malvernmugadzikwa
THERE is no situation in life that is as degrading as being broke.
Called “kutsva”, “kubroka”, “kuomerwa”, “kuchoboka” or “kutyoka”, being broke is loathed by many. Broke people live like hermits, with no one eager to spend a day with them.
Broke people are often accused of stealing and usually disrespected, even by young people. They are largely treated like a doormat.
“Did you see my US$1. It was on the table and it just vanished the moment you came in here. Please, give it back,” you hear broke people being told straight in the face.
“Of all the people in Zimbabwe, I do not think that I can spend time with Stanley because he is always broke. He can neither buy you a drink nor a sandwich because he hardly ever has cash on him. This is also why I cannot fall in love with him,” I heard some women saying about a young neighbour of ours.
“Oh boy, if you want to invite trouble for yourself, just accommodate that fellow. He pesters like a parasite. Machinda akadaro ndeekusiyana nawo zvachose,” you always hear people saying.
It is even worse in family settings.
Poor relatives who have little or nothing to spare are often not visited. This could probably be the reason they often fall sick and recover without anyone knowing.
Such relatives always suffer in silence.
At funerals, being broke is akin to having committed a crime because no one listens to your advice, views or suggestions.
You can even spend the entire period of the funeral wake without bathing because women who warm bathing water see no value in serving someone who does not give them anything.
“He belongs to this family, but why would I give him water to bath because he hardly ever has cash on him and he cannot afford to give anyone a token of appreciation. He must count himself very lucky that we gave him food because he did not contribute anything,” you hear people saying behind closed doors.
At family gatherings like weddings and funerals, broke people are often assigned tasks like fetching firewood and water, cooking drums of sadza and digging the grave.
They are a hated lot across the social divide no matter how God-fearing and respectful they may be.
If a rich man takes to the dance floor at a party, people gather around, clapping hands and remarking about how natural and hospitable he is.
But if the same is done by a poor man, he is immediately accused of being an attention seeker, who needs to be removed from the spotlight because he may tarnish the family’s image.
“Guys, please make sure you stop Tichaona from dancing in front of our honourable guests. Why are you leaving a whole family man dancing like a lunatic? Please, stop him immediately because benzi rikasekererwa rinokonzeresa,” I heard a certain elderly man saying at a party recently.
Gentle reader, being broke is like a passport to being ridiculed because no one ever seems to view you in positive light.
“That nephew of yours has come. She is very chatty and disturbs our family time. Why do you allow her to come here even without an appointment?
“She must know that times have changed and we need all the time to relax in the comfort of our home and not be disturbed by people of her ilk,” a friend’s young son once told his father in my presence.
Did you know that being always broke can affect your children’s chances of getting married as it discourages possible suitors.
“Oh, Lucy is a very good girl. The only challenge is that her father is always broke, so he will charge you an arm and a leg. Moreover, he will ride on your coattails if you eventually take his daughter’s hand in marriage. Zvimwe zvinhu ingogara wasiya,” people often say.
Being maltreated because of something that is avoidable is unacceptable. This bids on everyone who is able-bodied to fight this challenge of being broke through hard work so that we create value for ourselves and start being viewed as people worth their salt.
Inotambika mughetto.
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Online Reporter