BOF in non-violence play

CHINHOYI- Karoi based drama group, Baptism of Fire (BOF) continued with their enriched showcasing of non- violent political play leaving the audience calling for more from humorous yet serious story of human experience through the play ‘My Son’.
Performed during a high profile platform in Chinhoyi on the 12th of April, the play is all about how lives are lost due to political indifferences marking a possible end to intolerance ahead of possible elections.
 The meeting was organized by Centre for Youth Empowerment and Development as well as Joint Monitoring Implementation Committee (Jomic) drawing participants from civic, youth organizations, political parties and community leadership within Mashonaland West province.
‘’Peace is not just our right as Zimbabweans but our responsibility” were some of the words that everyone who attended the meeting agreed to.
The theme further said, “Stop hooliganism and political violence”.
The play ‘’My Son’, a theatrical production by BOF was touching as it explored on effects of political violence even at family level.
Set in a rural area the play is about Nyeredza, an election candidate of a certain political party though his son, Hwishu who completed 'A’ level studies is affiliated to a different party.
Nyeredza is one of many political leaders who overstress their promises to the electorate telling people what development is needed in the community. He even has the drive to promise villagers at a rally that he would construct bridges where there are no rivers and connect electricity in the field so that people would even work at night. Nyeredza is eager to increase beer halls in the community by changing one block at every school.
But Hwishu disagrees with his father telling him that he must not impose developmental projects on people but must accommodate their views and suggestions.
Hired youths of Nyeredza's party tries to silence him but Hwishu insists by asking villagers if there is anywhere where there is a river in the area to build a bridge.
He asks if it is possible to draw electricity to the fields before even connecting in the homes and why would it possible to convert school blocks to beer halls.
Villagers are enlightened and begin to notice that there is need for their participation on developmental issues in their community other than listening to vague promises.
After being threatened by the party loyalists about his son's unbecoming behavior, Nyeredza orders the youths to ‘’deal’’ who opposes his party policies than to lose out. He chases Hwishu out of his home. The youths go around beating people and even killing some.
Hwishu succumbed to violence injuries resulting in his death.
The perpetrators of violence are seen to be mentally disturbed; some are being haunted by the avenging spirits.
Nyeredza is haunted at last and killed in a conflict of revenge.
As the play comes to and end some of the audience had these comments to make saying the play will always assist those youths who have been abused by politicians.
“Your play is action packed, it does not point figures on anyone but tells the story as it is”. Said a ZANU PF youth activist identified as Mavata who was speaking to BOF director Sikumbuzo Sibanda.
“If I was a preacher I would use the play as my sermon, I would just say, let’s pray at the end of the play.” Chinhoyi constituency Member of Parliament Stewart Garadhi commented.
He further suggested that the play must be used as a campaign tool against political violence in the province.
Other stakeholders who were part of the audience included, Mayor for Chinhoyi Claudius Nyamhondoro, ZANU PF provincial Chairperson John Mafa, MDC provincial chairman, MDC-T provincial chairman and ZEC Mashonaland West.