Tinotenda Hove – Prominent Zimbabwean lawyer and political activist Fadzayi Mahere on Wednesday issued a scathing critique of Zanu PF affiliate, Top Soup 4ED, describing the group as “clownish” and warning that their actions are out of step with the aspirations of their generation.

In a forceful statement, Advocate Mahere addressed the group directly:

“Good morning Top Soup 4ED, Nzara yakashata. You don’t like ZANU PF but murikunyengerera kuti mupihwe tunhu-tunhu. You’re trying to survive because they’ve killed freedom, fairness and opportunity. You think that Weak model is a quick route to success. Munotonzwisa tsitsi.”

She argued that the group’s existence is a symptom of the country’s economic collapse, stating:

“The hard truth you try to ignore is that—if Zanu PF had not broken the economy, you would not have formed this clownish outfit. Rather, you’d have well-paid formal jobs. You’d be furthering your education in reputable tertiary institutions through well-funded research grants. You’d be joining reputable think tanks to shape policy and build a strong nation. You’d be making real money in genuine business. You’d be walking into dealerships and buying your own cars—cars that you choose, not ekusarudzirwa as if zvinhu zvenhaka.”

Mahere continued to paint a picture of what Zimbabwean youth could achieve under better conditions:

“You would be earning good money and waltzing to an ATM to withdraw it at your leisure. You’d be buying houses and moving up the property ladder. You would not be begging for pocket money from the Weak like a hungry child. You’d be innovative, leading entrepreneurs moving and shaking throughout Africa. You’d be jetting from city to city, travelling across continents to see what’s out there. Flying business class would be the norm, not a sporadic treat from the regime. You’d be walking with your heads held high and changing the world.”

She also called out the group for being disconnected from broader youth movements on the continent:

“Imwe GenZ are demanding political space on the Continent imi muchiitiswa zve2030? Can you not see that you are out of step with the rest of your generation? Zera renyu tumascarf muSummer ndetwei?”

Mahere concluded her statement with a blunt assessment of their ambitions:

“When you were growing up, you would never have said to yourselves ‘my dream is to be topsoup4ed.’ This move reeks of desperation. It’s incredibly sad that the people you’re trying to market and suck up to have made a rich nation the graveyard of dreams. We need new leaders.”