Opinion / Columnist
Ban Dhikondo Gukurahundi song
18 Jul 2012 at 14:46hrs | Views
Reports that a former Air Force of Zimbabwe propaganda band composer seeks to remix and release the Gukurahundi song Amai vaDhikondo at a time when the nation is trying to heal the wounds of past atrocities is so outrageous it has to be stopped and condemned by all peace loving Zimbabweans.
Rephius Tachi, who composed the song while working under the former 5 Brigade commander, Perence Shiri is reported to be planning the release in a new 8 track compilation.
Amai vaDhikondo was a theme song used by the 5 Brigade during the Gukurahundi massacres in the Midlands and Matabeleland in the 1980s. Victims were forced to sing the song before and during the killings. Independent estimates are that some 20,000 innocent civilian supporters of ZAPU, an opposition party in Zimbabwe were killed at the time.
For those of us, who are direct and indirect victims of the Gukurahundi, it is shocking that a song that arouses emotions and traumatic memories can be allowed any airplay when all should be focusing on national healing.
It is bad enough that the news is coming a week after the parties in Government have been reported to have agreed that past crimes against humanity should not be investigated or addressed by the new Human Rights legislation.
On behalf of those who hold strong feelings about human rights in Zimbabwe and the Gukurahundi in particular, I urge the Ministry of Media and the Organs for National Healing to order that the song must never be released again. Mr Tachi and the Air Force need to also apologise to the victims of Gukurahundi for releasing the song in the first place fully aware of what that song symbolised to innocent victims of the Gukurahundi.
If Zimbabwe is to move forward peacefully, it is paramount that all support structures of impunity are taken down. This must include those who use music and media to promote and celebrate human rights abuses. That song Amai vaDhikondo was just that and should be banned.
Rephius Tachi, who composed the song while working under the former 5 Brigade commander, Perence Shiri is reported to be planning the release in a new 8 track compilation.
Amai vaDhikondo was a theme song used by the 5 Brigade during the Gukurahundi massacres in the Midlands and Matabeleland in the 1980s. Victims were forced to sing the song before and during the killings. Independent estimates are that some 20,000 innocent civilian supporters of ZAPU, an opposition party in Zimbabwe were killed at the time.
It is bad enough that the news is coming a week after the parties in Government have been reported to have agreed that past crimes against humanity should not be investigated or addressed by the new Human Rights legislation.
On behalf of those who hold strong feelings about human rights in Zimbabwe and the Gukurahundi in particular, I urge the Ministry of Media and the Organs for National Healing to order that the song must never be released again. Mr Tachi and the Air Force need to also apologise to the victims of Gukurahundi for releasing the song in the first place fully aware of what that song symbolised to innocent victims of the Gukurahundi.
If Zimbabwe is to move forward peacefully, it is paramount that all support structures of impunity are taken down. This must include those who use music and media to promote and celebrate human rights abuses. That song Amai vaDhikondo was just that and should be banned.
Source - Thamsanqa Zhou
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