My unborn child
Filed under: Notes from the Diaspora, Poetry, Spirituality for such a time
My unborn child
An African fetus
Rocking the belly
As I watch the telly
Born out of this madness
A militant child
Baby of the revolution
Hear my nation cry
As another brother/sister dies
I am having visions of political prison walls
And I hear the call of angels
like doves cry
Will I die tonight
Only God knows
Where life goes
After a revolution
Will a nation
Die of starvation
Or will new politicians
Take us to a new millenium
A nation of thirteen million
Let me breathe
For this poetry could be my death
Greetings to Zimbabwean friends, from Darin Newberry
Filed under: Family, Friendship, Community, Notes from the Diaspora, Spirituality for such a time
While I was in Zimbabwe, from 1982 through 1986, as the son of Assemblies of God missionaries David and Cheryl Newberry, I had the opportunity to attend Vainona High School for four years, and attended local churches and periodically participated in Scripture Union youth functions held around the country, through the end of 1986.
I have maintained contact with several friends I met during that time of my life, and I welcome the opportunity to become re-acquainted with others I knew. People do change over time, hopefully for the better, and I anticipate some happy reunions in time to come, with some of you I once knew. Read more
FWords: Creative Freedom- USA Tour
Filed under: Art life, Books & literature, Notes from the Diaspora
‘FWords’ is a creative project to commemorate the Parliamentary Act of 1807 to abolish the British Slave Trade. Eight individuals were selected from some of Yorkshire’s most talented literary and visual artists, acclaimed through publication, performance, exhibitions and prizes, nationally, and in some cases, internationally. Read more
Why this lady still calls Zimbabwe home
Filed under: Notes from the Diaspora, Zimbabwean diaries
The article by gogo entitled “I want to go home” struck a chord in me. It seems that it’s a shared sentiment by millions of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora and at home. I came across this article by Kate Chambers which resonates with the same feelings for the mother country.
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Christian Science Monitor- The soldier sauntered out from behind the barrier, fiddling with a rifle slung across his chest. We had reached Zimbabwe’s Birchenough Bridge, a dusty settlement five hours from the South African border. The soldier peered into the car window. He was young, in his early 20s, I’d guess. “Why didn’t you stop?” he asked. Not for the first time, I wondered whether we were right to return. Read more
I want to go home!
I was minding my own business at work when I suddenly heard a familiar greeting: “Unjani?” Looking back I expected to meet the typical wekumusha or at least someone of colour. Nope, some white dude. If I had been in the UK, or the US for that matter, I wouldn’t have been startled.
But in Norway of all places at an oil refinery in the furthest part of the country. I managed to quickly get myself together again, and asked if he was South African and had assumed I was probably from there being the only person of colour in our company. Once again nope. I come from Redcliff, went to Thornhill High School, he goes on. Read more
Zvisinei Sandi on the Zimbabwean Deal
Filed under: Notes from the Diaspora, Zimbabwean diaries
“The question now is why? Why did MDC give in? While everyone expected a deal that would perhaps give Mugabe and ZANU PF a graceful exit, it appears that Mugabe somehow managed to turn the tables and it is MDC that is being politely shown the door out. Could it be that MDC is at last tiring of the struggle, in which they have, even during the bloodiest times, received very little international support? Is it out of fear, or a simple desire to end the bloodshed? Could it perhaps be that, having fought for so long, members of the MDC have decided to cash in on their gains? (I hope I will be forgiven for asking this question. I know the sacrifices that have been made. I too, am a victim of the violence and daily struggle with my injuries, and it grieves me that we have reached a point where such a question has to be asked. But facing our pain squarely in the face is part of any sincere struggle.) Even from the outside, it would seem that a cabinet position, however devoid of power, offers fancy offices in the city center and possibly, if one is lucky, one of the “liberated” farms (wink, ZANU PF cadres can always make room for their new friends). And, God help me, the title of Prime Minister, however empty, is certainly better than being holed up, shivering in some obscure safe house, the target of a planned hit, hoping for help that might never come from an international community far too absorbed in its own problems. As sad as it is, it does appear that Mugabe emerges as the clear winner of the day. For him, the violence worked, and this agreement seems to give him everything he hoped for,” writes Zvisinei Sandi in an essay entitled “The Zimbabwe ZANU PF-MDC Agreement: Mugabe’s Triumph”. You can read the rest of the publication on TELOS, a journal.
