The 2024 Paris Olympics roared into life on Friday with a stellar opening ceremony that broke tradition in more ways than one, and created topics of discussion that are sure to last until Los Angeles 2028.
Instead of the athletes walking out into the field, they braved the rain and paraded in 85 boats along the Seine River; grouped by alphabetical order.
To add to the pomp and fanfare, athletes were dressed in suave uniforms that gave a fashion twist to the display of athletic prowess that is the Olympics. The Olympic kits of Haiti, Cambodia, Sierra Leone and Mongolia quickly drew viewers’ attention.
Meanwhile, back in the motherland; social media was abuzz with comments, squabbles; and think pieces about Zimbabwe’s Olympic kit.
The kit was designed by activewear brand Pfeka. Inspired by the nation’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant colours, the kit comprised of tracksuits inspired by the famous Ndebele print characterized by vivid colors and symbolic patterns; golf t-shirts as well as t-shirts in Zimbabwe’s national colors of white, black, red, and green. To add to the flair, the golf tees were lined with the Zimbabwean flag on the collar and sleeves.
The standout piece, and the source of all the controversy, is the cream blazer which features Pfeka’s own patented print — the Masvingo Fabric Print, inspired by Great Zimbabwe. It was paired with green pants to “symbolize the positive energy of the Zimbabwean team and the nation’s hopes for their success,” according to a statement that accompanied the kit announcement.
In debuting the kit on social media, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) praised it as “bold and vibrant,” adding that Pfeka captured “the essence of Zimbabwean spirit and style;” — a blend of tradition and modernity.
Immediately after the announcement, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee’s social media pages were awash with comments from far and yonder; comments which quickly became the epitome of “mixed reactions.”
While some praised the work done by Pfeka and ZOC’s decision to award the contract, others were unimpressed with the kit; chief being the blazer which was ‘ill-fitting’, according to the harshest critics.
On X, some ‘AI Designers’ even emerged from the shadows to give their own colourful renditions that “are way better than what Pfeka did”, neglecting to recognise the sheer effort required to take a design from concept to finished product – beyond a simple AI prompt.
Some familiar names in Zimbabwean fashion also waded into the conversation and gave their two cents.
The Skeyi and Strobo team were simply baffled, asking a flurry of questions on Instagram – “Whats going on here?” “Are these final pieces or samples” “With the number of designers who submitted their designs for the Zim kit how did we end up here????”
Winky D’s go-to designer, Designer Jay Tee, swore that he could have done better, posting on X; “With all due respect to the designer / company,I would have done a lot better for our Olympians and this country at large.There was no effort in designing whatsoever not mentioning the workmanship!I am sorry!! .” (sic)
For celebrity stylist Minister of Whitelinen, the bone of contention seemed to be the blazer. “I still STRONGLY (sic) believe we could have done way better with the Official Opening Costumes. This Paris y’all,” he posted on Instagram.
Radio and television producer Lietta Jacob was impressed by the kit design, but rather less convinced of its execution. She posted on X that, “Nice design but bad tailoring. Iv seen your kits for the netball team munobata basa imi apa seems like you hurried everything but still thank you for dressing the Olympics team.” (sic)
Having at times received scorn and ridicule over the course of his career, Hatiperi founder Tinotenda Matayi was more empathetic of Pfeka’s predicament — urging fans and fellow designers to look at the positives, rather than the one negative that was the blazer.
“They will never talk about those beautiful tracksuits. They will never talk about the beautiful golfers. But they will focus mainly on the negatives. WHY ? ChiZimbo mentality chekuda kuurayana nenzara,” he posted to his 175k followers on X.
Pfeka tried to douse the flames by shifting the blame on inadequacy of essential details needed in production. According to brand, their tailors did not receive the (seven) athletes’ measurements in time, so they were “asked to just use estimates.” This detail reflects more on the organisation of ZOC as a governing body, rather than the capabilities of Pfeka as a brand.
To the less-invested, which were in this case the majority; it was their first-time hearing of Pfeka. The well-informed can argue that it was Pfeka who were most qualified for this gig. They have designed kits for various national teams; including outdoor hockey, tennis and netball. The brand also designs sports fan jerseys infused with vibrant African prints.This was not some fly-by-night chancer, but rather an experienced, well-worn brand which all things being equal would have made a kit that the entire country would have been proud of.
But, due to some unforseen twists of fate and a few opportunists who use any occasion to throw scorn at their own country, they ended up being at the center of a storm.
Yes, the execution left a lot to be desired; but fellow designers and industry players, and the nation at large could have also done better than, “A fashion disaster,” “Pfeka didn’t deserve this gig,” “I could’ve done way better.”
Also, isn’t it odd that it is only our own kit that warranted our critique? For example, the USA Olympics team was literally wearing what has been the ‘laughing stock’ combo amongst Zimbabweans for over a decade – the bachi neJean combo. Critique? Crickets.
And thus, the Olympics kit debate has exposed most Zimbabweans’ attitude to each other – shower the negatives on each other, reserve the positives for the outsiders.
Is it self-hate? Is it an inferiority complex? Is it the vain pursuit of a ‘better standard’? In a third-world country tormented by issues bigger than what seven athletes wore to a once-in-four-years event ? Majoring on the minors.
Most telling, and perhaps the greatest irony from this debacle is that; beyond the opening ceremony, there hasn’t been much attention on how our seven athletes are faring at the Olympics.
