By Sports Editor
The Zimbabwe Cricket team is currently hosting cricketing powerhouse India in five T20 matches currently tied at one apiece after two games. Whilst the games have been exciting, it is an off the field issue that has grabbed the headlines as the new kit for the Chevrons has sparked debate.
The Retso cloth inspired design has sent fans tongues wagging with some claiming the kit is not only ugly but is not a product of broader consultations by the ZC Board before rolling it out.
Others mocked the kit for resembling a traditional healer’s outfit while proponents of the outfit and subsequent designs posit that for a country that has been pushing the national dress agenda, the ZC Retso cloth inspired kit is exactly what the doctor ordered in pushing the national identity agenda.
“I think Zimbabwe Cricket Supporters Union is in a good position to present a better design without even antagonising anyone, the designer can do sample, and the supporters wear regalia that they can identify with. I think that will send the message better to ZC .For the longest time, our people never loved African Attires, but look what’s happening with lobola ceremonies? Some people introduced beautiful designs and made it a fashionable thing and now everyone wears it,” said one supporter who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Others opined there is no need for any consultations that will take an epoch for something that needs to be done as a matter of urgency citing how the issue of national dress dragged for over 20 years because of the so called consultations.
“I know Zimbabweans enough to know if you ask for their opinion on something, you will spend 20 years discussing it n come up with nothing
“We have too many critics and nothing practical to show for the criticism we are much known for. Sometimes the best way to get things done is how Zimbabwe Cricket did it. People attacked the national dress but recently, as of yesterday, I saw Blessed Mhlanga post of his daughter wearing the same in Sweden where they won best dressed opening ceremony thing. This is one man who attacked the National dress,” opined one Munyaradzi Nevanji.
Jira reRetso is a Shona traditional cloth synonymous with the spirit of the hunter – a spirit that assists family members who work and bring home an income. In Shona tradition, it has always been important to thank the hunter when they bring home their catch and it is that cloth that is at the center of the ZC kit that has sparked debate.