BY Erick Mchome
Two weeks ago Senegalese music icon and Grammy award winner Youssou N’Dour declared his intentions to contest next month’s presidential election, in a high-profile challenge to the octogenarian incumbent Abdoulaye Wade.

N’Dour – a versatile singer, songwriter, and composer best known for  hit songs such as ‘7 Seconds’, ‘My Hope is in You’ and his 2010 musical documentary ‘I Bring What I Love’ – said he had decided to contest the election in the West African country following overwhelming pressure from supporters.

“I’ve travelled the world and been seen by people all over the world and I think I have the ability to govern Senegal. I am the alternative,” N’Dour announced on Television Futurs Medias a station which he owns.

 He promised to announce his policies intended to topple President Wade soon.

He is not the only one. Recently there has been a tendency for  celebrities to turn into politics. Most of them give a list of reasons as to why they decide to deal with politics; of course, for peoples’ welfare.

“For a long time, men and women have demonstrated their optimism, dreaming of a new Senegal. They have, in various ways, called for my candidacy … I listened I heard,” says N’Dour.

In France, former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona has announced his intention to run for the 2012 presidential campaign.

According to the former Mananchester United player, his goal is not the Elysee Palace in Paris but rather to highlight the plight of poor quality housing among the French people.

In the initial campaigns he called himself an “engaged citizen”, speaking up for millions of forgotten families.
Referring to both his high level of sporting achievement and his “artistic activities”, Eric Cantona, 45, says he could have become involved in a variety of causes: “If I have chosen housing, it’s because I think it’s essential and affects 10 million people.”

N’Dour and Cantona are just few among many. The list can be long filled by footballer George Weah of Liberia and US-based hip hop artiste Wycleaf Jean from Haiti.

As many admit this is an era of celebrity life when glamorous movie stars run for elective office and win and former politicians play fictional characters on television shows.

Rock stars and actresses raise money for a variety of humanitarian causes. Musicians, athletes, and artists speak out on issues of hunger, stem cell research, international development, and foreign policy.

Princess Diana virtually one of the icons of our times was known for her campaigns against landmines in Angola and global poverty. Indeed, some observers claim that celebrity humanitarianism began with her actions.

But celebrity activism is nothing new.  For years, celebrated writers, artists, and non-politicians have spoken out on issues of the day.  For example, Mark Twain‘s political satire and quips twitted many a prominent public figure.

 Ernest Hemingway was involved in a number of foreign and domestic controversies of his era, such as the Spanish Civil War.

Meanwhile, Stevie Wonder lent his voice to the battle against apartheid in South Africa and in favour of a Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday within the US.  

Tanzania has  not been short of celebs seeking political glory, in 2005, a popular radio presenters at Clouds FM radio,  Amina Chifupa Mpakanjia rode her way into parliament on the ruling party CCM’s youth ticket.

While in parliament the young legislator drew a lot of attention from both fellow legislators and the general public as she deliberated on social-economic issues that affected Tanzanians at the time especially drug trafficking and peddling.

And though her rise to political prominence was widely publicised, her untimely death was even more fodder to the press.

Today, Tanzania’s parliament has a number of celebrities who have a big impact in the society.

Captain John Komba who led the Tanzania One Theatre as its lead singer and composer for many years has also not been left behind just as musician Vicky Kamata who both sailed through to parliament on the ruling party’s ticket.Also joining the list is the outspoken rapper Joseph Mbilinyi aka Sugu who ousted the incumbent in 2010 elections to win the Mbeya Urban seat on Chadema ticket.

While celebrity activism is not new, several trends over the past few decades have given celebrities new prominence in debates over public policy.  

Changes in the structure and operation of the media have contributed to a celebrity culture that provides actors, musicians, and athletes a platform from which to speak out.

 The line between politics and entertainment has blurred to the point where actors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger have become politicians and former politicians star in prominent TV shows.

With the rise of new technologies such as cable television, talk radio, blogs, and the Internet, the news business has become very competitive and more likely to focus on famous personalities.

Prof Mwesiga Baregu, a political analyst from St. Augustine University of Tanzania (Saut) says a good politician can be determined by the intention that put them into the game.

“Some people get into politics for their own benefits and some for social purpose and this applies even to celebrities,” he says.

But he does not hesitate to give his views on African politics where many people enter politics just because they want to benefit themselves and become famous.

“I think celebrities can make good politicians only if they manage to realise what purpose takes them into politics; personal or societal,” says the university don.

Changes in public opinion have given celebrities stronger credibility to speak out on political matters.  From the standpoint of political activists, celebrities are a way to reach voters jaded by political cynicism.

It is therefore no wonder that the ruling party for example had a special budget to hire Bongo Flava artistes to pass the message during their campaigns in 2010.

Tabloid shows attract millions of viewers who glorify celebrities, and provide a “behind-the-scenes” look at the entertainment industry.  

Reporters stake out “star” parties, and report on who is in attendance. The old “establishment” press has been replaced by a news media that specialises in reporting on the private lives of politicians and stars.

Unlike in the old days when those with power had high moral authority, and citizens had confidence in the ethics and morality of their leaders, the reverse is now true with the electorate more sceptical of their leaders’ intentions.

The youth in return have turned their attention to celebrities whom they think resonate with them.

Richard Magoke, 30, a Dar resident says initially politics meant helping people but the play ground has with time changed.

“Most of celebrities get along with so many people and this pushes them to help people who have been supporting them in one way or another,” says Magoke.

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites