‘The Concert’

ROM BULAWAYO III
EDITOR: JANE MORRIS
PUBLISHED BY ‘AMABOOKS, 2006
Short Writings from Bulawayo III is a collection of 25 short stories and seven poems by a wide range of writers, all with experience of Zimbabwe. These include award-winning writers such as John Eppel, Brian Chikwava, Owen Sheers, Albert Nyathi, Pathisa Nyathi, Deon Marcus – those who have featured in earlier Short Writings from Bulawayo – and those published here for the first time.
In publishing this collection last year, the Bulawayo-based publishers ‘amaBooks sought contributions from writers further afield than Bulawayo or Zimbabwe, including pieces from, to quote the back cover, ‘writers who have stayed in Zimbabwe, who have passed through or who live in the diaspora’. Zimbabwe has had a powerful impact on all.
I am not usually a fan of short stories: I prefer lengthy novels. However, this book combines all the features of a good novel but with the added benefits of stylistic and thematic diversity.
The writings have been well chosen to illustrate the wide-ranging artistic talent in Zimbabwe and the richness and depth of Zimbabwean culture during struggle, celebration, tragedy, laughter and trial.
I remember, someone called out at the launch of the book “Where are the laughs?”, which was, if a little crude, a good question. However, this book addresses, with a great deal of sensitivity and appreciation of the present Zimbabwean context, issues ranging from HIV/Aids, Operation Murambatsvina and tribalism, to stories about school life and growing up.
I have my favourite pieces and have identified some writers from whom I definitely need to read more. Farai Mpofu’s story is raw and real, touching on the issue of mental illness. At the other end of the spectrum, Mzana Mthimkhulu presents a light-hearted story about a school concert. His writing is refreshingly uplifting and his style is warm and witty. Judy Maposa achieves a rare thing – presenting, in a short four pages, an empathic portrayal of the suffering of so many women worldwide who lose children.
Another story that stays in the mind is The Boy with a Crooked Head by Thabisani Ndlovu, who ventures to write about the atrocities carried out during Gukurahundi in Matabeleland. Part of the power of the story is that the situation is seen through the eyes of a child.
Although Christopher Mlalazi’s contribution to the book still sees him introducing the reader to his larger-than-life township characters, there is a maturity unseen before, as he skilfully interlaces the effects of Murambatsvina with the continuing impact of Gukurahundi on the son of a family and its members, resulting in tragic consequences.
The Short Writings series has given writers the platform on which they can write about things that affect their lives on a daily basis – themes that will reverberate for the reader.
I urge you to read this book and reflect on life in Zimbabwe in these difficult times. But this is not just a book about Zimbabwe – it draws on themes that affect us all – loss, grief, isolation and displacement. – BM