The Tètè á Tètè show

Zimbabwe is grappling with inequality and lack of government accountability. For instance, due to austerity measures that the government has introduced since 2018, inequality has worsened as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Taxes have been raised but the revenue has not been reinvested into human development indicators such as healthcare, quality education & creating jobs jobs for the youth. In addition, the country is losing USD$100 million per month in the gold sector alone due to illicit mineral and financial outflows. This has worsened economic inequality in gold reach areas in the country as the politically connected are only benefitting from these leakages. Thus poverty has grown in the country. The government is not accountable in any way to the people which means that the progressive realization of socio-economic and cultural rights in Zimbabwe remains an elusive dream.

I use the tètè á tètè show to speak truth to power from a social justice perspective on the issues related to inequality and accountability. This show educates Zimbabweans in general and young people in particular on social, economic and political issues such as democratic participation, the Constitution of Zimbabwe in particular socio-economic and cultural rights. This show, hosted with, Nqobizitha Mlambo a socio-economic justice activist in Zimbabwe who has worked in the social justice movement in Zimbabwe and earned a master’s degree in International Development from the University of Manchester, has grown tremendously since its inception in 2017. Through the show, I raise awareness on government corruption, dictatorship, illicit financial flows, inequality, youth unemployment and healthcare challenges in the country.

Watch Episode Betrayal of the Liberation Struggle by Zanu PF

Watch Episode Shaping Politics with Brother Mlambo & Cde Ostallos

 

Ordinary Zimbabweans in general and young people in particular benefit immensely from the project. Through this show, they get to know facts and truths regarding the governance of the country from a social justice perspective. Armed with this knowledge most young people are now actively engaging on social media platforms where they are questioning the State at all levels. This has increased youth agency in civic matters and deepened young people’s awareness and knowledge of their constitutionally guaranteed rights in Chapter 4 of our National Constitution. Other beneficiaries include political activists, policy makers such as Parliamentarians and civil society groups, who use the show as a go to platform for cutting edge social justice analysis and awareness raising.

In a country where the traditional media space is owned and controlled largely by the ruling party and its business associates, most commentary is biased and less factual. My project which uses the social justice principle of truth-telling is a unique platform for alternative views and analysis on pressing social justice issues in Zimbabwe. The show is not owned or controlled at editorial level by any business group, political party nor the government. Thus, my show is independently produced and factual. Moreover, the positive feedback I get online after posting each and every episode demonstrates to me that young people are learning a lot about social justice and how they can actively be involved in demanding for the progressive realization of their social-economic and cultural rights. Most young people ended up registering to to vote in both the 2018 and 2023 elections in Zimbabwe owing to the massive voter education I had done through the show. In addition, my show has also demystified the State for most young people and citizens in general were afraid of questioning the government but when they listen to the show and see how fearlessly I expose the government their agency has been increased. More importantly, my show has brought the Zimbabwean diaspora into the conversation about what is happening in Zimbabwe.

I will use the grant to produce episodes of the show more consistently, that is, 2 episodes per month. To do so, I need money for the production process. For instance, I would use the money to buy equipment such as microphones and complete the setting up of my studio so that I won’t be hiring a studio each time I want to record.