Top 100 of Zim's most influential youths, list raises eyebrows

A COUPLE of weeks ago, some Zimbabweans woke up to a shock when a top 100 list of influential youths was released by Gorindemabwe frontier, a group led by Walter Chimene.

The list stirred debate among Zimbabweans, both young and old, with some dismissing it as a farce.

The idea was initiated by the frontier which sought to identify a generation of young heroes in Zimbabwe.

People argued that there were some names that appeared on the list that were controversial and did not contribute to nation building.

Similar lists of people with influence have also been carried out by magazines such as the Times 100 and New Africa Magazine, which have featured visionaries and luminaries that influence public debate and opinion among youths and the nation in general.

Of particular interest are names of renowned but controversial celebrities including the raunchy bottle dancer, Beverly Sibanda and Big Brother Africa participant Pokello Nare whose bedroom footage with singer Desmond Chideme, leaked early this year, are also included in the top 100 list of influential youths in Zimbabwe.

Pokello and Bev are ranked 50 and 100 on the list respectively, but have been generally known for their controversy that has drawn a negative response from their fans.

Ultimately, some fans allege that this has led to a negative build up of public opinion as their characters and fame have not contributed to constructive public opinion.

Commenting on the top 100 list, renowned arts personality Cont Mhlanga said although the individuals on the list were handpicked by the frontier, the public had not been consulted and it was not representative.

He said the list only represents the set standards of those who had selected the top 100.

"It is not proper to wake up and select anyone to be in the top 100 list, the public should have been consulted. It goes without saying that these people have influence although it is not all encompassing as they defined these people in their own standards," Mhlanga said.

Although Bev and Pokello have had their fair share of mishaps and their characters have been dented, the renowed arts guru praised the young female Zimbabweans saying they have inspired many young women.

"People are not meant to be judged and it is a fact that many other young women have been empowered by Bev so that they can be bold and courageous enough. It would be incorrect to say they are wrong as they have been portrayed especially Bev, but they have the courage to stand up as young women irrespective of what they do," Mhlanga said.

Bev and her group Sexy Angels engage in raunchy dances and their dignity is put to the test when they perform at night clubs that attracts many men who cannot get enough of their performances.

Socialite and Comedian Babongile Sikhonjwa said there was no criteria that was used to select the youths who are on the top 100 list and there could have been more influential youths who could have made it to the list if the public had been consulted.

"There was no criteria that was used to select the youths on that list. If at least there was a public consultation then more youths could have made it to the list," he said.

Sikhonjwa said celebrities such as Pokello and Bev should not be attacked.
"I think we should consider the fact that people like Pokello and Bev should not be attacked, rather the originators of the list who came up with it without public consultation," he said.

Topping the list is Uebert Angels, the owner of Spirit Embassy Church. Other names that are on the list are Pastor Emmanuel Makandiwa, Kirsty Coventry, former Minister Nelson Chamisa who is erroneously mentioned as the Secretary General for MDC-T and Psychology Maziwisa, who is the political and legal advisor in the Ministry of Youth and Indigenisation.