Following the public criticism after posing with the Zimbabwean president and government ministers wearing scarves with the neighbouring country’s colours last weekend, Sello Maake kaNcube says he does not regret anything and that he will definitely visit Zimbabwe again for its beauty. Sello, fellow celebrities Pearl Thusi, joined by fellow actress Sonia Mbele embarked on a high-profile tour of Zimbabwe, just ahead of the upcoming national elections. However, their visit sparked social media backlash, with speculation that the visit inadvertently aligned with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and promoted the ruling Zanu-PF party. But the veteran actor says he was only in Zimbabwe to promote tourism.
HE WAS IN ZIM TO PROMOTE TOURISM
The former Generations actor says he was invited by Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, on a tour of Zimbabwe. He says he did not see anything wrong with accepting the invitation because it made both personal and business sense to him. "It also fell in line with a personal campaign of taking my expertise in the arts to Africa, as I find myself hamstrung to make a contribution in my own country," he adds. Although South Africans assumed that they got paid by the company for ZANU PF, while posing in ZANU PF regalia, Sello Maake says he is not obliged to disclose whether he was paid or not, when asked the question. "Payments are confidential to anyone. I’m also going to ask to see your payslip in the future," he jokes.
ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRIES TO VISIT
Maake kaNcube, who played Kgosi on The Queen, gushes over the beauty in Zim and says he does not regret visiting the neighbouring country. He says their trip included visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Victoria Falls. He says witnessing the majestic Falls with his wife was the highlight of his trip. "We went to Victoria Falls and went on to participate in various activities such as game drives and went to the oldest tree in Zimbabwe, the same tree that Bob Marley visited.It was a beautiful trip rich with culture and knowledge," he said. KaNcube added that they also went on a boat cruise and went side-seeing.
VISITING THE PRESIDENT
He says the excursions they received included an invite to the state house to meet the current President Emmerson Mnangagwa. "We visited State House in Harare and had a brief conversation with the President. After exchanging pleasantries with the President, we all went out to take pictures. Unfortunately, that same picture ended up trending for the wrong reasons with people accusing us of endorsing a party that is suppressing human rights," he said. He says the same picture has taken away from the main purpose of the trip, which was to promote tourism. "It’s very unfortunate that the pictures have caused so much commotion, now it has defeated the purpose of our visit to the country," he adds. The straightforward actor declares he also got the opportunity to visit a farm that belongs to the President. "I also got to visit the farm that’s owned by the President, it was overall a great experience with unfortunate results. I hope we can finally lay this matter to rest," he concludes.
