The Uncertainty of Hope

by Valerie Tagwira

The Uncertainty of Hope by Valerie Tagwira, a novel which Charles Mungoshi calls 'an astonishing debut'. Through the various and complex lives of Onai Moyo - a market woman and responsible mother of three children, and her best friend Katy Nguni - a vendor and black-market currency dealer - we are given an insight into the challenges that face those who only survive by their wits, their labour and their mutual support. In doing so Tagwira aptly captures how precarious the future is for the inhabitants of Mbare, Zimbabwe in 2005. The story of these two close friends is situated in a high-density suburb. However, the author also introduces a much wider cross-section of Zimbabwean society: Tom Sibanda, a young business man and farmer, his girlfriend, Faith, a law student, Tom's sister Emily, a health professional, and Mawaya, the ostensible beggar. With depth and sensitivity, Tagwira pulls these many threads into a densely woven novel that provides us with of some of the many faces of contemporary Zimbabwe.

Genres: Zimbabwe, African Literature, Africa

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2007

Reviews

[Nyasha Dzavakwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book oh my word it made me so angry...Firstly about the economic decline in Zimbabwe, I remember very well the clean up operation in Zimbabwe around 2006 to 2008 (Operation Murambatsvina) that saw many people displaced from places they called homes and never got placed in the promised new homes. The plight of these people is still there even today. Then there was Onai a woman who vowed to stay in abusive marriage, risking her life to the possibility of getting infected with HIV and other STIs because of the promiscuous husband she had. All because she wanted to satisfy cultural norms that, place value on married women and looks down on single mothers or divorced women. I was happy that things eventually turned out for the best for Onai although it took 16 years of grief, pain, heartache, battering for her to become a strong woman. I am glad she raised a strong and independent daughter Ruva there is hope that, Ruva would be an empowered woman when she grew up. Everyone needs a friend like Katy, an all weather, supportive, GENUINE and loving friend who is not afraid of saying out the hard truths when need be and doesn't give up on you even if you are as stubborn and irrational like how Onai was with regard to divorcing her husband. I loved this book, it made me very emotional but all in all an awesome read.

[Shona Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operation Murambatsvina is one of the darkest phases of many a Zimbabwean resident's recent memories. As someone who was affected by it, I never gathered enough courage to revisit it but instead condemned it to a compartment, to be later revisited when I became strong enough to.

It appeared The Uncertainty of Hope was the strength I needed. But instead of crude reminiscences of the ordeal, I relieved it alternately through Onai Moyo. Valerie Tagwira's book isn't an ostentatious display of literary brilliance but a vessel which takes you back to 2005 into the life of those whose only assets are hope, patience and long suffering.

I got to know about this book when I sighted on of the many pirated photocopies of books which litter the pavements of Harare. It turned out the demand of the book was a result of it being an 'A' Level Literature setbook effective 2015.

[Nyashadzashe Chikumbu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncertainty Of Hope one of the only few brave narratives to come out of Zimbabwe , for that I'll give it a five star rating. Zimbabweans and foreigners alike will find this novel informative , thrilling , pleasing and startling. How the government once it had archived what I wanted turned against its people, war veterans are discarded like soiled underwear, the avarge citizen finds himself starving, without a place to stay after the devastating Murumbatsina. But Onai remains true to her course , she sees her children through these troubled times without having to compromise any of her principles.

[Mariza Breytenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid, honest and cleverly written. It is a tragic kind of beautiful that tugs at the heartstrings and teaches many life lessons. Expresses the variety of trials some Zimbabweans face on a daily basis and on different levels. The characters are especially well created and constantly spurs the reader to keep on reading for nothing if not the hope that everyone seeks.

I recommend it to anyone who likes to experience the various natures of humanity (the good, the bad, the cruel, the optimistic and the hungry hope in everyone).

[Ntombezinhle Nzama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 2009 and totally loved it. Repeating it 10 years later. Wow, Onia lived such a hard life. Just when she thinks things would get better, they would turn bad again. Such a beautifully written story. Definitely worth reading!

[Emmanuel Sigauke]

An honest portrayal of contemporary Zimbabwe, dealing with issues that matter. This content-rich novel squeezes hope out of the dumpsite of uncertainty, at once inditing corrupt goverment, gender inrequality. I found the book to be inspiring, teaching me that sometimes art flourishes when it occupies a space in the area of advocacy.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a very well written piece about the pressing issues in Contemporary Zimbabwe!

[Kudzai Mhangwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tagwira's novel is set in the mid 2000s Zimbabwe, a very gloomy and unpromising time for many citizens who found themselves surviving under very harsh economic conditions. In this book we are introduced to Katy and Onai, two women who work in Mbare as vendors. They are also strong friends who help each other survive during this very turbulent time.

I had wanted to get my hands on this book for years and I'm glad I finally read it. Not one of my favorite reads. The book is character driven and we see these women move from one problem to the next and then to the next. It is only at the end of the novel when we get a glimmer of hope. Particularly Onai, the tragic and endless downward spiral of her existence on earth was sad to witness. The story was very believable and so true to so many areas of Zimbabwean society, its that I also found the novel to be a little dated as well. The time it was published I'm sure it was powerful. Reading it now, I found the book so beautiful while also belonging to another time.

This is a definite recommend for lovers of African fiction and books that a slow burners and give you the chance to explore sit with characters. Happy reading.

[Leroy Mthulisi Ndlovu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is still one of my favourite works by a Zimbabwean writer. It's hard to tell when she gets you but trust me she will get you. Onai suffers greatly under the thumb of patriarchy and a series of vicissitudes and ultimately the whole narrative lives up to it's name because surely it's difficult to find hope in the circumstances she faces.

The author does well to get you to feel all the sensations that the character feels and at the same time does a marvellous job of showing you life in Mbare and other parts of Harare(though briefly) during the trying times of Operation Murambatsvina. Although this book appears to be about the effects infamous cleanup operation, it is actually about the myriad issues faced by women living in Zimbabwe.

I love this book and I'm looking forward to reading it again.

[Lorilei Beer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wrenching account of the 2005 "clean-up" of Mbare market and the surrounding neighborhoods. Follows Onai, a mother who is abused by her philandering husband and her children and friends. Valerie Tagwira is a Zimbabwean medical doctor and an author. Currently she is working in London while preparing for her membership exam for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

[Whie Ndlov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves a five star i literally was touched by how Onai lived, all the suffering and the abuse was just so uncalled for and i just love that at the end things fall into place and it was worth it

[Holly]

An unsettling, heart-wrenching story of women's lives in Zimbabwe in 2005... the fairly hopeful ending made it worth it!