Zimbabwe: More Dambudzo Marechera Letters – to Karen, Flora, Amelia and Samantha (Part 1)

What’s race got to do with it? Dambudzo Marechera channelled his Oxford swag, Rastaman aura and leftist virtue signalling to chat up White writer-types. His stated preference for White girlfriends has been brought up by critics who accuse him of misogyny towards Black women and disconnect from the African image.

Dambudzo Marechera wrote about rough and rowdy days on the edge of town. His stories of violence, grim survival and soul hunger in Rusape, London, Cardiff and Harare emphasise street cred…