Independence Eve
Hapana chakanaka! Toonana kumastreets! Life's bad! We'll see you in the streets! This is the cry that rang out in the Avenues this evening. A rebellious chant erupting in Harare's nocturnal heart. Black, white, coloured, German, Zimbabwean, Dutch, journalists, activists, state security agents. A multi-cultured crowd gathered at the Book Cafe in Harare on the eve of elections for our MAGAMBA! concert - The Day Before. A Concert featuring rebel MCs Outspoken, Upmost and Godobori aswell as Harare's most rebellious band, Comrade Fatso and Chabvondoka.
I'm writing from there now. The Book Cafe in Harare's dark heart. At 11:20pm. A revolution happened here today. We created a liberated space. Our words gave birth to a taste of what-it-is-to-be-free. The rhythms of chimurenga, hip hop and jazz combined with poetry to create a new sound of toyi toyi. A militant song that talks in everyone's voice. Our songs talk of the people's struggle and the people's resilience. And the crowd here today on 'Independence Eve' was in an uncompromising mood. Freedom or nothing. They demanded a replay of MaStreets, our we-want-freedom-and-we-don't-give-a-damn song. The people toyi toyi'd and sung. The people wailed. As if a new country were being born tomorrow. Over a hundred people are dancing around me at the Book Cafe as I write. 11:34pm. Harare is dancing tonight. They dance for the vadzimu, the spirits. They dance for rain. They dance for a new beginning. Tonight on 'Independence Eve'.
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