If it is not hypocrisy, it is madness
Chenge Mabhiza
The past few weeks have provided an interesting insight on the way that opposition figures think.
When musicians Seh Calaz and Sani Makhalima communicated their loyalty to Nelson Chamisa`s new party they were celebrated.
Supporters of the new formation hailed them, calling them champions of ‘democracy.’
When this was happening, ZANU PF supporters said nothing, respecting their right to association.
However, what followed when Chillspot Djs performed at last week`s ZANU PF Star Rally in Epworth showed how dangerous our opposition can be.
They claim to be pro-democracy, only if the people –in this case artists- are picking their side.
For them the right to choose and associate is only applicable when the outcome favours them.
For the past week, there have been spirited attacks on artists by senior CCC members, including their vice president Tendai Biti who mounted a rally to attack Zimbabwe`s most vibrant music stable.
When the CCC started a relationship with musician Ricky Fire, there were no complaints, no one in the ZANU PF structure cared.
This is because when ZANU PF went to war, the idea was that people should be allowed all freedoms.
It is sad that a party that claims to be progressive wants to take us to colonial era animosity where artists are afraid to affiliate with political parties of their choice.
The CCC is however in for a rude awakening, as the artists who are claiming to love them are simply building arguments to apply for asylum in foreign countries.
They will go to the West and lie that they are being ‘victimised’ for their political choices, asking for visas and scholarships.
Thomas Mapfumo has been living off these misrepresentations for close to two decades, and it appears that some struggling dancehall acts want to read from his playbook.
ZANU PF does not hold grudges against artists, media and creatives.
This is why the party allows outfits like Bustop TV to cover their events, despite the negative coverage they always churn out.
Even private media is given its respect at ZANU PF events, one wonders why the CCC cannot afford the same courtesy to journalists from state media.
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