Passion Java’s hare-brained mockery on disability a crying shame
By Tsepang Nare
The fight for disability inclusion is that of recognition, acceptance and empowerment. Over the years, the disability rights movement has made some gains in as far as promotion and protection of disability rights is concerned.
In spite of that lies a man, adamant to take us back to a past we dread with passion. On a Saturday afternoon, this past weekend, a video of a renowned man of God known as Passion Java circulated.
He is seen making mockery gestures in reference to Greatman, a popular musician with a disability and sharing crude, dehumanising and denigrating remarks about disability and individuals with disabilities.
Upon watching the entire 1 minute, 23 seconds, I was drawn to 2nd Samuel Chapter 9 vs 6- 8. In this chapter is a story of Mephibosheth, a man who found favour and grace at a time when he least expected.
King David, upon realising that he was the only one left in his household, a fierce battle that left both his father and grandfather dead, he gave an instruction that Mephibosheth be located and brought before him. Upon meeting the King, he was told that he would be restored the inheritance of his grandfather Saul. In utter disbelief, his response was; “What is it your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me”.
To put it in simpler terms, Mephibosheth saw himself as useless, not fit for purpose. Basically, he never saw himself as human enough to be accorded such honour, gratitude and dignity.
At times scripture bears no significant meaning until a certain biblical story is brought to life as a result of one’s experience. To sum up the self proclaimed man of God’s video, people with disabilities are nothing less than “dead dogs”.
- From the onset, Java challenges the Zigo, one of the popularly known content creators to take Greatman to “prophet” Makandiwa and see if a miracle would be performed enabling him just to stand up even without him walking.
He puts a price money of $50 000 if he is able to stand up. This depicts people with disabilities as guinea pigs, fit for divine experimentation. People that need to be corrected through super natural powers because after all, they are not whole. No wonder corrective measures are necessary.
- A dog is not a human being.As such, it can be objectified. Different names can be attached to it. So are people with disabilities.
The language used automatically such individuals. These people do not have names, nor are they worthy of any form of dignity. After all, they are not fit for purpose.
The good thing you can do is to give them mbambayira (sweet potatoes) and a bag of rice till they die, so he says. After all, they will reach their point of death in the sorry state they are.
There is absolute failure to recognise that disability is nothing but the art of humanity. There is that unwillingness to recognise the innate capabilities of these individuals.
One author once said; “remember that the soul is not disabled”. Meaning people with disabilities as fully fledged beings who have dreams, aspirations, challenges and are sent forth to fulfil a purpose just like any other human being.
Can giving them sweet potatoes and a bag of rice indicate that, that’s all they live for? To be fed while they wait to meet their maker? Indeed, there is no form of mockery that exceeds such an unprecedented level.
- The struggle for emancipation, is rooted in societal recognition and acceptance that disability does not equate to being less nor is it an act of dark forces. Instead, it is part of humanity.
What does Java do, he takes us back to stone age beliefs that some members of the society still firmly hold onto, although in recent times, significant strides have been made.
In his view, people with disabilities that can be healed are those who acquired a disability as a result of a curse or some demonic spirit that dwells in the individual. Imagine the kind of harm and impact that such a statement carries.
It reaffirms some of the long held views and beliefs that having a disability is a result of a curse or demonic spirit in you. No wonder you need healing and deliverance.
To all who believe in the promotion and protection of disability rights, and who follow my work, I urge you to stand in solidarity with persons with disabilities.
This is an attack to humanity and an act to undermine what we as a people have stood for. How can we have influential people who command an audience in the Christian faith choosing to be reckless with their utterances. People who perpetuate continued stigmatisation and stereotyping of people with disabilities.
Now more than ever is a time for the government of Zimbabwe to consider putting in place specific legislature that criminalises use of hate speech, derogatory and demeaning language targeting individuals with disabilities.
Zimbabwe recently promulgated a new law known as the Persons with disabilities Act No. 3 of 2025. However, the law falls far short from protecting rights of persons with disabilities as sections on equality and discrimination, freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse do not come with punitive measures when there is the threat to enjoyment of rights.
People with disabilities deserve better, no wonder a call is made for authorities to act on acts of cyber related crime and for Passion Java to issue a public apology.
Tsepang Nare is a disability activist.
