Brilliant PongoThe Zimbabwe opposition MDC President Nelson Chamisa was reportedly blocked from entering the National Sports Stadium for the memorial concert of the late music superstar and icon Oliver Mtukudzi.
Breaking with the Zimbabwean tradition that welcomes all to mourn the departed the Mnangagwa government blocked the popular and charismatic opposition leader Nelson Chamisa from attending the celebration of the live of Tuku.
When a Christian dies, it is seen as the end of his/her life on earth. A funeral is held for friends and family to grieve for the person who has died and give thanks for their life.
A time to celebrate a life well lived
The Zimbabwean funeral has been transformed. Increasingly, in our days funeral ceremony pay tribute to the deceased’s life instead of mourning their death.
It may be the only thing that’s inevitable in life. But death is changing. Now it’s a time to be joyful.
Instead of looking ahead to the afterlife, Zimbabwean funerals increasingly rejoice in memories of the deceased’s triumphs, relationships and their favourite songs. There’s a phrase for ceremonies like this – “a celebration of life”.
Chamisa who on Thursday sent mourners attending Oliver Mtukudzi’s funeral into frenzy with his moving speech. Was blocked from celebrating the life of a music icon who has united the country following days of political unrest which saw the government unleash the army on its citizens.
Cowardly and unacceptable
According to MDC sources, Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora and Harare Central legislator Murisi Zwizwai had a torrid time trying to restrain state security agents who stood firm and refused to allow Chamisa into the stadium.
Posting on Twitter, Mwonzora expressed his annoyance over the treatment his boss endued at the hands of the state security agents. Mwonzora defined the incident as ‘cowardly’ and unacceptable.
“The decision by state agents to bar Nelson Chamisa from entering the National Sports Stadium is cowardly and totally unacceptable. Although Hon Zwizwai and myself tried to remonstrate with the government ministers present it was to no avail,” Mwonzora wrote.
This incident has left many questioning the sincerity of President Mnangagwa’s call for dialogue to resolve the political and economic crisis obtaining in Zimbabwe after the disputed 2018 harmonized elections.
Meanwhile, Oliver Mtukudzi’s body will lie in state at his ancestral home in Madziwa and will be buried tomorrow afternoon
This article was originally published on OnwardChristianMagazine
