Chimurenga music legend, Thomas Mapfumo, has bemoaned the lack of freedom of expression in the arts. Popularly known as Mukanya, Mapfumo said he had learned of the situation with Winky D who is apparently being isolated for his protest music.
Said Mapfumo to Daily News:
There is no freedom of expression in Zimbabwe which we can talk about. Musicians who criticise leaders and the government in general are deemed enemies of the State and they risk victimisation.
Our government has a tendency to victimise people with opposing views. But be that as it may, our musicians should not shy away from the truth for the good of this country
“I learnt that Winky D is being denied awards because of his music which ruffles government feathers. That is very bad. We need freedom of expression. Some musicians were blackmailed while others’ voices were suppressed in the media and on air waves for questioning the governance system. A few vocal Zimbabwean artistes have been mistreated this way.
In developed countries, presidents such as Donald Trump of America and Theresa May of the United Kingdom are criticised publicly but they do not wage war against musicians and the general public. In Africa, telling the truth is an offence and once you do that you will pay the price,”
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