CHOMBA MUSIKA, Lusaka
IT IS disappointing that a renowned artist such as Koffi Olomide could allegedly perpetrate violence against women instead of using his status to fight the vice, says gender and social justice activist Brain Bwembya alias B Flow.
Mr Bwembya, who is also Music for Change Goodwill Ambassador, said perpetrators of violence should never be tolerated regardless of their social status.
His sentiments come in the wake of a video that has gone viral where Mr Olomide was captured purportedly kicking one of his female dancers outside Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Kenya.
In an interview recently, Mr Bwembya said the Democratic Republic of Congo artist should instead use his fame to promote good values in society.
“I did not expect a veteran like him [Mr Olomide] to allegedly behave in that manner, I thought he knew that gender-based violence is a danger to African development,” the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellow said.
He called on African countries not to relent in rebuking perpetrators of GBV.
Mr Bwembya said gender-based violence should not be tolerated because the vice is detrimental to the development of not only Zambia but the entire continent.
Mr Bwembya, who is also Music for Change Goodwill Ambassador, said perpetrators of GBV should never be tolerated regardless of their social status.
Mr Olomide, whose actions sparked social media uproar, was deported back to DRC after he was chastised by the women movement in Kenya, where he was scheduled to perform.
The artiste’s reported gender -disrespectful behaviour prompted the Zambian government to cancel his scheduled performance at this year’s Agricultural and Commercial show.
“Kenya has shown us a great example [deporting Mr Olomide], we must not tolerate such [GBV] in Zambia.
“The cancellation of his scheduled performance in Zambia is a lesson that Zambia does not condone violence against women,” the I Care About Her campaign ambassador said.
And the Dear Mama singer said he will embark on a rigorous women economic campaign aimed at preventing GBV.
“I will begin to also focus on preaching economic empowerment for women.
“It’s like some men think they can treat women whichever way they want because most women are disadvantaged and they depend on them[men] for [financial]survival,”