By Canute Tangwa (The Post, 25 July 2008)
I do not know of anyone who still has a pair of Zimbabwe shoes. Since Zimbabwe is on the spotlight, a pair of Zimbabwe for auction at say Lloyds (Bob Mugabe would for sure clinch his fist and curse) would fetch billions of worthless Zimbabwean dollars.
Worthless indeed, because Zimbabwe is the home of the world's poorest billionaires! The top bidder would go home with a pair of Zimbabwe shoes that even at the height of its popularity was a source of derision.
When Zimbabwe shoes were held in scorn in our triangle, Zimbabwe, the country, was a reference in matters political, economic, social and cultural. There is something cynical about naming things. When Zimbabwe was Zimbabwe i.e.
when Mugabe (some say he never fired a shot) and the War Veterans were still men of honour, integrity and morality (at least Bob will still roast the first homosexual he lays hands on), there were lesser African States that deserved to bear the name of the shoes everyone laughed at, except, of course, those who wore them.
Zimbabwe shoes were like football boots with a difference; it had no studs. It belonged to a peculiar family of sneakers. I did not know of any other colour of Zimbabwe other than black or something close to black. A person putting on a pair of Zimbabwe gave the impression of gliding rather than walking. The cartoon strip titled Mangas over our TV screens would be instructive.
In secondary school, in the mid 80s, we were fortunate to have a teacher who loved his Zimbabwe shoes. He taught French. His class was interesting for three things: we got the giggles as he glided on his Zimbabwe shoes, his looks, and the interesting manner in which he delivered his lessons.
Then, I did not know the meaning of rightist, centrist or leftist. But with hindsight I now know our teacher was a leftist, a Marxist of sorts. He would narrate his left wing student activities at the university and other burning events for about fifteen minutes before classes begin proper. His bushy moustache and hands moved in rhythm while his eyes glowed as he recalled those glorious days or as he commented on an event of import.
He had this characteristic laughter after a brilliant presentation. Just as he could flash his teeth at anything good, he could bite his lips, shake his head and stutter at what he perceives as mediocrity or injustice. My classmates know better.
But why name a pair of shoes Zimbabwe? Maybe they were manufactured in Zimbabwe. Maybe ZANU and ZIPRA patriotic front fighters (today's war veterans, Bob inclusive) wore them in the bush. Or maybe they were introduced by refugees from Zimbabwe who sought refuge and comfort in Cameroon. There are several maybes.
Zimbabwe shoes were made of very tough leather. It was resistant to any change. It was a friend to rough and smooth terrain, rain and sunshine. An owner of a pair of Zimbabwe shoes merely got tired of putting it on because it never 'begged for mercy' like normal pairs of shoes.
You either threw away a Zimbabwe or you kept putting it on for 20 years or more! Unlike other pairs of shoes, Zimbabwe had no lesson to learn from the stones and gravel from Small Soppo to the Military Barracks at Buea Station.
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