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Goodbye to Rhodesian utopia

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Behind The Wall Everywhere
By Farayi Mungoshi
Published by Mungoshi Press (2016)
ISBN: 978 0 7974 6010 2

AN apple does not fall far from the tree.
The above saying is true in the case of Farayi Mungoshi, son to renowned novelist Dr Charles Mungoshi, who is following in his father’s footsteps.
The book under review this week is Behind the Wall Everywhere which is Farayi Mungoshi’s first compilation of short stories.
The book carries stories that include ‘Scones’, ‘Bridges Nezvitorobho’, ‘The Towerlight, Weed & Becoming’, ‘Winds in the Blood’, ‘Behind the Wall’ and ‘dot com’.
Mungoshi tackles issues affecting Zimbabweans, which some writers have chosen to ignore.
Issues of the day include empowerment, decolonising the mind and development of indigenes.
Literature has been published demonising efforts by the Zimbabwe Government to empower locals through programmes such as Land Reform, Indigenisation and Empowerment.
Mungoshi aptly describes the status quo before the Land Reform Programme.
Prior to the programme, blacks were ‘back-benchers’ in the agriculture sector.
It was driven by white commercial farmers; not because blacks were not capable but they were not given a chance.
“Ninety percent of this country’s wealth is still in their hands and yet we call ourselves free while they own the economy,” Mungoshi writes.
“Whether we like it or not, a time is coming when we are going to have to confront them and I fear a backlash from their cousins in Europe and the rest of the Western world, but the world isn’t getting any bigger.”
Indeed locals were not pleased with the status quo and action was taken to reclaim their inheritance.
Just as Mungoshi writes, the West was not pleased with the move taken by the Government.
They retaliated.
Efforts were made to frustrate resettled farmers.
Local agriculture produce that had had a ready market in Europe was shunned as whites tried to paint the picture that black farmers were failures.
“… we changed the order of things when we took over the farms and … most of the people who used to buy from us are refusing to deal with us because of what we did to their brothers,” writes Mungoshi.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t know our actions had consequences.
“If the West prefers to deal with Mr Black rather than me then let’s not act as if they are the only people we can deal with.”
The move by the West did not deter resettled farmers.
They have continued to soldier on despite challenges.
Just like the resolve to fight on that gripped freedom fighters after Chimoio bombings, resettled farmers have remained determined in their quest to revamp the agricultural sector.
“The sanctions will not sink this country for as long as we are here,” writes Mungoshi.
It is this determination to develop the country against all odds that has gripped the nation.
Mungoshi highlights how white settlers displaced blacks from their land when they occupied the country.
“You see, before these men came, I did my own research concerning this land you claim is yours and I found out it belonged to a Maringe, unfortunately this man along with his whole family were killed by Cecil John Rhodes’ men with support from your grandfather,” writes Mungoshi.
The writer contends blacks were justified in taking back what was theirs.
Indeed as history teaches, they were just but reclaiming their stolen property.
Whites still cherish the good old days in Rhodesia.
It was their paradise.
Never did they think it would crumble.
In the story Behind the Wall Everywhere, Mungoshi highlights how, even after independence, whites still hold on to the long-lost dream of Rhodesia.
As part of preparations for King Edward High School celebrations, efforts were being made to invite former white students to take part in the event.
To do so, school authorities had to recreate a small Rhodesia.
“And when they come, they will not be expecting to see an all-black school but an all white school like the one they went to during their hey day,” writes Mungoshi.
“It is impossible now that we are in Zimbabwe but they will try.
“They believe it is their inheritance and they want their children to attend school where they attended.”
If the truth be told, the Rhodesian paradise is long gone.
It shall not be relived except in memories of ex-Rhodies.
It is now the dream of developing Zimbabwe and celebrating its achievements that is being lived.

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