One of Africa’s most notorious leaders, President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, just made the most controversial statement of the year about Jamaicans.
While speaking at the country’s Research and Intellectual Expo 2012, Mugabe made the damning statements, labeling Jamaican men as “drunks and weed smokers, who are ruled by women.”
This is what the President who oppressed his own people for decades has to say:
“In Jamaica, they have freedom to smoke mbanje, varume vanogara vakadhakwa (men are always drunk) and universities are full of women. The men want to sing and do not go to colleges vamwe vanobva vamonwa musoro (some are dreadlocked). Let us not go there.”
President Mugabe is also insinuating that Jamaican culture is heavily influencing the people of Zimbabwe. Without doubts Zimbabweans have a strong liking for reggae/dancehall culture, but such an ignorant statement from a head of state will dissuade Jamaican entertainers from performing in the African country.
Several reggae artists have since take time out to weigh in on Mugabe’s controversial statement, including Sizzla Kalonji, who performed at a concert in 2010 in honor of his birthday, Tony Rebel, Cocoa Tea and more.
This is what Sizzla said:
“Black people are beautiful and courageous, strong, educated and we should keep our heads up and keep sailing high and be determined towards our goals as Zimbabweans and Jamaicans. I personally took no offence to the statement. Marijuana is a holy sacrament being used in the nyahbinghi churcical chanting and singing is a part of our culture from ancient of days, it’s even in the bible where Psalms of David said we should sing and give praise unto the most high.”
“We love the president and he should assist us as black people to overcome the phangs of hell daunted unto us by the slave masters. He should also take the time and look into our educational system and living conditions, and see how best he can help us towards the redemption and repatriation of our people to Africa.”
This is what Tony Rebel said:
“President Mugabe is a man who I have revolutionary respect for but I say ‘you are wrong Mr. President’ because I am a Jamaican, and I don’t smoke and drink for years and I know of many other Jamaicans who don’t smoke. That statement is not a true reflection of us as a people because not everybody wants to sing and a lot of our sons are in colleges and the president needs to do his research.”
“That statement was meant to be an insult but it’s actually a compliment because it is because the Jamaican culture is so influential why he found it necessary to include Jamaica in such a distinguished lecture. I wish him the best of health and hope he is not getting senile because he is over 80 years old and he needs to find a successor.”
This is what Cocoa Tea said:
“That statement is not a true reflection of us as people. Jamaicans are way better than that and we are leaders but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Sizzla is an educated artiste who has his degree for example. I don’t really know how he came up with that conclusion.”
Whats your thoughts of President Mugabe’s controversial statement?
Sound off below.
the one without sin shall cast the first stone
Breddrens of Jamaica I n I give my best of apologise,mi nah dreadlocked but a mi a rasta in mind in heart and in soul,I believe Jah di most high nah man by him looks nor appricilove him by him actions.Ras Bob Marley say One love One Jah One Destiny,I n I is from Zimbabwe noff Respect Peace and Love Breddrens from Jamaica
Sowi Jamaicans , di president was mis-quoted…we are bredas.. nwae di president apologised.
Dnt confuse,MUGABE was neva ina light y keep Mengistu.fya burn satanists hobialists
Wtf!!
Wtf!!
a real frent tellz yu wen yu do something wrong.
a real frent tellz yu wen yu do something wrong.
thats a fact even if there are hurted ndezvekwavo, smoking weed every hour zvinoita here? let them go to school after they lesson from the elders, he knw wht he was saying, if they are lke that trieng reacting hazvibatsiri vari vamwe dai vavekutodzidza coz the Jamaicans vave kuzvinyanya basa ndiro rokumona bvudzi and smoking weed, 2 much of evrything becomes monotonous
yu cn sae tht again weed is smoked in zim almst in vry household bt nt to mek it lawfull and a chore lyk the jamaicanz tht is barbaric and undirectional
dis z an ishu of opinions! Bare noise weh nuh amount to nothing…a renowned historian ina mi country malawi 1nce said jamaicanz ful of talk bt long left hardwork in slave days! No wonder em do nt much and are poor suh! ..u c? Opinions are o ova only to b proven otherwise or left like suh! There’s no ishu here gwan a sleep! Any1 cn say anythin….bt personaly mi haf nof respek fi jamaican people..JAHOVA BLESS UNO LAND AND PIPO! Zeen!
Jamaicans, do not stop sing about Jamaica and do not stop making regular tours to Zimbabwe coz its people love the statements you make about peace and feedom, this old man is just afraid that his people can now are the light
Now I don’t expect better from him because this man is a clost friend with Mengestu and him evil regeem in Ethiopia agains king sela$$ie I, so I think him have him reason to say these things about jamaican man and most of all rasta.
, him need to do some research about us…
Now I don't expect better from him because this man is a clost friend with Mengestu and him evil regeem in Ethiopia agains king sela$$ie I, so I think him have him reason to say these things about jamaican man and most of all rasta.
, him need to do some research about us…
I think Mugabe he is not suppose to judge or give this kinds of statement any way jah love we will show him one bright day or he will see it himself so do not worry one love
Sela$$i went kissing the backside of the imperialists instead of rallying Afrikans
Apologies to the government,our president is old now,ONE LOVE
On behalf of my fellow Zimboz, let me take this oppotunity to send my sincere apologies to all Jamaicans.Blessings n Mo Love.
On behalf of my fellow Zimboz, let me take this oppotunity to send my sincere apologies to all Jamaicans.Blessings n Mo Love.
No hard feeling, the man never predicted the outcome.He was trying to demonstrate something thr,unfortunately….
Wat wrong had they done nw••ONE LOVE !!
Tht was an insult n dont think we wld hv bn glad if it hd bn directed to us frm somewhere
Shannize, you are an idiot. You are probably one of them who would prefer to be kissing the rectum of the white men who ruled Zim before they were set straight. Where is your pride? Where is your brain? Dont you know that the economy of Zim was sabotaged to let weak minded ones like you turn your back on your liberators? Were your fathers among those who were helping the Rhodesians? In that case you are well and truly defeated, hence your sedition. You want to roll over and die, so do it quietly and dont try to bring others to their destruction too. Encourage them to take up the challenge, while you smile with who hates you.
Rock Stone,an idiot is he who thinks that Jamaica is a white man's paradise.i wonder if u hv ever come across an atlas or study slave trade history.u seem to hv little brains tht cnt identify an insult in its simplest form.refferring sovereign pipo as "drunkards" is not only stupid bt pathetic.
You know nothing of the fight black men had for freedom in the Americas, and less about that fight in Afrika. You seem to be among them who kiss the white man's backside after he defacates on you, and then fight those who cut his a$$ for it. Many men in the Americas and Afrika have developed into such sickening bastards that their women actively look for the pale weakling, who will use their womb to cut your life. You and the Afrikans who fight Mugabe are the spineless traitors. They screw up your economy for you, and you blame him. Are you too lazy to think? Well your enemies think for you, needless to say, without your best interests at heart. If you do not rise to a chellenge, you fall under it. Just dont pull the valiant down with you when you trampled into the dirt by those who wish to inherit your land when you are defeated; not just mentally as you are now.
Vana Roki Sithole tibvireipo mhani!
He has nothing better to offer for us his people now he just talking rubbish, Jamaicans are our people too.He fear the relationship of zimbabweans and jamaicans will bring a lot of strength that will destroy his tyrant government…….
we forgive u sir a man at your age we expect sh-t to come out of your mouth senile would be the appropriate thing to say god bless u in your last days lol.
He has nothing better to offer for us his people now he just talking rubbish, Jamaicans are our people too.He fear the relationship of zimbabweans and jamaicans will bring a lot of strength that will destroy his tyrant government…….
Wah kinda statement dat Sizzla mek? Mugabe is like Saka Zullu, a sell out him black breddas.
RISE UP TO THE OCCASION ON ONE CAN STOP U.
RISE UP TO THE OCCASION ON ONE CAN STOP U.
Jamaica… my homeland. Can’t keep us down.
HOW FAR TRUE IS THIS? IF HE DID SAY THAT THEN MY APOLOGIES TO ALL THE JAMAICANS..I KNOW A LOT OF EDUCATED, ALCOHOL OR SMOKE FREE JAMAICANS BUT DON’T FORGET EVERY 1 IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINION….LIFE GOES ON STILL…NUH WATCH DAT! ONE LOVE
HOW FAR TRUE IS THIS? IF HE DID SAY THAT THEN MY APOLOGIES TO ALL THE JAMAICANS..I KNOW A LOT OF EDUCATED, ALCOHOL OR SMOKE FREE JAMAICANS BUT DON'T FORGET EVERY 1 IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINION….LIFE GOES ON STILL…NUH WATCH DAT! ONE LOVE
Stereotype innit?????,
N
As a Zimbabwean i feel ashamed that such stereotyping should come out of the mouth of a head of state!apoligies to all jamaicans
Jamaica… my homeland. Can't keep us down.
Dem LOVE lick gainst wi suh?!!
I liked the Answer Sizzla gave.
considering the man behind the staement, you really think anyone will take him seriously. and not everyone subscribes to this kind of thinking in the motherland
Sizzla lik him bomboclaat head wha di f**k kinda response dat.
Me as Zim tha president is getting old nd he spoke out of terms he shld face tha facts Weed is a holy sacrament he was wrong 2 judge otha pples he don knw my apologies 2 all Jamaicans we love reggea music it kept us strong thru out of tha years of suffering he is wrong 2 say this
Perhaps Mugabe needs to take a look at the man in the mirror. Mugabe has destroyed the economy along with the infrastructure of Zimbabwe and has most of its citizens living in abject poverty and desperation. Rather than doing something constructive for his country and its people he finds fault with Jamaica and its people and is now trying to blame the social ills of Zimbabwe on Jamaica. In making blanket statements about Jamaica without any research to support his a$$ertion, shows Mugabe's lack of intelligence or perhaps senility. President Mugabe should take a visit to Jamaica in order to be educated about the people, culture and also learn a lesson in social responsibility which has escaped his governmental policies.
Mugabe is right. One should not paraphrase what he said. Leave that for the mutual enemies, the ones whe sabotaged the econony of Zim only to jump around saying it wasnt me, it was him. He issues a chgllenge for you to fix yourselves.. The colleges are full of women while the men are trying to kill each other and many cant even put a sentence together. Some use weed like junkies and have no ambition. Mugabe knows what it is like to rise to the occasion in defense of his country. Jamaican men did so in the past, yes, but on a whole could not do it today's context as most have disregarded the aspirations and the intentions of their forefathers. If there was a need for further armed struggle in Zim, could he count on Jamaican men for victorious help? Some say how much they love Afrika, but who will fight to win? Zim and JA have similar issues. When Jamaican men fix themselves, then other men are uplifted too
i cant believe wht came out of his mouth.. i love jamaica! my husband is full blown jamaican and he doesnt smoke nor drink.. im not jamaican but i feel the pain because tht sh-t is not cool at all stereotyping which is not cool!!! i love the vibe around yall.. smh cant believe tht old man..
Sizzla lik him bomboclaat head wha di f**k kinda response dat.
a very mature one, much like the others, which will certainly invalidate Mugabe's comment. should he have cussed pure badword and make Mugabe look like he had credibility. i think not!
He was mild. he lives in Zimbabwe sometimes!
jamaicans we love you we are from one womb..BLACK WOMAN AND CHILD..even bunny wailer said it beautifullt in his song boderation..you are family and we are proud of the achievements and inspiring leaders from bugle to HON.Marcus moziah Gurvey..so don let the comment of one person get to you..if we remve him ther is 999,000,000 who did’nt that..we drink eat sleep and fall sick reggae style..reggae is life..but sometimes mybe its the things likes of vybz, tommy lee and other vanity polluted y’uts that are giving this picture..because how can a man who invited bob marley to thier independence day and sizzla say something like that..we love jam’dwn..selah!
jamaicans we love you we are from one womb..BLACK WOMAN AND CHILD..even bunny wailer said it beautifullt in his song boderation..you are family and we are proud of the achievements and inspiring leaders from bugle to HON.Marcus moziah Gurvey..so don let the comment of one person get to you..if we remve him ther is 999,000,000 who did'nt that..we drink eat sleep and fall sick reggae style..reggae is life..but sometimes mybe its the things likes of vybz, tommy lee and other vanity polluted y'uts that are giving this picture..because how can a man who invited bob marley to thier independence day and sizzla say something like that..we love jam'dwn..selah!