Veteran Zimbabwean musician Clive Malunga, the award-winning creator of the iconic 90s music video “Nesango,” has issued a blistering rebuke of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, predicting the President will not live to see 2030, or even 2026.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, and subsequently reinforced on his X account, Malunga directly challenges Mnangagwa’s ambition to seek a third term, questioning the legitimacy of his continued leadership.
Malunga, a war veteran and founder of the Jenaguru Arts Centre, pulls no punches in his assessment of the President. In the video, he states unequivocally: “VaMnangagwa 2030 havaisvike. Kana vakaita zvekutamba 2030 havaisvike. Sei ndirikudaro nekuti vaMnangagwa havasi Mwari,” which translates to: “Mnangagwa won’t reach 2030. Even if he plays around, he won’t reach 2030. Why do I say this? Because Mnangagwa is not God.”
He further elaborated on his X account, directly addressing Mnangagwa and any potential critics: “Yes, I clearly said it, Mnangagwa won’t see 2030 or even 2026 because he isn’t God and he wasn’t appointed by God to be President of Zimbabwe. In fact, Mnangagwa is a useless coward, I’ve nothing to fear and here is me, Zimbabwe is boiling whilst he’s busy creating his dynasty, to hell,” he declared.
GOD IS IN IT. pic.twitter.com/LbXjFdBcCj
— Clive Malunga (@JenaguruV) December 21, 2024
Malunga’s outspoken criticism is not new. He has consistently voiced his concerns about the socio-economic situation in Zimbabwe, directly linking the country’s struggles to what he sees as government failures. In 2022, he openly condemned Mnangagwa’s administration as corrupt, retrogressive, and self-serving.
He criticised the President’s frequent foreign trips, questioning why Mnangagwa seems to admire the conditions in other countries but fails to replicate them in Zimbabwe. He also highlighted the underutilisation of Zimbabwe’s vast natural resources while its citizens remain impoverished. Furthermore, he demanded accountability for the alleged disappearance of US$15 billion in diamond revenue from the Chiadzwa diamond fields.
Popularly known for his groundbreaking late-90s music video “Nesango,” Malunga’s artistic journey is deeply intertwined with his experiences as a war veteran and soldier in the Zimbabwean army.
The “Nesango” video itself stands as a testament to this unique background. The production, described as one of the best visual music productions in Zimbabwe during its time, has the feel of a war movie, with Malunga as the central figure. Its powerful imagery clearly reflects the hand of someone with military experience – a fact not surprising considering Malunga himself was the director. “Nesango” is, in essence, a powerful confluence of his military and musical experiences.
Malunga’s journey began in 1978 when he joined the liberation struggle in Mozambique. As he recounted in an interview with The Herald in April 2020, commemorating Zimbabwe’s 40th independence anniversary: “I went to Mozambique to join the liberation war in 1978. I spent some time in Tete before a senior comrade called Cde Makasha took us in 1979 to Manga Camp in Sofala where sick and injured comrades were kept.” He continued, describing his time assisting injured comrades at Manga Camp and subsequent military training at Samakweza Camp in Inyaminga, where he trained alongside the late Mike Munyati, learning war tactics and strategies.
Before his group could be deployed to the front lines, a ceasefire was declared, leading to their involvement in setting up demobilisation assembly points. Malunga recalled: “We came back from Mozambique and our group was assigned to Mutare. We went to set up Tongogara assembly point, which is now a refugee camp. As we left the assembly point, we were given options to join various Government departments as we built independent Zimbabwe.”
Choosing to continue his military career, Malunga underwent further training at Llewellyn Barracks in Bulawayo before being assigned to the 19 Infantry Battalion in Ntabazinduna. He served as a lieutenant until 1983. It was only as the government’s demobilisation programme concluded that he decided to pursue his long-held ambition of becoming a musician. “I felt I had done enough in the army. I always wanted to do music, so I left the army to be a musician. That was the beginning of my journey in music,” he explained.
His early musical career saw him receive initial support from the legendary Zexie Manatsa. He also attempted to collaborate with the Pied Pipers, but ultimately found success when he joined the Blues Revolution Band, which facilitated his first recording. He toured extensively with the band before embarking on a successful solo career.
Beyond his musical achievements, Malunga is also credited with establishing the Jenaguru Music Festival, one of Zimbabwe’s largest music gatherings. He has since expanded the Jenaguru brand, establishing the Jenaguru Village Arts Centre, a hub that facilitates exchange programmes between local and international artists. The centre plays a vital role in nurturing young musicians, with Malunga currently assisting the sons of the late John Chibadura in the production of a new album. His life journey, from the battlefields of the liberation war to the stage and now the helm of a thriving arts centre, paints a picture of a man whose commitment to Zimbabwe is multifaceted and unwavering.
Malunga’s latest pronouncements have sparked intense debate, particularly within the ruling Zanu-PF party. Some speculate that his bold statements are backed by a faction within the party, providing him with the confidence to openly challenge the President. This interpretation suggests the existence of significant internal divisions within Zanu-PF, a fact often obscured by the party’s outward display of unity.
The musician’s bold stance comes at a time when criticising the President in Zimbabwe carries considerable risk. Since the 2017 military coup that removed Robert Mugabe from power, expressing dissent against the government has become increasingly perilous. Hundreds have faced arrest and prosecution for criticising the President, although convictions have been less frequent. Malunga’s willingness to speak out despite these potential consequences underscores the depth of his concerns and his conviction in voicing them.
