The story is one that many Zimbabweans will be familiar with- a family torn apart emotionally and spiritually by the tough economic conditions in the country finally ends up physically separated as mother and daughter go off to the UK while father and son are left to contend with the daily challenges of pre-GNU (Government of National Unity) Zimbabwe.

^ Father and son- a scene from Disconnection.

The play Disconnection which premiered at HIFA last week tells the painful story of the tough choices that many Zimbabwean families have had to make in the last few years- choices which often led to the separation of families in more ways than physical.

Part of the HIFA Direct mentoring project for Zimbabwean writers and directors, the play was written by Musekiwa Samuriwo and directed by Blessing Hungwe.

The casting is perfect and the actors deliver awesome performances. Chipo Bizure, who acts the mother, cries real tears when she receives news that her son (in the play) is dead.

^ Mother and daughter grieve.

However, the story unfolds along a pretty predictable path- children go off on a tangent, parents get angry and upset, children pay for their mistakes- the son with death and the daughter by being raped- parents grieve and the story ends.

It is a story that definitely needs to be told to many people because it is such a part of what the nation has become as millions of Zimbabweans eke out a living in various countries around the world. However, we must tell it with the skill that leaves audiences not just moved emotionally but challenged mentally as well.

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