SOUNDTRACK: Phillip Chidavaenzi

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ‘Second Republic’ dream seems to have collapsed in spectacular fashion, with ordinary citizens’ lives increasingly getting harder under his reign since the ouster of the late former President Robert Mugabe on the strength of a military coup in 2017.

With the promise of a “Canaan” having collapsed like a deck of cards, some of the country’s young musicians have taken to song to question the trajectory the nation has taken, expressing the pains and frustrations of their generation in the face of increased joblessness, shrinking economic opportunities, hunger and currency crisis.

The state of the nation has been aptly captured in the music that has been released since the end of last year.

Since the liberation war, music has always played a crucial role in expressing people’s emotions, with musicians including Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo, Zexie Manatsa and the late Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi and Tinei Chikupo, singing about the war and rallying the liberation war fighters in their own different ways.

Musicians such as Winky D, Sanii Makhalima, Celscius, Tocky Vibes and Guspy Warrior, all belong to a generation that was born after the protracted 1970s liberation war. They also constitute a coterie of young artistes that have suffered at the hands of the very political players rallied by the likes of Mukanya in the past.

Zimdancehall chanter, Celscius, released the song Nyika Yedu, a reflection of the pain he felt as he watched his country of birth being reduced to a wasteland in which nothing works. He sings of unrewarding labour as workers slave for a pittance while salaries are no more than chicken feed against skyrocketing prices of basic commodities.

“Kana kumabasa kwedu, tenzi haakwane macents…” (the money we are getting at our workplaces is not enough), he sings. In many ways, the song is an appeal for divine intervention to save Zimbabwe, which is sliding down a steep slope.

Celscius echoes the sentiments of many nationals as the frustrated persona in the song questions how long it is going to take to set Zimbabwe right again. Having seen Mugabe’s back in November 2017, many Zimbabweans believed they were probably just one step away from “Canaan”, only to realise that the change of guard was not accompanied by the change of system. Thus the overbearing shadow of Egypt has continued to loom over Canaan.

In his latest album — Njema (Handcuffs) — Winky D, who launched the new offering on New Year’s eve while donning a jersey similar to the ones worn in Zimbabwe’s prisons, sings about the pains of Egypt in the song, Ijipita.

This particular song went viral after it was leaked on social media before the album launch, leading to reports that government had banned the album launch — reports that were later refuted.

Winky D is known for politically-charged songs in which he takes no prisoners, and that seems to have made him a thorn in the government’s side. In December 2018, he was forced to cancel yet another New Year’s eve gig at The Odyssey in Kadoma after violence had broken out earlier during a December 25 show at Golden Mile in Kwekwe as machete-wielding hit squads invaded the venue in protest over the politically-charged track, Kasong Kecheja.

On the latest album, the songs Njema, Ijipita and Murombo belong to the same discourse, themed around poverty, oppression and bondage. In Ijipita, Winky D uses biblical allusions in a comparative analysis of the Israelites’ sojourn from Egypt to the land of milk and honey. Many Zimbabweans continue to leave the country in search of better fortunes because of the economic tailspin that has continued under Mnangagwa’s watch.

In Murombo, the dancehall chanter calls out the rich and powerful — many of whom belong to the ruling elite in Zimbabwe — for presiding over the impoverishment of a promising nation, which Celscius says has been blessed with abundant mineral wealth in wisdom song, Nyika Yedu.

Another young musician, Makhalima, late last year dropped the song Vatiregerera, in which he tore into the country’s leadership for failing his generation, many of whom just loaf around the neighbourhood or end up in criminal activity because the formal employment base has shrunk.

The hard-hitting song unveils a persona despairing over the economic hardships, police brutality and high unemployment levels while the country’s leaders share the national cake among themselves.

The offering — whose visuals show police bludgeoning protesters, empty public hospital corridors and endless fuel queues — was inspired by the situation obtaining in the country.

In the song, Makhalima questions the rationale of beating up hustlers trying to earn an honest living, and longs for past glory years when young people could afford to dream of a bright future.
But the future has since been stolen from them.

In June last year, Ricky Fire released the song Zvichanaka Here?, which offers a glimpse into contemporary Zimbabwe, where ordinary people have been forced to contend with the continually skyrocketing prices of basic commodities.

He shows some yearning for the United States dollar, which somewhat stabilised the economy at the height of the Government of National Unity (GNU) birthed in September 2009 when former South African President Thabo Mbeki brokered a deal that brought Mugabe, the late MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara together.

The reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar under Mnangagwa has seen its value eroded significantly, leading to a spike in commodity prices, forcing Ricky Fire to sing, “Oui oui oui pachorus ndashaya mashoko ini… Maprice ezvinhu ari kungoshooter, payslip haichakwana one week…” (I don’t even know what to say. Prices continue to go up. My salary is no longer sufficient).

Things are now tough as workers have seen the value of their salaries eroded, with many having been forced to scale down on their lifestyles. Just like Celscius, Ricky Fire is forced to look up to heaven for divine rescue: “Nhai Mwari nyika yedu ichanaka rinhi? Isu vemughetto hatichazore margarine. Tii ine mukaka toinzwira Mabelreign…” (Oh, Lord, when will things get better in our nation? Those of us in poor neighbourhoods can no longer afford decent breakfast).

He sings of the power cuts and the high cost of alternative energy sources that the majority of citizens can no longer afford.

Guspy Warrior and Tocky Vibes teamed up last year again for the duet, Nhamo, a song that speaks to a broken generation that feels trapped but with no way out.

They describe their hardships as a curse — or a spell cast by a person who later died thus can no longer be reversed. It is a strong Shona metaphor: “Kufirwa neakandiroya… Amai ndavhunika. Uyu ndiwo munyama chaiwo…”

Artistes have a role to mirror society in their music, and where politics harden, economics fail and people are oppressed, they will continue to use music as an irrepressible form of expression.

Phillip Chidavaenzi is a journalist and arts critic. He can be contacted on pchidavaenzi@newsday.co.zw

BY FREEMAN MAKOPA

COMEDIENNE Tyra “Madam Boss” Chikocho, who rose to fame through her social media skits, has hinted on going global with her art — which now includes drama series — as she seeks to increase her audience beyond the country’s borders.

The socialite and actress told NewsDay Life & Style yesterday that it was high time she and her team shifted their focus to the global market after their breakthrough in the local film industry.

“We are looking forward to going international and making the brand international. We also want to have our work on DStv and have international endorsements as a way of increasing our fan base by introducing more skits, talk shows, more story lines, including subtitles to cater for the international market, feature films and the Dudzai television drama series,” she said.

“I think this will be made possible by international endorsements, which are attracted by our ever-increasing numbers in terms of following and fans from all over the world. Since we are now putting subtitles to break language barriers and for DStv it is still work in progress and we will have subtitles on our local language skits and also English language skits.”

Madam Boss said plans were also under way to launch a new drama series, Merinda, following the success of Dudzai.

“Merinda is the original Madam Boss, for her to come to the limelight it was because of Merinda, who was Madam Boss’ maid and she was abused by her boss, but she remained patient because she was a soft character. And we are considering to bring her back to the project because she really played a huge role,” she said.

Meanwhile, Madam Boss described 2019 as “a difficult year” where her rivals used social media to tarnish her image and brand.

“We had challenges with media, especially from unprofessional social media journalists who we believe were working with enemies to tarnish the ever-growing brand,” she said.

She said the negative publicity, however, worked to her advantage as she received more endorsements.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

ZIMBABWE’S milk production continued to register steady positive growth, registering a 10% increase for the nine months to September 2019, a new report has revealed.

In its latest report, the Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (Lmac) revealed that between January and September 2019, milk production amounted to 59,8 million litres compared to 54,3 million litres collected in the same period in 2018.

The producers had set a yearly target of 100 million litres.

“All months of the year registered growth when compared with the corresponding period in 2018, with February and October registering the largest increase of 13 and 15%, respectively,” the report read in part.

Zimbabwe is importing about 30 million litres of milk from South Africa to supplement local supplies.

Annually, the southern African nation requires at least 120 million litres of milk.

Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers chairperson Kudzai Chirima recently told NewsDay that the major challenges they were facing included stockfeed shortages, high cost of drugs and chemicals.

Some of their requirements include foreign currency, vaccines, cleaning detergents, semen for artificial insemination and equipment.

Dairy farmers are also struggling to access funding from banks because of the punitive interest rates on any loans availed to them.

Due to these challenges, milk production levels have dramatically plummeted from the early 1990s peak of 260 million litres per year to 75,4 million which was achieved in 2018.

In 2017, milk production stood at 66 million litres. Government is targeting to increase milk production by between 97 million and 100 million litres per annum.

To help boost production, government, in partnership with We Effect Zimbabwe and other partners, last year launched a four-year dairy revival project worth about US$8 million.

BY SINDISO DUBE

WHILE other artistes are probably still planning on what to go for this year, rapper Mlue Jay is already one step forward as he readies for an early January release of his first single of the year dubbed Thula, featuring fellow rapper Cal_Vin.

NewsDay Life & Style had an opportunity to listen to the song which will be released on all online platforms this Friday.

The song speaks of hope in a time of discomfort, encouraging people not to give up on their goals and life in the face of adversity.

Mlue Jay, who was nominated for Best Diaspora award at the Zim Hip-Hop Awards held in December said he wanted to continue with the same energy he had last year.

“I really worked hard last year and all I want to do is to continue with the same energy and even do better. I am not looking at the calendar to say it’s another year, I should relax or change my vibe, it’s just dates and season that have changed. I am going in harder this year and that’s why I am releasing new music in January,” he said.

“This year it’s going to be bigger and better for me and my fans. I have a surprise for them, which will serve as a gesture to appreciate their support and love for me and my music in the past years.”

Mlue Jay made a name for himself when he released a house music track titled So Dangerous, which featured South African Smallz of the Money Maker fame.

The rapper, who last year released a four-track EP titled They Need Me, has been winning accolades and getting positive recognition.

He became the latest and one of the few Zimbabwean musicians to be verified on Spotify, one of the biggest online music selling platforms.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

GOVERNMENT has ordered the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) management to flight fresh tenders for the parastatal’s recapitalisation programme following the cancellation of the Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG)-Transnet Consortium deal.

The US$400 million DIDG-Transnet deal to recapitalise the NRZ was cancelled last year by government as the major shareholder after the group ostensibly “failed” to comply with contractual timelines.

Addressing an NRZ strategic planning workshop in Bulawayo on Monday, Transport and Infrastructural Development secretary Amos Marawa said there was need for the management to move with speed and re-tender the project.

“It is sad to note the lack of progress on the recapitalisation programme following the cancellation of the DIDG/Transnet Consortium. I urge you to urgently finalise the matter and proceed as directed by Cabinet,” he said.

“As I indicated earlier, our guiding blueprint for this period is the Transitional Stabilisation Programme and this is one of the success factors identified by government. It is thus critical to point out government’s view and the need to continue addressing the challenges at NRZ.”

The DIDG/Transnet Consortium was awarded the tender by the then State Procurement Board in August 2017 for the revival of NRZ’s operations.

But the group, according to government, failed to comply with contractual timelines, leading to the cancellation of the deal.

Government also argued that there were legal complications following DIDG’s decision to cut ties with South Africa’s publicly-owned rail operator, Transnet, which was part of the consortium.

DIDG has since threatened to sue government for breach of agreement.

Marawa said government acknowledged the challenges the entity was facing and believed “we can come up with a direction and sustainable means of addressing these challenges. The existing infrastructure continues to deteriorate thereby crippling the entity.”

He said the development of the rail sector was a critical component of the country’s national development agenda.

“Whether it is a discussion about rising cost of transportation, the efficiency of the network systems, increasing efficiency or the growth in certain sectors, the issues are key to many policy discussions nationwide,” he said.

Government is in the process of carrying out parastatal reforms so that they contribute positively to the national coffers.

Givean Thomu

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

DISABLED painter Givean Thomu (26), who is doing wonders with his exceptional drawings and paintings done using his mouth, has decried the general lack of appreciation of visual art in the country.

The talented painter, who makes a living out of his artistic work, told NewsDay Life & Style that lack of appreciation had hampered his growth in the arts sector.

“I am facing many challenges as art is my source of living. I survive on selling my artworks.
Though art has a lot of money, in Zimbabwe people do not pay much for it and it is difficult to sell here as compared to other countries,” he said.

Thomu expressed concern over the reluctance by local promoters to support visual artists.

“I am lacking support to grow. I am having difficulties when it comes to promoters. The challenge is that we do not have people who want to support us. I have drawn a couple of famous Zimbabwean people but the drawings have not reached them,” said the artist who has done portraits of First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, socialite Pokello and businessman Genius Kadungure, aka Ginimbi.

The Karoi-born painter, who lost both arms at six in a horrific car accident, said his desire was to pursue his dream beyond the country’s borders where art was valued.

Thomu, who is also a keyboard player, said he was working on his first book, Hands Off! Living a Life Without Limits.

He said painting was an in-born gift as he began drawing at a young age and fully discovered his career four years ago after receiving training at Jairos Jiri Vocational Training Centre in Bulawayo before moving to Mzilikazi Art Craft Centre to sharpen his painting skills.

BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA

A MARONDERA MDC Alliance councillor, Charles Ngwena, who allegedly told police officers to arrest President Emmerson Mnangagwa for organising an anti-sanctions march in October last year, has been summoned to court for trial.

Ngwena (36) was co-charged with the late Marondera MDC youth leader Paul Chikuni who died in a car accident in November last year.

The accused, a ward 4 councillor who was represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) will be back in court on January 14 for continuation of trial.

He was removed from remand before summoned back to court again yesterday.

According to court papers, on October 23, at around midday, police officers identified as Constables Nyambisi, Mutiforo and Moyo all from ZRP Marondera Central were on patrol at Marondera bus terminus when they arrested Patrick Chabvata who was selling bananas in a push cart.

It is alleged that while escorting Chabvata to the police station, the police officers passed by Ngwena and Chikuni who were in their Toyota Prado parked in central Marondera.

It is alleged that Ngwena shouted at the police officers in vernacular saying they should stop arresting poor people, but arrest Mnangagwa for organising anti-sanctions marches.

Chikuni allegedly disembarked from the vehicle and grabbed Chabvata’s push cart and pushed it away. The altercation attracted the attention of passers-by who converged at the scene, resulting in the police officers leaving, fearing for their safety.

Zihn Gozo represented the State.

Guest column: Paidamoyo Muzulu

THAT Zimbabwe is facing the twin devils of political and economic crises is self-evident, however, more worrying is the government’s indifferent attitude to these problems and its silent approval, hence cursing the working class to perpetual hewers of wood and drawers of water for the rich.

A silent revolution is taking place as President Emmerson Mnangagwa keeps satisfying the needs of capital by cutting back on social spending – education and health — as he tries to wring some foreign direct investment and Bretton Woods institutions’ support.

The cutting back on education and health funding have inadvertently created room for unregulated private players to enter the sectors. This also feeds into the Bretton Woods institutions (World Bank and International Monetary Fund)’s calls for privatisation of services. However, with unemployment rate in Zimbabwe above 90% and nearly 70% living below the datum poverty line, now at $3 600 for a family of five, it is a wonder how the generality of the population will afford private services.

Many schools, including missionary institutions, have privatised their services and are asking market-related fees. The government despite its public posturing to the contrary, it actually remains aloof and the schools are allowed to behave in an anti-poor manner.

One is forced to ask why Zimbabweans are being cursed by political leaders like the Gibeonites in Joshua 9;23: “Now, therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves — wood cutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

It is tempting to substitute God for capital in this instance. Many are aware of education as a liberating tool, an acquisition that can make one move up the social ladder and take their families and progeny out of poverty for good. It is this same opportunity that many in the current government got access to, but are ready to deny others because they feel they have arrived.

Analysed with the benefit of hindsight, some in the present regime have worked hard since the August 2015 Supreme Court Zuva Petroleum judgment, to make sure workers have been reduced to something akin to casual labour. Employers can now simply fire workers on three months’ notice and negotiate an exit package which in the main is paltry and pro-capital.

Whether deliberate or not, Zimbabwe is creating one large pool of cheap labour — a playground for capital that can abuse workers without fear of any actions against it. The anti-public education policy being pursued by the regime is meant to perpetuate the current social classes as they are after two hyperinflationary episodes in a decade.

Without education and savings, one will not have the luxury of choosing a job, but to take what is on offer even if they are aware they are working like slaves. It may be missed by the current regime, but the reality is that it is condemning a whole generation to a lifetime of hewing wood and drawing water for the capitalists without a chance they can get out of the vicious cycle of poverty.

Two years before the current regime took over power via a coup, the old Robert Mugabe regime had started a government scholarship for those pupils/students who excelled in science and mathematics – creating a potential pool of Zimbabweans who could not only compete in the world, but also help drive the country’s economy in the fourth industrial revolution. The fourth industrial revolution is generally defined as the current and developing environment in which disruptive technologies and trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the way we live and work.

It is obvious that most Zimbabweans after failing to get a basic or tertiary education even if they are academically gifted, would be reduced to menial labourers paid what employers deem fair remuneration as the country does not have a statutory minimum wage.

Without sounding mundane, Zimbabweans have to frankly discuss the Zimbabwe they envision. They have to candidly speak about the issues that are non-negotiable such as the right to education, health, water, housing and an efficient public transport system. They have to voice what they believe should be the minimum salary for any employee.

It makes the aspect of working meaningless if workers cannot educate their children, pay for medication when they fall sick or even afford basic meals.

The privatisation tide, particularly for education should be stopped now, we can’t sleep soundly while being aware that the government has perpetually rendered a whole generation and its progeny “hewers of wood and drawers of water” for capital.

Ways to fund public education should be found now, failing to stem the tide now would mean floodgates for other privatisations are open.

Paidamoyo Muzulu is a journalist and writes here in his personal capacity. He can be contacted on muzulu.p@gmail.com

BY PRECIOUS CHIDA

ZIMDANCEHALL chanter Energy “Freeman” Chizanga has branched off into fashion designing with the launch of his new clothing line called The 5ive Star Look. The development is not surprising considering his photographs posted on social media platforms donning great fashion labels.

Freeman told NewsDay Life & Style that he always wanted to look good, so the compliments he received over the years fuelled the dream.

“I love dressing and I’m sure my fans know that I always want to look good every day. So, those compliments that I usually get from my fans encouraged me and, therefore, I decided to start my own fashion label,” he said.

The musician — whose monster duet with Alick Macheso, Ngaibake, dominated the just-ended festive season — said although the clothing line was still in its infancy, he was hoping to focus more on the fashion business and launch branches across the country.

“I am still trying to figure out where exactly I can be located, but for the meantime, my shop is mobile and I am supplying boutiques around Harare,” he said.

“The label is still crawling. We haven’t started running yet, but I am hoping to give my best to this business so that I can supply my fellow musicians in Zimbabwe and have a few branches in Zimbabwe, including my hometown Bindura which I will probably start with.”

Meanwhile, the chanter said he had more surprises this year as he would be releasing a new album and a string of singles featuring international artistes.

“An album will be coming out very soon this year with some few international duets which I started working on last year and a few singles with local artistes will be released before the album. So we are definitely going to leave a mark again this year,” he said.

Freeman rose to fame on the back of his hit song, Joina City, and has not looked back since.