By Cde Honest Vhura Hombe
ZANU PF activists, in a historic act of cognitive dissonance, have spontaneously combusted online after Fadzayi Mahere was voted “Zimbabwean of the Year” in the ZiFM poll.
True Patriots, there is a common saying among ordinary folks: “the more ZANU PF you drink, the lighter your common sense becomes.”
This week, social media proved the proverb.
ZANU PF trolls came out in force, armed with keyboards and jittery figures, and of course, logic stayed home.
ZiFM’s popular Rush program hosted a listener poll where ordinary Zimbabweans chose their “Zimbabwean of the Year.”
The winner was opposition leader Fadzayi Mahere, a lawyer par excellence, campaigner, and, apparently, the arch-nemesis of authoritarian comfort zones that are agitated by public scrutiny.
Mahere reacted with warmth and clarity after bagging the award.
“It is a huge honour to be voted Zimbabwean of the Year by the people.
“I treasure the gift of being able to speak with and for those who aspire for a Zimbabwe that works, that is globally competitive and has freedom, fairness and opportunity for all.
“This is the only Zimbabwe we have, so we must join hands to build it, champion excellence and demand competent, ethical leadership that drives our great nation forward,” said Mahere.
Mahere’s comment was, of course, followed by her signature statement: “We need new leaders,” which she issues after questioning and probing government officials entangled in corrupt practices.
Simple words from Mahere, with a big idea to probe state-sponsored corruption, attracted disgruntled ZANU PF trolls.
True Patriots, and so the meltdown began.
One of the loudest voices in the digital panic was none other than ZANU PF activist Jones Musara, who apparently believes that if you don’t salute, stand, and salute again, you are anti‑state.
“Apparently Mis Red is the culprit behind kuFadza Mahere, the charlatanic Parliamentary deserter and hostile element to the President, ZANU PF and the Zimbabwe State.
“All along Mis Red seemed to be the quintessence of beauty with brains.
“Now it appears like she is beauty without brains,” fumed Musara with unapologetic sponsored ignorance and arrogance.
Apparently, Musara’s logic is that if you win a popularity contest without toeing the party line, you are a hostile element.
To him, nothing screams patriotic duty like accusing a radio presenter of treason because citizens voted.
On X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, the digital cadres became even more creative.
One handle complained that the poll was “unpatriotic and needs a forensic audit.”
Another declared that Mahere’s win was proof that ZiFM must be involved in a secret rainbow ritual funded by aliens.
One comment read like a proverb gone wrong: “Kana uine brain, haugone kunzwisisa Fadi’s (Fadzayi’s) power.” (If you have a brain, you cannot understand Fadzayi’s power.)
True Patriots, the analysis of these reactions reveals a systemic pattern to control the narrative, or implode trying.
Many trolls seem less interested in debate and more in yelling at syllables.
Amid the chaos, another ZANU PF loyalist wrote that Mahere’s win meant, “Zimbabwe is cursed by unpatriotic airwaves,” as if airwaves can be tried in a court of national dignity.
This isn’t just keyboard bravado.
After all, Zimbabwe has a documented history of online battles where one side tries to manufacture truth in the digital arena.
State‑sponsored narratives and rapid response teams have contested social media content, shaping political debate long before this poll.
True Patriots, the ordinary masses of course, those without the ruling party script generators saw something peculiar, a voice calling for accountability, betterment of citizens’ livelihoods, and change.
At a time, every influencer, musician, content creator, and comedian is twerking for cars and cash from globe-trotting tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo.
To the ordinary masses, Mahere’s voice resonated with their plight and struggles beyond the social hashtags and propaganda.
That is why Mahere’s “Zimbabwean of the Year” accolade wasn’t a political stunt, but a citizen verdict.
Mahere’s calm response stood in sharp contrast to the online pastime of shouting in ALL CAPS.
She thanked her supporters.
She honoured other nominees.
She reminded Zimbabweans that this is the only Zimbabwe we have and it must work for everyone.
True Patriots, of course, such clarity, substance, and charisma didn’t calm the ZANU PF trolls.
In fact, it just gave them more to shout about.
The irony is that these ZANU PF trolls use social media to accuse social media of bias, while exposing how biased they are.
It’s like inventing your own propaganda dictionary and then going on to yell ‘fake news,’ referencing the perverted definition from your dictionary.”
Some even joked that ZANU PF’s strongest opposition now is a radio poll, not an election.
The real viral comments weren’t just angry — they were hilarious.
One post read: “ZiFM inofanira kutumirwa kuZimbabwe Defence Forces kuti vagadzire poll strategy.” (ZiFM should be sent to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to develop a poll strategy.)
Another said: “Is this poll rigged? Ndiri kuZANU PF WhatsApp group and hakuna talk of war strategy.” (Is this poll rigged? I’m in the ZANU PF WhatsApp group and there’s no talk of war strategy.)
In a world where hyperbole is a badge of honor, winning a popularity contest can require the courage of a lion… and the patience of a saint.
This isn’t just about a radio poll.
It’s about a ruling party that seems more afraid of a grassroots vote than a general election.
In 2025 constitutionally guaranteed protests and marches were vilified, outlawed, and blocked.
But ask ordinary people who they admire most?
Prepare for a cyber siege, since ZANU PF trolls have already called the WiFi “unpatriotic.”
