When artists become outcasts for being outspoken

Music, sculptures and paintings are some of the artworks used to mirror the community and tell the sad story of Zimbabwe. But for the artists daring to do so in modern Zimbabwe it is like walking into a landmine field with eyes wide open. They have to be prepared for the repercussions and consequences of using their artistic prowess to question the status quo. Several musicians have suffered professionally by giving voice to the silent cries of their communities.

Recently, Bulawayo-based urban groover Lwazilwenkosi Mchez nana Skuzas new album, Premier League, was barred from receiving airplay on the state-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation (ZBC) radio airwaves. The album features two songs One Zimbabwe and Rovai (flog). The former addresses issues of tribalism, while the latter cuts its teeth on police brutality.

Other who suffered include the Chimurenga (protest) music pioneer Thomas Mukanya Mapfumo, now based in United States, music icon Leonard Karikoga Zhakata, and prolific social commentator Hosiah Kwachu Kwachu Chipanga. These three local icons arguably make up the cream of the local music industry as far as advocating for the development of the welfare of the masses, who have been reduced to wallowing in abject poverty by the Mugabe regimes corrupt oppression.

All those artists who decide to stand by the people and telling the sad Zimbabwean story end up blacklisted as unpatriotic citizens, accused to seeking to oust the former ruling partys leadership from power. No matter how critical and real the issues they raise, their work ends up being wrongly perceived as anti-government. Is it a crime to challenge issues affecting ones wellbeing?

Mukanya and his family had to flee to the USA in 2001 after several brutal encounters with law enforcement agents became one too many, which he said were state managed. The ruthless arm of the selective law also haunted the Bulawayo Art Gallery director Voti Thebe who was dragged to court for allegedly displaying offensive material by renowned Bulawayo visual artist Owen Maseko. The exhibition reflected the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres.

Not to mention the recent arrests and detention of 10 members from Rooftop Promotions at Cashel Valley Police Station on January 3 during a performance of their drama Rituals, which seeks to promote national healing and reconciliation. These arrests are meant to cow artists into silence and prevent them from expressing the challenges faced by society through their art. It is also stands as a threat to the development and freedom of arts in the country.

In all cases that have been recorded it is alleged that the artworks are undesirable and a threat to national security, public order, health and safety. Is this in the interests of the general populace or those who want to maintain their stranglehold on power?

Artists should keep advocating for their emancipation from the yorks of self censorship and help build a better society. – Please send your views, feedback and suggestions for future columns to: yourviews@gmail.com