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It captured the trials and tribulations that beset Zimbabwe, as the day by day sagas of the Jaris and Hunis captured the attention of viewers and kept them glued to their screens. Pressing topics of this era like HIV/Aids, teenage pregnancies and small houses were tackled in a manner that grabbed viewers as if by some magnetic force.
One of the stars of the show was Tinopona Katsande, better known to fans of the show as Joyce Huni, who enchanted viewers not only with her on screen elegance, but with her versatility as an actress.
However pictures that surfaced of the actress now turned DJ, were unrecognisable from the beauty that had graced the screens. Her eyes blue and her usually beautiful features grotesquely distorted, Tinopona looked far from the on screen sweetheart that viewers had fell in love with. Indeed the face did not seem fit to be the owner of the voice that warms the hearts of ZiFm listeners on a daily basis.
This was not of her own making as she had been brutally assaulted by her boyfriend after he allegedly took offence at her request that he help with household chores. It was an unfortunate turn of events which was further soured by the comments of people on social networks, mostly men, who threw their sympathies behind the abuser and questioned how Tinopona dared challenge age old patriarchal values in society.
Some may argue that in sympathising with the abuser most men are simply afraid that their own dominance at home may be queried. Despite countless edicts, laws and campaigns advocating for gender equity, it seems the change is only written down on paper but not in the hearts and minds of people, which is where it matters most.
The only good to come from Tinopona’s horrendous ordeal is that it helped to bring to the fore the beast that has been for too long hidden beneath Zimbabwean society’s underbelly. It brought within the public’s eyesight what many would prefer stays hidden.
Tinopona is not a one off case, but there are many women around the country bashed by husbands who find relief in pummelling their wives after a hard day’s work or who feel they can sober up by abusing their daughters after a stint at the local pub. However what makes her case different is that a person of her standing can spread the word about awareness of gender abuse issues quicker.
The pictures of Tinopona’s assault spread like wildfire last week and despite some unwarranted feedback there was an outcry in many quarters. The pictures were not the glitzy, model like, head turning photos of Tinopona that usually leave tongues wagging, but she still managed to get people talking, although for totally different reasons to what we are used to.
Therefore one wonders whether celebrities speaking out can ignite debate about gender violence. The fires of the discussion around domestic abuse seem to be dormant, but when one of the country’s public figures comes out and shares her experiences like Tinopona did, it can only go a long way in reviving that flame.
People on our screens and radios are not the public’s eye only but its ear as well.
Actress and fashion industry personality Sarah Mpofu believes that if more celebrities were to come out and denounce gender based violence it would go a long way in remedying what has for a long time been an undiagnosed ailment in Zimbabwean society.
“I think if people in the public eye were to come out and speak against the abuse of not only women, but men by their spouses and wives, it would go a long way in changing the present situation were some men bash women willy nilly,” she said.
Psychological analysts believe that abusers get satisfaction in making the abused feel lonely and unwanted in the world. By battering the self esteem of victims, abusers can get their victims to feel guilty for and responsible for what is happening to them.
Mpofu believes that by coming out, female celebrities can make women who are abused in society feel they are not the only ones going through such an ordeal.
“If more celebrities were to come out with their stories, it would certainly be more encouraging to women who feel alone out there. They would certainly start to believe that they are not the only ones going through such circumstances,” she said.
If some of the most prominent personalities in the country were to come out with their stories it would also spur other women suffering in silence to give a voice to their silenced screams.
Most cases of abuse go unreported as most women fear victimisation.
A young student in the city, Melissa Ncube, believes that certainly is the case.
“I feel like most women are afraid of reporting their cases of domestic abuse because they think they would be shamed and people out there will ridicule them. If celebrities and other public figures show the public what happens to them away from the cameras I think it would change the way most women think,” she said.
Tomorrow marks the start of 16 days of gender activism. It is at this time that all manner of celebrities will come out voicing their disapproval of gender based violence.
One of the core values of this campaign is stopping the abuse of women. After all is said and done, one hopes that Zimbabwe’s abusers will heed the message and forge a new route for themselves and their loved ones. If not, the 16 days are a temporary ceasefire after which the abuse will begin anew.
Online Reporter