Wenslus Murape
ZIMBABWEANS were this week reminded that the Cancel Culture is not yet embraced and might never work.
According to the internet, cancelling is a kind of online “witch hunt”—often conducted by strangers and based on rumours, speculations, and malicious intentions—that can lead to unprecedented levels of humiliation and reputation damage.
It adds that cancellation culture is a modern form of ostracism in which a person is publicly condemned and boycotted.
According to those who believe in the process, it promotes accountability for wrongdoings, raises awareness of social issues, promote ethical conduct, influences change, encourages inclusivity and tolerance among other supposed attributes.
The most recent attempt to the Cancel Culture was on the Kingdom World Tour gospel show, which was staged at the Glamis Arena on Monday.
This was based on rumours, speculation and malicious intent on both main acts Maverick City and Kirk Franklin, which started at the start of last month and resulted in the original line-up of supporting acts pulling out of the gig and these included Tembalami, Annatoria, The Unveiled and Takesure Zama.
A social media campaign ensued and many Christians, deemed “holier than thou”, pushed the Satanism narrative so much that it almost became a fact. They vowed never to set foot at the Glamis Arena and also never to watch any footage from the event.
The campaign was vicious so much that a weaker organiser would have been forced to call it off but the show schedule was maintained as if nothing was happening on social media.
And when the show was kept on schedule, the Cancel Culture wish was that the American gospel artists would before the organisers only.
However, things on the ground were different. Thousands of gospel lovers thronged the Glamis Arena to enjoy a race occasion.
It turned out that many people followed the proceedings on social media, especially the Star FM platforms as they were the official media partner, and a number seemed to regret not being there after obliging to the cancel campaign.
The biggest twist was Annatoria’s performance on stage despite her pulling out from the event last month. It suggested that her withdrawal was more of peer pressure than her own decision. In the end the attempt to cancel the event flopped.
But this is just one of many such campaigns that have flopped in Zimbabwe. Recently there was a campaign to demonise hip-hop artist Holy Ten on political grounds and posts on various social media platforms gave the impression no one would listen or follow his new projects.
However, on Tuesday he dropped a video for Gamu Part 2 and it had attracted over 120 000 views inside 24 hours and placing it on number five Trending for music on You Tube and in excess of 2500 comments, mostly of appreciation.
Clearly the Cancel Culture is not working in Zimbabwe.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter