Category: African Literary Classic

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Book Review and Reflection of Zenzele

Date of Publication: 1996
Genre: Fiction
Buy the book HERE

Introduction

Zenzele: A Letter for My Daughter, in my opinion, should be ranked as an African literary classic and should be part of the curricula in schools in Africa and around the world. This is the book I wish I had read before moving to England, and it’s the book I wish everyone would read before moving to the West. For this reason, I decided on an extensive Book Review and Reflection of Zenzele as reflected below.

The first thing that came to my mind while reading is Maraire’s beautiful storytelling talent—so lyrical, so gripping. The book is a lovely fictional letter that a Zimbabwean mother wrote to her beautiful, adventurous daughter Zenzele, who was about to leave the nest and take on the world, starting with her studies in America.

Book Summary

In the introductory pages, Zenzele’s mother describes her daughter with such adoration and love. She often compares her young self to her daughter—the simple life she lived compared to the hearty, full, yet yearning one her daughter now lives. It’s amazing to see this upward generational move. I am a mother, and I see the same thing with my daughter. My friends who are mothers say the same.

Chapter 2 was striking. I do not know what I expected, but after reading Chapter 2, it wasn’t this. But I was tremendously and pleasantly surprised that it was this. In this chapter, Maraire emphasizes the importance of keeping our culture and identity alive. She reflects on the distortion that Western ideals bring, and the unfortunate alignment some of us make with Western ways of living and being—living in cities and abandoning where we come from in the wake of all this.

In this chapter, she addresses Zenzele’s hatred of going to their village, Chakowa, for holidays. Zenzele did not understand why her parents were subjecting her to that, while her peers enjoyed lavish holidays elsewhere. Zenzele’s mother then sets out to educate her daughter about the village by telling her about her own upbringing—a beautiful narration of the simple life in the village. The lush nature and the freedom that came with living in the open. Very subtly, but indeed powerfully, she connects the ravages of colonialism to the destruction of thriving livelihoods in the country, together with the inevitable struggle for liberation.

I found it interesting how she and her sister made sense of colonialism at a young age—the differences they noticed between the natives and the colonialists. For instance, she noted: “Early on, I noticed the difference between us and them,” (page 23) when referring to the differences in presentation that poverty and abundance drew between the whites and Blacks. Her younger sister Linda was more political, even without realising it—problematising things like basic freedoms of going wherever they wanted.

This chapter resonated strongly with my upbringing. I was fortunate to be born one year before Namibia’s independence. Still, I have learned all about the apartheid regime and the ensuing struggle for Namibia’s liberation from aunts and uncles who lived it. But what struck me the most was how Zenzele’s mother’s village life was similar to mine. It brings me back to the stark similarities I always note between life in Zimbabwe and Namibia—the culture, traditions, beliefs, etc.

I noted these by reading other Zimbabwean authors and books such as We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo and Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga.

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 begins by reminding Zenzele of her struggles with understanding their culture and its challenges. Not only was this chapter dedicated to unpacking those struggles, but it also touched on the difficulty of finding a partner because “almost everyone is related.” Mai Zenzele explained to her that: “The extended family is your community, your own emotional, financial, and cultural safety net. It is Africa’s most powerful resource.” (page 31)

This is so profound because often we forget our connections through Ubuntu. We are all connected in some way, we are one. This chapter blew me away. It explored culture through Zenzele’s challenges with cultural practices such as lobola, and broader themes like women’s identity and their place in society—who defines that, and why. Zenzele asked her mother a beautiful question: “Mama, what do you think it means to be an African woman?” (page 39). And her mother beautifully answered—a response so layered, so precious, that I will keep it for myself and recite it whenever I can – see pages 39-41. This chapter left me awestruck in a phenomenal way.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 broke my heart and had me weeping like a baby. She tells the heartbreaking tale of a cousin who went to London and lost his identity. Once the beacon of hope for his family, Mukoma Byron left and re-emerged years later, utterly lost and changed, breaking many of his family’s and villagers’ hearts. They had pooled together the little they had, wielding Ubuntu to send him off—their salvation to Britain. But Britain broke him and turned him into an unrecognisable caricature through and through. This chapter shows what being Black in Europe—or the West in general—can do to a person.

Chapter 5

In this chapter, Zenzele’s father recounts his time as a student in New York, where he participated in the advancement of African knowledge, Black Power, and resistance movements of that era. He is given much-needed encouragement and understanding about the importance of fighting for the dignity, image, identity, truth, and story of Africa—by Africans. Nozipo finishes the chapter with a powerful quote that Zenzele’s father often uses: “The scramble for Africa may be over, but the struggle for her history, her art, her literature, and her children rages on unabated” (page 79).

Chapter 6

In this chapter, she tells Zenzele about what it means to be Black in the Western world, specifically being Black in Europe. She recounts her travels with Zenzele’s father over the years and the treatment they received simply because they were Black. Her father said something very poignant that resonates deeply with me—and with any other Black person navigating the Western world: “As far as that lady was concerned, you are Black, and that means you are neither short, tall, funny, dull, fat, thin, pretty [wink], or ugly. To her color-blinded mind’s eye, your three dimensions are Black-by-Black-by-Black” (page 84).

This chapter offers a lot of advice and education on how racism manifests, how we ought to understand it, and—most importantly—how we must not start questioning or doubting ourselves because of it. Ultimately, those who are racist do not see us for who we are.

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven was a wonderful lesson on Pan-Africanism and on extending grace and understanding to Africans all over the world, especially those who are direct descendants of enslaved Africans in the Americas. It is also, in many ways, a beautiful tribute to those who dedicated their lives to the struggle for liberation across Africa.

Chapter 8

In Chapter 8, she narrates the story of her first love—the goodness she felt, and the defiance she showed regarding her parents’ acceptance of him. It’s a beautiful narration of a love that made one tremble, shake, and giggle at nothing. A beautiful story that, unfortunately, ended tragically. She also shares how she eventually met Zenzele’s father.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 was a beautiful dedication to the women who fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe. This chapter reflects that these women were everyday women who did extraordinary things and took extraordinary risks—using wit and heart. I think it was an important lesson for Zenzele, who was already wearing her politics and feminism with pride.

Chapter 10

Chapter 10 was another profound one. In this chapter, Zenzele’s mother prompts her to think deeply about self-determination, fighting for freedom, and being autonomous, asking pertinent questions like: “Is that all there is?” (page 177). She shares powerful examples, including her cousin Rudo’s experience, her sister Linda’s freedom-fighting spirit, and her husband’s unwavering determination for the emancipation of the people.

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 reflected on their relationship with religion, stressing the importance of representation—seeing the image of Jesus, his disciples, angels, and so forth in ways that reflect who they are. The chapter raises important questions about identity, faith, and how visual imagery in religion shapes our sense of belonging.

Chapter 12

In Chapter 12, she reveals that she is ailing and begins reflecting on death, wondering whether we get to see our deceased loved ones again, or if we go anywhere at all when we die. The author signs off with a beautiful and powerful message [in the Kindle edition]:

“Be the change
Honor the Ancestors
Find joy
Go well,”

About the Author

Dr. J. Nozipo Maraire describes herself on LinkedIn as follows:

A full-time practising neurosurgeon, she has initiated neurosurgery programs in several institutions in Delaware, Ohio, and Oregon. She has travelled, been educated, and lived in many countries, including Jamaica, the United States, Canada, and Wales. She was selected to attend Atlantic College in Wales. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and then attended the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. She completed her neurosurgery training at Yale School of Medicine. She was awarded a Clinical Fellowship Award by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, which she used to work with Dr. Fred Epstein in paediatric neurosurgery in New York City.

She is also a public speaker who has been invited to lecture at colleges and universities across the world. Dr. Maraire has spoken to numerous book clubs and civic organisations, and has served on many literary panels—including as an invited guest of the Gotenburg Literary Festival. She has served on the board of directors of several organisations, including The Rotary Foundation, the Ross Ragland Theater, and the South North Development Institute.

Zenzele is the only novel Dr. Maraire has written. It was selected as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year in 1996 and became a Boston Globe bestseller. The novel has been published and translated into more than 14 languages.