Admire “Bhutisi” Kuzhangaira Blames Consumers for Rise of Explicit Content on Social Media
Seasoned content creator Admire “Bhutisi” Kuzhangaira has placed the responsibility for the surge of explicit content on social media squarely on consumers. Speaking amid debates over nudity and explicit materials, which have attracted the attention of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), Bhutisi argued that the demand for such content drives its proliferation. “To be honest, there are people who enjoy that content, even though many publicly condemn it while sharing and viewing it on their devices,” he said. He warned that as long as users continue to engage with inappropriate material, the digital space should prepare for an even larger influx.
Bhutisi highlighted that social media platforms prioritize engagement metrics such as clicks and likes, which incentivize content creators to produce increasingly provocative material. “The content creators with monetised accounts will do anything to generate income, even if their content is deemed distasteful,” he explained. This focus on monetization, combined with viral trends, has created an environment where explicit material can spread rapidly and gain traction among users. He stressed that understanding this dynamic is crucial for those seeking to regulate or respond to digital content challenges in Zimbabwe.
Acknowledging concerns about children’s exposure, Bhutisi emphasized that social media is an unstoppable force, and young people are often ahead of adults in navigating platforms. “The same children we aim to protect are already well ahead of us; they know the platforms where this content is shared. In fact, the very generation we want to shield is the one circulating such material since they have access to gadgets and the internet,” he said. He encouraged parents to educate children from an early age about the dangers of explicit content, noting that peer influence and curiosity often drive experimentation online.
Despite the growing trend of explicit content, Bhutisi remains committed to professionalism and clean content creation. Drawing from his formal training in film, he explained that he and other pioneers understand African aesthetics and values. “We know what is right. As pioneers in this field, we will adhere to the clean content that brought us recognition. I refuse to join the bandwagon of explicit content, but the truth remains: no one can put a stop to it,” he said. His approach emphasizes quality, ethics, and long-term reputation over quick monetization.
Bhutisi also shared the broader challenges facing content regulation in Zimbabwe. Many creators profiting from explicit material operate from outside the country, making enforcement difficult. “Those Zimbabweans who capitalise on explicit content often do not reside here, and we must accept that this trend is unlikely to change anytime soon. It’s a new culture we must learn to navigate as long as the internet and electronic devices continue to exist,” he said. His insights underline the complex reality of modern digital media, where demand, accessibility, and technology intersect to shape trends that are difficult to control.
