WHITE
SEPTEMBER: SYNOPSIS OF THE SCRIPT:
JULIUS SAI MUTYAMBIZI-DEWA
This story is set at the
height of the liberation struggle in 1978, in Mhondoro, Mashonaland West. A white
member of the ZANLA guerrillas is tasked with rescuing a potential recruit who
is accused of killing a white police officer. It is messy but the rescue plan
has been set and once Comrade Malonglong is able to rescue the young recruit,
the only surviving child in the family of incarcerated liberation time
politicians, former Reverend Gwashavanhu and his school-teacher wife Agnes who
have been sentenced to death on accusations of recruiting for the purposes of
taking part in the liberation struggle, the objective is to get him to Wedza, a
liberated zone and finally to Mozambique safely. Their other 3 children
Godfrey, Tinodanyika and Freedom were all killed in cold blood.
This mission has been
sanctioned from the semi-liberated Wedza, and a reconnaissance mission of a
crack ZANLA unit led by Black September is stationed at the banks of River
Charter just in case the secret mission goes wrong and Comrade Malonglong is
detected. He has sent an advance party of 4 of his stick, Farai Mazondo, Dexter
Pfumoreropa, Mutongi Murozvi and Stephen Chimbwanda and they are sheltered by
the village’s most trusted collaborator Mai Muzondo. Unknown to all Farai
Mazondo is working for the Selous Scouts and he gets his 3 comrades arrested but
Mai Muzondo is tipped well before he reports at her homestead. She makes a
timely escape to a rendezvous that Farai Mazondo is not aware of.
Intuitively Malonglong
decides to go to the rendezvous first before Mai Muzondo’s house. He is hungry
and tired and wanted to eat first before fulfilling the objective or regrouping
with his stick. But because he is white and his deployment has always raised
suspicions even with the ZANLA Command Mai Muzondo and the other team do not
trust him but are not going to tell him that. When they see he has relaxed they
pin him down, take his guns and ammunition and tie him and accuse him of
working in cahoots with Farai Mazondo who has turned traitor. In fact they say
he recruited Farai Mazondo into Selous Scouts. She refuses to cook any food for
him and they vacate the rendezvous leaving him with under the guard of a young
man. They make their way to Charter River to report what has happened. At the
rendezvous he convinces his guard that he meant well and didn’t know what Farai
Mazondo had done. He is untied and they quickly send for reinforcement from
Charter River but that base has known what happened to Mai Muzondo and suspect
Malonglong so they refuse to come. Infact they make a haste escape to Wedza
without Raymond Gwashavanhu and report mission abandoned on the basis of
contamination.
Malonglong is then forced
to look for Raymond alone and he is not even in Chief Mashayamombe’s area but
he is in Mbudzirume at the opposite end which means he has to find a way of
passing through territory held by the enemy and also untrusting comrades. The
ZANLA units in the area have caught word of a traitor on the loose but there
has been no proper briefing and because of preconception they hunt for the
white guerrilla whom they never trusted in the first place instead of Farai
Mazondo. So Malonglong is now faced with friendly fire and enemy fire from all
directions.
He manages to reach
Raymond but even after he locates him he still faces the problem of a Raymond
who is not so keen to join him but who does so after coming under immense enemy
fire. Even so he is briefly held on arrival at Wedza as the commanders too do
not believe him anymore.
CHARACTERS
MALONGLONG:
MAIN CHARACTER, A WHITE ZANLA GUERILLA WHO FIGHTS ALONGSIDE BLACK COMRADES IN
WHITE-LED RHODESIA[NOW ZIMBABWE]. IN THE PLAY HE WILL ENCOUNTER SOME PREJUDICES
IN WHAT OTHERS CONFUSE FOR A WHITE-MAN BLACK WAR BUT ENDS ON A HIGH. HE IS A
WIDOW IN THE PLAY, HIS WHITE WIFE HAVING BEEN EXECUTED FOR HER ROLE IN
SUPPORTING HIM. AT THE END HE APPEARS AS IF HE IS PROPOSING TO HILDA A BLACK
WIDOW. HE IS LATER GIVEN THE NOM DE GUERRE; WHITE SEPTEMBER.
BLACK
SEPTEMBER: PLAYS THE MAIN SUPPORTING ROLE TO MALOLONG. HE IS THE LEADER OF THE
DETACHMENT AND STANDS BY HIS COMRADE, MALONGLONG THROUGH THICK AND THIN AS THEY
WERE TRAINED TOGETHER. HE HAS EARNED THE TRUST AND RESPECT OF BOTH HIS TROOPS
AND THE COMMUNITY BUT DOES NOT REALISE HIS UNIT HAS BEEN INFILTRATED BY FARAI,
A MEMBER OF THE SELOUS SCOUTS. HE ALMOST GETS KILLED AT THE END AS HE FAILS TO
EXPLAIN THE WHEREABOUTS OF HIS COMRADE.
FARAI
MAZONDO: A MEMBER OF THE SELOUS SCOUTS WHO INFILTRATES BLACK SEPTEMBER’S UNIT.
HE DEFECTS AND HIS DEFECTION GIVES RISE TO THE CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT BECOMES THE
PLAY. HE IS NOT CAUGHT IN THE PLAY, CREATING THE SUSPENSE.
MAI
MUZONDO: A VERY IMPORTANT COMMUNITY LEADER. IN THE PLAY HER HUSBAND’S
WHEREABOUTS ARE NOT KNOWN AND IS PRESUMED DEAD. SHE IS THE LEADER OF ALL THE
CIVILAINS AND IS RESPECTED BY ALL GUERRILLAS AND OTHER CIVILIANS.
HILDA:
SHE IS A YOUNG WIDOW. HER HUSBAND WAS MURDERED BY RHODESIAN FORCES. SHE
SUPPORTS THE GUERRILLAS BUT IS A VERY URGY CHARACTER. A WHITE POLICEMAN
ATTEMPTS TO RAPE HER AND THAT SORTS OF FURTHER STEALS HER CONFIDENCE.
THROUGHOUT THE PLAY SHE SHOWS THIS URGINESS AND MORESO WHEN THEY ARE BEING
INTERROGATED. AT THE END OF THE PLAY SHE GETS AN IMPLIED PROPOSITION FROM
MALONGLONG/WHITE SEPTEMBER.
BERNITA:
ANOTHER YOUNG WIDOW. SHE IS INTELLIGENT AND MORE RESOLUTE THAN HILDA. SHE AND
MAI MUZONDO KILL THE WHITE POLICEMAN WHO ATTEMPTS TO RAPE HILDA.HOWEVER SHE TOO
PANICS DURING INTERROGATION. GODFREY GWASHAVANU, A GUERRILLA LEADER FROM HER
NEIGHBOURHOOD PROPOSES TO HER AT THE END OF THE PLAY.
MUTONGI
MUROZVI: GUERRILLA WHO IS PRESENT WHEN FARAI DEFECTS. HE SURVIVES THE ORDEAL
AND REPORTS BACK. HE IS WITH BLACK SEPTEMBER AT THE WEDZA INTERROGATION.
BAZOOKA:
ANOTHER GUERRILLA
COMRADE
TAPFUMA: HE IS WITH MALONGLONG WHEN THEY GO TO LOOK FOR RAYMOND GWASHAVANHU.
HIS INITIAL REACTION IS TO KILL MALONGLONG WHEN HE HEARS HE IS A TRAITOR BUT
MALONGLONG CONVINCES HIM OF AN INCIDENT WHERE THEY FOUGHT TOGETHER AND COVERED
EACH OTHER. HE IS SHOWN IN THE PLAY AS A BRAVE SOLDIER. HE IS WITH MALONGLONG
ALL THE WAY.
COMRADE:
DISASTER: THE BASE COMMANDER AT MANHIZE. HE INITIALLY RESISTS MALONGLONG BUT
FIGHT TOGETHER AND GETS INJURED. THEY ATTEND WEDZA TOGETHER.
GODFREY
GWASHAVANU: THE MOST SENIOR AND THE COMMANDER OF WHOLE OF THE LIBERATED ZONE OF
WEDZA. HE IS RAYMOND’S BROTHER AND LATER PROPOSES TO BERNITA.
RAYMOND
GWASHAVANU: A YOUNG MAN WHOSE WHOLE FAMILY IS PARTICIPATING IN THE LIBERATION
STRUGGLE AND HIS PARENTS ARE IMPRISONED. HE IS PROTECTED BY BLACK SEPTEMBER’S
TRUCE BUT THEY LOSE GUARD ONCE. HE THINKS HE HAS KILLED A WHITE POLICE OFFICER
NOT KNOWING HE WAS ALREADY DEAD WHEN HE ATTACKED HIM. HE IS THE SUBJECT OF
MALONGLONG’S MISSION. AT THE END HE IS HAPPY TO MEET HIS OLDER BROTHER.
JINDWI:
INTERROGATING OFFICER1 AT WEDZA.
RUSUNUNGUKO
BHINJABHINJA: FEMALE INTERROGATING OFFICER AT WEDZA.
WHITE
POLICEMAN: TRIES TO FORCE HIMSELF ON
HILDA AND GETS KILLED.
BLACK
POLICEMAN: HE IS SUBMISSIVE TOWARDS WHITES AND MALONGLONG CAPITALISES ON THAT
AT THE CHECKPOINT.
WHITE
SOLDIER: HE IS BIASED TOWARDS WHITES AND MALONGLONG CAPITALISES ON THAT AT THE
CHECKPOINT.
SCENE
ONE ACT 1:
This
scene is shown at a semi-base, a hideout and we see guerrillas from the
Zimbabwe National Liberation Army relaxing and playing a game of checkers. The
striking thing is the presence of a white guerrilla Comrade Malonglong who was
given that name because of his height. His presence in the Charter District
[now Manyame] is already sending nerves as it is rare to see a white person
fighting against the Rhodesia Front. But he seems to have the trust of his
comrades and he is not the point of focus. He is shown with an AK assault rifle
but he is very relaxed although some of them are keeping watch and remain very
alert.
Black September: [he is
clearly the most revered here, a heavily built man who nurtures beard. He is
clad in a blue beret, green fatigue and dangles an AK47 on his left shoulder.
He also has a pistol but this sits in a pouch in his waist-belt. The boot size
tells it all] Comrade Malonglong you really
can’t play. Now what’s your next move?
Malonglong: [moving a
bottle top over the board] Hahaha Komu, it’s you who is gone if I move this
what will be your next step?
Black September: [pausing
for a moment clearly reminiscing] Hiya I never thought you would go that way
but ummm, I will do this.....and this!
[There is an interjection] Hhaha Comrade Malonglong you are
finished. You can’t move anyhow now.
[This is the voice of a short, alert young man in his mid-twenties. Although
not on attention he is still stood up and clearly providing cover for the
Commander Black September]
Black September:
[chuckling] Vaudzeyi komu ava Comrade.
Yafa tsoro yavo. [Tell him Comrade,
its game over]
Malonglong: Hahaha mandibata nhasi Mkoma, hiya
handisisina kwekuenda nako: [Hahaha today is your day, yes I can’t move
anymore]
Black September: Yes
that’s what we want, those who admit when they lose. Not Comrade Farai he
insists even where he is losing. Isn’t that true Comrade Dexter? [He addresses that question to Comrade Dexter
Pfumoreropa, the man who had interjected earlier who seems to be keeping close
guard of him].
Dexter Pfumoreropa:
Hahaha, Comrade Farai will never say die.....
Malonglong: [interjecting] But he is the worst player
among all of us
[An interjection from about 2metres away. It is Farai Mazondo, a
middle-aged man with an athletic built] Comrade but not that bad you know I
am better than at least two of us here.
Black September: Aha komu,
come give it a try, you don’t seem yourself today what’s the matter?
Farai Mazondo: [a bit embarrassed by that] Kana mukoma,
kutongonyarara chaiko[No commander, just
being reserved that’s all].
Black September: Hiya but ndozviziva tagara tisina
kumbomhanyisa ropa pakuda morari mbijana wena. Muvengi arikure handiti here
Mujibha Raymond, hapana chekumirira tomboimba mbijana. Yes I know it is a
long time since we had a morale booster. The enemy is at bay so let’s sing and
enjoy ourselves].
Mujibha Raymond: [a lanky
teenager clad in jeans and tending the fire place] Yava Moza mukoma musha
wakatambanuka hapana chekumirira [It’s
now a liberated zone just like Mozambique there is nothing to stop us]
Black September: Okay
Mujibha, saka todaidza pungwezve musha uwuye? How about that? I think it will
be safe to do so because the enemy has been on the receiving end this year and
he is scared to deploy here.
Malonglong: Yes we will
destroy him if he dares us here.
Black September: Yes
Comrade something tells me this is the year the war will end. Can you see how
ready he is to engage with us on the negotiating table? We have Smith and Peter
Walls running but we also have stupid stooges among us. Just why is that Muzorewa,
Sithole and Chikerema are talking to Smith without the others? Pasi naMuzorewa Macomrades!
[all
of them together “Pasi pasi naye Comrade!”
Malonglong: Muzorewa
anorwadza wena just what does he think he is doing? We have Smith on the
back-foot and one of the nationalists gives him a lease of life.
Black September: Imagine
Comrade!
Farai Mazondo: That man
deserves to die Comrades, with all his family.
Black September: Hiya
Comrade, but remember we are fighting a principled war. When we are free, which
will be soon.........
[He
is interjected again chorally: “This year Mkoma!”
Black September: Yes by
this time next year Muzorewa,
Sithole, Smith, Chirau, Chikerema and Peter Walls will stand trial for the
crimes they are committing against Zimbabweans. But we will not do anything to
their innocent families.”
Farai Mazondo: Pasi naChirau naChikerema MaComrades!
Malonglong: NaSmith, Peter Walls naDupont maComrades!
Dexter Pfumoreropa: NaSithole naMuzorewa maComrades!
[chorally] Pasi navo!”
Black September: It’s really disgusting Comrades but
anyway its pungwe today. Mujibha Isaac, and Mujibha Tichaona you will do that
okay. Mujibha Raymond I don’t want you to go anywhere you know your situation.
But don’t worry though about our father and mother they are still there nothing
has happened to them yet. They are now at Khami, one thing that Muzorewa did
better was at least to tell Smith to stop hanging our leaders.
Malonglong: It’s not even him it’s the Frontline
States Comrade. Because of the flames of war that we are fanning Smith has to
listen.
Black September: The enemy will have to listen Comrades
and our country will come in fact is coming![looking at Mujibha Raymond] What’s the matter Mujibha?
Mujibha Raymond: Mkoma I want to go with the others. I
have to do my duty, please!
Black September: But Mujibha, we all know what mum and
daddy have done and all our brothers in your family who perished. They have
done their part for you.
Mujibha Raymond: But they are not me Mukoma. They did
their part, I want mine.
Black September: Okay Mujibha I will let you go but
promise me you will be careful?
Mujibha Raymond: I will be Mukoma, you know me.
Black September: I hope so! Pamberi nekuzvipira muChimurenga Macomrades! [chorally Pamberi!]
[and they sing Chimurenga
songs].
ACT 2
[This scene is set in the
village. It is a normal day as villagers go through their daily chores. This
village has in the past received inspection visits from government forces but
for more than a year now the village has been largely peaceful owing partly to
the activities and permanent presence of a ZANLA guerrilla unit led by Black
September and also because government forces are stretched since the war is has
become hot everywhere. However the village is alert as there have been killings
and arrests in the past with a lot of the teenagers here forced by circumstances
to abandon the village for recruitment as guerrillas. We join them at Mai Muzondo’s
homestead. She is an influential widow whose headman husband’s whereabouts are
not known after being picked up by suspected members of the Special Branch].
Mai Muzondo: So you hear what I have been saying. In
the end Sithole will abandon Muzorewa and rejoin the others; I feel it is just
a trick by the leadership to see how far the enemy can go in his stupor.
Chimbwido Bernita: [she is a very beautiful, light-skinned young woman of medium height. Her
head is in braids but she loves covering it in a floral head scarf, which is
the same colour with a matching dress] Do you think so? We have to hope
that the split or whatever it is does not have any impact on the struggle. The
enemy must flee. Well to me the departure of Sithole is sad but what can we do.
We just hope. The good thing is that the boys are together once more; ZANLA and
ZIPRA together, and our salvation is truly on track!
Mai Muzondo: Yes my daughter, the Reverend is clever.
Not with that former headmaster at Dadaya! In any case we have capable comrades
to push the struggle forward. Do you know his name yet?
Chimbwido Bernita: [not so sure] Comrade Mazorodze; ah Makore no I am forgetting but he
is from Victoria and his name begins with M?
Mai Muzondo: Hahaha you are on the right track but not
correct; hey girls motokundwa neni
chembere? Hilda, how about you?
Chimbwido Hilda: [she is visibly slightly older than
Bernita but younger than Mai Muzondo. She is equally exquisite]Mama hahaha I am
not sure but his wife is from an African country; the country where Comrade
Nkrumah came from, Ghana. Isn’t it? I think his name is Mugomba ah well I don’t
know.
Mai Muzondo: Nice try Hilda yes the wife is Comrade
Sally Mugabe!
Chimbwido Hilda and Bernita [together] Comrade Robert
Gabriel Mugabe, how could we forget? Yes he is and together with Comrades
Tongogara and Rex Nhongo they are waging the war well.
Mai Muzondo: Comrade Mugabe, yes women will have a firm
word in the running of the country so he says. I am going back to school once
our country comes back and I will train as a mechanic.
Chimbwido Bernita: We are all waiting for that time
mama. Look at what the war has done to all of us. We are now widows at this
age.
[There is silence as they shake their heads in
contemplation].
Mai Muzondo: Yes widows Comrades, but we cannot feel
pity for ourselves can we? I guess there always was a price to pay for our
freedom. Nehanda, Kaguvi and Lobengula paid with their lives comrades.
Chimbwido Bernita: Mapondera, my own great grand
uncle, Mkwati, Chinengundu, Chingaira, Takawira and Chitepo all paid with their
lives.
Mai Muzondo: Even here my daughters, I guess this is a
price we are all willing to pay. The white men came to our country and we
accepted them but before we knew it they were taking our land and settling us
in arid places. Tell me what do I do with these 4 acres of sand that they gave
me here?
Chimbwido Hilda: And they were forcing us to work for
them and killing us, in our own country. Now they live in comfort and eat good
food while we starve. In our own country!
Chimbwido Bernita: Akajaidzwa
mabhunu kani Macomrades honestly here? In our own country! We will see
their back I swear on my husband’s grave!
Chimbido Hilda: but we should never forget this war is
not about race but liberation. Father James, Sister Barbra, Comrade
Clutton-Brock, and many others, all of them white but assisting the liberation
effort. Our liberation! Together!
Mai Muzondo: Yes Chimbwido, Sweden, Soviet Union,
Finland, the GDR, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania, even some in Britain and
America who are standing with us.
Chimbwido Bernita: Father Ribeiro, all of them,
comrades!
Chimbwido Hilda: Oh hiya, comrade but only that Father
Ribeiro is not white, he is black. But Comrade Malonglong!
Chimbwido Bernita: I don’t trust any Rhodesian in our
ranks but let’s just trust the judgment of our leaders. Our whites here don’t
like blacks and I don’t know if he is genuinely fighting with us.
Chimbwido Hilda: But Guy Clutton-Brock, Father James,
Judith Todd, Garfield Todd and that bearded one, Ranger are all from here
aren’t they?
Chimbwido Bernita: [sceptical] Hiya that’s true
comrade. And that’s what I heard the other day on Voice of Zimbabwe when Comrade
Tongo was talking about our war not being revenge against whites. That wise
commander of ours!
Mai Muzondo: By the way the sad news about Comrade
Nikita comrades!
Chimbwido Hilda: Oh no, when? How? What happened? The
enemy is a liar!
Chimbwido Bernita: Oh hiya, I heard it happened the
day before yesterday parcel bomb again. Our leaders are killing each other.
Mai Muzondo: Hey it’s sad, just like what happened to
Comrades Chitepo and Ziyaphapha. But to me the blame lies with Chikerema and
Muzorewa, why are they with the enemy?
Chimbwido Hilda: You can say that again. Shame on
Smith, and if there is God, why can’t he stop this war?
Mai Muzondo: There is God my daughters and the war is
coming to an end. We all have to do our part. What we are doing, our cooking,
our sheltering of the boys is a big contribution to the war effort. Just listen
to this. [she reaches for a transistor
radio from the shelf and puts the battery and switches on to Voice of Zimbabwe.
Chimbwido Hilda and Bernita do not say a word but move closer and start
listening attentively]
Mai Muzondo[shutting
the door]You can never be sure of who comes by you know.
Chimbwido Hilda and Bernita [together] That is so true mum. Well let us listen to real news!
[They listen to the radio until
dusk when they start to hear from a distance some booted feet thudding. The
noise grows louder and louder and the steps closer and closer as they look at
each other in silent confrontation. As the steps come closer they first turn
the volume of the radio down at Mai Muzondo’s whispered instigation, and
further down until they turn it off altogether. Then she slowly dismantles the
battery and felinely takes the transistor radio and reaches for the shelf where
she noiselessly places it in a corner and covers it neatly in a blanket. But
the steps continue to grow thicker and closer by and now they can pick
suppressed voices. Their silent confrontation evolves into panic, then fear,
then total fear and near paralysis and at that time a heavy knock.
Subconsciously Bernita drops the mug she has been holding spilling the contents
on Mai Muzondo who is next to her. The tea is hot but she cannot scream. A
heavier knock follows. Hilda does not even notice she has soaked her pants].
Hey, open the door! Or I will search by fire what are
doing there?
The door is kicked open from
outside. A tall, armed white policeman forcefully enters the room bragging.
Bernita and Mai Muzondo manage to push him and flee the place. Hilda is
completely overcome by fear and still shaking, does not even feel the weight of
the policeman when she is pushed to the floor. The door is pushed again, this
time from inside as it is forcibly closed. Hilda is still crying as the
policeman beckons to silence her:
White Policeman: Hey sshh! Shush up!
His big arms reach first for
her sweating arms, clutch them and envelop them in a grip. For a time she
thinks it is a lock to sound as a precursor for her arrest. It seems even the
policeman is not sure too, he even dabbles his handcuffs pouch but then in a
sudden change of mind his grip tightens but changes the position of grip and
reaches for Hilda’s palpitating chest which is sweating too. Suddenly she
realises what is about to happen and quickly she recovers from her fright but
does not react impromptu. She notices that the policeman is trained and armed
and although he is about to attempt to violate her, she must have both energy
and tactics to overcome. But in the middle of her thoughts, the door is forced
open again and for the second time from outside. Mai Muzondo clutching a wooden
club, and Bernita a metal pole. Mai Muzondo hits the policeman first on his
right arm and Bernita goes for his head. He groans in agony and writhes in pain
on the floor but his misery is not over as club and pole take turns to lend on
his spited body; wood and metal, blow after blow, spite, revenge, philosophy,
pursuit for justice, suppressed anger, conscious delusion all combine as two
women deprived by history and oppression, take their turns to vent their anger
on the cornered enforcer of hated laws. Blow by blow, minute by minute, they
take turns in committing treason and murder, yet even as their seemingly
unending attacks land on a lifeless body, and his blood drenches the floor, the
smell of death does not stop them from the satisfaction of having fulfilled an
accepted philosophy; that the killing of the enforcers of oppression is not
murder but an immense contribution to a common cause that they all share.
SCENE TWO, ACT1
[The hate filled
attacks go on with insults being hailed at the lifeless body until Mai Muzondo breaks
the ice]
Mai Muzondo: [now composed and in low voice almost whispering] He
is dead comrades. The enemy is dead. Come my daughter, has he done anything to
you? Did the enemy touch you? [she says
as she extends her arm to Hilda].
Hilda: [still in
shock and sobbing lightly she only shakes her head. Both Bernita and Mai Muzondo
hug her].
Mai Muzondo: [repeating the question] Has he done
anything?
Hilda: [in a low voice] No. He didn’t, you came at the
right time.
Bernita: [looking at the dead body and panickingly]
He’s dead! He’s dead, what will we do?
Mai Muzondo: [calmly and cooling their nerves] Come
Comrades. Yes, let’s get out of here. Let’s leave this place; at once!
[Mai Muzondo
pulls them gently and closes the door. Both Hilda and Bernita keep on looking
back at the house]
Mai Muzondo: [clearly reminiscing] He is dead. He is
gone. The deed is done. Let’s go!
Bernita: [panicking] Where to? Where do we go from
here?
[Hilda is still
sobbing lightly]
Mai Muzondo: Calm down Comrades ! The deed is done. An enemy lies on the ground, this is
no murder and we are not guilty. He tormented us and wanted to force himself on
Hilda. He killed our husbands. We are widows because of him!
[She stops and
studies their reactions. Both listen attentively. She proceeds and says the
same thing]
We are widows because of him. He deserved to die!
Bernita: [now recovered] Yes mama but where are we
headed?
Mai Muzondo: To our safety. To the base! We won’t be
here anymore. Let’s leave this village with all its stories. Let’s leave
everything, we will leave our plates and pots behind. We will leave all that we
strove for, all that has meaning to us. We will abandon the cattle and goats
that we worked night and day to buy. We will leave behind the houses that we
built, the products of our toil, the bricks we moulded with our hands and the
thatching that represent those days we went deep into those bushes[pointing in the direction of the
neighbouring forest] to collect the grass we used for thatching our roofs.
We are leaving behind everything, the graves of our fathers and mothers and our
husbands. We are abandoning our cemeteries with all the history they have. But
lest we forget that we never wanted to abandon our precious possessions. This
has been forced on us!
[Bernita and
Hilda keep quiet as she talks, she studies their reactions and proceeds]
Liberation is expensive. You pay the highest price for
it. And only those who dare will see their liberation. But Smith should never
forget we will be free!
[Bernita and Hilda nod and then
respond at the same time]
He is a liar! We shall be free!
Hilda: [On her
own] He is a liar!
[That was the voice of a woman
fighting on. Trauma gone in minutes, nowhere to report to and no-one to assess
the levels of affection! A widow who had faced off with a representative of the
same system that murdered her husband braving her forced departure from the
village where all her memories lie, memories good and bad. There she had been
born, educated, met her future husband and married. There, in those beautifully
thatched houses she had been kissed for the first time and sadly she had been
kissed for the last time! There in that village she had dreamt of a future,
dreamt of children and family. She had seen her dreams disappear, robbed from
her. It is where out of violence she became a widow].
Hilda: [she
turns her head to look back once more] He is a liar!
Bernita: [she
joins in] He is a liar!
[Mai Muzondo takes both of them
in her arms and suddenly]
Mai Muzondo: We are there!
[They both find
themselves staring at the rendezvous. A young man who is keeping guard welcomes
them]
ACT 2
[In
this act we are taken back to where the guerrillas are. They dispatch Mujibhas
Isaac, Tichaona and Raymond together with Comrade Farai as they prepare for
pungwe. Unfortunately the calmness they had hoped to find in the village is no
longer there and the village turns upside down]
Black September: [commanding] So Mujibha Raymond,
Mujibha Tichaona and Mujibha Isaac you know what to do. I want a big thing
today. We have to shake the enemy in case he has his spies in the village. They
have to tell him the impact of our work.
[He pauses and
then proceeds again] Do we think they need cover?
Comrade Malonglong: Yes they will mkoma. We cannot afford
to be complacent. We can never be sure what’s lurking in the bushes, we have to
prepare.
Black September: Oh yes komu. Comrade Farai you are
the Commissar and so you and Comrade Dexter will go with them. Mujibha Tichaona
will handle an AK he is now okay with weapons. Goodluck Comrades!
[Dexter, Farai, Tichaona, Raymond and Isaac together]
Keep the faith comrades. See you soon. [They
say that as they brandish their rifles and begin the careful walk into the
village. They are quiet and on the ready as they move until they reach Mai
Muzondo’s homestead. Raymond is instructed to knock by Comrade Farai but after
there is no response they ready their weapons as Raymond is ordered to force
the door to open by Farai. The door is forced open and they meet with the
horrific scene of a bleeding white policeman in the house. In a state of panic,
as he tries to make heads and tail over where Hilda, Bernita and Mai Muzondo
are, Raymond tripe himself and falls on top of the white policeman’s lifeless
body. He believes it is the policeman who has tripped him and in that state of
panic he notices the gun, an FN, takes it and sprays bullets on the dead body.
Farai yells at him to stop, he does but as he stops Farai aims his rifle at the
unsuspecting Dexter, Tichaona and Isaac and guns all of them down. In the chaos
Raymond rolls away, into the maize field and runs for dear life. He is clearly
oblivious of what he is doing as rifle fire pursues him for sometime but
suddenly goes quiet. When he recollects he heads straight for the rendezvous
still in sprint and suddenly realises that he is throwing himself before the
amazed quartet of Mai Muzondo, Chimbwido Hilda, Chimbwido Bernita and the
guard, Comrade Tapfuma].
ACT3
[This scene is set at the
rendezvous. We first see Mujibha Raymond arriving and still in a state of
shock, narrates the events back at Mai Muzondo’s homestead. In the acceding
acts we then see them leave the rendezvous and the confusion and chaos that
follows the escape from a village that is suddenly engulfed in confusion]
Mai Muzondo[amazed] Calm down mujibha, what is it?
[Hilda and Bernita look on,
immersed in the moment of amazement]
Mujibha Raymond: I killed a policeman at your house
and, but Comrade Farai turned his gun on us. Comrades Dexter, Tichaona and
Isaac are all down [he is panting as he
speaks]
Comrade Tapfuma: [taking
him by his arm] Calm down Comrade, calm down. Now tell us slowly what
happened. You didn’t kill anyone it is a bad day already.
Mujibha Raymond: No no, I shot the policeman......papapapa
and he is gone! I killed him.
Comrade Tapfuma: Calm down, Komu. [he pauses a bit and then continues] Now
listen carefully all of you. Mama and my sisters you go straight to the base
and tell them what happened. Comrade Farai pasi navo! He has defected. Tell
mukoma that Farai has defected and has killed his own. Raymond you stay with me
here and we will see how we can settle the situation, okay?
[They are interrupted by
gunfire, followed by teeming villagers who are running for cover]
Comrade Tapfuma: Right, that was not an AK obviously.
It is an Uzi-machine gun no doubting it. That’s enemy fire. Mother please go
now and do as I told you!
[They are interrupted again.
This time it is Malonglong].
Malonglong: It’s me don’t worry! We heard the gunshots
and Mkoma sent me immediately. He told me to come here straight because he guessed
you would be here.
Comrade Tapfuma: Okay, have you heard already?
Malonglong: Heard what komu?
Comrade Tapfuma: Comrades Dexter, Isaac and Tichaona
are down. Farai turned his gun on them. We are compromised!
Malonglong: Oh no! [But
suddenly Comrade Tapfuma points his gun at Malonglong and orders him to
surrender. All the others look amused].
Comrade Tapfuma: Mikono
juu, now! Mama and Mujibha tie him up!
Malonglong: [puzzled
and protesting but lifts his hands up as ordered in their Swahili signal
language] Now what do you think you are doing?
Comrade Tapfuma: I am taking no chances here? I said mikono juu Comrade. I am not
joking. Why are you with us and not them? Who do you work for? What are your
interests? Who recruited Farai?
Malonglong: Comrade I cannot answer your questions but
you are making a mistake.
Comrade Tapfuma: This is no mistake. What will you
benefit if a black government comes to power? You will lose your parents’ farm
and all the privileges you have now so it doesn’t make sense that you fight on our
side. We are not stupid, Malonglong.
Mai Muzondo: I said it before, girls didn’t I?
Comrade Tapfuma: Mama and you my sisters, do what I have
told you to. Thanks for capturing this spy. We will go with him to the dungeon
in Mozambique. Mujibha Raymond you will go to Manhize there is a base there and
it is a liberated zone. Mkoma Cheropa knows you he is the Detachment Commander
there. I will deal with this spy here! Go now comrades.
[Mai Muzondo, Hilda and Bernita take a road
leading to the east, Raymond takes the road to the south. Comrade Tapfuma
remains behind with a pleading Malonglong]
ACT4
[The
interrogation of Malonglong continues. We see Malonglong finally succeeding in
convincing Comrade Tapfuma that he is not a traitor and together they forge
ahead trying to catch up with Raymond who they are now protecting]
Malonglong: [not
agitated at all] Comrade take my pistol from the left pocket of my fatigues.
If I am to die you better kill me than have the enemy capture and humiliate me.
And instead of you being arraigned by leadership that you killed me you can
always tell them I took my own life before being dishonoured.
[There is a
complete lull].
Malonglong: [continuing]
Politics of colour is exactly what we are fighting against. The oppressor is
not oppressing colour but he oppresses humanity. His assertion that there is
racial inferiority and superiority seeks to defeat our belief in equality.
Comrade Tapfuma: [he
ponders and then forces himself to talk] It is always difficult, comrade!
Malonglong: Comrade, who was with you at Chemuchena?
Those of Chemuchena were at work and we didn’t realise did we? We trusted their
word and colour didn’t we? And so they were too good and we were naive,
Comrade! We requested from them hospitality and they gave it to us beyond our
expectations didn’t they Comrade? There were ten of us Comrade, they brought
ten chickens, we could have been okay with only one chicken comrade. They fed
us from a generosity we had never seen anywhere before and we never suspected
anything. Weren’t we fighting for their freedom, for the liberation of them
too? Weren’t we fighting for the independence of the nation and the liberation
of all its humanity? We welcomed their generosity and when they gave us beer we
cautioned it but they were too good to be rejected, Comrade!
Comrade Tapfuma: [poignantly] VekuChemuchena vaiva pabasa Comrade !
Malonglong : Vaiva
pabasa Comrade but we never suspected did we? Comrade Stalin Changamire was
the first to die, betrayed by traitors we had trusted. The enemy shot at our
undefended line with the audible encouragement of people who had fed us
generously only a few minutes before. Comrade in that confusion, when our deaths
seemed certain and our torment brought laughter to people we had trusted,
wasn’t it me who picked you up and shot at the enemy? Wasn’t it you who covered
me as we escaped from the death trap of Chemuchena, where eight of our fellow
comrades were swallowed by enemy fire? Didn’t we cry as their dead bodies were
not buried but were paraded as testimony of the enemy’s victory?
Comrade Tapfuma: [he
is shaking his head] You did Comrade. They were at work comrade. Those at
Chemuchena were clearly at work. We didn’t realise.
Malonglong: If I was a traitor or a spy, why didn’t I
kill you on that day, in that confusion? If you didn’t believe me why didn’t
you shoot me right there, in that confusion? There was a bullet that was
clearly meant for you, somehow it missed you, I was next in the line of fire
and again somehow it missed me. Death flying past us, fate favouring you and
me! You covered me Comrade, shot by shot, step by step, as we tactically
withdrew from enemy fire!
Comrade Tapfuma: [sobbing
and clearly shaken] My apologies Comrade. I promise I will never suspect
you again this war is far from over. Comrade, Chemuchena pains me. [He unties Malonglong. They hug after that
and Tapfuma hands Malonglong the rifle he had confiscated].
Malonglong: Let’s put that behind us Comrade. All
prejudice is now behind; race, religion all behind and let’s refocus our
efforts towards the freedom of everyone. We don’t have much time, let’s be on
the move Comrade!
Comrade Tapfuma: On an empty stomach? I have some food
there, I couldn’t finish it! [He goes to
a shrub and brings a basin].
Malonglong: [eating
on the stroll] Thanks Komu I was almost dying. But I will eat on the
stroll. Let’s track Comrade Raymond. He is not stable, he thinks he has killed
a policeman and may even brag about it in his innocence. Obvious they are now
looking for him especially now that he escaped Farai’s fire and he knows his
cover is blown.
Comrade Tapfuma: Yes Komu, we have to protect him. The
family has lost a lot already and the young man is not stable. It’s Mai Muzondo
and our sisters Hilda and Bernita who did it though.
Malonglong: Job well done to them Komu. But now the
priority is not to lose anyone of us. Let’s be on the way.
Comrade Tapfuma: Let’s be on our way, Komu!
SCENE THREE, ACT1
[Mai Muzondiwa,
Comrades Hilda and Bernita are at the ‘base’ meeting with Black September and
other Comrades. They are narrating their experiences]
Mai Muzondiwa: So that’s what happened my sons! The
enemy came and tried to pounce on us. But the spirits of freedom seized us and
we fought back.
Black September: That was great mama and you comrades.
Now that the deed is done our plan moves to the security of all of us. There is
no need to lose any of our lives. And Comrade Malonglong?
Mai Muzondiwa: I told you before didn’t I, son?
Sometimes you boys have to listen when we the masses are talking. We know
things far beyond your knowledge.
Black September[whimsical]
I agree mother, and we will never turn against the judgments of you the masses.
You are the owners of the struggle and we are doing this for you. You are the
true commanders and leaders our only role is to carry and use the weapons, but
surely without you who hide us, cook for us, cloth us and gather intelligence
which battles would we win? A true freedom fighter will forever owe it to his
support; the masses for his victories.
[He pauses and continues].
And I understand your concerns. Wasn’t it you mama who
gave up her only surviving family, her sons to the struggle? Isn’t it that all
of you, including my young sisters here, are widowed because of the struggle?
We see it, the products of your toil, you feed us every day and you take
immense risks for us. And today, we turned you into killers for the first time.
This is your struggle and yes it will be your victory!
Mai Muzondiwa: I hear you my son. And we all respect
the love that we all share, the passion for the struggle that we all have. My
daughters!
Hilda: Yes mother. Yes.
Bernita: That’s so true. This is our struggle together
and we will excel together!
Black September: Comrade Hilda, my sister, don’t
worry. The enemy will be defeated and brought to justice. Your wounds will heal
and all this will be history. We will reclaim our country. But Comrade
Malonglong!
Mai Muzondiwa: Yes, Comrade Malonglong my son. I am
surprised you still call him Comrade. He is the one who recruited Farai, the
killer of our comrades.
Black September: Ummm mama like I said I accept your
concerns. But our parents will have to trust the judgments of their sons and
daughters. It is you who sent us away with the aim that we train and acquire
knowledge. We have fought many battles with Comrade Malonglong and he excelled
in battle. We have seen him killing white soldiers in battle. He has a deep
wound in his right arm as a result of a direct hit taken in the line of fire,
serving Comrade Tapfuma in Chemuchena. His wife, a white woman, was charged
with treason by the enemy for not reporting the activities of her husband. She
lost her life two years ago. Like I said we take your concerns, this struggle
is yours through and through but we should always remember that whites are not
the enemy. The system is the enemy. Whites who will accept the wrongfulness of
this era, those who love their country will be part of a fair Zimbabwe in which
all of us will live in harmony!
Bernita: Yes brother. That’s so true but we are your
eyes. We have to be careful of who we trust. We accept your judgment too,
comrade!
Mai Muzondiwa: [giving
in] Well, if you say so my son!
Black September: As I said earlier on you are the
struggle; our eyes and ears! You give orders so if you say we abandon Comrade
Malonglong or even kill him we will do that. But what will the owners of the
struggle say to independent Zimbabwe if it is later proven that they only
killed Comrade Malonglong because of the colour of his skin? How will his soul
and the soul of his wife judge us? How will we live day in day out with the
thought of having killed the struggle by terminating the life of a comrade just
because he was white? Comrades, our consciences comrades! For there was once a
good pioneer that folklore tells us and today we also have a lot of whites who
are on our side. Comrade Bazooka?
Bazooka: That’s true mother and my sisters. Let’s
leave the politics of colour and fight for fairness, justice and equality!
[There is a lull which is
broken by Black September]
Black September: Right, no more time to waste! We are
on our way to Wedza, to our safety! The enemy will soon be here!
Hilda: Oh no! How about Comrade Malonglong? We tied
him up and left him at the mercy of a very angry Comrade Tapfuma.
Black September: We have little time now. Both
comrades will know what to do, I have given them orders to follow Mujibha
Raymond and bring him with them to Wedza let’s all pray in our hearts for their
safety comrades. Now, let’s all go please. We know what to do, silence, and
please follow my orders!
[All of them] That’s all right Comrade!
[Black September leads the way
as they start to move through the forest. The movement is choreographed as it
is with the minimum noise. Step by step towards safety, step by step towards
the liberated zone of Wedza].
ACT2
[Black
September, Comrades Bazooka, Hilda and Mai Muzondo are suddenly joined on the
way by Comrade Murozvi Mutongi]
Black September: [amazed
but overjoyed too] Ah, Comrade, you survived. God and the ancestors must be
praised!
Murozvi Mutongi: Oh yes Comrades. But we don’t have
much time. Farai shot and wounded Comrades Dexter Pfumoreropa, Tichaona and Stephen
Chimbwanda. They have been arrested by the enemy but they are not dead. I
escaped during the chaos but nothing happened to me.
Mai Muzondo: Thank God Comrades!
[Others] Oh thank God Comrades, we are all relieved now.
Black September: We thank God Comrade Murozvi even
that they survived. How is the strength of the enemy?
Murozvi: They were still coming and I was counting but
more than a whole regiment. We are by far outnumbered and with civilians it
will be suicidal even to show up.
Black September [ponders
and then nods his head] I agree but it’s difficult. Let’s pray the enemy
will keep them alive. We say to the comrades we will meet them again. We could
have mounted a challenge here and rescued them.
Bazooka: Yes I agree but our option is tactical withdrawal
we are outnumbered and we have to protect the friendly civilians we have.
Black September: [he
ponders again and continues] Yes, yes! Let’s move away from here with the friendly
civilians. We know the enemy will definitely keep the comrades alive possibly
at Mubayira Police Station. We will talk to the other detachments in Wedza and
may be launch our own offensive and rescue them. But we should never forget
Comrades Dexter and Stephen, the brave sons of the soil who today are in enemy
hands because of a traitor. Abasha Farai Mazondo Comrades!
[All of them] Abasha!
Black September: But their arrest is not in vain. They
will be tortured and humiliated in the name of the struggle. The enemy will
force them to be belittled for the liberation of their country. They will take
that humiliation day in, day out, minute after minute hoping that we will
continue to wage the war out here. We promise to pay them back by continuing
with the struggle. Comrades, we will not give up for the sake of Dexter and
Stephen and all of them who are in prison and who have paid with their lives.
Aluta Continua, Comrades!
[All of them] Aluta,
Continua!
Black September: Now, on our way to Wedza, Comrades!
[There is singing of “Wedza
Kuchamhembe kune Morari”. They move away together with Comrade Murozvi]
ACT3
[Mujibha Raymond
travels across the whole terrain to Manhize. He is careful in avoiding any
detection until his arrival. We are shown him moving and then being finally
accepted and welcomed by the base commanders in Manhize. He is being stalked by
Comrades Malonglong and Tapfuma. They are not so lucky in their avoidance of
detection and even though they are passing through friendly territory, they are
hit by friendly fire leading Tapfuma to say they have to return fire which
Malonglong categorically refuses. They have to hit a haste retreat from both
enemy and friendly fire in Rwizi area en route. Finally they arrive at Manhize
and we meet them here].
Malonglong: [Panic]
Hey we are under attack Comrade, dodge!
Tapfuma: [panicking]
Friendly fire can you hear the sound that’s an AK.
Malonglong: Yes it’s an AK, friendly fire!
Tapfuma: Should we signal them to stop. We identify
ourselves and they will stop.
Malonglong: How comrade?
Tapfuma: I will shout to identify ourselves and we
then come in the open!
Malonglong: Okay go ahead but I have a very strange
feeling though.
Tapfuma: [shouts]
Comrades, it’s us here! It’s us here. Listen to my AK, we are part of you.
[He fires in the air. The attack halts a
bit accompanied by a commanding voice]
Show up, both of you with your hands in the air!
[Both comply but as soon as
they emerge the commander orders his troops to open fire. Malonglong is hit by
shrapnel in his left arm and they again run for cover]
Malonglong: We are under attack comrade, they are
after us!
Tapfuma: So let me return fire it’s blow back or we
perish here!
Malonglong: Never, let’s run for it or find cover.
They are our comrades but may have it wrong after what happened earlier. Let’s
run for it!
Tapfuma: Okay, let’s run for it then. We look after
each other as always.
[They run
through the thick forest taking advantage of the tree cover and also the
ensuing darkness. But suddenly they find themselves in a paved road and they
hear the sound of an approaching vehicle].
Tapfuma: [whispers]
Oh no, that’s an enemy car.
Malonglong: [whispers]
And it’s a K-car Comrade. Let’s immobilise it and take cover.
[They ambush and
open fire at the car and disappear into the thick forest again. The car stops,
burning. They take advantage of the thick cover and withdraw tactically,
stopping at intervals to detect if they are being pursued. Each time they do so
they hear faint stamping of feet and rustling of the fresh grass an indicator
of a pursuit from afar. It’s clear they are also being followed. They continue
to tactically disengage from the area].
ACT4
[Set at Manhize
during dusk. Mujibha Raymond has been welcomed by the base commander and he has
narrated his story chief among it being that some comrades have turned traitors.
As Malonglong and Tapfuma approach Manhize we see people at the base scattering
and Raymond being whisked away deep into the mountain range. The commander
immediately shouts at them ordering them to stop]
Commander: Okay, stop, right there!
Tapfuma: [interjects]
Comrades...
Commander: I said stop. Don’t comrade us, traitor! In
case you hadn’t been told my name is Comrade Disaster Cheropa I don’t do this
comrade business with whites and their bootlickers. Bhunu ibhunu chete and don’t give us the he is on our side
business. Now Mikono juu, hands up!
[All the others
at the base sing Mutengesi Chenjera, vana mukoma vanorova vanorova nematanda]
Commander: Hands up, now! Jamba jecha mutengesi. [And he leads in another song: Ukatamba nemukadzi
wangu Chirenje iwe ndinokutongera pakaoma. Others join him and say Chirenje
Baba].
Tapfuma: Comrades we are not handing anything up, if
you are going to kill us shoot us right now, here! We had enough of this for
the whole day we can’t follow you now.
Malonglong: He is correct Comrades, let’s not waste
unnecessary time. We are being pursued and we can easily compromise everyone
it’s rather better to take our positions.
Commander: [indignantly]
Shut up, traitors! By the count of 5 and I search by fire! [addressing his troops] Comrades where have you ever seen a white
person fighting on our side?
[others,
together] Never, it’s taboo. The ancestors will turn in their graves.
[Within a short time they start
receiving fire from the direction where Malonglong and Tapfuma are standing.
The commander Yells at his troops] Take your positions and return fire! [All of the guerrillas flee taking positions
and start returning fire to repel the attacks. They dig in and both Malonglong
and Tapfuma take their positions with their colleagues and they return fire in
a collective effort to repel the attack. After an hour of the skirmish the
attack is successfully repelled with heavy losses on both sides. During the
attack the base commander comes face to face with Farai Mazondo who shoots him.
Farai Mazondo: [chiding]
Be those gandanga! [and he laughs
wickedly]The Commander is injured. Comrade Tapfuma tries to accost him but
fails and Farai also shoots at him. Tapfuma takes the bullet but it’s not a
severe wound.
Farai Mazondo: [again
chidingly] Manzwa bhata! But he is
seen by Malonglong who shoots at him. Farai falls to the ground and is presumed
dead.
Malonglong: Wanyura
mupanduki, sarapo!
The skirmishes continue but the
attack stops as the Rhodesian soldiers hit a hasty retreat towards waiting
vehicles. Farai’s body is taken in the confusion. The guerrillas pursue them
for a few metres but call off the pursuit as they can see the enemy is on the
run. After assessing the situation they decide to follow Raymond so as to ferry
him and the injured soldiers to the liberated zone in Wedza. Tapfuma has also
been hit leaving Malonglong as the sole trained guerrilla who has not taken any
hit and who is now tasked with having to secure Raymond together with the
injured comrades and ferry them to the safety of Wedza.
Malonglong: [panting]
Now comrades we have to secure Mujibha Raymond and all of our injured comrades
without wasting a minute.
Commander: There is a problem Comrade.
Tapfuma: What problem now Comrade Disaster, I think you
have seen how all of us fought together and repelled the enemy’s advances.
Commander: Oh yes, yes. Well that’s not the point.
Malonglong: So what is the problem Komu?
Tapfuma: What is the problem Komu?
Commander: You know it comrades that I did not make
tradition. Manhize has its owners, its spiritual, it’s not for us. The rules
are that Comrade Malonglong is not allowed to go into Manhize. Whites are not
allowed there.
Tapfuma: Comrade.
Malonglong: Comrade?
Commander: I am not the spirit!
[They are suddenly
blinded by a tall figure. He is an unworldly tall man, with unworldly
dreadlocks and eyes. He has a very long walking stick. It is clear they have
been visited by an apparition. They all bow down as it beckons them to stand
up]
Apparition: What’s your problem, my sons?
Commander: [his
voice suppressed from both the pain of injury and a mixture of respect and fear
of the apparition] It’s the fur-skinned one my elder.
Apparition: [clears
his throat] What hasn’t he done to show you his worth? Hasn’t he fought
your wars?
Commander: Oh my Elder, yes he has done so. He has
excelled in battle but we are not here to make our own rules. Manhize is holy,
and you gave us the rules.
Apparition: [clears
his throat again] Wars are fought to bring justice not to exert revenge my
children. The war you are fighting is to liberate the mind and bring justice
for all not for revenge. The white man here is your comrade, he is our son too
and we allow him as we have done all of you the freedom of Manhize as long as
you adhere to the strict code. Manhize
ine miko yayo! Yes Manhize is holy but Manhize knows how to separate
visitors from strangers, and how to differentiate explorers from thieves. We
made this place with that in mind and so we grant all of you the freedom of Manhize.
Your fellow comrade can proceed to take the boy. [The apparition disappears but they don’t notice]
Commander: So my elder how will do in the .......[he cannot finish his sentence as he notices
the apparition is gone].
Malonglong: He is gone Comrade Disaster. So you remain
here mukoma, I will rush and pick the others. You said Comrade Mboma has a car
so we will drive in that car.
Commander: Ummm Comrade isn’t it risky?
Malonglong: If we are stopped I will just pretend that
I am a farmer and you are all my workers. They will fall for the trick.
[He leaves to pick up Raymond
and they re-enter the base with Raymond to the amazement of the whole troop]
Commander and Tapfuma and the others: Comrade
Malonglong! The guerrilla farmer!
Commander[on his
own]: Comrade this has been your month.
[They conceal their weapons in
a tent and all get into the car and drive off wearing workman suits for
disguise. They manage to travel with a few incidents. At one point they are
stopped but the men manning the checkpoint are convinced at the sight of the
white driver, Malonglong].
SCENE FOUR, ACT1
[As they are travelling towards Wedza, the car that is carrying some of
the injured guerrillas is briefly stopped at a checkpoint. It is tense as the
checkpoint is manned by both police and the army. They are all armed with
assault rifles as well as guns]
Black Policeman: [sifting through the front seats] And where could you be going in
this mess?
Malonglong: [feigning
anger and with authority] Hey soldier, do I look like a thief to you?
Police: [trepidated]
Ahhhh sorry boss, but you have black people in the back of the car.....
Malonglong: They are my workers you bastard, what’s
the matter?
Black Policeman: [withdrawn]
So-rry boss but......
Malonglong:
[interjecting] But what? Are you arguing with me boy? Wena gandanga in
police uniform haikona?
Black Policeman: Nonono boss, let me call.......
White Soldier: [interjecting]
What’s the problem sergeant?
Black Policeman:
[shaking] Sorry boss
Malonglong: Officer your boy yena gandanga futi?
White Soldier: [peeping
through] Sorry sir, oversight but my boy is a good man. Hey all clear you
may go sir. Sergeant, let him go.
Malonglong: [feigning
anger] Hiya, tell the boy that next time I will shoot him straight away if
he behaves like this.
Black Policeman: [shaking]
Sorry sir. Thank you sir!
[They drive away but as they fade out of sight all
laugh. They do not encounter anymore checkpoints].
ACT 2
[We see Black September arriving at the main base in
Wedza. But upon being asked where the package is and failing to explain he is
taken prisoner and is interrogated together with his party]
Interrogating Officer 1: Right listen very carefully
ndugu, my name is Jindwi. I don’t have time to waste here. You and your party
here will be held prisoner. Comrades you have not convinced us that you are not
Selous Scouts together with your band of sellouts. Before the end of the day we
will just kill you, you know how we deal with your kind.
Mai Mazondo: [shaking]
Honest, is this why we supported you? We have gone through a lot already and we
don’t deserve this?
Interrogating Officer 1: Deserve what? Hey do you
think this is a joke? You know what all the comrades who fell today are my
brothers in blood. We trained together and you guys come here to tell me you
escaped and you were working with a white comrade? Where is he? Where is the
package?
Black September: Ndugu, these are friendly civilians
that you are holding prisoner here.
Interrogating Officer2: [slightly conciliatory] Pay attention Ndugu, Comrade Jindwi is not
in the mood. And I know him when he is in his elements you better advise your
colleagues.
Bernita: [sobbing
loudly] What have we done to deserve this? We expect this from Ian Smith
not you.
Interrogating Officer1: But you are with Smith that’s
why we are treating you like this. Here, Ndugu! [he beckons at another guerrilla who obeys indicating he is lower in
rank]. [Addressing the guerrilla] Comrade, tell everyone to assemble.
Justice will be meted on these sellouts in full view of the whole village. [He leaves the place. Bernita sobs even
louder, Hilda joins her as panic grips Mai Muzondo who mumbles inaudibly. Black
September and Mutongi Murozvi remain reserved].
Interrogating Officer 3: [A female guerrilla bursts in. She is wielding a light machine gun and
is clad in green fatigues] Hey hey who is making that noise? Who is it? Is it
you? [she says holding Bernita’s chin and
forcefully lifting it up] You haven’t even started crying, you are
laughing. We have cried rivers and dried them. Do you think we are joking here?
My name is Rusununguko Bhinyabhinya, I survived Chimoio but I know one thing,
there is a traitor we left on the loose called Nyati. He caused those deaths
because we allowed him to. Since then I have learnt one big lesson, traitors
and their children must be dealt with before they deal with you. [She turns her attention to Hilda who is
still sobbing very loud] Hey I am telling you to stop your noises, bitch! [she pokes the barrel of her rifle into
Hilda’s temple. Hilda sobs even louder but the interrogating officer
commandeers her] I said shut up, traitor!
Interrogating Officer2: [conciliatory] Calm down Komu, she is our sister. Hey comrades, if
you are, please reveal yourselves now. Konyayi
varume nemihanzvadzi. Hey I know these Comrades, what they are saying is
true. At Chimoio they swam in the blood of their departed comrades. These are
killers and they can do so any minute now. They have collected forty-four
skulls of traitors so far and still counting. [He pauses] I must confess I envy them though. [He pauses again] Now once again who are you? If you are truly some
of us where is the package? You see the problem here is that some of you have
defected and we can’t trust anyone now.
[Suddenly the guerrilla who had
been sent to the village returns]
Guerrilla: Chef, the villagers have assembled!
Interrogating Officer2: [he whispers to both Interrogating Officers 1 and 3. Suddenly his face
is sullen, his mood changes, and all of them appear more serious]. Okay,
take their weapons. Comrades, disarm! Charlie, Charlie! [he is talking to Black September and Murozvi Mutongi. Both look at them
and shake their heads. They surrender their weapons].
Black September: [pleading]
Comrades, do this to us but please spare the friendly civilians.
Interrogating Officer1: Shut up, traitor!
[They are all bundled and
dragged towards the villagers who have assembled under trees. Their mood is
also sombre. On arrival Interrogating Officer2 addresses them]
[They move towards where the
villagers have assembled. Black September, Bazooka. Mutongi Murozvi. Mai
Muzondo, Bernita and Hilda are unceremoniously dragged to the assembly point].
Interrogating Officer2: [very serious and addressing the villagers] Fathers, mothers,
brothers and sisters it’s us who have called you here. As we have already told you
we have traitors here. Our experiences have taught us to deal with their kind
as soon as possible. Just today in Mhondoro, which we always thought was
another Moza, part of their group defected and killed our comrades. The people
you see here said they survived but we have asked them where a comrade they
were supposed to bring is and they said they have sent a “white comrade” to
pick him up.................
Villagers: [uproar]
White what? Traitors, kill them. Kill them! They must die!
[They start singing: Comrade kana pane chinhu, chinenge chakukanganisa unoshingirira kuti
ubudirire. Soon after they sing “Mutengesi ucharohwa chete, Mutengesi ucharohwa
chete nevakomana. Haikona kutamba neropa iro, haikona kutamba neropa revakomana].
Interrogating Officer 3: [instructive] Prone position, prone! [she is addressing Black September and his colleagues. They are being
dragged to a secluded tree when suddenly from the entrance, Malonglong’s
vehicle emerges and they disembark from the car. Mujibha Raymond is there and
so are the injured comrades].
Interrogating Officer2: Okay stop everything forthwith!
Let’s all welcome our comrades. [There is
ululation and singing as they move to welcome Malonglong and Raymond. Black
September and Mutongi Murozvi are untied].
Interrogating Officer2: [to Black September and his team] We are sorry comrades but we are
in a war. [Upon seeing Raymond he rushes
to him and they hug] Brother you are alive? I never thought I would see you
again!
Raymond: I am happy too brother.
Interrogating Officer2: Would you have recognised me
had I not introduced myself?
Raymond: No way brother. And you heard about father
and mother?
Interrogating Officer2: Don’t worry, they are doing
their part.
Mai Mazondo: Hey hey, my son Godfrey I surely had no
clue it was you. Bernita, Hilda, come and greet Comrade Godfrey, Mai
Gwashavanhu’s son!
Hilda and Bernita: [rushing
to the scene and eventually hugging] Hey hey comrade Godfrey!
Interrogating Officer2: It’s me!
Hilda and Bernita: You almost killed us sure.
Interrogating Officer2: That’s what war does comrades!
Raymond: Brother, these comrades looked and still look
after me. You have them to thank for my being alive. That white comrade,
Malonglong and Black September are angels from Heaven.
Interrogating Officer2: The war is not over yet
brother! One day we shall sit down and thank them properly. Comrades, please! [he beckons at Black September and
Malonglong to come to him. They both oblige].
Interrogating: I am Godfrey Gwashavanhu.......
Black September [staring
at Malonglong and Raymond] So you are......
Interrogating: Yes, I am his brother. My other two
brothers are out there, one is in Nechavava in Gaza and the other is back at
the rear he is in the Commissariat. Survived Nyadzonya and was sent for
intelligence training in the GDR.
Malonglong: Ha, STACI, I was there as well.
Interrogating Officer2: Me too, 1973, with Comrade
Tungamirayi.
Malonglong: 1975 with Comrade Dzino.
Black September: Hiya, STACI, 1975 with Comrades
Malonglong and Dzino.
Interrogating Officer2: I am the overall Commander
here, I oversee the whole liberated zone. Hey so you two are my terrible twins.
And these three days of action have happened in September, Comrade Black September.
Black September: Chef.
Interrogating Officer: And you trained together and
fight together, Comrade Malonglong?
Malonglong: Chef
Interrogating Officer2: So from today onwards Comrade
Malonglong you are to be known as Comrade White September, Black September’s
twin. You will fight together as always and die together if death comes, ndugu!
Malonglong and Black September: White September,
Ndugu!
Interrogating Officer2: [he turns his attention to Bernita and keeps staring at her]
Comrade Bernita, I heard what happened. I am sorry Comrade but you are still
young Comrade.
Bernita: [slightly
shy] That’s true chef.
Interrogating Officer2: The war will end one day Comrade
Bernita! We need to think about that. We can’t stay like this forever you know
that.
Bernita: When the time comes I will remember your
words.
Malonglong: [hesitates
but then proceeds] Now that you broke the ice Chef, I have the same words
for Comrade Hilda. You see I am a widower too but I don’t intend it. The war
will end.
Hilda: [hesitant
too] I hear you Comrade. Only that this is not the right time.
Malonglong: I know comrade but with this remember my
words when the right time comes. [He
takes off his necklace and hands it to Hilda]Don’t worry about the photo
there, it is my mum’s. My departed wife wore it, I always remember my mum
through the woman I love. Keep it and remember me.
Hilda and Bernita smile, as the guerrillas look on.
All the civilians join other villagers as the guerrillas move away to take
their positions. [The villagers are singing: Dzima rambi tiende kwaMutare
netsoka and then follow that up with Wedza kuchamhembe kune morari. Fades]
-ENDS-