Mugabe on Genocide - Ground Report

Huge congratulations go to the team that staged the Harare Festival of the Arts (HIFA) 2009. There’s been such a buzz in downtown Harare over the last few days lifting many people’s spirits. The opening show was evocative. Much of the feedback I’ve heard is that it was a bit on the depressing side and that the producer should have balanced the dark with more light. The HIFA producers once again didn’t shrink from telling it like it is and at one point the thousands gathered in the Harare Gardens watched a giant screen scroll the names of Zimbabweans who have died in political violence during the last year. The state-controlled Herald newspaper published a photograph of the fireworks that lit up the night sky but avoided any mention of the political content of the production.

Political statement was found just about everywhere. Ben Voss the star of Beauty and the B.E.E. had the jam packed Reps Theatre rolling in the aisles with a cutting satire on South African politicians. He also set his sights on Robert Mugabe who he situated in a horse race with the likes of Zuma and Zille. Mugabe was riding Genocide and Zuma was on Corruption. He ended his time on stage with a very pointed eulogy to Mugabe. The basic message was just get out of here already. It was curious to sense the discomfort in the audience as Ben moved from generally criticising South African politicians to specifically gunning for Mugabe. Have we ever experienced such direct public criticism of Mugabe, where we Zimbabweans have been encouraged to laugh at the small dictator? Bare our teeth at him in public? It showed me how far we all have to go to shrug off the effects of decades of oppression. I reckoned that Ben might be deported before his next show. I lost the bet. And I’m pleased I did.

Meanwhile an old blind woman begging on Julius Nyerere Street outside the main HIFA entrance clanked her two US coins in her small metal bowl. Most people walked around her. On Seventh Street, home to one of Mugabe’s mansion like houses, a tramp trawling the sidewalk picked up an old Coke can, gave it a shake, tilted his head back and sipped what was left.

My enjoyment of both Victoria, a Canadian production on aging, and a double bill dance show was lessened by the weirdness of some of the Zimbabwean audience. They laughed in all the wrong places. Whilst the interpretation of performance is a very personal experience there’s just too much conservatism in some folk here. The stunning Spanish dancer was ridiculed from start to finish by the people sitting behind me simply because he started his performance in a dress.

Oh wow – so radical!

Allegations, a play that looked at the troubles of a white farmer and a displaced Zimbabwean farm worker, gave us pause for thought about how similar we all are and how Mugabe has trashed our dignity no matter our colour. It was an outstanding production and deserves to be seen in all corners of Zimbabwe. I’m really hoping that it won’t go from Harare to Berlin in one swift plane ride as happens so often in this country.

Way to go HIFA for your courage and energy.

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