Research Findings
Zimbabwe Peace Project
The screenshot on the left shows a social
media
user
depicting
Mavis
Gumbo,
a
Parliamentary Candidate for Harare East
Constituency as a person who is too old to be
involved in politics and suggesting that she
should
be
home
attending
to
her
grandchildren.
Apparently there is no right age for women to be involved in politics, in the sight of
online trolls. Shantel Yeukai Chiwara (25 years at the time), who was elected the youngest
Mayor in the history of post independent Zimbabwe, was trolled for being too young for
the post of mayor. Below are some of the social media reactions to Shantel’s election as
Mayor of the City of Masvingo:
“While it’s commendable to give
opportunities to our young people
as well as propping women to
positions of power, this may be one
of the ineffective councils in the
country. Local government
requires craft, grit, experience and
political clout which doesn’t come
at 25yrs.”
“Zimbabweans are experimenting
again. I hope we won't regret it.
What are the experiments for, we
have one life guys”
Similarly, the wife of Nelson Chamisa, a presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, was
described as old and ugly by a team of online trolls. Women’s buttocks and facial looks
have been on several occasions subjected to ridicule on account of their participation in
politics. The screenshot below shows a social media user mocking Sandra Ndebele’s
buttocks. Sandra Ndebele was contesting as a Councillor in Bulawayo.
“Rather than focusing on the
substance of a press
conference, they focus on my
face and hair” 10
10. Ibid
19