Former Springbok star, Tendai The Beast Mtawarira’s recent interview has torched a social media storm with some saying he was bad-mouthing about Zimbabwe.
Mtawarira who was explaining why he left Zimbabwe mentioned the “collapsing economy”, “the fast track land reform” and “a lot of commotion” in the country and this did not go well with many social media users. He said:
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Pindula News present some of the responses below.
Ntate Mdluli Ranaka @MdluliNtate
He went to the best schools in the land, but according to him he left Zimbabwe because there were a lot of bad things happening, there was a lot of commotion, land grabs & people were getting kicked out of their farms.
What is it with Zimbabweans & bad-mouthing their country?
I left Zimbabwe to pursue my ruby career after I got awarded a scholarship by Sharks. It’s that simple!
David Tinashe Hofisi @DavidHofisi
We were taught to ingratiate ourselves to whiteness by espousing neoliberal contempt for pro-poor and pro-indigenous black empowerment reforms. Nothing would please the interviewer than showing sympathy for her kind and how they were (mis)treated by Muuugobhiiii
Gerald Maguranyanga PILOT @maguranyanga
My bro @beast_TM I’ve proudly supported your whole career but this I’ll call out. STOP bad-mouthing Zimbabwe on privileged platforms. Land reform was hectic but è correct thing. You left Zim for S/Africa for better opportunities. Simple
Majaira Jairosi @MJairosi
ZanuPF idiots always think telling the truth is akin to bad-mouthing.
Minister of Shurugwi @tamiswa_njovana
We must agree on how whites initially got the land. Party aside. Insults aside. Don’t u think?
#AspiringDictator @JaqueSand
Sometimes when all is going well it’s best to remain quiet. The minute you open your mouth and things go downhill
TapiwaNjikizana @tapnjiks
Beast was sharing his truth and objectively speaking a few million other Zimbabweans agreed with his assessment and left. He didn’t criticise the land grabs he just correctly assessed that they caused confusion. He’s been a great ambassador for brand Zimbabwe, very proud of him.
Dr. Mziwandile Ndlovu @Thwalimbiza
Were you not listening? He says his folks didn’t have much. Sending him to that good school came at great sacrifice to them. He went to Azania with only R2 000. More proof of humble beginnings.He used to walk to rugby practice when teammates drove luxury vehicles.Just truth.
Gerald Maguranyanga PILOT @maguranyanga
Please, Beast was on a rugby scholarship at Peterhouse. You’re all over. And utterly clueless. Anyway, I forgive you. Carry on with your unknowing political angle and unsure “facts”
Nonsense! People crossed into South Africa from RHODESIA since 1940s. Rugby offers solid opportunities in S/Africa. @Beast_TM
moved; earned fantastic rugby opportunities. HOW ON EARTH WAS HIS MOVING CONNECTED TO THE “LAND GRAB.” BTW, è land grab visiting @GovernmentZA
soon... at the very best of times, only one country in Africa, South Africa with decent rugby opportunities. It will be lime that; at least for the next 20 years. Rugby a minority sport. Good players like Beast end up in South Africa or overseas. Simple
Ranga Mataire @rangamataire
The guy is a moron- typical of blacks currying favour from whites to present themselves as pitiful figures. It’s a shame.
@BantuPower
Is believe the answer lies in our largely inherited colonial education system that continues to churn out neo-colonially aligned influencers? Rugby in Zimbabwe & many other African countries was a game of the privileged in society most played in private schools.
Ndini Harare @HarareNdini
But his family members benefitted from land resettlement programme
Admire Ndlovu @admirendlovu9
Tourism ambassador
More: Pindula News; Tendai Mtawarira Biography