By Showbiz Reporter | Breaking News: Renowned Writer Aaron Chiundura Moyo Unveils a Historic Photograph Reflecting Life in 1971 Rhodesia
Famed Zimbabwean author Aaron Chiundura Moyo has publiahed a deeply nostalgic and powerful photograph taken on January 24, 1971, in then-Rhodesia. The image, which captures Moyo in his youth, provides a unique glimpse into the era when Zimbabwe, then known as Rhodesia, was under colonial rule by the British. In his accompanying narrative, Moyo reflects on the socio-political landscape of that time, where Black citizens were actively fighting for independence and enduring restrictions in their daily lives.
In his account, Moyo reminisces, “This photo was taken when the country was still ruled by the whites, known as Rhodesia. It was a time when Black people were striving to gain control and liberate themselves from the chains of oppression.” At that time, Black citizens were barred from owning businesses in predominantly white, Indian, or Coloured areas and had limited access to economic opportunities. Despite educational achievements, Black people were confined to specific “locations” such as Mutapa Township, where Moyo grew up, highlighting the racial divides of the time.
Moyo further describes the vibrancy of Mutapa’s Black-owned businesses and the ingenuity of local entrepreneurs. Among the notable establishments was Mr. Musesengwe’s photography studio, located near Monomotapa Hall and the well-known Simanjemanje Bar. Mr. Musesengwe’s studio was one of the few places in the area offering professional photography services in a structured studio setting, as most other photographers roamed streets and neighborhoods capturing candid moments. Moyo recalls with pride, “I went to Musesengwe’s studio, determined to look my best, and with my heart pounding, I hoped he would agree to take my photo.”
In the photograph, Moyo is seen dressed in neatly pressed black shorts, a stylish white top, and well-polished shoes—outfits he carefully curated. Reflecting on his youthful appearance, Moyo remarks, “You can see, I was well-dressed for that time, and I had these shoes I’d bought in 1969 after finishing Grade 7. Even if they didn’t have laces, they were a prized possession.”
The writer’s memories paint a vivid picture of life under the colonial regime, where Black citizens, despite adversity, found pride in their self-presentation and identity. In his story, Moyo reveals the cultural dynamics of the time, mentioning that color photography was exclusive to whites, with Black communities only having access to black-and-white photography.
He humorously recalls, “When you were going to a studio back then, you had to put on your absolute best. That white top I wore was one of my favorites. It had a unique design with a sewn-in belt—a trendy choice back then and costlier than the typical khaki.”
The photograph is more than just an image of Moyo as a young man; it’s a symbol of resilience, pride, and the cultural spirit that characterized the Black communities in Rhodesia. With restrictions placed on their lives, Moyo and his peers still managed to find ways to celebrate their identities, values, and dreams for a liberated future.
As Moyo’s photograph continues to circulate, it serves as a poignant reminder of Zimbabwe’s journey from colonialism to independence and the endurance of its people. Through this image, Aaron Chiundura Moyo not only shares a moment of his own history but invites all Zimbabweans to remember the strength and unity that paved the way for the freedoms enjoyed today.
FULL TEXT: Mufananidzo uyu ndakautorwa musi wa 24 January, 1971 nyika ino ichiri kutongwa neVarungu ichidaidzva kuti Rhodesia. Ndiyozve nguva apo Vatema vainge varimubishi rekuidza kutora masimba ekuzvitonga vachizvidzikinura kubva mungetani dzehuranda.
Panguva Iyi Vatema vakanga vasina kodzero yekuitaira mabhizinisi kana kugara kunzvimbo dzeVarungu, MaIndiya neMakaradhi. Vaifanira kuitira mabasa avo pamwechete nekugara kuMarukesheni dzaive nzvimbo dzeVatema zvisinei nekuti mutema wacho akadzidza kusvika papi.
Uyezve vatema vacho vaive emhando yemabhizinisi avaibvumirwa kuita kusanganisira ezvitoro, mabhazi, misika nezvimwe zvidiki.
MuRukisheni rweMutapa paive nenzvimbo yaive nema Shops aVatema vaisanganisira Mr Muzendami, Mr Trinos na Mr Musesengwe uyo aive ne Studio yokutorera mifananidzo.
Studio iyi yaiwanina mukati mezi durawall raive rakakomberedza musika nema shops madiki maitengeswa mikambo, mawigi, kugerwa vhudzi nendebvu, kugadzirwa mawachi nemawairosi nezvimwe zvakadaro nemusika wemiriwo yakasiyanasiyana.
Studio yaMusesengwe ndimo chete maitorwa mifananidzo panguva iyi.
Umu maipinda vanhu vakawanda sezvo nzvimbo yacho iri pedyo neMonomotapa Hall neBhawa hombe racho neSimanjemanje Bar iro rakavakwazve mumakore acho iwayo.
Kuma 1971 zvichidzokera shure muno kunzvimbo dzevatema kwaingoto- rwa mapikicha erudzi rwe black and white chete kusina ayae colour. Handizivi kuti ndizvo zvimwechete here nezvaive kuVarungu
Vazhinji vema Photographer vacho ndevaya vaifamba vachitora mapikicha mudzimba, muma roads, mumabhawa nedzimwe nzvimbo dzakadaro kwete zvemuma Studio izvi zvaiitwa nevakanya- nya kurongeka savana Musesengwa vekuGweru kuMutapa Township.
Vemumigwagwa ava ndivo vaya vaiita zvekuverenga tsoka kunge vanaMudhumeni vachisvikotara panofanira kumira munhu kana vanhu. Zvose zvose izvi vaizviita nenzira yokushandisa zvidobi kuitira kuti zvityise zvichiyemurika kusvika pakudisa nemabhebhi.
Zvaigonazve kuwanisa ma-customers akawanda sezvo aibva atizira kuna photographer airatidza zvidobi zvinoita kuti vaone seanogona basa kupinda vamwe.
Zvino VaMusesengwe vakanga varishangwiti mukuita basa ravo vari mu-Studio mavo vachiratidza kuve munhu akanga achiziva kuita basa rake akatsiga.
Ini ndakanyatsorova mucheno wangu ndokurega zvekuda kutorwa pikicha na- photographer wemu road ndokunanga mukati chaimo, mu-Studio yaivo Mr Musesengwe hana ichingorova kuti achabvuma kunditora here sezvo yaive nguva yangu yokupindamo.
Ndiwo mazuva andainge ndiri kuita gore repiri mu RJC (form 2) paSandara Primary School patainge taindiswa Class yose tichibviswa paMambo Primary School patainge taita gore rekutanga re RJC.
Semunhu aifunga kuti ainge akarova mucheno, handina kuzengurira kutorwa mufananidzo uyu mushure mekunge ndabhadhara mari yakarehwa. Kana nemiwo munogona kutenderana neni kuti pamucheno wenguva iyoyo uye demeans wechikoro, ndaive ndakachena.
Zviya zvekuti Aaron akapfeka shangu dzisina kusungwa netambo izvo zvandiri kuona izvozvi hazvina kupinda mumusoro wangu. Ko chitsva apa chaive chii ini ndainge ndaitenga shangu idzi pasero mugore ra 1969 nemari yemaricho ndikapedza grade 7 paConnemara Primary School nadzo. Ndokupedzazve gore nadzo paMambo muna 1970 nhasi uno ndave paSandara muna 1971 kunyanya ndiri mukati meStudio kudai, ndaizvo zviona sei kana kufunga nezvazvo?
Ka top ke white ako kandaive ndakarova ndaikafarira zvisina mukare akamboona. Kana kari kachikabudura ako, kane bhandi rekusonerwapo, ndizvo zvikabudura zvaitonga mazuva acho uye zvaidhura kupinde zvekhaki nezveimwe micheka. Munhu kubuda mumba akananga ku- Studio anenge akarova waanenge achiti ndiwo mucheno wake chaiwo wekupedzisira panguva iyoyo.