By Takura Zhangazha*
The recent football match between two Zimbabwe soccer giants,
namely Highlander’s FC and Dynamos FC in Bulawayo this weekend reminded me of a
book I once read. It is titled ‘Bulawayo
Burning: The History of a Southern African City, 1893-1960.”
It was written by a British born historian who we historically
respect as Professor Terrence Ranger. Mainly because it also turns out he was progressively
involved in our national liberation struggle as both an intellectual as well as
a close comrade to a number of our liberation war heroes either side of the
Zanu Pf or PF Zapu divide. Including
being one of the first British intellectuals to interrogate the development of African
nationalism(s) as they related to our First Chimurenga liberation
struggle.
In the book I cite above, Ranger has a chapter where he outlines
the evolution of the football club that has now come to be known as Highlanders’
FC. From it being initially being
referred to as Lions FC through to its emblematic meaning as it reflected identity.
Also as preferred and promoted by emergent settler colonialism.
What is however apparent in his historical narrative, which he
dedicates to the late amazing novelist Yvonne Vera, is the rich historical
diversity of the city of Bulawayo. Based
on the fact that the white settler colonialists assumed it to be not only the
key to conquering their newly established territory but also its economic
proximity to divided Boer and English South Africa.
In the then Salisbury (now Harare) though with scant academic
literature and knowledge, Dynamos FC also emerged based on its moniker ‘DeMbare’
from the African township that came to be initially known as Harare and then eventually
Mbare district.
The politics that happened in between are for some other
academics to crosscheck. What was important
is the reality that Zanu Pf or PF Zapu had always instrumentalized football
supporters for specific political causes.
But even then, this was also borrowed from the Rhodesian propaganda machinery
where they would use one urban and historical ethnic group against the other.
But back to contemporary local football.
I now argue with some of my brothers and sisters including
those based in rural areas about the English premier league. I am a Liverpool FC supporter. A majority of them support either Manchester
United or Chelsea FC. We laugh about all
these teams also based on whether our fathers and mothers currently (if they
are alive) or used to support. We do not
fight or invade pitches. We still call it the “beautiful game”. And because we are in the global south, after
the satellite broadcast matches it will be late and we have to go to
sleep.
Indeed if we are in social conversations we may fight over television
remotes about what match to watch but in the final analysis we do not carry
goal posts or tear goal nets. Neither do
we generally assume political connotations to football matches even if they are
as far away as they are in the global north.
Particularly if it’s the UEFA Champions League or the World Cup.
But I would understand why Ranger also wrote his brilliant
archival narrative on what occurred in Bulawayo beyond the football. Or why the amazing Japanese scholar Tsuneo Yoshikuni
also wrote a brief but brilliant history of Mbare. It was probably in order
that we do not repeat “bad history”.
Especially via that which should bring us together in the form
of sport. Even at the highest levels as ‘competitive
sport’.
But I know there are some cdes that prefer what I personally
consider a regressive alternative. One
that insists on a sporting culture that puts politics above its sporting
necessity. I have problems with that.
But I do not run sporting associations.
I just share my opinions to whoever wants to read/know them.
We need to rise above political assumptions of the meaning
of football. If we insist on it, it does
not help.
Some among us believe proximity to the state helps their causes. Others believe whispering in the ears of
international football authorities is better.
The key questions we have to ask are twofold. Firstly, if it can be a beautiful game
globally why can it not be one in Zimbabwe?
Secondly, why must we always wear our egos about sports administration
on our sleeves yet we, in the majority of cases never played sport beyond high school. In Zimbabwe.
Those that run two of the most historically significant football
clubs in Zimbabwe, Highlanders FC and Dynamos FC, need to get their act
together and think beyond their personal tenures and a new progressive football
culture that must be constructed.
Internally and externally with their fans.
*Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity
(takura-zhangazha.blogspot.com)
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