Afro-soul singer Berita grieves with her beloved birth country, Zimbabwe

Afro-soul singer Berita has poured out her heart in a social-media post – grieving with her beloved birth country, Zimbabwe.

The country is currently facing a difficult time with many protests occurring in the neighbouring land due to its worsening currency and economic crisis. The citizens have faced police brutality at its worst for speaking and marching against corruption, human rights abuses and the arrest of journalists and activists.

In an emotional post, Bulawayo-born Berita got candid about her childhood memories of Zim and the cruelty faced by its people.

“I cry for my beloved country, I weep for my continent. What does economic freedom and political emancipation mean? When will Africa have leaders that are purposeful in serving the people that put them in power? Do we have to wait till all our elders die I have so many questions. I left Zimbabwe when I was 16 years old in search for greener pastures with my family. My parents watched their hard earned money turn into dust overnight. All the hopes they had for the future where destroyed” the 29-year-old singer posted.

She went on to share that South Africa has been her greener pastures, affording her the opportunity to live out her dream, but she’s saddened when she sees South Africans living in poverty.

“The truth is I am forever grateful for South Africa. We have never officially thanked you for taking all 2 million of us in. I’ve thrived to be a gift to South Africa as a token of my thank you. What breaks my heart now is to also see South Africa deteriorating as well. To see a black man in poverty in their own damn country without even a piece of land living in a steel matchbox is the most heartbreaking feeling,” Berita shared.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDa8SMEJeh3/?utm_source=ig_embed

According to Daily Maverick , Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume – with the support of the main opposition MDC Alliance and many other civic organisations, including pressure groups – called for a nationwide demonstration on Friday 31 July against corruption and demanded that the ruling Zanu PF government should go.

In the days leading up to the planned protests, the police made multiple arrests, including high-profile people and journalists deeming them terrorists – resulting in many activists going into hiding while some have been arrested.

In recent days, we’ve seen the brutality of the Zim police ordinary citizens and the arrest of This Mournable Body author Tsitsi Dangarembga. Her novel was longlisted for the Booker Prize, a prestigious British literary award, three days prior to her arrest.

Arrested! At Borrowdale. Ope it will be OK

— Tsitsi Dangarembga (@EfieZethu) July 31, 2020

According to The New York Times, the situation has led to tensions within Zim president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ruling party. A party official has been fired after being accused of helping to promote the protests and the government itself has been forced to deny that the military that brought Mnangagwa to power was now seeking to oust him as many citizens want him out of office.

https://twitter.com/Queqiniso/status/1290030924264910848?s=20

The livelihoods of Zimbabweans are being destroyed by continued corruption, disregard for the law and basic human rights, lack of decisive actions to fix the economy amongst many ills. So today I say #ZimbabweanLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/76iTJwJVwP

— Dr. Nkosana Moyo (@DrNkosana) August 3, 2020

Eita @Trevornoah can we find a way to bring global attention to the human rights abuses in Africa. The attacks on black lives in our neighborhood which need global solidarity. A burning topic right now is the arrests of journalists and activists in Zimbabwe #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) August 3, 2020

#ZimbabweanLivesMatter
Armed Zanu youths, are abducting random youths, targeting particularly those they suspect to be MDCA, beat them badly &then put them at Central & unknown places. Some young men are in the bush as we speak, hiding. This is unacceptable#ZanuMustGo pic.twitter.com/rLL53gwm7M

— The Real Mbuya Gudo From Dotito@Cazawaty (@cazawaty) August 3, 2020