YOUTHFUL Bulawayo-born author Crispen Ndlovu has penned a controversial book — Guveya — a political satire which has opened a new debate about the Matabeleland and the Midlands early 1980s genocide known as Gukurahundi.
DIVINE DUBE Own Correspondent
The book tackles topical issues that include marginalisation, social exclusion and politically-motivated violence. The text, Ndlovu said, is a fictional story inspired by true events, adding it is an account of the country’s journey of the period between 1983 and 2013.
Although Gukurahundi atrocities are regarded a “sacred” issue not to be debated publicly, Ndlovu charged that “the matter was a true history which has been deliberately omitted in the country’s mainstream writings hence the need to document it.
“Zimbabweans can identify with this book — Guveya — because it tackles salient issues that have been deliberately omitted in the country’s history.
“The Bill of Rights in the new Constitution guarantees freedom of expression. Gukurahundi is a factual occurrence, so even if they arrest me they will do so for daring say the truth,” the 26-year-old writer said.
State security details have in the past arrested political activists including artistes who dare speak publicly about Gukurahundi.
The young writer said marginalisation of the southern region was a relevant issue which needed to be tackled.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He argued that independence was a farce to people of the region saying “we have been imprisoned under Mugabe rule since independence.”
The title of the book Guveya, Ndlovu said, derives from a Zambian language word which refers to a double-headed snake. “The name metaphorically refers to a political flip-flopper,” he said.
Ndlovu believes national discourse on issues bedevilling the region is a prerequisite for healing and the way forward on the region’s development.
Guveya was launched in Bulawayo in December last year and the author plans to launch in it Harare later this year.
