By Irvin Takavada
A few days ago, the Doek and Slay event was held, after which social media was flooded with disturbing videos and images allegedly from the event. These developments have sparked intense public debate, raising important questions about public conduct, safety, responsibility, and accountability.
Understanding Doek and Slay
From available information, Doek and Slay was conceptualised as a women-only cultural event meant to celebrate African identity. Its stated objectives include women empowerment, self-expression, and the creation of a safe space for connection and celebration.
The Event Day
The event reportedly featured live music, fashion showcases, and workshops, and over time it has grown into a cultural phenomenon attracting thousands of women from across the country.
What Actually Happened
However, in the most recent edition, social media attention shifted away from these objectives and instead focused on content widely perceived as inappropriate. Videos and images circulated online depicting behaviour that many Zimbabweans found troubling and inconsistent with the event’s stated goals.
I was particularly struck by a social media post by a user identified as “Mimi Bae”, which suggested that women were no longer safe at the event. This raised questions, especially given that the event was women-only and held in a public space.
Concerns were also raised about photos and videos allegedly taken without consent. While consent is an important issue, it must be understood that public events are routinely covered by journalists and content creators in the course of their professional duties. This distinction between privacy and public space appears to have been misunderstood or misrepresented in some commentary.
Accountability and Responsibility
What we witnessed raises a difficult but necessary question: was this empowerment in action, or empowered individuals behaving irresponsibly? There seems to be a growing tendency to externalise blame rather than take responsibility for personal conduct in public spaces.
Calls were made for government intervention, with some citing countries such as Dubai as examples of strict regulation on public behaviour and online content. However, it is important to note that such countries operate under legal and cultural systems including Sharia law that regulate both public behaviour and personal conduct. Selectively adopting laws without acknowledging the broader legal and moral framework that supports them is neither practical nor honest.
If we are to call for regulation, then we must equally call for laws that govern public conduct and acceptable behaviour in shared spaces.
Allegations of Indecent Assault
Further controversy arose following the circulation of a video allegedly showing a male security guard being inappropriately touched by female attendees. This incident opened up an important discussion on consent and gender-based abuse.
To date, there has been no public apology or visible action taken regarding this incident. Abuse, regardless of the victim’s gender, must be condemned. One cannot help but consider the emotional impact on the individual involved, his family, and his children who may have been exposed to these images.
Arrest of Alister Chibanda
Amid these developments, Alister Chibanda,a man known for advocating moral and ethical values was reportedly arrested after publicly condemning what he described as unacceptable conduct. This raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and moral discourse.
What message are we sending to our children and future generations if speaking against perceived wrongdoing is criminalised, while questionable public behaviour is normalised? As a society rooted in Ubuntu, we must ask ourselves what values we are promoting and what legacy we are leaving behind.
Calls for government intervention should not only focus on regulating speech and online content but should also address behaviour in public spaces. Parliament, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice must seriously consider the introduction or enforcement of public conduct laws that protect societal values without undermining fundamental freedoms.
Zimbabwe must not shy away from difficult conversations. The future of our moral fabric depends on it.
Irvin Takavada,is a social commentator who writes in his own capacity and can be reached on 0771119337