Why don't they negotiate in Mufakose?

Background: I wrote this article in October 2008, after leaders of Zimbabwe's political parties - Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara had signed the agreement on September 15 2008 but continued to haggle over government posts. Like the story on Tarisai, it was another appeal to the collective conscience of the politicians, to put the interests of the ordinary people first. It seemed to me that their negotiations in luxry hotels, far from the challenging conditions in which people lived, caused them to be out of touch with reality. Hence the suggestion that they probably go and negotiate at a venue right in the middle of one of Harare's high-density residential areas where they could perhaps better appreciate the conditions in which people were surviving.

Why don't they negotiate in Mufakose?

October 27, 2008

It is suggested, very humbly, in order to expedite the negotiations between ZANU PF and the MDCs, that the SADC Troika meeting on Monday be held at No.1200 Mukumbadzetse Street in Mufakose, Harare.

To gain entry the distinguished guests must cross a stream of raw sewage, which runs by the main gate of the venue. Should assistance be required, experienced residents will be on hand to guide them. Guests are advised to take extra care when crossing as they might easily slip and drown.

They must resolve matters very quickly otherwise the steady flow of the stream swells rapidly as the day goes by. Local boys charge $US10 to help with crossing at peak periods, although the prices can rise very sharply depending on the calibre and station of the clients.

There is a local 'central bank' nearby in Mudzambiringwa Street, should guests require any emergency funds, though they are available to non-residents at punitive rates. Guests are encouraged to reacquaint with the long lost relatives or friends in Mufakose, as they might be useful to obtain financial facilities like the local BACOSSI.

Residents have been advised to keep all windows open as there is no air-conditioning. But this should ensure a steady but heavy breeze transporting the potpourri of aromas and odours from the locality.

Guests must also bring candles lest their 'toks' extend into the night - there is no electricity here. Water will be provided from the nearest well and if the queue is too long, guests will be directed to the nearest stream.

For other types of relief, there is a small bush nearby but they must beware of pickpockets. They are advised to bring heavy guard for their expensive automobiles and other gadgets.

Guests should note that there is a funeral next door to the venue - the neighbour sadly passed on whilst awaiting medication kuGomo hospital. There were no doctors and drugs were either unavailable or unaffordable. Guests must, therefore, contend with the constant singing and wailing of friends and relatives ... It is advisable, as is the culture here, for guests to appear, if only briefly, to share a moment with the bereaved family.

It is hoped that this venue will provide a more appropriate setting for the negotiations. Not only will it be in the area representative of the 'people' for whom the deal is being done, this should also provide a more realistic picture of the 'people'. If negotiations are for the 'people', why, I ask, don't the negotiators come and do it where the 'people' live? Rainbow Towers seems to have failed, so why not try Mukumbadzetse Street?

Ordinary Zimbabweans

I have written many stories over the last few years. With hindsight, I realise that many of them are centred around the lives of ordinary people, mostly Zimbabweans, whether at home or abroad.

I have written about Tarisai, the young girl in rural Zimbabwe whose fate rests on the decisions of big men negotiating at a plush hotel in Harare, big men who do not seem to appreciate the anguish and anticipation of the ordinary people they purport to represent. In another piece, I have asked why these big men do not negotiate in a run-down high density suburb of Harare, so that they can perhaps appreciate the urgency of the situation.

I have also written about Mdhara Chimowa, the old man who lost $US50 to a con-man when Zimbabwe embraced the US dollar after ditching the hyper-inflated Zimbabwe dollar. I have recorded my observations of the life of a Harare taxi-driver and the street vendor who sits by the corner each day, from dawn to dusk, selling telephone sim-cards.

I have travelled to South Africa and written about the waiter of Rosebank, a Zuimbabwean who works at a Johannesburg hotel. Some readers have written and asked, 'why don't you put these pieces together, maybe in the form of a book or something". I have been sufficiently encouraged because the stories represent narratives of ordinary people at a critical historical moment. Many of my friends on Facebook have read these stories. Others have been published on Newzimbabwe.com and others in various newspapers at home including The Standard, a weekly paper published on Sunday. I have made many friends through these stories and I thank them and other fans for their support and encouragement. I'm just an ordinary boy who enjoys writing and if some people enjoy it, then I am humbled.

Perhaps one day the collection will appear in print but for now I thought as part of the project, I should collect and put them in one place, to be updated from time to time. The title of the blog, 'ordinaryzimbabweans' reflects the central character in all of the stories, the common man, woman and child of Zimbabwe. For older stories, I will add a brief note to give context to the time and events during which each story was written.

I hope you find some value in these stories of ordinary men, women and children of Zimbabwe.

waMagaisa