By Cde Sikhosana Bambazonke

Paramount Chief Seke has achieved a first in Zimbabwean politics—issuing an apology for chanting a ZANU PF political slogan at a community gathering.

The Chief, standing tall in the spirit of the Mwenemutapa dynasty, proudly belted out: “Pamberi neZANU PF” and “2030 VaMnangagwa vanenge vachitonga.”.

Villagers, well-trained in the art of applause since Independence, dutifully cheered.

To the shock of patriotic Zimbabweans, however, this performance attracted criticism from “Western-funded thinkers”—dismissed as irrational and, of course, stupid. 

After all, what is a Chief if not a loyal party praise-singer? 

The Constitution’s awkward Section 281(2), which bans traditional leaders from partisan politics, is merely decorative—like a dusty artefact in a museum no one visits.

History shows Chiefs have always been political commissars, first for colonial authorities, now for ZANU PF. 

Chiefs such as Fortune Charumbira perfected the craft, openly urging loyalty to the ruling party—even when courts found him in breach of the law. 

Apologies, when they come, are usually as hollow as a drum.

Chief Seke’s own “apology” followed this well-worn script. It was less about contrition and more about misunderstandings. 

In short: he was sorry people “felt offended”, not sorry for being partisan. 

The kind of apology only a ruling party strategist could ghostwrite.

True Patriots, the truth is simple. Without ZANU PF alignment, chiefs risk losing state-funded perks—houses, cars, allowances, even food aid for their communities. 

The Traditional Leaders Act may say the state must provide for chiefs, but in practice “the state” is ZANU PF. 

Neutrality in our polarised political landscape is a fairy tale.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has documented chiefs threatening villagers with starvation or banishment for opposition sympathies, yet nothing changes. 

Opposition rallies in rural areas remain a mirage, while ruling party slogans echo without challenge.

So, Chief Seke is hardly a revolutionary Newton discovering political gravity. 

He is simply keeping to tradition: chant the slogan, pocket the perks, issue a hollow apology, and keep the game going. 

Democracy remains a stage play—performed in courtrooms, mocked at rallies, and apologised for in chiefdoms.