Zodwa’s ‘moral crime’ is her public declaration

EDITOR — Last week, Zimbabwe was abuzz with news regarding one Zodwa Wabantu’s participation at the Harare International Carnival.

Debate centred on whether or not it was “culturally” and “morally” acceptable for the undergarment-loathing personality to be part of that grand event.Well, actress Anne Nhira didn’t think it acceptable, so did the Censorship Board. Both objections were based on “cultural travesty”.

But I beg to differ. Barring Zodwa from the carnival has nothing to do with cultural infringement, but has everything to do with vertical as opposed to lateral reasoning. Me thinks she has kicked up so much dust because of her popularity and nothing more.

Otherwise there are many other knicker-free characters roaming the streets in Zimbabwe and elsewhere.

This “fashion sense” appears to have been introduced in the West and then adopted widely around 2010/11.

I remember a female colleague sharing with me at the time that jeans were more comfortable without undergarments. I was a bit bemused, but could I cross-check that claim? Absolutely not!

I believe there are several likeminded “fashionistas”. The only difference between them and Zodwa is that the latter is a celebrity and they are not. The other is that she declared the concealed and they have not.

The South African’s “moral crime” was her public declaration.

There is nothing wrong, though, with such a declaration as long as the “metaphysical” remains abstract to our dear “custodians of culture” and her fans.

Has Zodwa flashed anything out of the ordinary in public? No. Will other dancers invited to the carnival show a little too much? So much for “cultural travesty”.

Chamunorwa, Chitungwiza.