By Fortune Tazvida
President Robert Mugabe has released a ‘jangling Afro’ tune complaining about British colonial rule in an attempt to boost his waning popularity. The 87 year old with a croaky voice is trying to re-invent himself as a pop singer using the song Toita Sei? which translated means “What Shall We Do?”
After Mugabe lost elections in March 2008, his security forces under the Joint Operations Command led a murderous campaign countrywide to punish voters for his defeat to Morgan Tsvangirai. Over 500 opposition supporters were killed and Mugabe has already been warned the same voters will retaliate via the ballot box.
Using his monopoly of the state broadcast TV and Radio stations Mugabe’s new song and video is being played monotonously especially before news bulletins. His supporters have also gone around Harare distributing the CD to commuter bus operators to play while carrying passengers. Those who refuse to do so are being threatened.
In the song Toita Sei Mugabe tells how native Africans were oppressed by their British colonisers. “In those days youths were of the mistaken belief that this country belonged to the British. Some even believed that they were under British colonial rule because of God’s will. What shall we do with Rhodesians?” he says.
The song is featured on the album Nhaka Yedu/Our Heritage by a group called the Born Free Crew. Minister of Information Webster Shamu is listed as the executive producer of the album. Although other parties like the MDC-T also have their campaign songs, these are banned from being played by the state broadcaster. Nehanda Radio.com
