Shoko Festival : The Rising ...

It was a ‘freaky’ Friday alright and this lady was on a mission, a MISSION to ‘arrest MAFAROES courtesy of Shoko Festival right?!

As cheesy as that may sound hears my ‘to do list, you know for reference:

• Ñ       Freak -em palazzos *check*
  
• Nude-I’ll-snog-you-in-a-Water-Whirld-bush-sex-appeal-lipstick *check*
  
• Hijacked fellow partners in crime *check*
  
• Arrival: ‘Fashionably Late’ the African version plus two more hours *check*
  
•  Identify watering holes in the vicinity *check*
  
• Use them religiously after every few minutes *check!*

You wouldn’t believe our luck; just as we arrived we walked slam-BHAM into the coolest Chiwoniso Tribute on a stage which happened to be named in her honour; a combination of crazy tribal percussion, Reggae chanting - singing and some Afro-electronic to make any house-heads’ panties wet. To say Willis Watafi, Sista Flame & my newest discovery of awesomeness, Djembe Monks from Bulawayo killed Chi’s ‘Mai’ is an understatement. Never have I heard that song in such a positive and uplifting vibe.

Mzungu Kichaa, looked anything but crazy, in fact; clad in a skinny-tee, PALAZZOS topped off with a grass hat, he looked so cultured, so cultured he stole my heart. My heart is in Tanzania as you read this, maybe it was all that Masai jewelry? Maybe if I tweet him he’ll give it back! Anyway, the crowd loved the guy (see what I mean?); he taught the crowd some Masai, asked about our well-being, livestock, crops etc. He must have known we were a crowd of new farmers *Hihihi!* As he made room for Tariro neGitare the crowd had a feel of what this Bongo genre was all about; catchy Afro-Jazz with the occasional touch of Sungura guitar vibes.
Watching Tariro for the first time, I knew within that instant why her Twitter handle was ‘Wildfire’, incidentally that was the first song she performed. 

This happened to be my first time watching her perform and yes she was all woman, captivating the audience. Even the restless Tony Rebel fans were transfixed as she went. More so when her Mzungu co-performed the reggae influenced ‘Chitima’. 

Flanked by Mannex Motsi, Jah Farai and Lady Thanda as background, Tony Rebel made it onto stage to the sound of screaming frenzied fans (mostly males that looked vana baba-baningi!)! Dressed in an all red Michel Jackson inspired outfit, Tony looked all out ecstatic to be on stage in Zimbabwe. So much he sang about it. His performance though filled with typical “PULL-UP!!” teases was eventful, engaging, entertaining and well worth the wait. 

Mbira-Princess, Hope Masike made a quick cameo as she translated ‘If God is on my side’ into a souled out Shona version. Jah Farai, Lady Thanda and Mannex each had moment to shine. Rightfully so they were all top notch and flew both ‘the’ colours and ‘our’ colours pretty high!  After the host for the evening Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa’s (Zifm) and her Starfm co-host called it a night, the people moved the party to the Julius Chingono Stage where Otis ‘The Flow’ Fraser (My radio idol *screams*) was ready and waiting playing some feel good old school as the crowd siphoned through.

It was there the ‘REAL’ good vibes flowed as a smaller crowd of the patrons mingled and danced on the grass till the wee hours of 4am. Yes of course I was one of them barefooted and rapturous till it was time to go as The Rising of the Sun neared.

Shoko Festival 2013 kicked some major...*cough* Shoko Festival 2013 arrested some Massive Mafaroes, next year it’s so F%&#!ng on! Can’t wait!

Talking Registration, Diasporan Voters &Western Handouts with ZEC’s Laetitia Kazembe

Hey guys! I caught up with one of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Chairpersons’ or better put; I spoke the very sassy, religiously Catholic, well spoken Laetitia Kazembe who’s been doing this Electoral stuff for a good 12years(i.e. since the dark ages, in a good way though!).

Ironically in light of the virtual and actual chit chat about the elections I asked her some questions in an effort to make her the least bit comfortable, which she sailed through without a batting of her well mascara-d eyelid dodging the typical political mix and matching as she went. Long and short of the conversation here’s stuff you may or may not know, that is to sa if you know it vaguely good on you! If you don’t even better! If you do, read it anyway!

As we conversed about the Electoral elephants in the room, Mrs Kazembe was adamant the younger cool, or un-cool kids (younger generation(s)) were excited and more proactive in the voting process than most think, myself included. She noted this was clear in the nature of turnout and age groups coming to the Registration Centres littered around the country. However she did throw us some punches, pointing out the ‘youths’ tendency for taking the Right to Vote for granted; citing pure ignorance of the struggles experienced by our liberator’s as the cause, that and a lack of Civic Education, which the ZEC intends to include in school curriculums (OH OH! Looks like we skipped a few classes, too many!).  

For what it is worth I have always thought many of us Zimbabweans have tendencies of maintaining passive aggressive states of mind: a WHOLE lot to complain about, thorough social, economic and political observations and yet minimum hands-on solution provision. (That’s just me Steph-ing out loud)

In that light, Mrs Kazembe further pointed out the responsibility we each had to exercise Zimbabwean rights to Register and to Vote rather than sit on our...hands, moaning and groaning about everything, which (I repeat), we can really be good at!

   

Naturally, the issue of limited funding was raised; Mrs. Kazembe stressed ZEC’s intent to meet its immense list of tasks however the financial aspect has been a strong barrier. Thanks to the UNDP’s facilitation and the government’s permission however and other organisations such as SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency) and the Dutch Embassy that have been awfully generous; ZEC has managed to get up and running.  Even the EU has helped out people, “they are really interested that the election process becomes free fair and credible” said Mrs Kazembe. (They and we included!)

When I questioned the independence and possible conflict of interest between ZEC and its ‘donors’; she made it clear that the donations were based on a ‘no strings attached’ basis and ZEC’s independence is rooted in the constitution, citing that there would be ‘no deal’ once lines between donations and political influence were blurred.

On the subject of Registration she emphasized our options for the sticky ‘Proof of Registration’ issue:

v Bring either your old lady or man with a random utility Bill of your choice

v Bring your landlord along

v Ask one of your better organized mates to write you a letter proving you’re not a country hopping gypsy

v Fill in an affidavit at a Registration Centre of your choice, stating where you live then swear on it!

To be honest this sounded a whole easier than I thought it was!

Bad news for the Diasporans I’m afraid, Madam Laetitia made it crystal that zero provision had been made for them seeing as their condition is errm... NOT covered in the Constitution unless of course you’re an Ambassador’s something, a soldier, an officer of the etc. on State business then hey you can just mail your vote! (psssh! Simple!)

For information about everything ZEC related check out their website here, there you can find a snazzy list of the Registration centres (If you are like me yet to register!). If not don’t be a cheap skate buy a Newspaper its (ZEC) all over them. Register and Vote guys, while you’re at it try not carry machetes, throw rocks or chant insults; ‘One Love’. #TSKC

Poke YOUR Nose into this: The Rotaract Club of Harare West get dirty as they lend a hand in Domboshava!

Not many people have the foggiest of ideas of what Rotaract is or what it’s about or if anyone in it is bone-able. Being a recently inducted Rotaractor and lover of all things interactive I have been asked to explain it numerous times but after this past weekend I can safely say, you need to be in it to get it. That is get knee deep into the selfless action oriented bit (the part that matters) get to have a jam and socialize (the part that also matters *wink*), network and be schooled in thoughts that never crossed your mental server (the reward that comes with the knee deep stuff) and much more I’m probably yet to experience! In simple words its helping other people take care of themselves, its feeding the hungry with a loaf of bread, its teaching them to farm the darn wheat (wheat not weed PEOPLE!), its keeping strangers warm during these cold winter nights; its turning a ‘shamble’ into a walled and floored Home.

That’s precisely what we ‘Wild Wild Westerners’ got up to on an almost early Saturday morning. I say almost because like most things in life we met a few of life’s *EHEM!*, obstacles; road blocks, ‘almost’ flat tyres, not-so-morning-people, possible overloading and transport woes to mention a few!

But with the resilience of 5year olds on a scavenger hunt we pulled through and made it out to the outskirts deep in Domboshava, so deep we made the rest of the trek on foot to a tattered place called home to Baba naMai Passmore; the couple we have been assisting for a little close to a while.

This couple has six children (yes you read right), two girls; Chiedza (1 ½ yrs), the adorable Maude (5yrs) and four boys; Passmore (roughly 16yrs), Goodmore (12yrs), Titus (9yrs) and the both mischievous and timid Joshua (7yrs). Of the bunch only Titus and Goodmore are attending school while Joshua is yet to step into a classroom due to funding. Maude is due for Pre School as well but unfortunately the chorus of funding is certainly sung in the highest note under these circumstances. Stationery, school uniforms, day to day nutritional requirements, a secure roof over their heads, a cement and not dirt floor as well as actual windows lengthen the list of what, not only the family needs BUT what these children deserve as a human right to ‘be’.

The Rotaract Club of Harare West have and continue to do what they can to fill in the blanks where resources can; a blanket here, a pair of previously love clothes here and there, etc

That’s where YOU come in… YOU’RE the missing link… no effort is too small… no donation is irrelevant in cash, kind, time or expertise. At the risk of sounding like a chain message here; take a moment (no, seriously just a minute!), and think of what you have to offer to this family or to the Harare West Rotaractors Club as a member….*moment of silence for your thoughts*

Now Grab this guy's contacts and get involved;

Rotaract Club of Harare West, President Elect :
Victor:victormabika@gmail.com

 I can’t promise won’t love it though.
 YOU have been warned! #TSKC

I Love My Family

 This will be a relatively short and emotion filled, soggy as a damp tea dunked biscuit post.  Guys …I love my family. I know you’re thinking duh! Of course you do but you don’t get it …

I have taken a look back in time and there is one thing that is largely consistently my family… we have lost a few good soldiers on our way of course but… we have managed to dust ourselves up as we go. Chanting optimistic war-cries!

 Drinking to our fill, glasses half full of empathy, sacrifice and the type of love God Himself created. Agape.  

Not all are blessed with that amount of love and companionship BUT we all have some kind of family… The most important aspect is NOT to take for granted the actions and emotions experienced by those that give a damn about you.

It is always tempting to go trampling over their opinions, advice and smothering.

These people will NOT always be around.

I would take a bullet for them … YES I would! (Only if the situation demanded it OBVIOUSLY! )

Spent a little time…show you love and appreciate them because being YOUR family is free. I myself am on the road to recovery, working on treating them better and saying I Love You more often. You can come along too there’s enough room for the both of us ;-) .

#TSKC

Complex Complexities

Hello there… just as we get acquainted … I need you to know I AM A COMPLEX BEING.

My thoughts and actions are easier said than done to decipher.

My spontaneity?

Unpredictable naturally just as the very word implies

 It may seem as though I over think, over analyse or over-stand…

That I see the invisible and non-existent

But you must know this by now even before my name

Before the multitude of hallucinogens

 I AM A COMPLEX BEING! 

Neither shall I show the real meaning of a light nod or expression…

The race ran by my ambition based solely of cognition explored with pen as sword

My eyes are not gorged out…with a simple pout it is clear…there’s disapproval in the air a slight whiff somewhere

You scratch your scalp simply because the little hair left has been pulled out…

Comprehension of this creature this being is STILL beyond you even if I behave the most polite

 I must beg that you find it clear…

My name is Stephanie and I AM A COMPLEX BEING.