Sambani and The Termites of Zimba

About the Book

A wily grandfather tells his grandchildren a seemingly ordinary tale. But as the story unfolds, the children realize that it is much more than just a tale about ‘Sambani and the termites of Zimba!’ It is a political satire that revolves around Zimba – a community of termites whose peace, order and unity is legend. Sambani, after escaping a ravaging drought on land invades the termites underground. This disturbs the order until the termites successfully conspire to kill her. But even as Sambani is eliminated, peace does not return to Zimba again…

About the Author

Patrick Kandawasvika weaves an astonishing fable to satirize the colonial history of an African state that fights for freedom against colonialism. He prevails to show how the presence of a common enemy has as much a destabilizing effect as the greed that follows her demise. Confronting this second ‘enemy’ makes matters worse – leading to a revolutionary class struggle where, even with the intervention of nature, all is lost and nothing will ever be the same again. Set in a Southern African country, this satire masked inside a fable sends a clear warning about the dire consequences to face any nation that allows political considerations to get the better of proper, fair and timely distribution of national resources. In this no-holds-barred story, pitting brains against brawn, strategy against instinct, hope and promise are consumed in a conflagration of greed and betrayal with no clear winners in sight! ‘…before the soldiers knew it, the wingless termites began to complain at their erstwhile enemies’ flagrant flaunt of wealth and privilege.’