STRIPPING ZODWA

SOUTH African Rebecca Libram, popularly known as Zodwa Wabantu, was little known in Zambia until recently when her invitation and accompanying video clips went viral showing her pulling off her underwear on stage while skimpily dressed. After depositing her underwear at the rear, Zodwa then trots to the edge facing the crowd from the high stage and wriggles her waist; her legs fully exposed. This generated heated debate on social media and other platforms from last week until the National Arts Council (NAC) advised organisers that Zodwa could not be allowed to perform in Zambia. An appeal has since been lodged. There are so many entertainers in Zambia who expose their bodies but at no time do they pull off and expose their underwear on stage. If a woman pulls off her pants on stage, what does she intend to show to the audience? This is the question which needs to be addressed. The cultural patterns in Africa may be similar but certainly there are certain levels that do not apply in all countries. In Zambia, a woman removing her underwear on stage and wriggling vigorously would be too much for the audience. Some people may argue that there is much more nakedness happening on streets dominated by commercial sex workers, but should we drift further into abhorrence! Therefore, the NAC is on firm ground not to have granted clearance for Zodwa to perform in this country. Indeed, Zambia needs to uphold national and cultural values; public interest must be safeguarded at all times. Organisers may have already spent colossal sums of money in organising the shows, but they ought to have reviewed her dancing antics which certainly are out of order in this country. In other countries in Africa, strip tease does happen in night clubs perhaps because they have assumed certain practices through interaction with settlers. In such countries, the legal regime still has laws introduced in the colonial era. As South African High Commissioner to Zambia Sikose Mji noted, values are different particularly that this is a Christian country. Secularism in other countries is at play hence the neutrality on matters of religion. The action to deny clearance is not meant to stifle the entertainment industry but to protect Zambia’s national values. Entertainment plays an important role in human development, but should not exceed limits to the extent of corrupting the moral fibre of a country. That said, entertainment can be used to educate the people through dance, poetry, drama and games but such performances must never be offensive or despicable to the audience. Secondly, entertainment can also be used as a tool to disseminate information to a large audience and also to trace history and cultural values. In doing so, decency is paramount. A specific message or idea ought to come out clearly to benefit the audience which in turn can pass on the benefits to other people. Valuable ideas from entertainment must be embedded in the larger segment of society. Now, what message does stripping send to the audience; a woman pulling off her underwear and thereafter dancing suggestively! In particular, it appears the proponents of allowing Zodwa to perform in Zambia are mostly men. This goes beyond entertainment, but an intention to watch nakedness. It is important to explore the Word of God in greater detail all the time and not when one is in distress. God must be praised both in times of joy and also in time of sorrow. Thus, it will be advisable for men and women to always maintain integrity, decency and Christianity during day and night. There is a tendency to behave differently in secluded places and under the cover of the night. The Bible is explicit. In the book of Matthew 5:28 it says, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Let’s set our eyes on decency!