Zimbabwe: Sacred ground for Marleys

Obi Egbuna Jnr Correspondent

Africans today are arguably more vulnerable than ever to religious frauds and hustlers that propagate an evangelical doctrine rooted in neo-colonialism and subservience to our former colonial and slave master.

When addressing the Convention People’s party on their 10th anniversary celebration in the Accra Arena on June 12, 1959 Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah eloquently stated: “We reject the carping of those critics who judge us merely by the heights which we have achieved and not the depths from which we started.”

For Zimbabweans who remember that unforgettable night in Rufaro Stadium 36 years ago when a newly independent nation raised its flag, they automatically forced US-EU imperialism to carefully observe that fundamental revolutionary change was taking place.

The West also had to openly acknowledge how they were soundly defeated by a people whom due to their arrogant colonialist disposition deemed intellectually and militarily inferior.

Out of all the VIPs and dignitaries who had the honour and privilege in attendance one special guest without question stood alone, the Pan-Africanist and revolutionary cultural icon Robert Nesta Marley whose unforgettable performance was only overshadowed by President Mugabe’s speech and the lighting of the Eternal Flame.

What was even more compelling than Marley’s performance was his decision to pay out of his pocket to come to Zimbabwe after being told by his manager at the time, Chris Blackwell, he should strongly reconsider.

Marley’s birthplace, Jamaica, happens to be the same place where the Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born. By coming to Zimbabwe Comrade Marley was given the opportunity to do something denied to Garvey in his lifetime – the chance to physically set his foot on indigenous African soil.

Since Zimbabwe has a strong culture of unity that for the most part rejects tribal politics, it would be remiss to ignore that before he came to Harare, Marley had previously visited Ethiopia, Kenya and Gabon. In the words of his lovely widow, Rita Marley, Ethiopia is his spiritual resting place.

While we are grateful to President Mugabe and ZANU-PF for reminding the African world that the brain drain is Africa’s greatest challenge, because the human resource is Earth’s most invaluable treasure, this is part of our never ending struggle to make our cultural and political expression synonymous.

Once this narrative has been digested and embraced by Africans collectively we only hope that Marley’s wife and children won’t be taken aback if those amongst us who embrace our African fighting spirit declare Zimbabwe his political resting place.

This very sentiment appeared to be the vision of Mr Joseph Nyadzayo, chairman of the Zimbabwe Music Awards when he decided to present the Marley family with a posthumous award to Bob Marley during a concert in honour of President Mugabe.

Since Cde Nyadzayo is also President Mugabe’s photographer it was delightful to watch this historic effort spearheaded by a Zimbabwean who understands both the necessity of having long-term vision and chronicling our history for future generations of Africans.

What made this activity stand out is that Zimbabwe as a nation is now 36 years independent and sovereign, which numerically coincides with Marley’s age when he transitioned to the ancestors in 1981.

Africans today are arguably more vulnerable than ever to religious frauds and hustlers that propagate an evangelical doctrine rooted in neo-colonialism and subservience to our former colonial and slave master.

The Rastafarian belief system that Marley championed throughout his career can help us realise that rejecting Judeo Christianity outright is what influenced him to hold Zimbabwe and the Second Chimurenga in such high regard.

Whenever Africa’s daughters and sons study the lyrics of the song “Zimbabwe” it comes as no surprise if they respond like Christians and Muslims after reading and studying prophecy. The following words say it all;

“No more internal power struggle, we come together to overcome the little trouble // Soon we’ll find out who is the real revolutionaries // And I don’t want my people to be tricked by mercenaries.”

What must not be overlooked is that Marley lived in Jamaica at a time when the political tension between the PNP and JLP almost erupted into a civil war.

This reality alone compelled Marley to celebrate the Patriotic Front between Zimbabwe’s liberation movements ZANU and ZAPU. It would not be the least bit surprising if the bravery of Zimbabwe’s top guerrilla commander, Josiah Magama Tongogara, reminded Cde Marley of the Right Excellent Paul Bogle and the famous Morant Bay Rebellion.

What President Mugabe’s detractors fail to accept is that regardless of the volume and redundancy of their malicious propaganda, his role in African and world revolutionary history has been permanently secured, thanks to Operation Sovereign Legitimacy in the Congo, the land reclamation programme and unwavering commitment to indigenisation.

A rather interesting dynamic to follow is whether the Rita Marley Foundation will eventually link up with Zimbabwe.

The Rita Marley Foundation’s principles are based on the principles of love and compassion and also based on the UN Declaration of Human Rights, Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention of the Rights of the Child.

We salute our sister for her water project for the Konkonuru School in Ghana and her commitment to promoting the advancement of education, agriculture and the arts. What needs to be questioned is why she has no humanitarian work taking place in the nation her husband so passionately embraced.

According to Forbes Magazine, Marley ranks fifth on the richest dead celebrity list behind actress Elizabeth Taylor ($25 million), author of Peanuts Charles Schulz ($40 million), singer/actor Elvis Presley ($55 million) and King of Pop Michael Jackson ($140 million). The Marley brand earned $25 million in 2015.

To the surprise of ZIMA who were led to believe the Marleys had accepted the invite, they pulled out at the last minute, which sent a message that Zimbabwe’s Third Chimurenga does not have their family’s support or blessing.

Because a mother’s first instinct is to protect her child, perhaps Queen Mother Marley realised she would have to publicly apologise for the inflammatory lyrics of Rapper Nas on Damien Jnr Gong Marley’s debut album “Welcome to Jamrock”. Perhaps, she would also not be able to leave Zimbabwe without making a commitment to rally artistes to fight US-EU sanctions on Zimbabwe.

The Africans in Jamaica did not properly honour the Honorable Marcus Garvey and the Right Excellent Paul Bogle until the 60s and Queen Nanny of the Maroons until the 70s. Let us remember President Mugabe is a recipient of the Order of Jamaica. In the name of Robert Nesta Marley, may Queen Mother Rita and her family stand in defence of Zimbabwe.

Obi Egbuna Jnr is the US correspondent to The Herald and the External Relations Officer of Zimbabwe-Cuba Friendship Association (ZICUFA). His email address is [email protected]

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