Poetry Corner

A view from the Mango Tree-Of Fire, Reigns and Rains

The fictional persona in the Game of Thrones TV series Melisandre of Asshai(depicted in the inage above), derived from A Song of Ice and Fire novels by American author George R. R. Martin, served as the inspiration for this piece.

 Melisandre, a devotee of the deity R’hllor (known as the Red God or the Lord of Light) from the land of Essos, acted as a trusted counselor to King Stannis Baratheon in his quest for the Iron Throne.

 Observing her character and reflecting on the recent spate of fire incidents in the country, I couldn’t help but ponder whether these fires were mere accidents or orchestrated by a higher power to advance certain political motives.

 Various locations have fallen victim to fires, notably Harare’s Mbare Musika, the Kadoma Market Place, and the recent hostel blaze at Midlands State University Zvishavane Campus, sparking widespread speculation among the populace, particularly on social media platforms.

 Opposition party activists have seized upon these tragedies to further their agendas, accusing the government of employing state security personnel to set fire to Mbare Musika. Exploiting these events, these activists aim to sow chaos and despair among an already disheartened citizenry grappling with the repercussions of an El Nino-induced drought and economic downturn, which have forced many into entrepreneurial endeavours.

 The destruction of millions of dollars worth of property has left traders destitute. Proponents of this hypothesis argue that the government failed to find a more humane solution to restore order at the market. This brings to mind the aphorism, “Panonetsa hapo,”just as the name of the RBZ Governor, Mangudya, suggests.

 Could the government truly be so callous? Why do activists persist in dangling such a provocation in the face of such profound loss? Fire disasters have become all too common in the country.

Fire has a longstanding association with thrones, even dating back to biblical times when fire was utilized to reestablish order after the people of Sodom and Gomorrah had forsaken Yahweh. Yet, if the conflagration at Mbare Musika could be attributed to the government, what of the other fires plaguing the nation? It seems improbable.

 It is likely just a series of coincidences.I overheard some individuals on a WhatsApp group discussing various theories regarding the fire at Mbare Musika and challenged them to explain the blaze that ravaged eleven households in Ward 4 of Mwenezi.

 During such periods, fire-related accidents tend to peak, possibly due to soaring temperatures. It was reported that a guard accidentally ignited the fire while warming himself. The recent fluctuations in temperature, swinging between extremes, elucidate how one might inadvertently start a fire to keep warm. Nonetheless, fire now holds sway as the rainy season approaches.

About reigns and who should have the reins, a certain malevolent spirit seems to haunt the nation every November. Since the 2017 Operation Restore Legacy, rumors of power struggles within the government have emerged each November, their origins often obscure, serving as a feeble attempt to destabilize the country amidst a backdrop of heightened global tensions.

The rains have commenced in Mwenezi as we advance towards November, hoping for abundant precipitation. Unfortunately, the rains in Mwenezi and parts of Mberengwa began on a tumultuous note, marked by hailstorms that tore off roofs and caused damage in Maranda, Musaverema, and Marinda areas. May God’s benevolence prevail during the rainy season, bringing calm and tranquility. This sentiment resonates with the political landscape as the nation anticipates the 2028 elections.

Turning to the realm of sports, the UEFA Champions League takes centre stage. The Catalans and the Los Blancos are both fervently vying for the coveted trophy, prompting the question: will the UEFA cup remain in Spain, or will the 2023 Manchester City squad transport it back to England? Manchester City’s performance in continental football has been exceptional, spearheaded by the prolific goal scorer Haaland.

 Their resounding 5-0 victory over Sparta Praha attests to their formidable prowess. Barcelona, equally determined, seeks to wrest the cup from their Spanish league rivals, Real Madrid. These two titans clash this Saturday in the El Clasico, the pinnacle of the football world. Yamal exudes confidence as he leads the Catalans’ strikeforce, while Los Blancos boast Modric the Magician orchestrating plays in midfield, supported by Vini Jnr and Mbappe in attack. It promises to be an electrifying weekend for football enthusiasts worldwide.

Liverpool secured a victory over Leipzig with a solitary goal, continuing their impressive form after defeating Chelsea 2-1 over the weekend.

 Their performance against Chelsea effectively silenced the boisterous fans, to the extent that even my boss, Boss Fana, refrained from his customary exclamations, ‘Hawu! Hawu!’ He did not roam the hospital corridors, proclaiming Chelsea’s resurgence.

 On a Thursday evening however Chelsea corrected this mistake in the Europa league. Ah pamwe yamuka.Truly, football remains a captivating spectacle. It’s just a view!

By Chana CheMasvingo

The Wordsmith

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