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Introduction
Bernard Chidzero (1927–2002) is best remembered as a brilliant Bernard Chidzero and statesman who served as Zimbabwe’s first post-independence Minister of Finance. Yet, long before stepping into political leadership, Chidzero made his mark in the world of African literature. His lone literary work, Mr Lazy-Bones (Nzvengamutsvairo, 1957), was one of the earliest Shona novels published by the Rhodesia Literature Bureau and became a widely read school text during the colonial period.
Chidzero's novel reflected not only his literary sensibility but also his political and economic imagination. Through its Utopian portrayal of interracial cooperation and moral reform, Mr Lazy-Bones stands as a powerful, if idealistic, attempt to imagine a multiracial society grounded in mutual respect and the dignity of labor. Chidzero’s belief in the value of African contributions to national development—whether in literature or economics—underscores his legacy as both a man of letters and of action.
The Early Landscape of Shona Literature
In the 1950s, African-language literature in colonial Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) began to take root, supported largely by the Rhodesia Literature Bureau. This colonial initiative was established to encourage African authors to write in their native languages, though the Bureau's ideological oversight often sought to control the content and tone of the works it published.
Despite these constraints, writers like Bernard Chidzero, Paul Chidyausiku, and others laid the groundwork for Shona and Ndebele literature by exploring themes relevant to the African experience under colonialism. In this environment, Chidzero’s Mr Lazy-Bones emerged not only as a literary milestone but as a subtle political statement.
Mr Lazy-Bones (Nzvengamutsvairo, 1957): Plot and Themes
Chidzero’s Mr Lazy-Bones is a short, accessible novel written in Shona. Its protagonist—nicknamed Nzvengamutsvairo (literally, “one who avoids the broom”)—embodies the figure of the lazy African youth who seeks to escape the responsibilities of hard work and contribution to the household or community. Through humorous episodes and moral lessons, the novel tracks Nzvengamutsvairo’s transformation as he encounters the structured discipline of colonial wage labor.
Yet beneath its light tone, the novel explores deeper issues: the clash between traditional values and colonial modernity, the meaning of work and productivity, and the ideological tensions of the late colonial period. Chidzero uses this personal story to reflect a broader social reality—the growing involvement of Shona youths in colonial labor systems and their exposure to new social norms, opportunities, and challenges.
The novel’s moral center lies in its advocacy for diligence, education, and cooperation. It subtly critiques idleness and disorder while celebrating the virtues of work ethic and social harmony—values that resonated deeply with colonial educators and policy makers, but which also reflected the aspirations of many African communities seeking uplift through literacy and labor.
Utopian Vision and Political Ideals
What sets Mr Lazy-Bones apart from other early Shona novels is its Utopian vision. Set during the era of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953–1963), the novel imagines a society in which African and European communities might work together in a spirit of mutual benefit. This optimistic outlook was characteristic of a brief window in colonial history when some Africans and liberal whites believed that racial integration and cooperation might be achieved through shared economic and educational goals.
Chidzero’s portrayal of a reformed African youth integrating successfully into a colonial labor system reflected this moment of idealism. While this vision would later be challenged by the realities of white minority rule, increasing African nationalism, and the brutality of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) regime (1965–1979), Mr Lazy-Bones remained a symbol of early hopes for racial reconciliation and social progress.
Oral Traditions and Narrative Style
One of the most distinctive features of Mr Lazy-Bones is its use of oral storytelling techniques. Chidzero drew on traditional Shona oral literature—such as folktales, proverbs, repetition, and moral instruction—to give his novel a sense of authenticity and cultural rootedness. These devices made the story familiar and engaging to local readers while reinforcing its educational and moral themes.
The novel’s simplicity and accessibility contributed to its popularity in schools, where it was used as a set text across different levels of education during the colonial period. Through the medium of fiction, Chidzero succeeded in reaching a wide audience with messages about discipline, responsibility, and the potential for Africans to shape their own destinies.
Bernard Chidzero as an Economist and Statesman
Though Mr Lazy-Bones was Chidzero’s only literary work, his commitment to the development of Zimbabwean society continued in his subsequent career as an economist and public servant. He held several international positions with the United Nations before returning to Zimbabwe in 1980, following independence.
As Zimbabwe’s first Minister of Finance, Chidzero played a key role in shaping the country’s early economic policy. He advocated for responsible fiscal management, economic reform, and international cooperation—principles that echoed the moral pragmatism of his early literary vision. Even as he operated in complex political and economic environments, Chidzero retained a deep belief in the potential for ethical governance and inclusive growth.
Legacy and Impact
While Bernard Chidzero did not pursue a sustained literary career, Mr Lazy-Bones left a lasting legacy in Zimbabwean letters and education. Its influence was not only literary but ideological—it helped shape a generation's understanding of labor, morality, and national identity during a time of profound social change.
Moreover, the novel stands as a rare example of how literature, policy, and personal philosophy can align in a single life. Chidzero’s idealism—though challenged by history—remains instructive today. He envisioned a nation where the dignity of work, the value of moral responsibility, and the possibility of interracial cooperation could guide both literature and leadership.
Conclusion
Bernard Chidzero’s contribution to Zimbabwean history is multifaceted. As a writer, he gave Shona readers a moral tale that blended humor, tradition, and vision. As a politician and economist, he worked to transform that vision into economic and national policy. His singular novel, Mr Lazy-Bones, continues to be a testament to the potential of literature as a tool for both cultural expression and societal reform.
In an era of fractured postcolonial dreams and economic uncertainty, Chidzero’s early optimism offers both a historical lesson and a challenge: to envision, yet again, a humane and equitable society rooted in shared effort and mutual respect.
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