Increasingly I’ve been noticing that the term “activist” does not have a neat and simple place here in Zimbabwe. Spaces for overt, take to the streets with placards activism can end up quickly (and forcefully) closed while the term “activist” also seems to rest in a contested space. For some the term rolls off the tongue as fast and as often as a gecko’s tongue takes in insects. Many take actions as “activists” around gender, HIV/AIDS, sexuality, women’s rights, governance, and most broadly, human rights. Others see the term as not exactly their cup of tea and might feel association with the term puts them in danger. For sure, to identify as an “activist” makes one a target. The most obvious targeting carries legal and safety ramifications. Also, “activists” are targets for short-sighted criticism. Women’s rights or gender activism does not equate to man-hating. No form of activism is ever about hate. There’s risk of viewing hesitancies individuals might have to embrace “activist” as a cowardly or lazy stance; that one is leaving activism to others. But really… is that one little term and only that term what’s actually noteworthy?

Some years ago, the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala, Sweden undertook a project to examine how the political and economic situation in Zimbabwe is influencing the arts. Recently, Professor Patricia Alden from St. Lawrence University in New York conducted further research along these lines, and wrote an essay entitled Days of Wrath, Days of Crisis.

In both cases, the research makes evident the ways artistic endeavors serve as lenses to compel us to think about issues in new ways. Alden describes Zimbabwean writing as an “on-going power struggle with the state.” She highlights that writers tend to “eschew dealing with ‘politics’ or the government directly, while remaining fully absorbed in the task of recording the present moment, particularly the human consequences of governmental policies and the marked development of class differences among black Zimbabweans.” And I’ve also had writers tell me they feel strongly that fiction has the power to tell truths. Does this mean an evening of reading by candlelight due to power cuts involves soaking in the work of “activist” novelists? Or maybe more that dissent, protest, and transgression represent long term and varied engagements focused on pivoting the center (to borrow Chandra Mohanty’s term). Exposing truths as a way to mark that which unjustly dominates; thus, developing strategies to build peaceful and equitable futures.

I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to learn more about three arts-related initiatives: The Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights forum run by CADET (Confronting Artists Development Trust), the Toyi Toyi Artz Kollektive, and Magamba!, a cultural activist network where the word is the weapon. Each of these initiatives record the present moments in powerful ways; they represent civil disobedience.

Personally, I don’t jump at the chance to call myself an activist, and I’m a bit uncomfortable with the use of war metaphors. But that’s me. What matters most is the content of engagements. Specifically, dedication to address and dismantle injustices in ways that tap into ones own strengths and as a result work to educate, probe, and break through.

For six days each year, Harare gardens often serving as home to Zimbabwean street kids roars into life with the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA). 2008 is proving to be no different with just as many artists determined to perform, and just as many tourists, visitors and locals thronging the festival despite the biting costs and general hardships bedeviling the Zimbabwe.

Attendance to the Chiwoniso and Trio Ivoire show easily passed the 3000 mark. Half of the audience were foreign visitors of all races who did not understand a single Shona word but who simply loved the mbira-playing beautiful songstress affectionately known as ‘Chi’.

However the artists were not the only ones lighting up the place. HIFA is the place where the who’s who hang out, doing business or just relaxing with their families amidst a plethora of artistic entertainment. This is currently the place where one gets to rub shoulders with some of the best artists in the country.

The youth zone also captivated huge audiences with creative programs intended to involve the youth and keep the young children occupied. Children were taught, among other things, yoga and the Brazilian war dance called Capoeira. They also got the opportunity to lip-sync to their favorite songs. In the youth zone there were stands set up by organizations like Childline offering free counseling services.

*Trio Ivoire formed in 1999 when its three members met in the Ivory Coast. On plays piano, the other drums and the last, marimba. They recently released an album called Touching Africa.

At the HIVOS Poetry Cafe on May Day poetry lovers were fed with combinations of humor, political satire and protest music and poetry.

Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights member, Tapfuma Jongwe, particularly caught the audience’s attention with a piece titled ‘Valentine’. It is the name of a woman he once loved but who left him to go to South Africa where she died suddenly. He laments the general problems lovers face in an economy such as the one prevailing in Zimbabwe. Among other things the poet points out that on Valentine’s Day, they used to have candle-lit dinners, but out of no choice this happens anyway due to the power-cuts. With Zimbabwe ailing before its 30th birthday, Jongwe asks, “What is democracy when state agents use weapons of mass destruction against defenseless university students armed only with their brains?” “What is democracy, when taxes from hard working civil servants go to build mansions in Kuala Lumpur? “What is democracy when civil servants cannot afford a single crate of lion lager and only the ‘chefs’ are well fed nowadays.”

In short, the poet espoused the loss of the meaning of Labor Day among ordinary folk.

The poetry cafe was also graced by outspoken Kenyan, Shailja Patel and Norwegian flute mistress, Linn Heidi Anderson.

Underlying themes ranged from the daily struggles of ordinary citizens oppressed by an unfriendly socio-economic and political environment to humorous descriptions of Africa being one of the greatest places to be. At the end of it all, it was clear that a lot of truth is said in jest.

Acclaimed poet and author, Ignatius Mabasa, rounded off the day with the reminder that after all is said and done, we can only look to God to salvage us from the mess we find ourselves in. Famously dubbed ‘God’s poetry’ by the press, Mabasa had the audience in stitches with his analogy of an old man who laments the fact that he can’t seem to be able to aim his manhood directly into the loo. He misses all the time and above all, he can’t seem to remember why he ‘lost’. Another acclaimed poet, Chirikure Chirikure described Mabasa’s poetry as “political pornography”.

I’ve just been in a CABS queue.

The limit on cash withdrawals is Z$1 billion a day. When the call-out fee for a plumber is Z$1.6 billion I feel like singing that line in Oliver Twist – Please Sir, I want some more. Fat chance. But waiting in queues can be both profoundly sad, as well as amusing.

The other day this really old man was sitting waiting his turn to withdraw some cash. When his turn finally came he shuffled forward and I noticed that the bottom of his trousers had been burnt. I wondered whether he’d come in to town escaping the violence in the rural areas. When he had to enter his pin number, ironically he turned round and asked for assistance from a policeman in the queue. Most men and women in uniform in Zimbabwe are regarded with suspicion.

Then today, in another cash queue which dribbled out the CABS door, I noticed a woman who had come prepared for the wait with some reading material. The title of the book was Fart Proudly which I thought rather amusing because we generally all Fart Quietly. Except for one particular friend of mine who lets off with such gusto that I’m left in shock. Luckily I don’t see her very often. But the title of the book intrigued me so I Googled and came up with this editorial comment  courtesy of Amazon

A mention of flatulence might conjure up images of bratty high school boys or lowbrow comics. But one of the most eloquent—and least expected—commentators on the subject is Benjamin Franklin. The writings in Fart Proudly reveal the rogue who lived peaceably within the philosopher and statesman. Included are “The Letter to a Royal Academy”; “On Choosing a Mistress”; “Rules on Making Oneself Disagreeable”; and other jibes. Franklin’s irrepressible wit found an outlet in perpetrating hoaxes, attacking marriage and other sacred cows, and skewering the English Parliament. Reminding us of the humorous, irreverent side of this American icon, these essays endure as both hilarious satire and a timely reminder of the importance of a free press.

So if independent monitors and Mugabe’s allies agree that neither candidate got over 50% then announce the results already!

On the up-side we have Tsvangirai and Mutambara joining forces; Zimbabwe’s version of the dream ticket? We have had numerous SMS’ and emails requesting that the opposition unite to shunt bobby sideways. Tendai was the most passionate

Please I really needed the two MDCs to go into the elections united as we were fighting one common enemy which is the devil called ZANU PF. I was then surprised to see the two MDCs going into the election divided. We could have completely removed the devil from the picture by now had the two MDCs gone into the elections united. From my own analysis the MDC could have won 10 more house of parliament seats and at least 5 more senate seats had they gone united. My question is why are you failing it? Why are you not a united front by now? Why are you yet to combine forces to fight ZANU in the parliament and senate. If we are to add all the seats that the two MDCs won we come up with 109 seats which actually becomes outright majority. If the two MDCs continue to go into the parliament divided the ZANU will continue taking advantage of the divisions to continuously oppress the ordinary Zimbabweans. further to that it will continue to show the disorganisation of the two parties as opposition parties.

On the streets, Zimbabweans are taking their fury and their frustration out on Mugabe’s presidential posters. Various forms of of mutilation are taking place from gouged out eyes, a gap where that tichy mustache usually bristles, at times the fist has gotten the chop and then there are the beheadings. If I were Mugabe I’d be afraid of the real thing.

From the Lowveld we received this message which indicates that some Zimbabweans are retaliating, saying enough is enough

More threats
Local ZANU councilors are forcing people on nearby farms to go to meetings where they are accused of being MDC voters and then told that they are going to be beaten and killed at night.

Tensions rising
Last night at about 9.30pm I heard a lot of shouting coming from Tshovani township near Chiredzi, the next morning I asked several people what it was about and they all said that the residents were shouting for Mugabe to go. I have also been informed that the MDC youth are forming units to protect them and retaliate against militia if they start beating people in the Lowveld area. A similar action has taken place in the Zaka constituencies and I believe in Masvingo also. There is a lot of despondency here and also a lot of anger, people want to fight now.

Break in for what?
At 2.15am a person broke into my house, ignored the food in my pantry and the TV and sound systems in my lounge, he started to open my passage door leading to my bedroom. Fortunately I have been putting a cow bell on the door handle since 2000 and it fell off and made enough noise for me to get into action. I grabbed my 20 shot 9mm and rushed out and managed to fire two shots close to his feet as he was running away. It’s possible that this person or persons meant me harm; anyway I am sure that I have distracted them a little.

Bare shelves
All the supermarkets and wholesalers shelves are empty but for a few packets of chips and rotting vegetables! Maize meal, sugar, milk and soap are non existent.

Responding to Zimbabwe’s ongoing election crisis, in an editorial in the state newspaper The Herald last Wednesday, Obediah Mukura Mazombwe said “the most viable and safest way forward is for SADC to mediate negotiations for a transitional government of national unity . . . led by the incumbent president.”

Of course, in an editorial the next day, The Herald then featured Mabasa Sasa (say that ten times fast) making the opposite argument. So who knows what they really think.

SADC, or at least some of it, might think that a unity government is the way forward for Zimbabwe.

But the whole idea of a government of national unity is an emotive one for Zimbabweans, as well it should be – particularly for those who recall the swallowing of PF ZAPU by ZANU PF in the 1980′s.

We sent this text message to our subscribers to seek their opinion:

Kubatana! Government of national unity: Solution or sell out? What do you think? Reply with your thoughts via SMS or email info [at] kubatana [dot] org [dot] zw

We’ve received a flood of replies, particularly via SMS, with voices against a government of national unity out numbering those in favour of it by about 10:1. Here are just a few of the comments we’ve received:

Face the facts. Use the facts with logic to benefit the public at large. Stop partisan interests. Zimbabwe is at cross roads right as I write.

War veterans exist. ZANU PF is the vehicle party through which Zimbabwe got independence and Mugabe is its leader. ZANU won votes in the current House of Assembly and Senatorial elections. Mugabe lost the presidential vote and that is being recounted now, never mind the objective.
MDC exists. It has membership of people from all walks of life including War veterans, war collaborators, CIO, soldiers, industrialists, Karanga, Zezuru, Manyika, Ndebele, Korekore, Tonga,etc. MDC won seats in the House of Assembly and Senatorial elections. MDC won the presidential election, never mind the margin which is being tempered around with as I write!

Both parties got assistance from the West at one point or another during their life cycle. Zimbabwe needs food, jobs, production, infrastructure, pride, sovereignty, democracy, etc.

Therefore we need resources from different sources. What matters is the nature of contract the resources come with. Zimbabwe needs minds that think, level-headed people who use logic, rationale to arrive at answers to the problems that face the nation right now. Zimbabwe needs to be a true democracy to be able to achieve the task ahead of it. A democracy entails accepting divergence of views and harnessing the richness of diversity to craft policies and laws that the nation. We need peace. Peace entails a leadership that compromises trivialities and focus on fundamentals. Peace can easily be achieved when different interest groups have been given space, and assured that their interests are addressed.

Therefore a government of national unity is a must! A one party government will surely face resistance from the other party and the country will be ungovernable. Zimbabwe does not need another dictatorship but a democracy by its total definition and characteristics.

Sorry you touched me on a raw nerve!

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They must not be duped into the idea of government of national unity. They are not birds of the same feathers.

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Definitely No No No. No to any government of national unity. It will be a betrayal to the peace loving people of Zimbabwe. Compromise and appeasement are the seeds for a mutation of more corruption oppression and injustice. We have come this far down the road to overthrow this evil regime we must go all the way, and see a collapse of this evil system of bondage and destruction, Not only for Zimbabwe but the whole of SADC.

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A government of national unity is a sell out, mugabe and his puppets have no space in the new Zimbabwe.

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We must send the message LOUD and CLEAR to zanu (and to the MDC Leadership) “NO Government of National Unity, NO Terms and Conditions……….. We WANT a RE-RUN – under any circumstances, under any conditions – we will HUMILIATE them!!” Bring it on!

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No to a government of national unity. Please they should not disobey our vote. We don’t want sell-outs.

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GNU defies whole purpose of an election. If they wanted unity gvt shld have said b4. This undermines democratic elections. Let the winner lead&we knw who won

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How can you make unity with a loser? Why would you go for a penalty shoot out when your team won 2-0. MDC has won the match and by now they must be in office doing the job. BIG NO to govt of national unity.

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A gvt of national unity with who? Let MDC takeover. ZANU PF has failed completely. The people have spoken. We do not want thugs murders and thieves to govern us.

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What ! Government of national unity with a loser Never ever Mugabe is a thief & his cronies should go to HAGUE& face the wrath of their sins.

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Gvt of national unity a non starter. What happened to zapu? We never voted for a unity gvt.

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Gvt of national ok. With MT as president. Without mugabe.

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Depends who is in it and who dominates. Mdc must dominate. Bob must be out as well as all former ministers. Simba can represent reform zanu

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They will absorb MDC and neutralise any opposition. There will be no change for ordinary folk.

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Sell out. But best option at this time!

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No. MDC won so it should form its own govt. People’s vote to stand as it is. Zanu has stolen 3 previous elections referendum & 2 elections. Stolen country’s riches. We didn’t fight liberation war for a couple of people.

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Thats the way to go. Pollarisation wil not stop

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A government of national unity will be utter betrayal on the people of Zimbabwe. The mere thought of it is betrayal. It would be better to remain an opposition

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Thats the one we need to enhance experience to new leadership.

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Unity with thieves who are not ready to reform is a betrayal of the ppl’s will. The ppl have spoken. Great betrayal!

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No to a union with murderers.

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What unity? When someone loses an election he should GO! Thats why we voted. Why unite with thieves?

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Sell out. ZANU PF had its go, looted è economy bringing Zim 2 a near standstill & è quagmire we’re in now. è whole useless bunch ö thugs n crooks shld move out n allow Zim’s restoration 2 prosperity.

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No ways! As long as bob is around recipe for disaster! No progress at all.

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Solution if MDC is the ruling party. Any plans 4 that?

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It is ok to have a government of National Unity, but only if Mugabe is not the head. We do not want the set-up like the one in Kenya whereby the man who lost in the elections is still the one heading the country. We know who we voted for,and Morgan is the one.