They Called It Academic Genocide Part 3

On April 21^st I went to school not sure of what was going to happen. The university had been open for two weeks - a very long time. Lectures had started. In Organic Chemistry, they had already done a practical. So, I had to negotiate with the tutors to be allowed to do the practical and thanks to my distinction in Analytical Chemistry the previous semester, they allowed me. “You said you are Phenias?” One of the tutors quizzed with evidence of doubt on her face. “Yes ma’am”, I responded as politely as I could be. She gave a hand signal to the tutor who seemed busy. “Here is the Phenias we were talking about.” I was astonished but succeeded in hiding it. “Oh my God, I didn’t know he was this small, I mean young,” the other tutor quipped trying to hide from her actual message. I knew what she meant and it wasn't the first time that people have passed such comments, and it was by no means the last. They both agreed to my request to do the practical which others had done in my absence the previous week. Wednesday 23^rd April was set as the date for such. Contrary to my fears, I was not alone in the lab. There were others doing the same practical - outside the schedule, again. That’s how the semester started in 2008, probably a reflection of how the year was going to proceed. Although I hadn’t paid the required $3 billion for tuition, I continued attending classes. The hitch was that I wasn’t registered yet which meant I could not write exams. Meanwhile, late the registration fee was accumulating. ‘Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!’ I garnered strength to soldier on and continue attending lectures...

With Oliver Mutasa and Pardon Masveure

A month or so later, there was news that the then President and Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe had directed the University to reduce fees by almost 90%. For tuition, we were now supposed to pay $350 million. Add ONLY to that figure. Inflation had not spared its value just like it had eroded its predecessors. When I heard the news, I opened my wallet to check how much I had. Well, there was just something for my lunch. Don’t be fooled, the lunch was just a packet of roasted corn – maputi. Sometimes I would go to the ‘Yellow DACS’ for sadza and boiled cabbages. This day I, however, had only something for maputi. I counted all the money and found that it was slightly over $350 million. I quickly rushed to the Bursar’s Department to pay. Money that was supposed to buy maputi was enough to pay for tuition for the entire semester. No, it was not calming. It was scary. Where are we going? Instead of sighing a relief after paying fees, I got worried. The country was fast descending and sinking into abyss. We all hoped and prayed that it was all going to pass soon.
After reading and rereading the infamous notice at the Admin Notice Board we didn’t need anyone to interpret it for us. We knew exactly what it meant for some of us who had no means to raise whatever was needed in less than two weeks. No exams for us. Blessing and I left the scene. A good friend, Godfrey Nyambuya, joined us to the bus stop. We had so many questions and uncertainties. Knowing very well that not many people had seen or heard about the notice and the message it was communicating, we resisted being the carriers of such bad news. It was very difficult. In the end, we failed to hold on. We started talking about the notice. We were not laughing anymore. The reality was dawning on us – all the denial was gone. We boarded a truck to town. Everyone was concerned.
The day after the notice, February 3^rd, 2009, was eventful. The thick tension was building in the air. I could smell it when I got to the faculty lecture theatres. A handful of people who were there were talking about the notice and US$400 which was due on February 11^th before 1300hrs. So, the message had gotten to them as well. I headed to the library where I found the notice now exposed where everyone could see it – at the Library Notice Board. Barely two weeks before, the same VC had released a statement informing students and stakeholders that they were never going to be asked to pay for any services or fees in foreign currency. At the Library Notice Board, the contradicting statements were now placed side by side. A group of people with mixed reactions to the notice were gathered just outside the library. Some wanted to wait and see. Others wanted to demonstrate their discontentment and frustration through a peaceful demonstration dubbed ‘Ideology’. It shouldn’t go without mention that a handful of people with the means and the money wanted to pay. I got into the library but was not in the mood to read. Instead, I just wanted to access internet. Unfortunately, internet was down or was deliberately downed. Since there was nothing else for me to do in the library, I left. The group of people outside the library was swelling. All conversations were anchored on $400, two weeks and examinations. Those issues connected and bound everyone. One student gathered the courage and strength to address people. He asked everyone to get into the Great Hall, but someone warned him against that in case doors were going to be locked with people inside. It was coming, I could smell it...

With Tafadzwa Ngirazi, Freedom Muranda, Revai Makanda, Oliver Mutasa, Pardon Masveure, Peter Murorera and Marufu Chipondoro

To be continued...