Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
We are a family of Zimbabweans and traveled to South Africa recently. We had occasion to go to a musical theatre where some of the songs were chosen by the audience with a dedication.
Our choice was “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John. It was dedicated to “The People of Zimbabwe who are suffering under the tyrannical rule of Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF”. This was announced over the public address system. It was to register our protest!!
In reality there we were in South Africa where there is freedom, freedom of expression, association and democratic space for politics and yet we came from a country that is denied these basic human rights. As a family we felt obligated to do something for our compatriots and our beloved home, Zimbabwe.
If only to get the message through to just a few South Africans in a public arena! We felt that something had been achieved in the this almost silent struggle against an evil and despotic regime.
September 4th, 2006 12:44
What was the reaction of the South Africans in the theater to the political statement in behalf of Zimbabwe freedom? Did they cheer, or boo? Did they applaud, or remain motionless? Or were they silent, as if embarrassed?
‘Be free,’ Sokwanele