African politics and the wrestling tendencies

By Derick Matsengarwodzi

When we were children we adored street soccer. Back then, we chased the plastic ball like it was the end of the world. 

However, our adversity was only limited to the field of play, which was a dusty patch in the high density suburbs. We tackled opponents until a winner emerged, grabbing the few coins at stake.

In the rain season, the soccer grounds became plantations. Our contests were not over, they were suspended, temporarily.

It was our time, we had to enjoy.

As television became trendy in the ghetto, American wrestling on the small box overtook most pastime events, including our sacred social soccer. On the set, my outstanding wrestling athletes included Hulk Hogan, Zeus and the Ultimate Warrior, just to recall a minority.

Hogan who boasted of a well-chiselled body could tear his shirt with minimum effort. This fate also applied to his antagonists. In the ring, the underdogs were surely destined for humiliation.

Contrary, Zeus was a pillar of strength; it was impossible to inflict a pain to this giant and expect to escape without eternal harm. These two rivals rarely encountered each other though. When they did, the outcome was always debatable.

For us, this was a moment of elation as our heroes triumphed. Slowly these episodes became addictive. But unknown to us then, this was just another game; there were procedures to be followed.

When I finally realised it, my interest vanished.

At this stage I had matured and introduced to a new game of African politics. After noticing our politicians’ behaviour, my mind raced back to the yesteryear when we sat glued onto one of our affluent neighbour’s television set.

Here is how the two relate.

African politics, except for a few isolated examples, still remains dominated by liberation movements who behave exactly like wrestling bullies. These institutions dictate that they are entitled to life leadership just because they participated in the liberation movement.

They lay claim to the eternal throne because they liberated everyone. To them, the ring is only reserved for the so-called champions. By design, they are the only ones destined for the throne.

The verbal exchanges preceding these wrestling fights are synonymous with fights that herald most elections. Often, there is always blood on the battle ground; the weak and defenceless are destined to suffer. To them it matters less how many casualties are injured by their actions, as long as they triumph.

In the midst of these participants are umpires.

For a better understanding, let’s call them electoral bodies. By law, these individuals are supposed to be nonaligned. But often when we watched these tussling matches, the referees are constantly biased to the detriment of their unsuspecting opponents.

In some instances, the advantaged contestant thumps the other into submission using an elevated advantage. Umpires usually cheer certain individuals and sometimes utter words contradicting their outlined mandate.

During the ensuring matches, we saw all this, but our distant, shrill voices altered nothing, just like when masses know they are inferior to protest their obviously altered preference.

Does the involvement of Thabo Mbeki in the Zimbabwe Government of National Unity bring you closer home? Often, the referee took sides bringing a lasting controversial conclusion to the contest.

Here, you have some contestants that are immune to the rules.

The crowd or electorate always provides an interesting dimension to the contest.

While they cheer their favourite, it is not guaranteed that he will win. Even when it seems clear an athlete is destined for victory, you can never cheer until it’s over.

We have witnessed this in Africa and other parts of the world. Even after clearly losing support of the masses, some contestants will always resurrect to claim political space.

Then there are teams that share the same allegiance when it is convenient. These parties can be equated to fly by night political parties that surface before each election.

Sometimes their intention is to spoil chances for the opposition hence many believe they are often created specifically for that – to spoil opposition’s advancement.

It is not a surprise that soon after the election these parties will subside – never to rise again. But if they were to combine forces, they could achieve more than what they could as individual entities.

I will always miss American wrestling, but with African politics on offer, who desires those distant memories.