Gazza blasts opposition for not availing drought food

“When Swapo was handing out drought-relief food for the past four years, where was [the opposition]?” So asked musician and ruling party member Lazarus ‘Gazza’ Shiimi during a mobilisation meeting at Okahandja last weekend.

The popular musician, who received N$2.5 million in 2014 to exclusively campaign for Swapo, tore into the opposition during the event headlined by Kunene governor Marius Sheya as the main speaker.

The ‘Brandewyn’ hitmaker accused opposition parties of only reappearing during election time and not being involved in activities such as building roads, implying that Swapo did this after being re-elected into power in 2019.

“If they claim they are ready and capable to rule this country better than Swapo, where were they these past four years when Swapo was giving out drought-relief food, building roads and drilling boreholes?” he wanted to know.

Gazza went on to bash the opposition parties’ rallies, saying that the money they are using for flashy campaigns and huge fleets of vehicles could have been put to better use assisting communities.

“They [opposition parties] are now here travelling from one corner of the country to another non-stop, [hosting campaigns]. Where did this money that was used to buy cars and conduct campaigns come from [if they could not join Swapo to help communities?]” he fumed in Oshiwambo.

He was seemingly referring to the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which unveiled a much-publicised fleet of vehicles in February.

‘No space for nonsense’

In reference to an Oshiwambo expression, Gazza said “an empty pot can be filled with anything, just like a basket half-filled with mahangu flour can be topped off with sand”.

He cautioned Namibians against being empty baskets that can easily be filled with negative influences or undesirable content. “I am a child of Swapo. They fought for our independence, so I will die in Swapo. I will not let my basket be filled with sand. There is no space for nonsense,” he stressed.

Taking another jab at opposition parties, Gazza said they will “destroy families”.

“They come between you, your father and your mother, stirring conflict and making you clash with each other for their own gain. They've come from abroad, disguising themselves as locals, but with hidden motives and agendas. They are using Fishrot as an excuse [why people should vote for them, not Swapo]; next, you'll see no more fish leaving Walvis Bay. Stay cautious and sharp.”

Public reacts

The musician’s remarks drew mixed reactions from the public. “Popular artists like Gazza are failing society. While the youth protests against unemployment, social injustice and corruption, these artists stay silent. They accept millions from corrupt parties during campaign seasons to sway fans at rallies,” someone wrote on X.

Others accused the artist of deliberately ignoring the difference between the government, which spends taxpayer money on the issues he mentioned, and Swapo, adding that he was creating a fake impression that the money belonged to Swapo.

“It's sad that people who are eating from state funds stolen through Fishrot are happy to exploit the masses' ignorance by spinning these lies,” another X user said.

But others supported the artist’s stance, with one user saying: “Gazza is spot on. A speaker of the truth, unapologetically so. The Swapo Party led-government built all that glitters in Namibia, truth be told”.

“This is normal campaigning, unless you wanted him to support your party instead,” another commented.