By Redmann • July 12th, 2008 • Category:Reviews

Every day almost we hear widespread reports of systematic and escalating violations of human rights in Zimbabwe under the Mugabe administration and his ZANU-PF party.  With the backdrop of political instability and world condemnation being probed at the country of Zimbabwe almost daily now it is hard to find anything positive being said about the country and its people.  However, a BBC World Service radio play called Dear Mr Lampard reflecting Africa's love affair with the English Premiership has won this year's BBC World Service African Performance competition. The young hero of the play is Zimbabwean 15 year old Fortune Mhangani.  Trying to escape the harsh realties of daily life in a squatter camp near Harare his all-time favourite player is the England midfielder Frank Lampard and as he kicks a ball about with friends, he imagines that he is on that pitch at Stamford Bridge and playing for his national team.  His overriding passion though is that he is determined to strike up a friendship with Mr Lampard through letter writing despite those around him continually telling him that his country is a backwater that is sinking without trace.  He is laughed at by others, mocked and questioned about his motivations for contacting Lampard.  

In his letters Fortune tells Lampard about his father's ill health (HIV/AIDS is never directly mentioned but it could be that the 'terrible disease' talked about in the play is what his father has and eventually dies from) his poverty and his football dreams.  His father provides him with stamps to allow him to post the letters to Mr Lampard, forever convincing himself that one day he will visit Zimbabwe.  To his surprise and those around him eager to tell him otherwise, Lampard writes back to Fortune enclosing a ticket to an England v South Africa game in row A at the Ellis Park ground Johannesburg.  

Even after Lampard writes to him and Furtune talks of his good luck, his mother is eager in telling him otherwise.  His father on the other hand mirrors his boys dreams by encourging him to travel despite him not having a passport.  'There is good news in Zimbabwe at last ' his father declares.  His love for the game and hero worship of Lampard forces Fortune to embarks on an incident filled adventure across rivers to get to the match, overcoming huge obstacles like robbery and racism to finally meet his hero.   People ask him and tease him on his way to South Africa 'are you on the run from Mugabe?' 'No', he replies, 'I am off to Johannesburg to see Mr Frank Lampard'.

Dear Mr Lampard is a very engaging and has great credibility.  Expressing humility and happiness in the face of death and despair, it also expresses the African enthusiasm and community feel for the game.  Yes, it has themes of promiscuousness and family relationships but above all explores a passion for the game and a hero.   One boys desire to overcome adverse circumstance to achieve dreams in football.

Featuring dance, music and family conversation it has a backdrop that is very contemporary looking ahead to the 2010 World Cup in a lawless South Africa, yet dealing with the nation's excitement at its impending arrival.  On the other hand it also highlights a Zimbabwe and a South Africa in the throes of socio-economic problems, ill health and impending personal death.  Pointing cleverly rather than blatently towards African lawlessness, racism and social instability it is a play showing man's eagerness to continue with a love of the game despite hardship.

Dear Mr Lampard by Risenga Makondo is a touching, emotional yet uplifting story that has been awarded top prize in the 2008 BBC African Performance playwriting competition.  Directed by Jenny Horrocks you can listen to the play by going to http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice.