Mavesera leads Shona literature resurgence

Publisher: Simba Guru Publisher
Pages: 129
ISBN: 978-0-6-620-40064-0
The past decade has seen a decline in Shona novels with many fearing that Shona literature was dying a slow death.
However, Dr Miidzo Mavesera seems to be one of the few authors who are leading the resurgence in this genre of literature.
In her maiden novel titled Makaitei, the author explores the topical issue of family disentegration and the eroding of cultural values which holds together the family unit.
The novel centres on Takaendesa an elderly man and the trials of his children during his days of illness.
Makaitei is set in modern day Gweru during the final days of hardships in the Zim-dollar era of 2008.
Scene One opens with Takaendesa narrating his life ordeal from his children’s birth, nurturing them and the hardships he has endured over the years.
Takaendesa’s soliloquy gives readers an insight into the old man’s struggle, how he feels out of place in the modern world and the conflict of interest between his cultural values and the modern world he finds himself in.
Despite being a fictional work of art the characters and issues presented in the novel appear to borrow heavily from everyday scenarios as opposed to novelists whose characters and themes are arguably out of touch with the prevailing day-to-day issues.
Mavesera employs a mixture of colloquial lingo and the rich traditional aphorisms to which many readers will relate.
Although much of the book is written in soliloquies, which is rather peculiar the author still maintains the readers interests and keeps them in consternation with each passing page.
In an attack on patriarchy the author emphasises the importance of educating the girl-child as a possible means of averting a life abject poverty and oppression.
With all of Takaendesa’s male children having fled their family responsibilities after plundering the family’s fortune the family is now virtually headed by females (Chenai, Makaitei, Tete and the other varoora abroad) who despite all their efforts still remain voiceless and down trodden in the family.
In muroora Chenai the author reveals the predicament that many a daughter in-law find themselves in.
“I occupy a second class status semuroora”, says Chenai.
Even though she is the breadwinner who devotes all her attention and finances to her husband’s family she is treated scornfully with her father in-law only remaining predominantly in her corner.
Chenai’s song cry on page 53 roughly sums up the situation that the women today find themselves in. Loosely translated the song speaks of the double bind of women who despite the abuse they endure, still find no solace or support from their kinsmen.
At the opposite end is Tete who having been long forgotten during the good times is then “crowned” saviour in the hour of need so as to get her to save the day.
The author also questions the ideology in going abroad in search of greener pastures yet ironically the family ends up in a far worse off position.
Even though most of his children have gone abroad Takaendesa in his time of need struggles to obtain finances for his medication.
In the end the readers are left convinced that many who left the country under the guise of improving their families livelyhood were in fact fleeing from their family responsibilities.
Mavesera raises the issue of superstition, among them beliefs in n’anga’s, vapostori and how in the midst of desperation people will turn to anyone who claims to be able to help them. In the beginning Chenjerai seems resolute on not taking the traditional route in finding a cure or explanation for his father illness as he views it in a somewhat evil light.
However, as desperation creeps in the family he is left with no option but to consult traditional healers who give them a chorus answer that plundering the family wealth and family disentegration are the cause of their fathers illness.
One can not help but speculate if it is infact the author who through the healers, is expressing her own views that the love of money and the disentegration of the family are a threat to our very existence.
As the book comes to an end all of the family’s problems remain unsolved and “Makaitei”? (What have you done) is the one question left on everyone’s minds.
The book is well bound as the pages do not fall out. The font is reader friendly.
Makaitei justifies its US$10 price tag and in the near future is likely going to find its way onto the high school syllabus as it is suited for the young readers in the examination classes.
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