I will begin by quoting the words of Paul Wellstone who states that there are three critical ingredients to democratic renewal which encompass progressive change, and these are good public policy, grassroots organising and electoral politics.
My rhetoric is with regard to the question of how the quest for freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution remains of relevance with regard to political opinions.
Issues of politics and development are entwined in as much as the issues of how the arts and politics have a correlation. In view of the recently held polls in Zimbabwe, artists too as public figures have a voice and opinion with regard to how politics affects our daily lives.
In my view, I consider the artists as the fifth estate and a socio-political compass because their music, visual art, theatre or poetry addresses the everyday issues of development which have a link with the issues of politics.
In writing this article, I had to take a radical and risky approach to have the first hand opinion of different artists on how the electoral and political processes in Zimbabwe can be enhanced.
Real and visible development is what is needed as it has an effect on the arts sector, which somehow I cannot call an industry.
A sad reality is when artists have to speak on issues that relate to politics, and the fear of arrest and intimidation.
But an artist is a voice of reason, an artist is an advocate for social justice, and artists have rights of opinion regardless of political affiliation.
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The centrality of being a true artist is in the ability to be critical and open minded and in the same instance be able to encourage and strengthen citizen participation as voters or politicians.
But there is one saying that I will also quote which says accept both compliments and criticism as it takes both sun and rain for a flower to grow.
It is a saying that opens up the mind because it speaks of the essence of true freedom of expression which is something of need within our politically volatile environment, because politics is like art where compliments and criticism have to be accepted.
Patriach “Bhila” Manyabi was one artist who was open to the conversation of the panacea to the socio-political crisis hurdling our locale. It is of note that he hails from Cowdray Park which was one of most anticipated constituencies in Bulawayo because of how Zanu PF candidate Professor Mthuli Ncube had launched a campaign trail promising fast-tracked development which failed to attract votes and it resulted in a resounding win to CCC candidate Pashor Sibanda.
Manyabi outlined how politics is typical of a game of thrones where the politicians are in a quest for self aggrandizement with campaigns being tools used to lure the masses to vote for them.
"The concept of development is supposed to be an everyday thing that politicians have to practice every time and not on a seasonal basis when election time has come," Manyabi said.
"For the electorate and the citizenry as a whole, the aspect of how they were voting was driven by emotions and anger over the socio-economic turmoil and the poor delivery of services, which in Cowdray Park was a problem."
From this response from Manyabi, it can be said that an economy which is not well functioning can become something that is problematic even in the arts sector as artists cannot thrive in an underperforming economy. This is the case with Zimbabwe.
Good economic development is the panacea to a fully-fledged industry and this also stretches to the need for local broadcasters to open up the air waves beyond propaganda, but to the provision of content with a meaning.
Nkosilondile “Static” Sikupa was of the view that: "If we are brave let's contest and get into the political race so that we become part of policy makers who will prioritise the arts industry, and resuscitate all arts centres in our townships because some are no longer functioning, and make community halls accessible to artists. I am happy the likes of Desire Moyo who is in the arts sector have finally took that route and he managed to win a Parliamentary seat for Nkulumane which is a powerful step in the right direction. Mention can also be given to the likes of Nigel Ndlovu and even Sandra Ndebele who took the brave step of participating in the recent elections,” he said.
The truth about politics is with regard to its tricky nature in that an artist in politics can at times be also drained of their creativity.
As creatives and artists, our call is enmeshed in a deeper spirituality and resonance which is in a great many times useful for the betterment of humanity through an artist providing well curated creative works.
In the context of politically charged environments, we as artists have a role of enlightening, educating, raising awareness, unifying people and also the ability to console.
This means that before someone supports any political party, they are henceforth able to fulfill these simple artistic requisites and an artist has the responsibility of leading the artists in the right direction.
One critical point that Manyabi also managed to address was with regard to how as artists we should be there to advocate for justice to dilute politics of tribalism and politics of propaganda.
“Collaborations with artist from other tribes, can create relations between fans from different tribes and addressing it through our art in a creative way. A divided nation doesn't grow because “siyabe sinyathezelana phansi” (pulling each other down) and we don't see any good from other tribes - we only see negatives. There is too much self sabotage emanating from tribal differences and this is what we have to fight against."
Patience Tauro, a female artist outlined the challenges with regards to the participation of women in politics and how the political field in Zimbabwe is highly emasculated.
She added that the plight of sexualisation and objectification of females is a challenge looking at how people mocked the electoral loss by Sandra Ndebele through body shaming which is unethical no matter the case.
She linked this with how it is also synonymous to the arts industry which remains male dominated and shrouds the ability of women to be participative in the arts sector just like what is reflected in politics.
I will conclude by quoting the words of former United States President Barak Obama where he says “Part of what we have to do a better job of, if our democracy is to function in a complicated diverse society like this, is to teach our kids enough critical thinking to be able to sort out what is true and what is false, what is contestable and what is incontestable. And we seem to have trouble with that”.
Artists have a role in enlightening the society and they have the right to have a freedom of political opinion which is a critical tool that can enhance development and growth.
Raymond Millagre Langa is a musician, orator, writer and the founder of Indebo Edutainment Trust Follow Millagre Ray Langa on Facebook #Millagre Ray L, e-mail [email protected]. You can reach out to Indebo Edutainment Trust on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter [email protected]
