adminBongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
A DAY after Zimbabweans commemorated King Mzilikazi’s death at Mhlahlandlela on the outskirts of Bulawayo, the country’s oldest football club Highlanders completed a memorable double over arch rivals Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium.
Highlanders FC was founded in 1926 by King Lobengula’s grandsons, Albert and Rhodes, direct descendants of King Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele nation.
Just as King Mzilikazi formed his kingdom by conquering other nations and integrating them into his kingdom, Highlanders FC also prides itself in embracing people of diverse cultures, hence it’s called ithimu yelizwe lonke (team of the nation).
It is against this backdrop that Bosso fans from all walks of life this week expressed their delight about beating Dynamos on various social media platforms, which they littered with pictures, videos and memes praising their team and lampooning their bitter foes.
World leaders such as South African President Jacob Zuma and America’s Barack Obama were used to make fun of Dynamos through hilarious memes.
“DeMbare nezvihuta same same kunaka (DeMbare and quail bird meat are the same, they are both delicious),” read one meme that had SA president Zuma.”
Another one that had Mahatma Ghandi read: “iDeMbare bakithi (Woe unto DeMbare).”
One that had a child holding a cup as if saying: “MaDeMbare zveleague kanganwai iyo ndiyo cup yamuchasimudza gorerino (DeMbare fans forget about the league, this is the only cup you will raise this year).”
A popular meme depicted children giggling with words added which said: “Sesisaba nokuhleka, kozekuthwe sihleka iDempare (We’re now afraid to laugh, as people will think we’re laughing at DeMbare).”
Some also shared pictures of celebrations at Dr Joshua Nkomo’s statue at the intersection of 8th Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street in Bulawayo.
Videos of fans celebrating all over the city, country and other parts of the world were also shared showing what it meant to them to complete a league double over their nemesis.
Bosso had last beaten DeMbare home and away in the league way back in 2006 and last Sunday’s feat was sweet for their followers. The victory also coincides with Highlanders FC’s ongoing 90 years celebrations.
Yesterday, some football fans on various social media platforms even suggested that our sister paper B-Metro’s banner headline should have read
Mourning after pill shortage after Bosso win instead of Morning after pill shortage after Bosso win.
Other fans condemned the media for insinuating that Highlanders was a football team exclusively for one tribe.
This follows the prominence given to a picture of a deranged fan on the back page of a leading newspaper at Barbourfields Stadium carrying a placard inscribed with tribal slurs.
Expressing their displeasure on Twitter and Facebook, fans questioned why pictures of Bosso fans carrying numerous banners condemning tribalism, hooliganism and violence were not preferred over the offensive message.
They warned that such selective reporting was dangerous and could unintentionally instigate exactly the opposite of what the media intended.
Online Reporter