How do you write a play about the Constitution or about the making of one without it being obviously didactic or a turning into a boring narrative, albeit relayed by comical gestures, convincing emotions and cleverly written lines? After watching the premier of Stephen Chifunyise’s Waiting for Constitution last night, I believe he may just have the answer to that question.

^ Silvanos Mudzvova in a scene from Waiting for Constitution.

Chifunyise plays on the cultural process of lobola (paying a bride price) and runs the consultation process within a family on how they are going to conduct a lobola ceremony as a parallel process to that of making a new constitution.

The prominent idea that comes forward is that there may be many consultations, yes, but there are unfortunately some things that are set in stone and will not change because they are our “culture”. There are other things that no matter what some people say will- patriarchy being what it is- be finally decided by the father of the house- which brings forward the question: “Why consult in the first place?”

Chifunyise also highlights the confusion in the lobola process of the particular family in question, with different parties expecting different things, and ties it to the similar situation that exists in the current constitution making process.

Then there are the disagreements on the issues that arise from differences in age, gender, upbringing and social status.

There is the maternal uncle (played humourously by Sebastian Maramba) who was a member of the Rhodesian forces during the war of liberation and who believes that things used to be so much better before the “bloody kaffirs” started running the show. He thinks the constitution should enable a Federal Government system to take place so that each province in Zimbabwe can use its own resources to fund its development. He also thinks there should be no room for gender equality and homosexuality.

^ In character- Edith Katiji (left) and Tendai Chakanyuka.

The boisterous paternal uncle, a war vet and high profile ruling party politician (who keeps pulling different cellphones from his pocket and is played ably by Silvanos Mudzvova), thinks the former is a traitor for having fought on the Rhodesian side against his own people and has no right to contribute to the constitution making process. He however agrees with him on the gender and homosexuality issue.

The eldest daughter in the family (Tendai Chakanyuka), who has just returned from the United States, thinks the two of them are old fashioned and unreal to harbour ill-thoughts against homosexuals and to not believe in gender equality. Her young sister, Constance (Winnie Moyo), who is the girl that is about to get married, agrees vehemently.

Then there is their mother (Edith Katiji), who has no real opinion of her own, except that women selling their wares in the streets do not deserve to play a part in the constitution, is guided strictly by traditional norms and is thus mortally embarrassed by how her young son (John Pfumojena) continues to talk back to his elders.

During his research for the play, Chifunyise says he found a lot of ignorance among people about what the constitution making process was about, at what stage it was and on how people could contribute.

Waiting for Constitution was directed by Daves Guzha, with the assistance of Tafadzwa Muzondo. It runs daily (except Sundays & Mondays) until 20th March 2010 at Theatre in the Park. The play is a must watch for any Zimbabwean who wants to get an insight into some of the pertinent issues that need to be dealt with in the making of our new constitution.

- Fungai Tichawangana

• See more pictures from the play

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Anonymous   |2010-02-25 10:58:24 Once again a great job by Rooftop Promotions! Well done to Chifunyisem the cast and producers. Reply 0   0

Bloody This   |2010-02-25 11:01:10 Mramba is truly hilarious in this paly. Reply 0   0

Namatai   |2010-02-25 11:05:52 This play, though well written, is carried by the cast. With a poor cast this play would end up being just an educational piece with no entertainment value. So whil I say big up to the writer, it's also kudos to a great cast and good directing. Reply 0   0

Tikirai Moyo   |2010-02-26 00:53:18 In order to reach a wider audience this play should be televised and shown on national TV. That's the challenge I give to COPAC if they are really serious about getting the involvement of people in this process. Actually, there should be as many plays, poems, songs, etc written about this process and shown to the whole of Zimbabwe to get their attention and input. Reply 0   0

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