Black Politics, Life, Politics, women

Nose Rings – An Intro to the Settle Down Selections

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So I just spent this morning reading a Twitter thread about why Zimbabwean men would never marry a woman with a nose ring. I will give a few of the justifications that were “given”

1. Those nose piercings and tattoos are a symbolic statement of a certain belief like satanism

2. Lol I use to say that…Learnt the hard way…She can be a good person clubbing hard, but that does not mean you should marry her. You will raise the kids in the club.

3. Yes, l think it’s high time Zim men have an open mind when it comes to women. A nose ring does not mean she is a whore, in church there are sometimes women without nose rings and they are whoring like crazy! 🤣

4. It’s associated with the street and wildness (or most people who used to do it were for the streets). So it gives us nerves and fear as if we took a whore for a wife. Otherwise it shouldn’t be a thing.

5. I personally wouldn’t. Im sure some of them are great people but the ones I knew who were into that were very wild and loose…The stereotype unfortunately stuck.

6. That’s a sign that she belongs to the streets…

7. Nope,no tattoos,no drinking….🚩🚩 Most definitely no smoking

8. Nose ring signifies potent cock sucking skills so no for me

9. I want it as bad as earrings, but I’m not a whore. I will wait till after marriage then do it

10. Would you be comfortable to introduce her to your mother? If the answer is yes, go ahead.

If this is our mindset on nose rings and we have not even touched on religion, politics, class or family values pray tell how are we going settle down?

Thoughts?

Black Politics, Life

Our Voices Booklet

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A note from the editor Katswe Sisterhood –

Dear Reader,

Thank you for supporting the our voices project and taking the time to read this publication. Within it you will find chapters that feature submissions from artists in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Some of these women tell stories we have continually heard over the years and others bring topics not previously identified under the 12 critical areas of the Beijing declaration and POA.

You will find women telling stories inspired by personal truths and women using art to arouse deep conversation and feeling.

I really hope you enjoy it as I have enjoyed editing it.

Many thanks once again to our partners at OSISA, Urgent Action Fund Africa, Ford Foundation and Katswe Sistahood: without your support we would not have been able to breathe life into this idea and provide a platform where young women’s voice and art are celebrated. We hope to receive your continued support and that it allows this to become the first of many similar projects.

Download below:

katswesistahood.net/wp-content/uploads/Downloadable/Sept_2020/Our-Voices-2020_sml.pdf

Black Politics, Short Stories

Silent Border Crossing

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A short story on women, poverty and migration

“Where is my baby? Mwanawangu aripi? Where is my baby? Where is my baby” Chipo asked frantically.

Tiny little Mudiwa gone and she didn’t know what to do. What would her husband say?

“Ndiani wamapa mwana wangu? Who did you give my child?” her eyes were full of tears as she yelled

The driver looked away and told her “Sister ma1. Everyone get back on the bus we have to go in 10 mins”

“But my baby where is my baby?” she yelled again but the bus drove away.

“But my baby where is my baby?” she yelled again but the bus drove away

Chipo grew up in Budiriro 3 in Harare. She didn’t know that she was poor, because everyone around her was poor. Of course there were “those neighbours” that had relativesb with big big cars that would bring their relatives groceries all the time. She wondered why they didn’t take their family members to wherever it is that they got these big cars and endless bags of groceries. She asked her mother once and her mother told her “Chipo unotaurisa.” She was often told that she talked too much but if she had a question she had to ask. This is what made her the top student at Budiriri 3 Primary School and later on at Budiriro High school.

Chipo was not only a good student but she was what the elderly aunties called a nice girl. They would often tell her mother “endemunemwana akanaka.” This comment wasn’t about her beauty but her character as she was agreeable, helpful and she attended church enough to make her mother proud.

Chipo met Tawanda when she was 17. She had passed all her 0-levels but her parents could not afford to pay for her to finish her A levels. She was informed by her mother that she would have to find something to do or get married soon. Her mother laughed as she said it but Chipo felt as though it was not a joke.

Continue reading Silent Border Crossing →
Black Politics, Politics

Lessons from our Leaders

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I was asked what have our leaders taught us and are they taking us in the direction we wish to go in. What have they done to demonstrate that we are moving in the correct direction? I started thinking of an old interview with Mugabe saying that all he ever wanted was to teach his people is to be self sufficient. 

I responded that our leaders taught us the value of education and that we should continue to suffer if it means that we will never be second class citizens in our country again. Now I have always been told that I am unaware of the “real situation” in Zimbabwe, the levels that people are suffering. 

I have started to argue back and tell them people your only experience is of Zimbabwe I have a “global experience” and I have seen that Black people are treated as second class citizens and are the living in relative poverty everywhere we are.

When reflecting on what has “occurred” in Zimbabwe we look at it in a vacuum forgetting that struggle is not ours alone. There are others that helped us to be free and their contributions were so that all Black people would be free, not so that we could continue to be “Africa’s bread basket” while bowing down to our oppressors. 

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Black Politics, Politics

WHY AREN’T YOU OR YOUR PARENTS MILLIONAIRES

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 I have been hiding behind the idea that I may be taken the wrong way. I may be too extreme.

I think there is a shame that is put behind being a Communist similar to the shame that people including myself have tried to put behind Feminism. It is similar to the shame that people put behind solving racism.

Somehow the person that is being wronged becomes the one in the wrong. I am inspired by Yvette Carnell, who I found through Dr. Boyce Watkins, who in 2015 was talking about Black Businesses. He was encouraging people to invest in the stock market which at the time I thought that isn’t a bad idea. When I think about it now, why are you gambling with your limited disposable income?

Now don’t get me wrong, I agree we need things of our own but then again if I don’t want to start a business I should just get paid enough to live comfortably. I know in the West the ideology is “everyman for themselves” but how is that working for you?

Continue reading WHY AREN’T YOU OR YOUR PARENTS MILLIONAIRES →
Life

Change is Always Good

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September 24th
Yes I’m blessed but sometimes it feels like there is a maximum capacity of blessings that a person can have.
It feels like anytime you take a breathe something has to f up.
Or I guess we could just take it as you are now ready for the next level?
If life is a game, then it would be crazy to stay in the same level forever right? So maybe in life when you have mastered one level you have to move on to the next.
But that’s scary and it implies that you have to play forever.
Why don’t we get to just stay at one level?
But if we did then we would not be at this level that we wish to remain.
Change is always good, it is what has allowed you to be in the situation that you are in right now.
P.S It is the Lord’s will
Black Politics

Letters From a Stoic by Seneca

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I borrowed this book last summer from a co-worker and still have it. It has taken me a longer time than is polite to have someone’s book but I think any true readers can understand sometimes book reading does not go according to plan.

I finally finished it and I wanted to read this book because all through my undergrad there was a teacher that kept telling us that he did not know why our school put Plato and Aristotle on such a high horse as the Stoics were better. I was never really sure what he was talking about but I made a mental note to get to the books eventually and I guess I finally did.

I loved this book and as much as I am concerned with communities and the collective we can never forget the individuals that make up those collectives. As a person that is constantly in my mind trying to make myself better I learnt from this book. It was a reminder that the quest for success is kinda stupid its best to be a good and wise person that does not worry too much about silly things and that one must at least try to be vegetarian.

Continue reading Letters From a Stoic by Seneca →
Black Politics

You cannot excuse yourself from blackness

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In reading the book Here I Stand by Paul Robeson I learnt that I think it is important and we need to keep our eyes on the prize. No-one is excused from the responsibility that comes with blackness. While we have had many celebrities that have helped in moving the fight forward we have to always remember that all celebrities, politicians, or political parties will not always do what is best for Black people.

Some do, some are frauds, some try in their own way usually in a manner that is not harmful to themselves as an individual. However as a marginilized community we always have to keep in mind that those that are trying to change institutional problems are also restricted by those same institutions.

Today you can think of Colin Kaepernick, he tried to do speak out against an institution  but was he punished for it. I think of Zanu PF or Fidel Castro they tried to challenge the international community and their populations have suffered dearly as a result.

Stopping oppression is not the job of one person it is for all of us to do what we can, when we can and in regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in.

Here are the quotes that stood out to me in the book:  

“Reed is dead now. He won no honours in classroom, pulpit or platform. Yet I remember him with love. Restless, rebellious, scoffing at conventions, defiant of the white man’s law – I’ve known many negroes like Reed. I see them everyday. Blindly, on their own reckless manner, they seek a way out for themselves; alone, they pound with their fists and fury against walls that only the shoulders of many can topple” pg 13 

Here I Stand by Paul Robeson
Continue reading You cannot excuse yourself from blackness →
Life, T Taste, Short Stories, food

A Brunch Affair to Remember

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What is your favorite restaurant?

I love to eat out so to name one favourite restaurant is impossible because I’m always excited to try somewhere new. I have also been frustrated at the out of control tipping culture, so I’ve been eating out a lot less so I often go to the same places where I know the prices which brings me to the shameful affair I’ve been having.

Approximately 2015 or 2016 a wonderful new breakfast place opened where live and I love brunch. I don’t want to wake up early for breakfast but if you wait till lunch then you will snack on the wrong thing and be too hungry so brunch is perfect. The place was Sunset Grill, they had the most beautiful fluffy pancakes I had ever eaten and I was in love.

For about 5-6 years I ate at Sunset Grill (the same location) whenever I could and when I travelled anywhere with a Sunset Grill I would go eat there. I loved this place so much and I told everyone I knew about it. I went there on dates (of course different locations) I didn’t want an awkward encounter. My ex even started taking his mum there when we had broken up.

During the summer months I would head there alone with my iPad or client files to work on the patio. At this point I knew the owner and his wife and during the pandemic my greatest “moment” was when one of the servers said there was no room and the owner said something like “for you we can find something”. I honestly felt like I had made it. I was guaranteed a seat a my favourite restaurant and did I mention that they give lollipops when you pay your bill and put fresh strawberries on your mimosa.

But like all relationships the problems slowly started. Some called it inflation some call it smaller portions and some called it a $7 mimosa that went to $13. Now if you live in a big city I can see how that may not be a big deal but a $13 drink in my town better have 4 types of liquor. As with all relationships you become a little complacent and you hear others talk of a new brunch place in town. You see the “new place” but would never go there because it’s a little further than yours and who know what their pancakes, prices or portions are like. They probably have too much baking powder and they do not even have a patio. Why would you opt for a lesser experience? You put it out of your mind and continue as you always have.

One day you ask yourself “well what would it hurt for me to try it?” and before you know it you are hooked. You are now driving past your old favourite restaurant simply because they put whipped cream on their pancakes not to mention you don’t even need maple syrup on these pancakes. Their pancakes are just as fluffy and the guilt that consumes does not seem to be enough to stop you driving past your old spot. Now you take friends and family members to the new spot thinking how could this happen, how could I be so disloyal.

Ah well my mouth is filled with too much whipped cream to care and as the brunch conversations continues your friend asks if you have heard about the new brunch place by the beach? You quickly respond “No I would never go anywhere else, I love brunch here” but your mind starts to wonder and alas the cycle starts all over again so I really can’t say I have a favourite restaurant.

Finances, Life, Travel

Car Rental Admin Fees for Tickets

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What is the last thing you learned?

I’m actually very upset about this. I recently rented the car and driving in the UK while living in Canada is quite an experience. I won’t get into the smart motorway which I think is the stupidest idea ever but those in the UK can tell me if they agree that this is a good idea. For those that don’t know what that is or those that live in Canada a smart motorway is where they have different speeds on the motorway depending on traffic and you have to keep adjusting your speed.

In Canada, if you’re on the motorway or highway you just have one set speed. You know what the speed is unless there is construction or you could follow the flow of traffic if there’s “something” happening on the highway. In the UK they’ve decided it’s a great idea to just change the speed intermittently so that it can slow down traffic in one part and speed up traffic on another part so that I don’t know what exactly is being accomplished but I hate it, and I think it’s dangerous.

So the last thing I learned is that when you have a rental car they let you know that you will pay for your tickets, which I think is fair enough if you get a ticket you should pay for that ticket what I didn’t know was they charge or try to charge you a 68 pound administrative fee. That fee does not include the actual ticket, which if you paid within 14 days you only pay 35 pounds.

Now this is infuriating me because it’s not enough that they just charge the admin fee once they charge it per ticket so right now I have received the three administrative fees of 68 pound not including the ticket that’s either 30 pound or 70 pound depending on when you pay it. What infuriates me is this wasn’t explained to me and I think that this is something that should be explained to people in the same way the re-fuelling fee is explained upfront.

I’m a little bit ashamed because as an administrator I should’ve read it properly and I should know better but this just seems like another sneaky fee and it seems like everywhere you go. I know it should be buyer beware but it feels like you really can’t get a break as a consumer, at every turn someone is trying to rip you off. There are lots of little sneaky fees creeping up everywhere and I’m getting really really sick of it and for one I’m going to be fighting the sneaky fees.

Who’s with me?!?

T Taste

Favourite Beverages

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What is your favorite drink?

I have a great love of “a bevy” as my sister would say and as a self acclaimed “drinks master” here are my favourite drinks by category

  • Tea – Khoisan Bourbon Vanilla Rooibos Tea – I came into the tea game late but this is the best tea ever and it get extra points because it’s decaf, comes from my Southern Africa aka home and it has many good properties
  • Coffee – Starbucks Blond Roast – I’ve been having a caffeine intolerance lately because I pretty much stopped drinking coffee during the pandemic (yes remember that awful event) but I love the VIA blond roast. It’s high in caffeine and the right coffee taste for me
  • Wine – I think my favourite is ice wine. None in particular but I just love sweet wine and I think it’s the pinnacle of sweet wine. I’ll give a s/o to the baco noir by Henry of Pelham incase people argue ice wine isn’t “really” wine
  • Milk – Why is this on the list? Well we the lactose intolerance girlies will tell you that we like milk but our stomachs are stubborn. My favourite milk is Neilson’s 0% lactose free milk. I like it because it doesn’t change the taste of the drink like some of the other milk alternative beverages
  • Pop – This preference depends on location. In Canada it’s Canada Dry! I love it and put it in any and everything. I personally feel it should replace maple syrup as the “Canadian food”. If in Zimbabwe it’s cherry plum.
  • Liquor – I think it’s tequila, Patron to be specific. I have been playing around with gin but I don’t think it’s made its way into being a “favourite” but time will tell
  • Water – I’m not much of a water drinker. Yes I know I should drink 7/8 glasses but who has the time to go to the bathroom that many times after? However I figured with the allegations that you need water to live 😅 I should pick one. I used to be confused about why drink water when you can drink juice or tea and if you have to drink water why addd bubbles but I will admit I have grown to like the sparkling water from Loblaws. Granted I sometimes add stuff to it but it’s not bad.
  • Squash/Cordial – Mazoe cream soda is my favourite if it’s available but if not I don’t hate Robinsons berry squash. Both are not easy to source in Canada but we find our ways. It’s one of the things I add to sparkling water but to get some unique drink recipes sign up to my newsletter. 😊

Tigere Tese – Black Political Theory