by Grace Kwinjeh| All is normal. It is the usual morning rush in a small neighbourhood in the town of Sheffield, school runs for some parents, workers going to work – while those who remain home start their daily routines.
It seems like any other day, of the daily – oft -repeated routines; in the tranquility and safety of a neighbourhood, not accustomed to the kind of drama about to befall.
Today, this morning, 8.15 AM to be precise, something totally shocking and unexpected happens. An intruder with an evil motive has arrived, to disturb the peace, derail routines and steal a life. A loud scream is heard, one does not immediately jump into conclusions, it could be children playing or some prank among adults. No!! A murder most foul has just been committed.
Days later the story starts to come to life. A story about how a beautiful, intelligent, charismatic young Zimbabwean, Leigh- Ann Zenele Mahachi has been killed. Postmortem reports indicate she died from multiple stab wounds.
While Zanele was stabbed several times by a ruthless monster with such brute force, she screams, her neighbour, Lindsey Grayson hears the screams : “ I thought it was children passing on their way to school so I just ignored it, I did not think anything of it,” she recalls.
Still dealing with the shock neighbours describe this kind girl, always polite, talking to others, who lived with her brother Taf and mother Cecilia.
Cecilia the mother witnessing the horror of it all, hysterical runs out into the streets still in her morning gown. She would be, any mother would be and also share her pain and anguish!! She must have invested a lot into this beautiful life – Indeed yes there will be why’s and more why’s, that wound will take time to heal.
Zimbabwe’s Diaspora community is once again thrown into shock, robbed of yet another life, struggling to come to terms with this horrific incident – a dark shadow is cast as the reality of Diaspora life is once again exposed. Betraying the social and cultural predicaments daily faced by Zimbabweans, as they try to cope in lands far away from home, struggling with new realities, to do with cultural shocks, identity and survival.
Consequently, Zanele’s story carries many narratives; she is a female, she is black, she is part of the huge Zimbabwean Diaspora that has for political or economic reasons scattered itself across the globe since 2000. Of the four million who left, the United Kingdom (UK) alone is estimated officially to be home to about 500 000 Zimbabweans.
Zanele at 22 is a profile of the ‘New Diaspora’ not really connected to Zimbabwe, its values or memory any longer, but again not quite British enough to fully embrace and be part of the local culture. Tough spot to be in for this young fragile generation, painstakingly creating new identities, value systems, new culture, all in a bid to survive- be appreciated- affirmed in foreign lands.
Actress Danai Gurira, who has broken new ground in the Diaspora where she was born in Iowa, United States, speaks to this black girl, to the late Zanele and many like her, caught in that identity crisis, under the hash tag #blackgirlsrock# she says: “I know it can get tough out there…but know that you are designed for greatness. Black girl you rock because you have so much potential, because your power and your potential will help heal this world.”
Important words for this young generation that has had to make do on its own, parents work shifts, are strained, no longer have the time or space for full time parenting like it was back home. The little ones have to find their footing and grow. They soon become prey to unscrupulous characters of all sorts.
Zanele a victim of the most gruesome misogynistic response to her femininity, assertiveness, intelligence as a black woman is a victim, experiencing the backlash of yet another vice – femicide the killing of women because they are women.
The UK alone reports many such cases, another recent example is of former Ms Africa contestant Lina Keza who was also violently stabbed by boyfriend, David Kikawa after she tried to dump him.
Women Aid reports that: “In the United Kingdom, over the last ten years, on average two women a week are killed by their male partners or former partners.”
Zanele’s case is painful to come to terms with, but as she is laid to rest we remember the beautiful young lady, who dared to believe and be herself in a home far from home. Strength to her mother and family. To sisters, mothers and caring brothers out there, this is yet another wake up call to us, up our game, strengthen our networks and community support systems. We are our sisters keeper!