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IN his preview of the play Waiting for the Constitution that opened at Theatre in the Park on Tuesday, Rooftop Promotions marketing manager Tafadzwa Muzondo gave a framework of questions that the play would seek to address.
The play, he aptly said, would not provide all answers but, at least, give viewers an insight into the different facets that constitution-making might take.
So, it was not surprising on Tuesday when the play attracted a full house.
Such a crowd has not been seen at Theatre in the Park for some time.
And the cast did its best to send various messages about the constitution-making process home.
Most of the questions in Muzondo’s preview were addressed, albeit in a manner characterised by serious conflict.
Tempers flared, harsh words were exchanged and accusations were traded as members of the Nzimbe family clashed on various issues about the constitution.
Mai Nzimbe’s brother, Sekuru Matamba (Sebastian Maramba) and his son-in-law Comrade Babamunini — played by Silvanos Mudzvova — fiercely take each other to task over issues that should be addressed in the constitution.
Their clash was inevitable considering that Sekuru Matamba was a member of the Rhodesian forces during the liberation war while Comrade Babamunini is a “war veteran” and senior politician.
The later takes the former as a sell-out who fought against his own people.
Sekuru Matamba values development at community level and believes each province should manage its affairs while Comrade Babamunini is adamant that decisions should always come from senior politicians at national level.
On the other hand Mai Nzimbe (Edith Katiji) believes that common people cannot make decisions on how to run the country. She partially agrees with the comrade.
But the three elders are also at loggerheads with the younger generation.
The two Nzimbe daughters Susan (Tendai Chakanyuka) and Constance (Winnie Moyo) agree with their brother, young Titus (John Pfumojena) that there should be no discrimination along lines of gender and sexual orientation, which their “traditional” elders vehemently oppose.
When the debate gets hotter, Comrade Babamunini bolts out of the meeting throwing the programme into disarray.
The gathering had initially been arranged to discuss Constance’s marriage but the conflict of views on constitution-making diverts the agenda of the meeting and leaves the marriage discussion in the balance.
While various important issues are raised during this clash, what emerges in the end is that it would be difficult for people of various orientations and backgrounds to convincingly reach a consensus on the ideal constitution.
Waiting for the Constitution was written by Stephen Chifunyise while Daves Guzha and Muzondo directed it.
BY GODWIN MUZARI
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