What Belongs to Caesar
A Modern Day Zimbabwean Tragedy
Shona custom was clear on inheritance issues: sons of the deceased inherited first, daughters next and any grandchildren would then get any minor sums that were remained. And it was with this general understanding that the meeting began. A short, plump lawyer waddled to the podium in the front of the room, opened a sealed box and commenced reading its contents in a voice so monotonous and sluggish that under any other circumstances it would’ve put half the listeners to sleep. The inheritances were read out by name, starting with the eldest son and then gradually moving to the grandchildren.
On the whole, sekuru (grandfather), had been generous with his grandchildren, leaving them a few thousand dollars each and it, therefore, came as a surprise to Kudzai, that when his name was read out, no cash amount was announced. Instead, he was called forward to receive what appeared to be a little black notebook. He accepted it with a somewhat bewildered expression on his face and despite his every effort, failed to hide the disappointment that was etched on his face as he returned to his seat at the back, walking down the aisle of chairs that split the room in two, filled with all his relatives.
Sekuru had passed on a few weeks earlier but the family had decided, in a clear break from Shona custom and…
