In Zimbabwe, at the end of 2025, a scandal has just turned into the summer’s biggest hit… in its darkest possible version.
It all started with the case of Zvikomborero Maria Makedenge. This 33-year-old Zimbabwean teacher, who was working in the United States, is accused of having sexual relations with a 16-year-old student. Extradited to Harare, she was released on a laughable $100 bail and is now awaiting trial.
But very quickly, the story took a completely unexpected turn.
On Facebook, the comments under news articles went completely off the rails: “That kid is dangerous,” “At 16 I would have paid for it,” “He should have kept quiet and enjoyed it”… Shocking, misogynistic remarks that blatantly downplay an alleged sexual assault on a minor.
Then someone had the (deeply disturbing) idea of turning these reactions into a song.
The result? A super-catchy amapiano track called “Teacher Song” or, more crudely, “Ndinodawo kundibatwa chibharo na teacher” (“I too want to be raped by a teacher”). A voice-over reads out the most outrageous comments while photos from the court hearing and the trashiest memes flash on screen.
What should have remained a serious tragedy – a sexual assault on a minor – has become the most unlikely party anthem of the festive season.
In Zimbabwe right now, a presumed rape case isn’t just making headlines… it’s topping the playlists.
En savoir plus sur Gnatepe
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