Women silenced during independence celebration

THE coverage of the commemoration of Zimbabwe’s National independence lacked balance in all aspects. While there was a clear gender balance other stakeholders were clearly ignored by the State media.
The absence of the female voice during the commemorations can be linked to the outcome of the 29 March polls at which women that represented the face of the struggle for independence lost.
Oppah Muchinguri, who over the years organized women to actively participate at national events (although in a very partisan manner), fell by the wayside, leaving nobody to stand up for the women during the commemorations.
While there was evident exclusion of the female voice during the Independence Day commemorations stakeholders such as opposition parties were not only sidelined but denounced as enemies attempting to “reverse gains of independence”.
Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara issued independence commemoration statements which were ignored by the State media. Only online publications carried the statements.
The commemorations were concentrated on President Mugabe who seized the opportunity to attack his political opponents such as Tsvangirai and leaders of the United Kingdom and the United States.
Coverage of Mugabe’s fiery speech overshadowed every other person who participated during the Independence Day commemorations.
The media coverage of the commemorations predictable as it also reserved acres of space for Mugabe ahead of any other person.