Creatives in elections

On Wednesday, Zimbabweans headed to various polling stations across the country to cast their votes to elect councillors, MPs and the President and among the contesting candidates was a cohort of creatives from diverse art forms.

These artistic visionaries, driven by a desire to uplift both their communities and fellow artistes, embraced the challenge of politics, aiming to use their influence for positive change.

The journey began with Dingumuzi Phuti, a board member of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura), who successfully secured a seat as the National Assembly representative for the Bulilima Constituency under the Zanu- PF party.

Another creative, Dr Omphile Marupi, also of Zanu-PF, emerged victorious as the MP for the Gwanda South constituency.

The music maestro known as DJ Phuti, secured his victory against his opponent Bekezela Maplanka from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). Similarly, Marupi, an executive producer at Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s Montrose Studios in Bulawayo, triumphed over CCC’s Patrick Dube.

While musician and dancer Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi, running under Zanu-PF for a council seat in Ward 20 Pelandaba-Tshabalala, lost, her efforts to support youth empowerment in the arts sector were notable. She had previously partnered with Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube to donate studio equipment, confirming her commitment to uplifting emerging artists.

CCC’s Desire Moyoxide who is a poet was duly elected MP for Nkulumane Constituency.

On a different note, poet Prince Mazilankatha Ncube, also known as Dr Gasolo, graciously accepted his loss. He highlighted the significance of participation of artistes in national elections.

“I’m very excited about everything. Even the response I am getting from the residents is amazing. Some are coming to my house, some are texting me telling me that they voted based on the party status but they really believe in me so I mustn’t abandon them, I must help them especially the youths,” he said.

Ncube said the creative sector has been neglected for a long in Zimbabwe.

“I’m very happy to see creatives taking a stand to contest these positions of influence so that they can go there and demonstrate how the creative sector must be treated,” he said. — @MbuleloMpofu.