Where are they supposed to learn from if you limit them?

Growing up in one of Bulawayo’s high density areas was quite an experience. Being the first on the streets to play and the last to be called in before dusk was a sign of good living. Computerised games were not the order of the day; studying and extra lessons were never part of day to day timetables of any kid.

During a normal day l would wake up in the morning take a bath and go to school. At 13.00 hrs come back home, change the uniform, eat lunch and then, let the games begin. We played from rakaraka, hwishu, umambodlela, 7 days, nhodo in shona or ingwini in Ndebele let alone mahumbwe or amadlwane.

Being a mother or father in amadlwane or mahumbwe was the most aspiring role and it was normally taken by the muscular and clever boys or the most beautiful ones in the case of girls. If you did not fit the role you were either the maid, child, the worst being was being the goat, witch or a dog.

Though children used to come back home with dust from hair to toe, the games were good tools for teaching them African socialization. At an early stage children will horn their skills of parenthood and learn what is expected of from a good citizen.

Such games seem to be vanishing one by one even in high densities, where they were most popular, they have been replaced by computer games and the most popularly extra lessons. Children spend 95% of their time doing schoolwork; extra lessons now start even at grade zero. Are the childhood games really dying out or they will be revived at some stage.

At grade three l was able to wash my stockings, uniform, and polish my shoes, but at form three some can not even wash their under clothes properly, let alone take a plate to the sink after eating. Jobs are scarce to come by, but being a maid is the easiest job to get, especially if you have the rural background. Has Zimbabwe become this highly technological that children have no need to learn the day to day house hold chores?

Some parents go on to disallow their kids to play with others on the streets, they say “achaita mweya we mulocation, kana womucamp  or komboni’’. (they will have the spirit of the high density, cantonment area”. Then l say to myself this is the child’s environment, why not let them explore their environment and make decisions about their lives based on what they learn from their peers and you as a parent. Doctors, pilots and presidents have come from these humble backgrounds.

Fong Kong Phones

techology really did come as a relief in africalet alone in Zimbabwe, however nowadays u have to buy the right technology device to have be relieved. In this day and age people nolonger have to go to pains to look for people, you just make a half a minute call and there he is. the saddening part is those who canot afford the genuine phones, especially maids who are paid between $40 to $70 per month, they can only spare $20 to $30 to buy a cellphone. most of these people end up buying phones which are functional from only seconds, and their money goes down the drain. most of these shops who sell such cellphones have stuck posters advising customers that there are no returns for chinese cellphones. Consumer council of Zimbabwe seems not keen to take any steps towards shops that sell these fake products. most of these phones have names such as 'Denode','Backberry'instead of Blackberry. owning a genuine Nokia, Sumsung and sangem remains a dream for some people. though noisy ma housegirl they will tell you pamberi ne G-Tide yemabango.

After the silence

Some might be wondering what happened to this blog. lm back on the scene with real stories on time at the right spot.

First street

The once street theater packed first street has been starved its once glamorous action packed and comic street theater that saw the rise of the likes of Kapfupi the music industry.

Instead of giggling to the comic actions of the low profile and still to be icons of the entertainment industry "Amen" is now a common word at First street as people gather around very energetic, lam not sure whether to call them ministers, pastors or evangelists. A few months ago l passed by a group of people who were giggling as if they were listening to the top South African comedian, Kau. The man who was delivering the word was wrapped with a jacket around his waste. the worst had happened, thank God l missed the scene. the Pastor's trouser had burst when he was demonstrating whatever he was teaching.

My take on these First street churches or preacher guys is, why not find some where more convenient to preach than expose your dignity to that level.Of course the proud do not have a place in the house of GOD,but just think of it this way, give back street theater their arena and find your own arena. they are also teaching just like everyone else.

hifa week

The festival has come and gone, and lam happy to confirm that l was there. the festival was just amazing, full of surprises and disappointments.
As l walked around l could see quit e a number of Different faces, some were enjoying while some were just mesmerized by what they were seeing.

The Festival was full of energy and life,especially at the youth zone were young stars churned out their talents in singing and dancing. Ammunition a hip hop group of youngsters alongside Tags kept the audience on their toes with their music that is well coordinated and well produced. Most of the members are from Arrendell High School in Harare. These girls have set a pace for the Zimbabwean Hip hop genre.

At the coca cola green stage, which was also free had performances from Bkay and Kazz, Vabati Vajehova and Mcintoshi Jerahuni. Bkay and Kazz performed the shows at the same stage. The audience fell in love with their single 'Amina kadeya'. Bkay and Kazz are brothers born in Malawi and bred in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. the two brothers are on tour in Zimbabwe which is expected to end on the 12th of this month.