Top local band Freshlyground have added a cheeky spin to the music video of their latest single, Chicken to Change, as they challenge Zimbabwean president Robert Gabriel Mugabe's leadership.

In the song, lead singer Zolani Mahola sings about what a noble "supernova" Mugabe was, but then says that somewhere along the way, he fell.

"An iridescent example of honour for the coming generation/ You promised always to open the doors for us/ Indeed it is you and only you who sleeps with the key/ You are chicken to change!" she sings.

The video, first flighted on M-Net on Wednesday night, is directed by ZA News executive producer Thierry Cassuto.

It was filmed in high-definition in Cape Town with the band dressed in Zimbabwean-style 1980s fashion.

It also features a "chicken dance" and Mahola singing in a shebeen with award-winning cartoonist Zapiro's satirical puppets of President Jacob Zuma, former President Thabo Mbeki and DA leader Helen Zille.

The cartoonist also introduces a latex puppet of Mugabe.

"I've been doing cartoons of Mugabe for years," said Zapiro. "Working with Freshlyground gave us the opportunity to finally add him to our cast of latex characters.

"Although I positively love this puppet, I truly hope we can retire him sooner rather than later."

Freshlyground, whose seven members hail from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, said they "do not fear Mugabe's reaction".

Band spokesman Sarah Barnett said they "believe in freedom of speech and that people should be able to talk about topics that affect many civilians".

"The video is not an attack on Mugabe at all. It is a tongue-in-cheek challenge for him to reflect on things and become the hero he used to be, to consider his actions and surprise us," she said.

"We are not afraid of his reaction. Why should we be in a democratic world?"

Mahola said: "I loved interacting with the puppets and puppeteers.

"There was also something so incredibly refreshing about dealing with the serious subject matter of a president's resistance to change in such a light and colourful way. Hopefully it still gets the message across clearly."

Comments(1):

1. "Change"

   I noticed the singing group is composed of blacks and whites. There was a lot of bloodshed all over Africa to bring about the freedom you enjoy today including this tasteless cartoon. "The wind of change" came about from the same leadership you are disrespecting today. Smith and Botha were staunch pillars of oppression but never got these kinds of insults. It's one thing to disagree with policy, but to disrespect the torch bearers, no. Zambure

   Friday, September 03, 2010 Pawell