Zanu PF praise for Winky D sparks scepticism

The sudden chorus of praise for Zimbabwean music icon Winky D from some Zanu PF figures following the release of his latest EP, One Big Party, has been met with widespread scepticism from fans and observers who recall years of tension between the artist and ruling party-linked groups.

For more than a decade, Winky D has established himself as one of Zimbabwe's most influential musicians, earning a reputation for producing socially conscious music that often reflects the lived realities of ordinary citizens. However, that reputation has frequently placed him at odds with political figures who viewed some of his songs as critical of the status quo.

The latest endorsements have therefore caught many by surprise.

Zanu PF Youth League Commissar Taurai Kandishaya recently took to social media to praise Winky D, describing him as an artist who speaks for the people.

Kandishaya's comments were not entirely unexpected, given his previous displays of support for the musician. Last year, he attended one of Winky D's concerts following the release of the Pa Bho EP and publicly shared photographs of himself wearing Vigilance Football Club regalia associated with the artist.

The surprise deepened when Holy Ten, a rapper known for his outspoken support of Zanu PF and previous public disagreements with Winky D, recently described the veteran musician as "number one."

The remarks have fuelled debate on social media, where many users have questioned whether the apparent shift reflects genuine appreciation or a calculated political strategy.

Some commentators believe the endorsements may be part of efforts to improve the ruling party's appeal among younger voters by associating itself with a musician whose influence extends across political and social divides.

Others argue that the sudden praise is difficult to reconcile with the treatment Winky D has received in the past.

Social media user Clemence Mhembere captured the mood of many supporters when he wrote: "You are really trying hard to capture Winky D by pretending to be nice and tolerant, and we see that."

Another user, identified as Not Nice Gafa, referenced lyrics from Winky D's song 2 Nhanho, suggesting that public displays of friendship can sometimes conceal different intentions behind the scenes.

The scepticism stems from a history of controversy surrounding the artist's work.

Following the release of his 2023 album Eureka Eureka, songs such as Ibotso and Dzimba Dzemabwe generated widespread public discussion due to their commentary on corruption, governance and socio-economic challenges facing the country.

At the time, reports indicated that some of the songs were removed from state-controlled radio and television playlists. Zanu PF-aligned organisations, including the Economic Empowerment Group, openly criticised the musician and called for restrictions on his music, accusing him of promoting messages capable of inciting unrest.

His performances have also faced scrutiny. In one widely publicised incident in 2023, a concert in Chitungwiza was disrupted after police officers entered the stage area during the event.

Against that backdrop, many supporters remain cautious about the recent endorsements, viewing them as inconsistent with years of criticism directed at the musician.

Political analyst observers note that Winky D occupies a unique position in Zimbabwean society. Unlike many public figures, his popularity transcends political affiliations, making him one of the few cultural icons capable of attracting admiration from supporters and critics of the government alike.

Whether the latest praise signals a genuine thawing of relations or simply reflects shifting political calculations remains unclear.

What is evident, however, is that many of Winky D's fans are not ready to forget the past. For them, the sudden embrace of an artist who was once viewed with suspicion raises more questions than answers.

As debate continues online, the release of One Big Party has once again demonstrated Winky D's ability to dominate not only the music charts but also the national conversation.