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Zimbabwe |
PERSONALITIES
Zimbabwe’s leading cartoonist, Tony Namate (38),
says the present situation
the government finds itself in,
could have been avoided if the government)
had listened to the advice
carried in one of his cartoons four years ago
The cartoon in question depicted President Robert Mugabe fleeing his country, following the example former Zaire’s (Now Congo RDC) Mobuto Sese Seko. When that cartoon was published in the privately owned weekly Independent newspaper, the Information Minister at the time, Joyce Mujuru, asked: «What is he (Namate) trying to build in the minds of the people? We are all furious with this cartoon and I don’t think this cartoonist deserves to live in Zimbabwe at all. This is misuse of the right to freedom of thought».
A warning to Government
But, with everything around President Mugabe seeming to be on the verge of collapse, commentators say Namate’s cartoon was prophetic. At the time of writing, there is an acute shortage of fuel and foreign currency. There have been food price riots with rioters calling for the President to quit. The main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has in the past months, moved a motion in Parliament to impeach the President. So the potential for a popular uprising is very real.
Namate says he is now worried that he might be accused by the government of inciting people to violence. But in publishing his cartoon, he feels he is being realistic and patriotic. «I’m probably the most patriotic person around. So, if the people rise up against the government, it won’t be because of my cartoons. The cartoon was addressed to the government and was intended to be a warning. What happened to Mobutu can happen in Zimbabwe, so let the government take heed».
Namate says all his work as a cartoonist is intended to reflect people’s thoughts and political conversation. «In no way am I a human rights campaigner or a politician. I’m just a very ordinary person who happens to have extra-ordinary skills in crystal-ball gazing. I see issues from a radical angle. It will be sad if our country was to collapse, but I’ve been telling you these things for years. I’m in the business as a cartoonist for the people’s sake. I’m just making them aware of their rights. For far too long, they have been told that things are good, but look, well-fed people don’t demonstrate».
Namate is a family man, married with two children. To get around he uses public transport. He once owned a vehicle, but had a mysterious accident a few years ago and says he doesn’t want to talk about it. He lives in the high density suburb of Chitungwiza, 25km south of the capital, Harare. Namate comes from Manicaland province, the homeland of Zimbabwe’s opposition personalities such as the late Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole of ZANU Ndonga; Bishop Abel Muzorewa, the leader of the United African National Council; and Morgan Tsvangirai, the President of the MDC.
Namate is a gifted cartoonist — so much so that no matter how hard he tries to hide himself from the public, whenever he does venture onto Harare’s streets, several people stop him, saying: «Keep up the good work. We’re behind you.»
In the public eye
His employers in the Daily News, made him their representative at their stand at the August 2000 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare. He was also a runner-up in the 2000 Ranan Lurie Political Cartoon Award and received a certificate signed by the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. (The Ranan Lurie Ward was launched in 1999 in recognition of Ranan Lurie, who is considered the world’s best political cartoonist.) Namate was naturally thrilled by the award. «I’m humbled by this award which is the best recognition I have received so far from abroad for my work. But I think the best recognition I have received locally, is from the readers of the Daily News who constantly phone me with their words of encouragement and their suggestions for cartoons,» he said.
Of course, not everyone appreciate Namate’s talents — especially in government circles. Defence Minister Moven Mahachi, former Herald newspaper editor, Bornwell Chakaodza, and Tafataona Mahoso, head of media studies at the Harare Polytechnic College, have openly criticised him. Minister Mahachi described one of Namate’s cartoons as «part of a grand plan to undermine the historical basis of the country, and by extension reverse the revolutionary thrust that the ruling ZANU-PF party strives to instil into the hearts of all Zimbabweans. It is incumbent upon patriotic and proud Zimbabweans to stand up and be counted, by putting a stop to this growing attack on our national heritage, dignity and humanity.»
Mahoso criticised Namate’s cartoons for allegedly promoting and upholding imperialist ideals.
But Namate believes censorship should come from the people not from the State’s spin-doctors. He is supported by veteran Zimbabwean journalist and author, Raymond Choto. Choto says Namate’s cartoons should be viewed in the context of the provisions of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. He says Namate’s message must not be distorted out of fear. «A serious work of art creates debate and this is what Namate’s vision is just doing. We need challenges that provoke the mind, that provide a thinking nation with another alternative».
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