The paradox of the Old Horse
Old Horse has been in power since independence and is over forty years since he took power as the president of the Jidda nation. Throughout his reign, Old Horse has used state machinery to brainwash citizens that he is the God-chosen leader who should rule to eternity. The author writes, “Behold, him. Yes, tholukuthi him and only him himself. The anointed one. The only one. The supreme one. The most magnificent one.” It reaches a point where the Old Horse believes that his wife, Dr. Sweet Mother, will succeed him when he dies. Ironically, the citizens are fed up and can no longer tolerate Old Horse's extended rule. In 2017, the army withdrew Old Horse from power in a bloodless coup, and his vise, Tuvius, handed the instruments of power to take the country forward. Therefore, despite brainwashing people and making them believe he is the supreme one, Old Horse loses his power most unexpectedly.
The satire of citizens celebrating mediocrity
Bulawayo is determined to enlighten her readers that power is sovereign and belongs to people. Africa is one of the continents where incumbent leaders do not want to quit power. Satirically, the citizens of these countries forget that power belongs to them, not the gluttonous leaders who use state machinery to suppress them. The scene at the Jidda Squire where animals are waiting for the Father of the Nation to come and address them since morning under the scorching sun is paradoxical. The animals are thirsty, hungry, melting from the sweltering sun, and tired while watching their leaders in the white tent with various cold drinks on their tables. The leaders are dressed in expensive clothes, jewelry, and opulence accessories. The irony is that these animals believe leaders in the pavilion will change their lives, but the opposite is the reality.
Jidda Land of Glory
Whenever Old Horse stands to address the citizens of his country, he reminds them that their nation is gloriously full of honey and milk. One of the tactics that Old Horse has used over the years to maintain his rule is giving false hopes. Ironically, deep down in Old Horse's mind, he knows that he has looted the country, and the citizens are languishing in poverty. The friends in Old Horse's government are filthy rich, and they own almost all the country's resources, leaving most animals below the poverty line. Jidda is cited as glorious and full of honey but millions are languishing in poverty because the few elites have grabbed everything.
