for amazing prizes. It will also be the first time in months that Savara is playing football following his recovery from his leg surgery. After the tournament, there will be an after party hosting Sauti Sol’s first concert in Eastlands at Buru Buru’s At Point Mall. Top DJs: ZJ Heno and Muzikal Sheriff will also be performing at event and joined by celebrated MC Philipo.
The culmination of #SaWA will be the pilot phase of a community ladies’ training and mentorship program that will recruit 50 ladies between 18-25 years from the Nairobi Eastlands area. Savara says, “My mission with this program is to inspire young ladies to dream big and reach for the stars. They sometimes don’t get mentors who they can relate to, so this program will present them with a select list of young and innovative inspiring women who will train and mentor them on life, work and business.”