'TANGA WANDIDA'

'TANGA WANDIDA.....'

During the 80s and 90s 'tanga wandida...' became a familiar phrase at most Zimbabwean work places, as in 'no sex, no job.' Unfortunately some vulnerable women fell victim to such manipulative bosses and ended up shagging their bosses for jobs. The trend soon spread to head teachers, pastors, service station attendants, headmen, policemen (yes!), 'anamahobho',  'mahwindi' .... all demanding such favours.

At first I didn't believe this until my very first boss came straight into my face one day and asked for sexual favours in return for accelerated advancement. This new boss of mine was eloquent in his speech, he was well connected, he had money. Later on I learnt that he had studied abroad and owned a string of properties in the heart of London, and had lived in London for some years. This explained that London accent innit?

He had called me to his hotel room as we were attending a workshop at the time. I was shaking like a leaf, and what with my SRB accent? I managed to gather a little bit of courage and of course said 'No', but this had insulted my intelligence as I had never slept my way through high school or college. I had used my brains to advance myself ..... and sharp ones for that matter!

So the story continues ....... in my autobiography of course........

Just a reminder to all you good followers out there, women are not stupid, neither are we objects, or punch bags or anything of the sort. I, for one use my brains to think hard and empower myself 'handishandisi gotsi.'

Bis spater.

Ruth

'A TIME TO SPEAK....'

Date: December 1st, 2012;  Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

Now is the time to hear all about my forthcoming book, no more secrets! When 'some' people look at a black woman, particularly a woman from Africa, they think nothing good comes out of them. This is what our societies taught us, these are the biases in the societies that we live in today ..... a lot of prejudices work against us. I share this background, and no matter how I look or sound, I believe black African women are beginning to speak out, just as I will do on the day.

I will be sharing the platform with other inspirational writers and speakers. 'It's my time to speak...' so don't miss out, make a date. See you there!

I will be posting further details about the place and time in the near future. The date is definitely the first of December this year, and the town is Stevenage in Hertfordshire. I look forward to seeing all you good friends who have been eagerly waiting for my book!

Ruth

OUT OF THE SHADOWS ...

Out of the shadows
.

One cold morning after the authorities had rid Harare of its 'filth' I heard a loud bang on the big black gate that led to my house. I looked through the window to check who it was, but the pre-cast boundary wall blocked my view. For a moment I was tempted to ignore the knock as it sounded rather intimidating. What had happened a month before was still fresh on everyone's mind!

I went out anyway, strutting my stuff as usual. I was proud of my assets! "It's a free world", I thought to myself..."but who could that be .....?" I wondered.

"Err, tingaonewo baba vepano here?" "Could I see the man of the house please?" a man asked. He was wearing a multi-coloured scarf and was accompanied by 3 other people, a man and 2 women. Their blood shot swollen eyes were sticking out as if they were about to fall off. These people must have spent the previous night drinking opaque beer at the local beer garden, judging by the man's stinking breath and the bits splattering out of his mouth.

A quick thought ran through my mind. "Ahh, iko zvino vambobuda, vabuda manje manje sooo..." "He is not here, he left a moment ago...." I answered in a faint voice, playing victim.

"When he comes back, tell him we wanted to speak to him ..  about the forthcoming elections," he said with an emphasis. The conversation was brief, as he only wanted to speak to the man of the house. I could not wait for these people to leave and shut the gate behind them. This was 25 years after independence and 10 years after my husband had passed away ..... what an insult!

A little girl from Africa

This is the story of my life that will be published soon. It is set in Zimbabwe where I was born. In this book I talk about growing up in the 1960s through to the 1980s, in a country torn by civil strife. I talk about the challenges of growing up in a society that was deteriorating both physically and socially due to the ravages of a war and due to global influences.

During that period, I (as part of a group) attended many vigils (pungwes) where the wartime message was spread. Some of my peers were persuaded to travel gruelling journeys to neighbouring countries to join the liberation struggle. Some joined and fell by the wayside and some returned, traumatised by the realities of a bush war. I lost a close family member. That left me devastated. That aside, the other negative effects of the war, coupled with societal problems of the time left a mark on me.. My book narrates all those unforgettable experiences.

This is a captivating story about growing up as an African girl. The story gives a fresh perspective into the African way of life then and now. I question the relevance of 'some' lingering African customs as well as beliefs and norms to today's society. At the same time I question whether 'modern lifestyles' are the way to go. By modern lifestyles, I am referring to today's complicated lifestyles.

This is a real life story soon to be in a good book store near you. The book will be published by AuthorHouse and the title is still under review. The book might come under a different label but the message remains the same.

I hope you will enjoy reading this story! On another note, another GRIPPING story by a notable female writer, Betty Makoni, is out, called 'Never Again - not to any woman and girl again'. I thought mine was 'the story' but wait till you READ this one.

Ruth xx

FORTHCOMING: A SHORT STORY

FORTHCOMING: A SHORT STORY
In this short story,  a girl called Rosey is born in a family of eleven children. It was not an easy life, with her parents failing to fend for such a large family. The family is also dysfunctional. Her parents Estery and Mukay believe in a large family, but they are unable to provide for it, financially. Mukay boasts of his prowess in bed and fathers children elsewhere with an underage school girl, Maka. Maka becomes Mukay's second wife but younger wives tend to have a lot of demands. Maka is very close to Jakob, Mukay's eldest son. In Mukay's absence, Maka entertains Jakob a lot. One day Maka leaves behind her husband and the two children. She confesses that one of the children is not her husband's. Whose child is it?

At school, Rosey has a beautiful friend Ketie who comes from an affluent background. Ketie's parents afford boarding fees for her to at the same school. The two girls keep a close friendship despite their different backgrounds. Something happens to Rosey on her long journey from school. Rosey travels through scary forests to get to school everyday. At the same time Ketie seems to get special favours from Mr Mamba, one of the primary school teachers, but why? From being a bubbly girl, Ketie becomes reserved. One day school kids who attend St Faith's Mission stumble upon a man's naked body. Later the body is identified as Mr Mamba's. Two men are accused of the teacher's murder, but what is the motive behind? At the men's trial, the truth comes out.  In the meantime, Ketie falls ill for a prolonged period of time, but recovers later. In the end the two friends, Rosie and Ketie get some sponsorship to further their education and fulfil their lifelong dreams. Their dream is to fight society's injustices, past and present ......