How Zanu PF tried to hijack iShowSpeed’s Zimbabwe tour

When American streaming phenom Darren “IShowSpeed” Watkins Jr touched down in Harare last week, millions of global viewers expected his signature brand of unscripted, high-octane chaos.

 

What they got instead was a meticulously curated tour of the government’s “Second Republic” trophy projects, leading many to question if the 20-year-old’s visit had been hijacked by a Zanu PF political PR machine.

 

From the shadow of the Mbuya Nehanda statue to the asphalt of the newly minted Trabablas Interchange, the “IRL” (in real life) stream — usually a bastion of raw spontaneity — felt uncharacteristically steered.

 

Speed, known more for barking at fans and his obsession with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo than for geopolitical interest, found himself cast as an unwitting brand ambassador for Zimbabwe’s state-led infrastructure drive.

 

The tour began at the Mbuya Nehanda statue in the CBD.

 

While intended to showcase national heritage, the encounter felt staged.

 

Speed was introduced to a sangoma whose fortune-telling was suspiciously focused on the immediate present rather than ancestral insight.

 

Critics noted her Westernised accent and presentation lacked authentic Zimbabwean “cultural DNA”, though she managed to assign Speed the Shumba (Lion) totem — a move likely intended to build a rapport with the local audience.

 

The Shumba totem is also linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s totem — Shumba Murambwi.

 

A significant portion of the stream was dedicated to a long drive to the newly commissioned Trabablas Interchange.

 

The interchange is named after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s liberation war pseudonym (“Trabablas”).

 

While Speed staged a strength competition there — racing “Africa’s Strongest Woman” by pulling cars and lifting tires — these activities had no inherent link to the location.

 

The site was chosen specifically to force the infrastructure into the camera frame.

 

Speed himself grew impatient, repeatedly asking his guide, Chief Ben, why the drive was taking so long.

 

For an American used to massive highway systems, the attempt to “flex” a single interchange felt out of touch and purely for the benefit of Zanu PF’s “success story” narrative.

 

The tour then moved towards the Mabvuku Ground Number One for a football match, passing through the Msasa (Mabvuku) interchange — another active government project.

 

Here, the political branding became overt.

 

Speed was offered a jersey from Scottland FC by club secretary-general, a club heavily linked to the first family and Zanu PF-aligned businessman, Scott Sakupwanya.

 

The American, famously unfiltered, questioned why a Zimbabwean team was named “Scottland” and rejected the kit, preferring to stay in his Zimbabwean national soccer team jersey.

 

His lack of a briefing on the team’s political ties led to a moment of genuine awkwardness for organisers.

 

The attempt to integrate local “elites” into the stream continued when Chief Ben attempted to present Speed with a Nathan Mutasa jersey.

 

Mutasa is the son of socialite Pokello Nare, who has well-documented ties to the first family.

 

Speed’s refusal to wear the jersey served as a symbolic, if unintentional, rejection of the “dynastic” branding Zanu PF sought to attach to his brand.

 

The Zanu PF strategy appeared to be a “digital rebranding” exercise.

 

By placing Speed — a symbol of modern, youthful global culture — in front of Mnangagwa-named bridges and Zanu PF-linked football clubs, the party hoped to project an image of a thriving, modernising nation.

 

However, they underestimated Speed’s authenticity-first content style.

 

His visible boredom during long drives to construction sites and his refusal to swap his national team colors for partisan club kits highlighted the disconnect between a “viral moment” and a political campaign. *_-The Standard_*Public outrage over Zimbabwe’s new R1.2 million Premier Footbridge*

 

 

3. * Public outrage over Zimbabwe’s new R1.2 million Premier Footbridge*

 

_… the revealed price tag has led to widespread disbelief and anger online…_

 

A government announcement of a new footbridge costing US$70,000 (approx. R1.2 million) has ignited a firestorm of public criticism and debate across Zimbabwe. The footbridge, named the Premier South Footbridge, was commissioned in Mutasa by the Minister of State for Manicaland Province, Misheck Mugadza.

 

Officials stated the structure addresses critical safety and connectivity needs for a community near an active mining site. However, the revealed price tag has led to widespread disbelief and anger online, with many citizens and a local chief questioning the project’s value and the government’s development priorities.

 

*“70K here mkoma”: Social media erupts in disbelief*

 

The controversy began when Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Nick Mangwana, shared the news on X. The post was swiftly met with a barrage of sceptical and outraged replies. Many users questioned the cost, suggesting a typographical error, while others expressed sheer embarrassment.

 

One user, Earnest_Adonai, replied directly,

 

“Did you mean 7,000USD perhaps?”.

 

This sentiment was echoed by numerous others. User Liam Piti stated bluntly,

 

“R1.2 million for this shit??”

 

Another, Collen Rodwin Zinaka, wrote,

 

“Ndirikunyara iiiiii 70k” (“I am so ashamed”).

 

In response to accusations that his post was “rage bait, Nick Mangwana defended the sharing of the information, stating,

 

“My posts are supposed to be informative and also promote public accountability. We are a transparent Government.”

 

*Chief and residents question development priorities*

 

Beyond the online fury, substantive concerns about the type of infrastructure being delivered were raised at the commissioning event itself. Senator Chief James Mutasa, a prominent local leader, voiced serious reservations about the project’s scope.

 

He argued that the community needed more substantial vehicle bridges to support economic activity and transport heavy loads, not just footbridges.

 

Chief Mutasa warned that elected officials must deliver more significant development, directly linking it to public support.

 

His concerns found resonance online. User Dzingaldo noted,

 

“Chiefs concerns resonates with the general population”.

 

This highlights a tangible divide between official pronouncements and grassroots expectations for development. During the event, Minister Mugadza outlined future projects, stating:

 

“The next infrastructure projects in the constituency will be footbridges at Tsvingwe and Nyakukwarara, the latter being a known challenge during the rainy season.”

 

He further emphasised his vision that Manicaland is “on a good development trajectory” with multiple projects aimed at improving service delivery.

 

*A nation asks: What does US$70,000 buy?*

 

The core of the public outcry hinges on the perceived disparity between the cost and the product. Images of the bridge circulated online, leading to repeated questions about its construction and procurement. User Tawanda asked,

 

“Whats a premier footbridge? Does it have a conveyor system or something”. To which Mangwana clarified, “That’s its name. It’s called PREMIER SOUTH BRIDGE”.

 

Others made more pointed comments about the cost. User Retired Instructor asked,

 

“70 grand for that junk?”. Simba questioned, “70k… haaa zvakaoma. Sei muchichipisa mari kudai vakuru” (“70k… it’s shocking. Why are you burning money like this elders?”).

 

The sheer volume of reactions questioning the expenditure shows a deep-seated public demand for clarity and value in government spending.

 

As user Ashwin Blessed pointedly noted,

 

“70k here mkoma… I dnt think maFigures aya ari necessary muna2026” (“70k here brother… I don’t think these figures are necessary in 2026”). *_-iHarare_*