Entertainment

Sizzla Kalonji stills his African fans

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Reggae continues to have a foothold in the African nation of Zimbabwe. In April 1980, that country, then called Rhodesia, gained its independence from Britain and Bob Marley was invited to entertain. Marley's Zimbabwe was penned for this occasion.

Marley's presence reportedly caused such a stir that a riot broke out and only he could calm the crowds by staging a second concert.

Fast forward 30 years and it is another Jamaican Reggae ambassador who stilled a crowd in Zimbabwe.

This time it is Sizzla Kalonji, who on Saturday, came to the rescue of his Zimbabwean fans who were being bashed by riot police and soldiers.

Sizzla, who was performing during the 21st February Movement Gala, reportedly arrived in that country last Thursday afternoon at the invitation of organisers of the event to celebrate President Robert Mugabe's 86th birthday.

The Zimbabwe Times newspaper reports that wild scenes greeted his appearance on stage at 2:15 am. Ecstatic fans broke a human barricade that was formed by the police to have a closer look at the reggae star on stage.

The report further states that as he performed, police started beating up the fans, apparently to control them, The commotion resulted in a brief stoppage of Sizzla's performance. He pleaded with the police to stop the beatings.

"Please, security, take it easy," said the musician. "Please stop beating up my fans. All the security please, climb up on the stage."

Agitated fans responded by reportedly throwing missiles at the police and were only restrained after the reggae artiste appealed for calm.

"You know who brought me here?" asked the Jamaican artiste, who did not spend 30 minutes on stage, "It is President Mugabe. So you have got to be at your best behaviour. Set a good example. This is the 21st February Movement. Please do not mess it up."

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COMMENTS (3)

collington hill
3/3/2010

if it is was the queen of England that had invited the singer to perform for her i bet that would make you feel so good.while we are just out of black history month im reminded of the struggles our forefathers had to go through for us to be treated equal or to be treated like human beings,and its is for this i respond .Mr Mugabe vision is to secure the country resourses for its people which before was going only to rich white people from Europe,and i could go on.dont just read fabricated stories from CNN, BBC etc,read some African magazines which is just as credible or even more so u can judge and see what is really happening.big up sizzla jah bless.

Stephanie Chapowski
3/3/2010

This article has made my heart heavy. Why did Sizzla accept this invitation from Robert Mugabe? This man is the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler himself! What kind of message are you sending Brother Sizzla? Our forefathers worked hard for our liberties - Mugabe is one of those despots who would love to see those liberties gone forever. Is it that the gay rights groups have pressured the pocket of Brother Sizzla so hard that he has now resigned to performing at the behest of Robert Mugabe? Sizzla, you drop the ball on this one... We lose offa you!

Ras Benji
3/3/2010

Sizzla; While you are there speaking to the people, speak also to President Mugabe. He need to be told that the delivery of justice has to be un-corrupted, in order to be justice any at all.
One Love!

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