Poverty
Vimbai gets pregnant as a teenager and is abandoned soon after the birth of her daughter. She works hard to become the most favored hairstylist at Mrs. Khumalo’s salon in Harare. Despite a steady income and a house inherited from her late brother, Vimbai struggles with hyperinflation and food shortage. Survival is difficult in a country where the average life expectancy is thirty-seven and sugar is available in the black market. There exists a deep gulf between the affluent and the impoverished. The reader understands the desperation of a frustrated working class, which struggles to find a respectable place in a globalized world.
Rivalry and Jealousy
Vimbai holds the reputation of being a hairstylist who weaves magic. She confronts an unexpected challenge when Mrs. Khumalo hires a young and handsome hairdresser. Dumisani becomes the model employee and the most sought-after hairstylist at the salon. The bitter rivalry intensifies when Dumisani tells a client that Vimbai’s styling is ‘beautiful’ but ‘not for you.’ Dumisani’s promotion only makes matters worse. With her position under threat and a young child to raise, Vimbai decides to win over Dumisani. In a remarkable reversal, the foes become friends and jealousy turns into affection. Dumi rents a room from Vimbai. Soon, the two are running their salon and attracting wealthy and powerful clients. The professional rivals enter into an unconventional relationship for mutual gain.
Betrayal
Against her better judgment, Vimbai falls under the spell of Dumisani’s infectious charm. Dumi invites Vimbai to a family wedding and introduces her as his girlfriend. His parents welcome her with warmth and affection as she has ‘cured’ their son. The ambiguity of their relationship baffles Vimbai, and soon she learns that Dumi is gay. Shocked, furious, and humiliated, she is overcome with an impulse to seek revenge. The fascinating story of love and betrayal ends as a tragedy. It transforms Vimbai’s understanding of the world around her.
Homosexuality
In Zimbabwe, minorities remain closeted due to rabid homophobia and prejudices. As we observe Dumisani grappling with his sexual identity, we gain a better understanding of the culture. Fear of social stigma compels Dumi to conceal his sexual orientation. In a country where gays are considered ‘lower than pigs and dogs,’ a young man is forced to lead a shadow of a life.
Politics
The story is set against the turbulent political, economic, and social landscape of the Mugabe regime. It examines a culture that grapples with the after-effects of colonization. Zimbabwe is destroyed by the very leaders who fought for her independence. A high rate of unemployment, rampant corruption, and food shortage beleaguer a resource-rich land. The eviction of Africans from their farms, the lack of basic facilities, and a dichotomous social structure provide an understanding of the country’s socio-political scenario.
