Zimbabwe Mayor David Coltart Sparks Fury By Praising Charlie Kirk’s Widow
Zimbabwe mayor David Coltart has ignited a nationwide firestorm of criticism after posting remarks on social media praising the widow of late American conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Coltart, who serves as mayor of Bulawayo — Zimbabwe’s second largest city — faced condemnation from across the country. Critics accused him of “sanitising” Kirk’s record of racist rhetoric and being “tone deaf” to the people he represents.
Coltart’s post on Erika Kirk
The uproar began on 22 September 2025, when Coltart reacted to a video clip of Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, speaking at an event. In the video, which was widely shared on X by Republicans Against Trump, Erika shocked many by forgiving her husband’s killer. She told mourners:
“That young man. I forgive him.”
Coltart endorsed her words, describing the speech as remarkable. In his post, he wrote:
“Whilst I had issues with some, not all, of Charlie Kirk’s sentiments (for example on gun control and Ukraine) there is no gainsaying the remarkable speech of his widow Erika yesterday. There are profound truths spoken by this brave woman yesterday which the World, particularly at this moment in time, needs to pay heed to. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its essence.”
The mayor’s attempt to separate Kirk’s politics from his widow’s message immediately drew backlash. Within hours, Zimbabweans from Bulawayo and from across the country condemned Coltart for giving credibility to a figure internationally known for inflammatory racial comments.
Outrage from across Zimbabwe
Political activist Thandekile Moyo was among the first to respond, accusing Coltart of excusing racism:
“Ah! Mayor! Why are you trying to legitimise Kirk by framing him as someone whose ideas are debatable but respectable? Why indirectly sanitise and amplify the Kirk platform, despite Kirk’s blatant racism? This was a man whose record drips with contempt for Black people, the very people who make up the vast majority of Bulawayo. This apologism is appalling and insulting to your electorate. And utterly tone deaf.”
Ordinary citizens across Zimbabwe also weighed in. One user, uSpoxkaSis’wakho, posted:
“He hated Black people I don’t know how we can overlook that let’s start from there.”
Another, @MgciniNyoni, challenged Coltart’s selective disagreements:
“You only disagree with him on Ukraine and gun control? This is a rather shocking stance you are taking @DavidColtart.”
Some responses carried the flavour of local vernacular. User Djinn&Tonic remarked:
“Muchibuda musaga smol smol (slowly revealing your true colours). At the end of the day these folks will stick with each other.”
Others viewed the comments as proof of deeper biases. Victor, another Zimbabwean user, said:
“Another reminder kuti veganda chena (white people) will never be on our side no matter how much they might fake it, they always support their own racist kin.”
International context on Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk was a controversial conservative commentator and activist in the United States. He was best known as the founder of Turning Point USA, a right-wing youth organisation, and for his outspoken support of former US president Donald Trump.
Kirk’s critics frequently accused him of amplifying white nationalist talking points and spreading racially charged conspiracy theories. He made repeated comments questioning the intelligence of Black leaders, opposed diversity programmes, and dismissed systemic racism as a myth. These remarks earned him notoriety far beyond the United States, making his name synonymous with race-based division.
For many Zimbabweans, Coltart’s praise for Kirk’s widow appeared to overlook this global reputation. To them, the attempt to highlight Erika’s message of forgiveness looked like an indirect rehabilitation of a man remembered for hostility towards people of colour.
Calls for silence and accountability
Some critics argued that, as mayor of a major African city, Coltart should have refrained from commenting altogether. Zivai Shumba gave blunt advice:
“As a mayor in an African country, it was wise if you kept that to yourself.”
Dr Nhlanhla Dube (PhD) raised a pointed question:
“What are your thoughts on what Charlie Kirk said about race?”
Several users felt the mayor’s comments betrayed misplaced loyalties. Arthur Fleck wrote:
“Vapei nguva comrade ava vachabuda pachena zvavo.”
This translates to “Give these comrades time, they will reveal themselves openly.”
Coltart’s post has become one of the most debated topics on Zimbabwean social media. The outrage went far beyond Bulawayo, with voices across Zimbabwe united in their condemnation. Despite the scale of the backlash, Coltart has not issued any clarification or apology at the time of publishing.
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The post Zimbabwe Mayor David Coltart Sparks Fury With Charlie Kirk Comments appeared first on iHarare News.
