The Harare Jacaranda

 By Tanveer Shameem-Singh (13)

Sometimes the birds would appear from around a blade of grass as if they were asking for approval to jump on the blanket of fallen jacaranda leaves. Every so often a leaf would jump off its branch to greet me as I sat. It would float through the air as light as feather and land softly on the grass. As the spring drew near, it was like a rainstorm of purple and violet leaves, all falling to make way for the beautiful spring leaves.

When winter came the tree stood bare, unprotected and sad. Suddenly my favorite tree was stripped of its innocence and baring the naked truth. But it never failed, as spring rolled around, the jacaranda tree lit up with vibrant purple leaves and reassured me that it was ready for my companionship once again.

A late September, early morning -Prince Edward Drive  Photo Anit Singh

Price Edward drive

Newlands - Photo Credit : Pradeep Kumar

HIFA (Harare International Festival of Arts) –Just Loved It!

Reflecting on HIFA 2015 and Eagerly awaiting HIFA 2016.

Articulate - 2015 HIFA Logo.

HIFA is an iconic, annual Harare event – spanning some six days of wonderment with world-class performances, by local and international talents, in music, dance-troops, drama, mimicry, stand-up comedy, poetry reading, fashion shows and more. Read more on HIFA here: http://www.hifa.co.zw/artists?pg=3

Derek Gripper (South African) kept us gripped with a spellbinding performance.

Will McNicol (UK), Gifted Acoustic Guitarist - Gives a Mesmerizing Performance

 

HIFA is an experience beyond description. 2015 was my second HIFA experience. Despite huge happy crowds of people, my family and I always feel safe enjoying events and entertainment at HIFA. The atmosphere is friendly and festive, buzzing with excitement, smiles and laughter abound. This is when Zimbabwe and Harare comes alive.   

Harare CBD

Old and New.

HIFA is also about having FUN shopping  (active or passive) with displays of some of the most exquisite Zimbabwean art, paintings, batiks, sculptures in stone, metal or wood, craft and furniture, jewelries, trendy caps and tee-shirts  and colorful ethnic design clothes and much, too many to name. Meet, talk and negotiate with the artists themselves.

Shop till you drop...

Queues for the Food...

HIFA, for me, is deliciously, about Food. I am spoilt for choice here. I try everything. There are hundreds of fired-up braais (BBQ) in and around the HIFA grounds, wafting me in their smoky, alluring aromas. I am always hungry at HIFA. I am engrossed seeing chefs, doing their tricks, turning and tossing, whole marinated chickens and lamb chops, in choices of flavors; lemon and herbs, hot peri-peri and tandoori. 

Then there are those traditional South African boerewors spiced sausages, sizzling, coiled, on the braai, served on bread rolls with hot tomato and onion relish and mustard. Other Food stalls are abuzz with long queues of waiting customers wanting eclectic selections of International street-styled cuisine of; curries, samosas, kebabs, pizza, sharwama, koftas, stir-fry noodles and sushi.

My favorite stall, though, is of a Chef I know (BookCafe), who is serving her scrumptious, unforgettable, finger-licking, Zimbabwean Sadza served with road-runner chicken stew and blanched rape leaves – extra gravy on the house! 

Chefs in Action - Spoilt for Choices...

Fiddler on the Roof...MakeShift Pub of Harare's popular, 'Pariah State'

I feel famished and can’t wait for HIFA 2016!

See Ya Later...