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Protest music on the rise in Zimbabwe
Fungai Kanyongo, Nehanda Radio
August 06, 2008

http://www.nehandaradio.com/zimbabwe/arts/protest-music-rise060808.html

As Zimbabwe's economic meltdown continues unabated since the past ten years, protest music has become popular in the country as people are now speaking against the status quo through music.

Protest music has been on the rise especially in the run up to Zimbabwe's historic harmonized elections. The proliferation of protest music has become a topical issue, considering that there are a number of suppressive laws such as the Criminal Law (codification and Reform) Act, Access to Information of Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) which protect the reputation of the person of the President.

Because of human rights violations, Zimbabwe remains an unsafe environment for protest musicians who are perceived as enemies of the state. Quite a number of these protest musicians have been subjected to assaults, death threats, and being forced into hiding from the marauding Zanu PF thugs.

The duo of Dread Reckless and Sister Fearless, one of the best protest musicians ever to emerge out of Zimbabwe after Cde Chinxs of the Maruza fame, have had a brush with the repressive laws after their music was perceived to be anti-Mugabe.

However, the two have said they sing protest music as they want to expose the truth that, under the Mugabe regime, Zimbabweans have been reduced to beggars and a poor lot. "In our music, we will be trying to counter what the Zanu PF leadership is always saying in the public broadcasting stations and all the state papers. Zimbabweans today, just like during the days of Ian Smith, are not allowed to voice their concerns, hence our venture into protest music," said their manager.

Dread Reckless and Sister Fearless were arrested in February and have a criminal case still pending in the courts, after the government said their music had insulted Mugabe.

"The Zanu PF regime is aiming to destroy us because our music is pro-MDC. We sing about the heroics of Morgan Tsvangirai and are part of his election campaign strategy," said Reckless.

"There is nothing wrong with spreading the message. Let the people refuse to accept the message if it is wrong but the people l sing for have really accepted my music and they are playing it in their cars, homes and even public places" he also said. The group released the hit Nhare Mbozha and Tiriparwendo na Tsvangirai which have all sold more than 200 000 copies each, a feat which even reputable Sungura musicians have failed to achieve.

The two albums would have definitely become Albums of the Year in a free and fair environment. Both albums have songs that attack the status quo and call for change and good governance in Zimbabwe. They also sing about people's concerns over the manner in which the Mugabe regime has failed the nation.

Another protest musician, Viomak who has so far recorded three albums, said protest music was functional in any society as it encouraged the masses to speak against repressive governments such as the Mugabe regime. Viomak however said although protest music had taken the nation by storm, musicians remained unrecognized since the annual Zimbabwe Music Awards did not cater for them.

"I am initiating a musical award programme called the Zimbabwe Protest Arts Awards (ZIPPA) that will recognize protest artists for their work" she said adding that protest musicians risked and sacrificed a lot to be the voice of the voiceless in an environment infested with Zanu PF ‘lions' bent to destroy all those in search of justice and truth to prevail in the country.

Viomak's latest album Garai Makagadzirira reminds all those working hand and glove with Mugabe to be prepared for his departure from State House. Another protest musician, Raymond Majongwe who has made himself a household name in Zimbabwe, also said protest music was a critical component of resistance to any form of bad governance and oppression.

He said protest music will remain vibrant because it unearths the unseen that may be swept under the carpet. Majongwe has released Dhiziri KuChinhoyi, an album which invokes memories of the infamous incident in which an unsophisticated Grade 3 drop out, Nomatter Mavhunga, duped the whole cabinet of the Mugabe regime into believing that refined diesel was oozing out of a rock on the outskirts of Chinhoyi town.

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