Political temperatures are rising as Zimbabwe goes to the polls tomorrow, amid calls by artistes that Zimbabweans should maintain the peaceful environment during and after election day.
By Kennedy Nyavaya and Albert Masaka
Chimurenga music legend Thomas Mapfumo took a mediatory stance last week when he took to Twitter encouraging the nation not to let political differences degenerate into violence during and after tomorrow’s polls.
A significant number of artistes have, during this election season, taken to different social media platforms sharing their sentiments about the crucial elections.
“Elections are here in Zimbabwe. Let’s all remain peaceful and let the elections reflect unity, progress and responsibility,” Mapfumo said.
“Do not hurt each other during elections. Just vote for your candidate and go home. Do not worry about your neighbour’s choice.”
The US-based Mapfumo is a known critic of the Zanu PF government, which has been blamed for socio-economic turmoil in Zimbabwe over the years.
Comedian Baba Tencen threw a tantrum at pro-Zanu PF social media users, popularly known as Varakashi, proclaiming that it was time for change.
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“We do not want that [referring to the Zanu PF slogan ‘ED Pfee’]. We are tired of eating sadza and chunks, our once thriving country has become popular for second-hand clothes, food aid and village headmen getting rich through corrupt means,” said the jester in a snippet video.
Without aligning with any political party, Baba Tencen urged his audience not to put the “X” on the wrong candidate as that would result in more strife for local people.
“I will not tell you who to vote for, but your decision will be seen when the results are published. We want our new good Zimbabwe, which was once the breadbasket in the southern African region, and we want all black market dealings in minerals to be exposed,” he said.
“Saying you are a Zimbabwean has become a mockery because of the wrong vote.”
Celebrated South African gospel artiste Mkhululi Bhebhe of Joyous Celebration, who on Friday headlined the inaugural Zimbabwe Peace Festival, appealed for peaceful elections.
“Let everybody exercise their democratic right in peace. I love Zimbabweans, they are a peaceful nation, that is all I can say,” said Bhebhe, who was backed by local gospel music outfit ZimPraise at the show.
Baba Charamba, who is the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) ambassador together with his wife, Mai Charamba, also appealed to voters in the country to give the spirit of love, unity and peace a chance.
“After such prayers we have every reason to regard election winners as ‘leaders from God’. From a pastoral corner, we say let’s respect life and avoid sin. As ZRP ambassadors, we appeal to Zimbabweans to be calm and shun crime. Both sin and crime are unwanted by God and our law.
“We may choose our candidates without interfering with or harming the next person. We can never share the same views,” he said.
Baba Charamba thanked the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the Christian organisations who participated at the interdenominational festival.
