Transitioning & Transiting

Here I am, writing from the Mozambican Embassy in Harare. I'm waiting for my passport to get a visa to enter Mozambique. I could probably get one at the border, however what with travelling as a group and being the only Brit in need of visa, we thought best to do in advance. I had communications with the embassy by phone and travelled up from Bulawayo this morning. I gather normally it takes 24hrs to process, however by phone the representative offered to turn it around within a couple of hours given I was driving up from Bulawayo. Then when I arrived just before 1pm, I discovered they normally close for visa sumissions at 12pm. Nevertheless they let me go ahead and submit for a 90min turnaround. From what I've seen of Mozambique (and Mozambican's) so far, they're kind! And I haven't yet set foot over the border...

Chatting with the desk manager about my trip, he seemed interested that I'm travelling with a theatre group to experience and share Mozambican culture and creativity. Then he insisted I meet “Mozambique's ambassador to Bulawayo” a dignified elderly man who has lived in Mpopoma in Bulawayo since 1949! Again the prospect of our trip seemed to to trigger the imagination (and some wise nodding of the head). Whatever this is...it's an adventure! 6 hours til our scheduled departure on our 2 day and 2,000km, journey by road (on a bus) to Zalala Beach Lodge, on the outskirts of Supinho, a small fishing village, approximately 40kms north of Quelimane, the provincial capital on the central northern coast of Mozambique.

We'll be devising and experimenting with new material as a group, and also interacting with those around us in local communities using performance and theatre.

Today was spent frustratingly chasing different errands, all of which seemed to end fruitlessly. I forget how it can be... But then, the gang from Bulawayo arrived into Harare armed with provisions and solidarity and warmth and I felt suddenly better. And part of a team, I guess.

So I find I'm off to a new country for 3 weeks. I've only been back in Bulawayo 3 weeks and all the comings and goings, leavings and arrivings can be unsettling. I even researched 'culture shock' to find out some of the facts to what I was experiencing. It's a funny one – largely characterised by chronic overuse of the word 'different' (in my experience!) and not being quite sure where you 'are' exactly.

More soon. Maybe even from the bus!

Day One of Life

One day old: Michelle with her baby girl

It's been a good day.  Amazing privilege to have been there during someone's first full day on planet earth and to be alongside while someone takes their first steps into motherhood.  Michelle's baby was born yesterday afternoon at Central Hospital, Bulawayo.  She's little, weighing 2.4kg/5lb 3oz and beautiful.

I visited this morning to take some breakfast in for her and I climbed the (very worn out) staircase to the second floor.  In doing so, I passed several delivery rooms and caught sight of many women in the wards holding bundles in blankets.  I entered room number 2 and as I scanned it, working out which bed to cross to, I heard 'Aunty Izzy!' which helped no end!  First I checked how Michelle was doing, which seemed amazingly well.  She looked very peaceful and seemed strong.  Then I met the newborn.  She's tiny! Especially in relation to the large blanket she was in. 

I went back later to collect them both and bring them home.  That time as I was walking along the corridor a door opened ahead of me and a nurse came through holding a baby out in front of her - literally just delivered.  The door was still half open as I passed showing a glimpse of the mother.  The starkness of being so close to life beginning wasn't lost on me.  I realised possibly even the mother hadn't yet seen that baby! I was one of the first people to set eyes on a unique new person.  Everything seemed a lot more immediate and in your face (literally) in that maternity ward.

Throughout the day I took some photo's for Michelle to remember her daughter's first hours.  Here are a few of those:

Michelle

Too long since I last updated. But here's one piece of news. Last night Michelle, one of the girls living at the Precious Life farm, arrived to stay with us. Aged 15, she is 9mths pregnant and her due date is almost here. I've known Michelle for the last four months and she hasn't been exactly over the moon about being pregnant. For starters the pregnancy is the result of a rape. In fact for most of the pregnancy she intended to give the baby up for adoption. Agnes Kwenda (PLF founder) has been supporting and encouraging her to attend sessions with a trained counsellor while part of Precious Life. 

I saw Michelle on Monday, during my regular weekly visit to the farm and then it was great to welcome her to ours last night. Nomsa helped her settle in. Agnes asked me to get a nice photo of her that we could use to make a start on a baby album.  Unfortunately I missed the boat on that one, and less than 12hrs later she went into labour and is currently at the hospital with regular, close contractions.  We wait to hear news and then to bring her and the baby home to be with us for 6 weeks or so.  The first few hours and days will be vital in terms of Michelle's decision whether she wishes to keep the baby or whether she wishes to see him/her adopted.  Together we hope to support her in whatever decision she makes.  I just hope and pray for these first few hours of this new little person's life which I am sure will play a huge part in his/her future.  In particular if & how Michelle bonds with the baby.  

Once again it's got me thinking about the importance and privilege of being there alongside people as they face tough choices and difficult dilemmas.  It's not for us to decide but I think there is a role to play in supporting and trying to show them they are not completely alone.  I have two other friends also due to have their first babies any time now.  Each of them, incredibly unique and precious. 

Will update again soon...

Toshiba You Magazine Article

Back in February I posted some photos I had taken and then sent to computer company Toshiba.  I sent a short story about what one of their laptops gets used for after watching the girls at the Precious Life farm enjoying cartoons on my laptop.  It made me think how everyday, ordinary things can be used to be part of something larger and positive and that there's a story in it.  

They asked if they could run something on it in their magazine.  Various email and Skype communications later, this article is in the May edition of Toshiba's YOU magazine.  In exchange they have agreed to donate a laptop which is great news.

Sewing At PLF

In February the ladies at the Precious Life Farm started on a longer-term sewing project in partnership with Sibo, a lovely lady who lives on the neighbouring farm.  Sibo's a skilled seamstress and is happy to hold sewing sessions with the PL ladies twice a week round her dining table.  

Sibo leading the first lesson

She's put together a lesson plan with the aim that within a few months everyone will have built up a range of sewing skills and will have made two garments - one by hand and one by machine - using what they've learned.  

A demo on the embroidery machine

I was there for the first few weeks where we started with some basics and made pin-cushions and bags.  I'm excited to see where the group will be up to by the time I get back from Harare in a few weeks time - I imagine they will have long overtaken me! 

One Thursday some friends, Amy and Bella, were visiting Bulawayo and joined our session.  Amy had brought some lovely fabrics with her which everyone enjoyed using.    

Thanks also to Femina Garments in Bulawayo and to the fabric shops in Bulawayo who have donated offcuts and fabric to PLF for this project.  We appreciate it!

Theatre in the Park Harare: The Gospel of Othello

Last night The Gospel of Othello previewed at The Theatre in the Park, Harare Gardens, in front of an audience of theatre critics, Zimbabwean press and other invited guests.  Tonight the run opens to the general public.  The article below is reproduced from the Zimbabwe Independent's article about the show (follow link for the original article).  Similar articles also appeared in The Zimbabwean and The Herald newspapers.  Click these links to view those articles.

The Gospel of Gospel of Othello, a new version of Shakespeare's classic play Othello, premières at Theatre in the Park next Tuesday.


In Zimbabwe the play was first staged at Solusi University during the annual Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo last year, and also featured at the Harare International Festival of the Arts.  

The fast paced Afro-centric play is infused with African songs, dance and poetry in its quest to interrogate Shakespeare’s portrayal of Africa, its peoples and culture.  It also seeks to address the major themes of racism, stereotyping, deceit and hatred, juxtaposing Europe in the Elizabethan period and life in Africa today.  

The play was conceptualised by Patrice Naimbana, a theatre veteran from Sierra Leone who is currently based in the UK. The cast and production team features local and international actors.  Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi plays Othello, while Londoner Isabel Tredinnick features as Desdemona. Veteran theatre practitioner Eunice Tava co-directed the play.  

The Gospel of Othello has been staged in the UK, South Africa, Canada and Zimbabwe by professional and emerging artists. It is a project established as community theatre for development with an African perspective.  It is a story about African women that bear the pain of the absence of sons and daugh­ters that leave for far­away lands in search of greener pastures. The love between the ‘Black Oth­ello’ and the beau­ti­ful Ital­ian Des­de­mona tran­scends all bar­ri­ers but this is not enough to avert a tragic train of events.  

The play high­lights the predica­ment of exile in Shakespeare’s story of love and betrayal.  Per­formed in a mix­ture of Shona, Nde­bele, and Shake­spear­ian verse, The Gospel of Oth­ello offers a fresh portrayal Othello.  Besides Mutumbi and Tredin­nick other actors in the play are Mhondiwa Mhepo who plays Iago, Zanele Maseko (Emilia), Shelton Mpofu (Cassio), Brenda Jeranje (Bianca), Pamela Gonye (Modiba), Rejoice Simango (Kiara) and Josphat Ndlovu who features in two roles as as Brabantio and Griot.  Meanwhile the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa), to be held from May 1 - 6, is set to offer a diverse theatre programme.

In Pictures: The Gospel of Othello

Pictures taken during the September 2011 run in Bulawayo.  

Photos by Oria Mambira

The Gospel of Othello is currently in Harare for upcoming shows including a Gala performance at the British Ambassador's residence on 29th March, The Alliance Francaise on 26th March and an early April run at Theatre in the Park.  Further performances to be announced. 

The Hothaus crew will be in rehearsals for new shows to be premièred at The Harare International Arts Festival 2012.

Watch this space for more info!