Zodwa Wabantu, Zimbabwe's an unwanted sideshow

Zodwa Libram (Wabantu) is a plain 32-year-old South African woman who spots unkempt hair and her claim to fame is dancing to other artists' music, minus undergarments. Her differentiation, therefore, is going commando! She says she hates panties and is clever enough to make money out of something she cannot stand. Career guidance experts say follow your passion when choosing a career, but not Zodwa!

For Zodwa Wabantu — yes she belongs with you and me, whether you like it or not — performing without panties is the tickling factor. It forms her brand and is obviously the crowd puller. She gets men to twist their necks as they try to get a glimpse of what she has got under, but she is quick enough to protect her modesty, leaving show-goers in suspense. As she plays peek-a-boo with revellers, they remain hooked because they are hoping she might let loose and give them a feast for the eyes, but she is so guarded she reveals nothing.

Zodwa will not march with the rest as part of the Harare International Carnival slated for September 1-10 this year, but will take her act somewhere in town. The Censorship Board led by Aeneas Chigwedere is of the opinion that her appearance is a "travesty of our culture".

The carnival itself, since inception in 2014, has been nothing but a cost to this nation though the organisers say, "it is aimed at advancing the arts, culture and heritage of Zimbabwe as well as uniting the populace. It is all about celebrating diversity, getting communities together, while simultaneously marketing the country through international and domestic tourism."

The organisers of the carnival have argued that the showcase helps in selling brand Zimbabwe and bring tourists and the foreign currency which this country is desperate for.
However, there has not been much in terms of new tourist arrivals with players in the sector complaining about the cost of accommodation and related expenses, roadblocks and shortages of cash. There are no spin-offs from the carnival — just costs. It seems some people use the carnival to look good and say "during this calendar year we hosted an entertainment fiesta".

Air Zimbabwe has in the past flown one passenger because tourists shun this country. It is one thing to have an idea and another to implement and evaluate it. I am not sure the gains of the carnival, if any, are known. Is it not time to go out and market Zimbabwe, spruce up its image, change discourse and policies to fit the image of an international player?

From a moral point of view, locals have sought to compete with the Samba girls of Brazil by parading near-undressed on the streets. The fact that the Brazilians put on socks that give an impression of being undressed is lost to some local women who end up going from one end of the city to the other with bare chests and skimpy skirts. The carnival has not helped our adolescents' in terms of morals, it is more of an ogling show.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, ministry of Tourism led by Patrick Zhuwao in an acting capacity and lately the Home Affairs ministry and the Censorship Board were seized with the Zodwa Wabantu issue throughout the week— culminating in the "ban". What an opportunity for board fees! Unfortunately, they were working in reverse because Zodwa had already been paid and she said so to South African newspapers. Where do we locate due process in this charade?

While we are preoccupied with Zodwa, cash shortages persist and the $300 million that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya promised is still a pie in the sky.
Unemployment persists and poverty levels continue to worsen. Those who live with HIV and Aids are anxious because reports are pointing to a shortage of anti-retroviral drugs that sustain them.

The Zimbabwe International Book Fair held recently and the ongoing Zimbabwe International Film Festival do not seem to get much attention from ministries and related government departments. A film that showcases our tourist attractions will obviously do a better job to market the country than a South African artist sans underwear. Why are we amplifying Zodwa at the expense of bread and butter issues? Does it really matter that she does not put on panties when all the essentials are covered? Just like Zanu-PF factional fights, Zodwa is an unwanted sideshow. Who pays an artist and then tries to change what defines the performer? It seems some leaders act on whim and that is costly moneywise and in terms of how we are perceived by the world.