Why, whats the point?

Just add light

Mbare musika: a man and his ngoro carry a drumset to make music. It may not seem like it but this country still has dreamers!

Why, what’s the point?

There is a logical fallacy inherent in this question. One that is undeniable, again logically. And yet emotionally this question holds a world of sense and action…or rather a lack of action.

It makes no sense to ask this question rhetorically because I believe there is always a point. But sometimes that point is illusive and you may need help finding it. (Help)

I was walking at night after the recent weird Zimbabwe rains. It usually doesn’t rain this heavily towards winter. Winter drizzles yes, but not full on pouring all night long or all afternoon thunderstorms. Where tiny rivers form along many of the dust roads in Zimbabwe. After one of those afternoon rains, the lights were out due to the electricity load shedding. So it was dark. Two ladies approached a tiny river gleaming from the car lights of passing vehicles about 15 meters away. They did not know how wide the water flow was, or how deep it was but the gleam told them there was water. They peered in the darkness expecting to divine how far to jump from the dim light. Then one of then whipped out her phone and switched on her torch. It turned out, there was very shallow water flowing, and you could step in some “dry” parts of the water as you walked across. And I thought, it all became clear when they added light to the dark and dimly lit view.

This is the light I believe we all need to add to find that “point” because there is one.

Being in Zimbabwe can feel like being defeated before you even wake up. The political uncertainty coupled with the regular roadblocks which frustrate the already congested roads which were designed for way-way-way-way-way…way less cars than are on the road in Zimbabwe. The employment situation that has resulted in many becoming sole traders whether registered or unregistered. Even the great opportunities handed out on party lines can be frustrating for both those on the inside and those out of the party. What’s the point in trying, when you know very well you are going to get screwed by the circumstances and those in power. To this knowledge, add a little need for school fees, a need for rent money, a little marital woe, a bank account screaming in pain of emptiness, and children and a spouse looking at you to organize. One can realize how tempting it is to simply wonder, what’s the point.

And so I have succumbed to the emotional temptation of finding sense in the question and I wonder to myself: Why, what’s the point?

Some people are dreaming though, like the owner of that drum set in today’s featured image. Dreamers, people adding light to the darkness of the question…but for the why. I need to add light to this question as I introspect.

Zimbabwe has been tough for a long while now but I will end here today.