Notes to broadcasters
Beans, a family affair is a five-episode drama about a group of women who persevere against difficulties to achieve success. The women belong to a village savings or vicoba group in Tanzania, and all of them grow common beans. Women do most of the field work for common beans. But, because of the traditional gender roles in their community, men make all the post-harvest decisions, including selling the beans and controlling the income.
A few of the major female characters in the drama, including Farida and Mama Mjuni, take the lead on this endeavour. They encourage the women to work together on their farms, and finally to grow beans together to market as a group to the village bean factory.
Read the first episode of the drama, including the character list, here.
The drama takes place against a backdrop of dramatic situations, including conflicts between women and men: domestic abuse in one family, and the underhanded efforts of a village womanizer to both manipulate women and profit from criminal activities.
There are light, funny moments in the drama too, though it covers serious themes. If you produce the drama with a local group, ensure that the more serious moments are balanced with the lighter scenes of friends reminiscing and laughing.
Each of the five episodes is approximately 20-25 minutes long, including intro and extro music. Because the episodes are long, you might want to air only two or three scenes at a time in your program. In most cases, two or three episodes take 6-8 minutes.
You could follow up the drama with a call-in program that discusses some of the issues raised in the program, inviting male and female experts on the issues. Discussions could include:
- how the community divides the work involved in growing and marketing common beans, or other crops grown in your area, and how this might be biased against women’s interests, and may even hurt the family;
- domestic abuse and the culture or habit of silence that allows it to continue; and
- the kinds of support men can offer women who are struggling to help themselves and their families in difficult situations.
Script
1. Scene 1
2. Location:
Ext. Sigi’s warehouse. Evening.
3. BG SFX:
Warehouse ambience.
4. Characters:
Sigi, Afande Kaifa, Afande Filipo, Farmer.
5. SIGI:
I assure you this is the best deal you’ll ever get!
6. FARMER:
Come on, Sigi! That is a very low price for all these sacks!
7. SIGI:
That is my final offer! You can take it or leave it!
8. SFX:
ENGINE OF A MOTORCYCLE.
9. SIGI:
Oh, Afande Kaifa! Welcome! What can I do for you? Don’t tell me you have another batch of common beans for me! (LAUGHS)
10. AFANDE KAIFA:
I need you to come to the police station with me!
11. SIGI:
(SHOCKED) The police station?! To do what?
12. AFANDE FILIPO:
Don’t ask too many questions; just do as you are told.
13. SIGI:
I have to ask! What’s going on? And who are you to command me? Don’t you know who I am? I’m going to talk to your boss!
14. AFANDE KAIFA:
Well, you have a right to know that you are under arrest for conspiring to vandalize the women’s vicoba farm!
15. SIGI:
(SURPRISED) What?! I don’t understand!
16. AFANDE FILIPO:
We know all about your schemes to vandalize the women’s farm and hinder their harvest.
17. SIGI:
Afande Kaifa, you know this is not true! You know what kind of a man I am; I would never do that kind of thing! This is all fabricated just to bring dirt to my name! People are envious of me!
18. AFANDE KAIFA:
Come on, Sigi! Let’s go! You can plead your case at the police station.
19. SIGI:
Kaifa, you can see I’m in the middle of a negotiation here. So, for all the business we have conducted between each another, and for all the years we have known each other, I’m asking you to let me finish my negotiations here and I will come to the police station later on.
20. AFANDE KAIFA:
I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Sigi!
21. SIGI:
(IMPLORING) I’m begging you, my good friend, for the sake of our friendship … how many times have I given you a good offer for your common beans, eh?
22. AFANDE KAIFA:
Plenty of times, I agree. But this has nothing to do with business! I have to do my job and that is to bring you back to the police station for questioning.
23. SIGI:
(COAXING) Come on, Kaifa! There is no need for all that; this is a small thing! Eeeeh! (GIVES A LAUGH) I know how we can settle this!
24. AFANDE KAIFA:
What are you implying?
25. SIGI:
You know how the old saying goes—scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours!
26. AFANDE KAIFA:
(ANGRILY) Are you trying to offer me a bribe?
27. SIGI:
(NERVOUSLY) No! No! No! That is not the case!
28. AFANDE KAIFA:
You know I will be forced to add the offence of bribery to your rap sheet!
29. SIGI:
(PLEADING) There is no need for that!
30. AFANDE KAIFA:
Come with us to the police station at once, or I will be forced to ask my subordinate here to use force!
31. SIGI:
(NERVOUS) There’s no need to use force! Okay, I’m coming with you!
32. AFANDE FILIPO:
Okay, get on the bike!
33. SFX:
SIGI MOUNTS THE BIKE AND THE ENGINE STARTS.
34. FARMER:
(TIMID) But sir! What about me? You’re taking him away and we haven’t even finished our transaction!
35. AFANDE KAIFA:
There will be no transaction here today unless you want to come to the police station to finish it!
36. FARMER:
(FRIGHTENED) No, sir!
37. SFX:
THE MOTORCYCLE LEAVES.
38. CONTROL:
Afande Kaifa
39. Scene 2
40. Location:
Int. Police station. Evening.
41. BG SFX:
Police station ambience.
42. Characters:
Sigi, Adam, Alex, Afande Kaifa, Mama Mjuni, Mjuni, Mzee Ali, Afande Filipo.
43. SFX:
DOOR OPENS AND AFANDE KAIFA, SIGI, AND FILIPO ENTER.
44. AFANDE KAIFA:
Take a seat.
45. SFX:
SIGI SITS DOWN.
46. SIGI:
This is really not necessary!
47. AFANDE KAIFA:
So tell me what drove you to conspire to vandalize the women’s vicoba farm? They never did anything to you.
48. SIGI:
I don’t know who gave you that idea, but I’m going to tell you again that I’m not guilty!
49. AFANDE KAIFA:
So you are trying to tell me that you didn’t pay mama K’s kids to do your dirty work?
50. SIGI:
(SURPRISED) What? How could you accuse me of such a thing? To be honest, I’m so disappointed with you, Kaifa.
51. AFANDE KAIFA:
We have witnesses who are willing to testify that you are guilty.
52. SIGI:
(BELLIGERENT) I don’t care who your so-called witnesses are! I told you I’m not guilty! This is a waste of my time; I have important things to do right now!
53. AFANDE KAIFA:
Okay, so you keep denying it?
54. SIGI:
Yes, I deny it! So either book me or let me go!
55. AFANDE KAIFA:
So you leave me no choice but to bring in the witnesses. (TURNS TO AFANDE FILIPO) Afande Filipo, bring them in.
56. AFANDE FILIPO:
Yes, sir.
57. SFX:
AFANDE FILIPO OPENS THE DOOR AND LEAVES THE ROOM TO BRING IN THE WITNESSES.
58. AFANDE KAIFA:
I see you want to make things difficult by playing hardball! You think you are so smart, huh? Well, I’m smart too!
59. SFX:
DOOR OPENS AND AFANDE FILIPO ENTERS WITH ADAM, ALEX, AND MJUNI.
60. SIGI:
(IN UTTER SHOCK) Adam?! … Alex!
61. AFANDE KAIFA:
You didn’t think it would be them, did you? Your conspirators decided to give you up!
62. SIGI:
(ANGRILY) Why, you little rascals!
63. SFX:
SIGI ANGRILY LUNGES AT THE BOYS.
64. AFANDE KAIFA:
Afande Filipo, please restrain him!
65. SFX:
AFANDE FILIPO RESTRAINS SIGI AND MAKES HIM SIT DOWN.
66. AFANDE FILIPO:
(COMMANDING) Sit down!
67. SIGI:
I can’t believe this—after all I have done for you! Is this how you repay me?! By betraying me?
68. ADAM:
We are tired of you always pushing us around and telling us what to do! So we figured if you are in jail you won’t be able to do that any longer!
69. SIGI:
(SPRINGS FROM CHAIR ANGRILY) You little bastard! I will kill you!
70. SFX:
AFANDE FILIPO STOPS SIGI FROM ATTACKING ADAM.
71. AFANDE KAIFA:
(ANGRY) Sit down, Mr. Sigi! You are already in a lot of trouble! (TO THE BOYS) So tell me boys: who sent you to ruin and vandalize the women’s vicoba farm!
72. THE BOYS:
(TOGETHER) It was him!
73. AFANDE KAIFA:
So you see, Mr. Sigi, all the boys point to you as the mastermind of this vile operation. Good job, boys! I think it’s high time I let the women of the vicoba know about this.
74. CONTROL:
Afande Kaifa
75. Scene 3
76. Location:
Ext. Mama Mjuni’s farm. Evening.
77. SFX:
Ploughing the fields.
78. Characters:
Afande Kaifa, Mama Mjuni, Mama K, Grace, Doris, Afande Filipo
79. SFX:
WOMEN SINGING AS THEY PLOUGH THE FIELD.
80. ALL:
(SINGING) My fellow women, let’s band together and plough the fields! Let’s work together and change our lives and our families’ lives.
81. SFX:
MOTORCYCLE APPROACHING FROM FAR AWAY.
82. SFX:
WOMEN STOP SINGING.
83. GRACE:
Isn’t that Afande Kaifa?
84. MAMA MJUNI:
Yes, it’s him. What is he doing here?
85. DORIS:
(WORRIED) Oh my God! Mama Mjuni, Farida is not here! What are we going to tell him?
86. MAMA MJUNI:
(IN A LOW TONE) I want you all to relax and let me do all the talking.
87. ALL:
Okay.
88. MAMA MJUNI:
(ENTHUSIASTIC) Good afternoon, Afande Kaifa! To what do we owe this pleasure?
89. AFANDE KAIFA:
(APPROACHING MIC) Good afternoon, ladies!
90. ALL:
Good afternoon.
91. AFANDE KAIFA:
Well, I’m here because I have some sad news and some good news for you all.
92. MAMA K:
(JUMPS UP) What happened?
93. AFANDE KAIFA:
Well, the sad news is somebody tried to vandalize your farm and …
94. MAMA MJUNI:
(INTERVENES) Vandalize our farm?! But who would want to do such a thing?
95. DORIS:
(JUMPS IN) Yes! Who would do that?
96. MAMA K:
(CUTS IN) You have to tell us!
97. AFANDE KAIFA:
(BRINGS BACK ORDER) Okay! Okay, ladies … hear me out.
98. SFX:
LADIES QUIET DOWN.
99. AFANDE KAIFA:
The good news is we have caught the man who….
100. GRACE:
(INTERVENES) It’s a man?
101. MAMA MJUNI:
Well, who is he?
102. AFANDE KAIFA:
It’s Sigi!
103. MAMA K:
(SHOCKED) Sigi?!
104. GRACE:
(JUMPS UP) I knew it!
105. DORIS:
(CONFUSED) What?!
106. MAMA MJUNI:
(ANGRILY) That bastard! Wait till I get my hands on him! I’m going to kill him for this!
107. GRACE:
Yes. why don’t we all go to his warehouse!
108. AFANDE KAIFA:
Ladies, we don’t want you to take matters into your own hands. And besides, he is in our custody now, so let the law take its course.
109. MAMA MJUNI:
(EMPHATICALLY) Yes, lock him up and throw away the keys!
110. DORIS:
(ANGRILY) Yes, he deserves to be locked up!
111. GRACE:
(CUTS IN) Without a doubt, he is guilty!
112. MAMA K:
(INTERRUPTS) Noo way! I don’t think Sigi is guilty! He is my favourite customer at my bar!
113. MAMA MJUNI:
(SURPRISED) Mama K, I can’t believe you! Here we are getting the news from Afande Kaifa that this man just tried to vandalize our farm and all you can think about is your bar?!
114. MAMA K:
Yes, he is not guilty! First of all, why would he want to destroy our farm when he has all the money in the world! When he comes to my bar, he buys the place out! (STARTS SOBBING) Who will buy all the drinks now?
115. GRACE:
Mama, you can’t be serious! This man is guilty; you just heard Afande Kaifa confirm it!
116. MAMA MJUNI:
But my question is: how did you catch him?
117. AFANDE KAIFA:
Well, we got a tip from the kids!
118. MAMA MJUNI:
The kids?
119. AFANDE KAIFA:
Mama K’s two boys and your kid!
120. MJUNI:
(SHOCKED) What? When did my son start hanging out with those hooligans?! Just wait till I get home today! He will regret the day he was born!
121. MAMA K:
So my children are hooligans now, eeeh?
122. AFANDE KAIFA:
(INTERVENES) Ladies! Please calm down! I think you all should be proud of your children because they did the right thing by coming to us at the police station. Sigi tried to pay them money to cause havoc at this farm, but instead they reported him!
123. MAMA MJUNI:
Well, I guess you are right! He really did the right thing.
124. AFANDE KAIFA:
You know I’ve been looking round, but I don’t see Farida here.
125. MAMA MJUNI:
(AWKWARDLY) Oh, she had to run back home to check on the children.
126. AFANDE KAIFA:
(SUSPICIOUS) Ahaaa!
127. GRACE:
Yes, that’s what she said.
128. AFANDE KAIFA:
Well, ladies, carry on with your work. I’ll be leaving now.
129. MAMA MJUNI:
Thank you again for apprehending that wicked man.
130. AFANDE KAIFA:
Okay, goodbye!
131. ALL:
Goodbye!
132. SFX:
AFANDE KAIFA STARTS HIS MOTORCYCLE AND LEAVES.
133. CONTROL:
Mama Mjuni
134. Scene 4
135. Location:
Ext. Police station. Morning.
136. BG SFX:
Police station ambience.
137. Characters:
Afande Kaifa, Mzee Ali, Afande Filipo.
138. SFX:
DOOR OPENS
139. AFANDE FILIPO:
(FAR FROM MIC) Excuse me, sir, but …
140. AFANDE KAIFA:
(INTERRUPTS) What did I tell you about storming into my office without knocking first?
141. AFANDE FILIPO:
I’m sorry, sir, but the district councillor is here to see you.
142. AFANDE KAIFA:
(QUICKLY GETS UP FROM HIS CHAIR) Well, let him in then!
143. SFX:
MZEE ALI ENTERS.
144. AFANDE KAIFA:
Mzee Ali, you are welcome! How are you, sir?
145. MZEE ALI:
(APPROACHING MIC) I’m fine; I hope I’m not intruding.
146. AFANDE KAIFA:
No, you’re not! Here, have a seat.
147. SFX:
MZEE ALI SITS DOWN.
148. AFANDE KAIFA:
So tell me, Mzee Ali, what problem brings you here today?
149. MZEE ALI:
I’m afraid it’s not really a problem …
150. AFANDE KAIFA:
(SURPRISED AND CONFUSED) Oh … ?
151. MZEE ALI:
Yes.
152. AFANDE KAIFA:
Okay, I’m listening.
153. MZEE ALI:
You know, Kaifa, women are very different from men.
154. AFANDE KAIFA:
(ENTHUSIASTICALLY) Yes, I agree!
155. MZEE ALI:
They are different in the sense that they tend to sugar coat things. They are not like men; we tell it like it is.
156. AFANDE KAIFA:
Yes, I agree with you one hundred percent. But what are you trying to say?
157. MZEE ALI:
Well, what I’m trying to say … (FALTERS) I guess what I’m trying to say is that your wife never paid us back for the money you guys borrowed from us.
158. AFANDE KAIFA:
(SURPRISED) What money? What are you talking about?
159. MZEE ALI:
(TAKEN ABACK) What do you mean what am I talking about?! Didn’t you ask your wife to borrow money from my wife for your kids’ school fees?
160. AFANDE KAIFA:
I don’t know what you are talking about. In fact, this is the first time I’m hearing this.
161. SFX:
AWKWARD SILENCE.
162. MZEE ALI:
I think there must be a misunderstanding somewhere.
163. AFANDE KAIFA:
Yes, I agree. How much did she borrow?
164. MZEE ALI:
I think it was about four hundred thousand.
165. AFANDE KAIFA:
(REFLECTIVE) Oh, I see! … I will have a talk with my wife.
166. MZEE ALI:
(AWKWARDLY) Well, in that case I think I should be leaving.
167. AFANDE KAIFA:
Don’t worry; I will get to the bottom of this.
168. MZEE ALI:
Yes, but just try to have a cooler head when you talk to her.
169. AFANDE KAIFA:
Don’t worry; everything will be just fine.
170. MZEE ALI:
Okay, goodbye.
171. AFANDE KAIFA:
Bye bye!
172. SFX:
MZEE ALI LEAVES.
173. AFANDE KAIFA:
Afande Filipo!
174. AFANDE FILIPO:
(COMES RUNNING) Yes, sir!
175. AFANDE KAIFA:
I have an assignment for you.
176. AFANDE FILIPO:
Yes, sir. I’m listening, sir!
177. AFANDE KAIFA:
I need you to start following my wife.
178. SFX:
AWKWARD SILENCE.
179. AFANDE FILIPO:
(STAMMERING) I don … I … I don’t understand, sir.
180. AFANDE KAIFA:
(ANGRILY) What part of that order don’t you understand?
181. AFANDE FILIPO:
(HESITATING) So you want me to spy on your wife?
182. AFANDE KAIFA:
Didn’t I make myself clear?
183. AFANDE FILIPO:
You did, sir.
184. AFANDE KAIFA:
So do your work and stop asking questions. Report back to me after your findings.
185. AFANDE FILIPO:
Okay, sir.
186. SFX:
AFANDE FILIPO SALUTES AFANDE KAIFA AND STARTS TO LEAVE.
187. AFANDE KAIFA:
Oh, and one more thing … nobody must know about this!
188. AFANDE FILIPO:
Yes, sir!
189. CONTROL:
Afande Kaifa
190. Scene 5
191. Location:
Ext. Police station. Mid-morning.
192. BG SFX:
Police station ambience.
193. Characters:
Afande Kaifa, Afande Filipo.
194. SFX:
KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.
195. AFANDE KAIFA:
Come in.
196. SFX:
DOOR OPENS AND AFANDE FILIPO ENTERS.
197. AFANDE FILIPO:
I’m sorry, sir; I thought you would be sleeping.
198. AFANDE KAIFA:
Yes, what is it?
199. AFANDE FILIPO:
(HESITANT) Well, sir … well … I went on that mission you sent me.
200. AFANDE KAIFA:
What happened?
201. AFANDE FILIPO:
(HESITANT) Well, sir …
202. AFANDE KAIFA:
Afande Filipo, are you going to get to the point or not?
203. AFANDE FILIPO:
I followed your wife like you requested me to, and I saw her meeting up with a young man.
204. AFANDE KAIFA:
(REPEATING THE WORDS TO HIMSELF) You saw her meet up with a young man?
205. AFANDE FILIPO:
Yes, sir, but I don’t think it’s what you think it is.
206. SFX:
LONG PAUSE
207. AFANDE FILIPO:
I just saw her handing him some money. It seemed like they had a business transaction.
208. AFANDE KAIFA:
Is that it?
209. AFANDE FILIPO:
Yes, sir.
210. AFANDE KAIFA:
Okay, that will be all for now!
211. AFANDE FILIPO:
Okay, sir!
212. CONTROL:
Afande Filipo
213. Scene 6
214. Location:
Int. Farida’s home. Day.
215. BG SFX:
Home ambience.
216. Characters:
Afande Kaifa, Farida, Sifa, Zuhura, neighbour.
217. SFX:
DOOR OPENS AND AFANDE KAIFA ENTERS.
218. SFX:
SIFA AND ZUHURA BOTH RUSH TO EMBRACE THEIR FATHER.
219. SIFA / ZUHURA:
(EXCITEDLY) Daddy! Daddy!
220. NEIGHBOUR:
Good afternoon, Mister Kaifa!
221. AFANDE KAIFA:
Good afternoon! Who are you?
222. NEIGHBOUR:
Oh! I’m your neighbour; my name is Monica and I live down the road.
223. ZUHURA:
(INTERRUPTS) Daddy! Did you bring us the gift you promised if we slept in the afternoon?
224. AFANDE KAIFA:
(AUTHORITATIVE) Quiet now! (TURNS TO NEIGHBOUR) Where is my wife?
225. NEIGHBOUR:
She stepped out, but she will be back soon. She told me to look after the kids while she is out.
226. SFX:
THE DOOR OPENS AND FARIDA ENTERS.
227. SFX:
SIFA AND ZUHURA RUSH TO EMBRACE THEIR MOTHER.
228. SIFA / ZUHURA:
Mama! Mama!
229. FARIDA:
(SHOCKED) Kaifa! You are back from work. I did not expect to find you home this early!
230. AFANDE KAIFA:
Well, that is exactly what I was hoping would happen.
231. FARIDA:
What do you mean?
232. AFANDE KAIFA:
Where were you? And don’t tell me that you were at the women’s vicoba because I was with the other women and you weren’t there.
233. SFX:
AWKWARD SILENCE.
234. AFANDE KAIFA:
Do you even know that your farm was almost vandalized?
235. SFX:
LONG PAUSE.
236. NEIGHBOUR:
(STARTS TO GET UP) Well, I better leave now.
237. AFANDE KAIFA:
(SHOUTS) Sit down!
238. NEIGHBOUR:
(FRIGHTENED) Okay.
239. AFANDE KAIFA:
(ANGRY) You are not going anywhere because today is the day I want the whole neighbourhood to know what kind of woman I married.
240. FARIDA:
What is that supposed to mean?
241. AFANDE KAIFA:
I’m going to ask you again. Where were you?
242. FARIDA:
Look, I had to run some errands.
243. AFANDE KAIFA:
You are a liar! Don’t think I don’t know about your little scams. How you lied to Mama Mjuni and her husband—claiming you needed a loan for the children’s tuition fees!
244. FARIDA:
(SHOCKED) How did you … ?
245. AFANDE KAIFA:
You didn’t expect me to find that out, did you? Well, I know more than you think! I know that you met up with some man today who you gave money to.
246. FARIDA:
(ANGRILY) Are you spying on me?
247. AFANDE KAIFA:
(WEAK LAUGH) You must have forgotten that you are married to a police officer!
248. NEIGHBOUR:
Well, I will take the kids to sleep now.
Come on, kids. (HEADING TO THE BEDROOM WITH THE CHILDREN)
Come on, kids. (HEADING TO THE BEDROOM WITH THE CHILDREN)
249. AFANDE KAIFA:
So tell me what you have been up to.
250. FARIDA:
I have been up to nothing!
251. AFANDE KAIFA:
You are a liar and a squanderer of money! You are going to tell me what you did with all that money!
252. FARIDA:
It’s none of your business what I did with that money! After all, you are not the one who gave it to me!
253. AFANDE KAIFA:
What are you saying? (ANGRILY TRIES TO GRAB FARIDA) Come here, you worthless rat!
254. FARIDA:
(SCREAMING) Let go of me! I said let go of me!
255. SFX:
STUFF FALLING AND THINGS BREAKING AS FARIDA AND AFANDE KAIFA FIGHT.
256. SFX:
THE CHILDREN CRY FROM THE OTHER ROOM.
257. CONTROL:
Afande Kaifa
258. Scene 7
259. Location:
Ext. Mama Mjuni’s home. Day.
260. BG SFX:
Home ambience.
261. Characters:
Mama Mjuni, Farida, Mzee Ali, Afande Kaifa.
262. SFX:
FARIDA PANTING AS SHE IS RUNNING.
263. SFX:
FARIDA KNOCKS FRANTICALLY ON THE DOOR.
264. SFX:
MAMA MJUNI OPENS THE DOOR.
265. MAMA MJUNI:
(SURPRISED) Farida, what is going on?
266. FARIDA:
(STILL PANTING) He is going to kill me! He is going to kill me!
267. MAMA MJUNI:
(CONFUSED) You mean your husband? Wait, Farida, calm down.
268. SFX:
FARIDA BREAKS DOWN CRYING.
269. MZEE ALI:
(APPROACHING MIC) What is going on here?
270. SFX
: FARIDA CONTINUES CRYING AS MAMA MJUNI TRIES TO CONSOLE HER.
271.
FADE OUT
272.
FADE IN
273. SFX:
FARIDA, MAMA MJUNI, AND MZEE ALI APPROACHING MIC.
274. FARIDA:
No! No! No! No! No! I can’t go in there! He will kill me!
275. MAMA MJUNI:
Farida, just relax, okay? We will talk to him.
276. SFX:
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.
277. SFX:
AFANDE KAIFA OPENS THE DOOR.
278. AFANDE KAIFA:
(ANGRILY) What is she doing back here?
279. MZEE ALI:
Kaifa, now please take it easy. We are just here to talk.
280. AFANDE KAIFA:
I don’t want that woman in this house. Do you hear?
281. MZEE ALI:
You need to sit down and talk things over with your wife so you can settle whatever problems you have.
282. AFANDE KAIFA:
Are you deaf? I said I don’t want to see her no more! She is nothing but a liar!
283. MAMA MJUNI:
I think it’s better if you hear her out first.
284. AFANDE KAIFA:
I don’t want to hear it.
285. MAMA MJUNI:
Please, Kaifa, if you can’t do it for her or yourself, then at least do it for the kids. The least you can do is reconcile your differences because the kids need their parents … it’s better to sit down and talk.
286.
FADE OUT
287.
FADE IN
288. MZEE ALI:
So what led to this unfortunate situation?
289. AFANDE KAIFA:
Are you going to sit there and look me in the face and ask me that question?
290. MZEE ALI:
Yes, I have to ask you. Me and my wife were resting and suddenly we were interrupted by Farida who came to us crying and claiming that you were trying to kill her.
291. AFANDE KAIFA:
Did she also tell you that she gave the money you loaned her for the kids’ tuition fees to some unknown guy?
292. MAMA MJUNI:
(SIGHS) Farida, is that true?
293. FARIDA:
(SOBBING) Yes.
294. MAMA MJUNI:
But how could you do that? You came to me with a problem and I trusted you with all my heart and asked for the money from Mzee Ali.
295. SFX:
FARIDA STILL SOBBING.
296. AFANDE KAIFA:
(ANGRILY) Answer her!
297. SFX:
FARIDA STILL SOBBING.
298. AFANDE KAIFA:
(LOUDLY) Tell the truth!
299. FARIDA:
(STOPS SOBBING) You want to know the truth?
300. AFANDE KAIFA:
Yes, I want to know!
301. FARIDA:
(FIERCE DETERMINATION IN HER VOICE) Well, the truth is I had to lie to get the money from Mama Mjuni so I could buy a farm where I could grow common beans, and where I would be able to make all the decisions from buying the inputs to where I would sell the common beans—because for once I want to feel important! I’m tired of you treating me like I do not exist every time I come to you to talk about our livelihood.
302. AFANDE KAIFA:
Well …
303. FARIDA:
(INTERRUPTS LOUDLY) I’m not finished! The truth is I wanted to feel like a woman who is respected and appreciated and not some machine whose job is to always take orders and not ask questions!
304. SFX:
AWKWARD SILENCE.
305. MZEE ALI:
Well … from what I see, it seems like the two of you have communication problems. If the two of you communicated, this wouldn’t have happened.
306. FARIDA:
The problem with my husband is that he never wants to communicate!
307. AFANDE KAIFA:
So does that make it right for you to lie to everybody?
308. FARIDA:
Does that make it right for you to physically abuse me?
309. MZEE ALI:
(INTERVENES) There is no use in arguing and crying about the past. What the two of you should be focusing on is starting afresh to build your marriage.
310. SFX:
FARIDA BREAKS DOWN CRYING.
311. FARIDA:
(SOBBING) Mama Mjuni, you don’t know how hard it has been for me in the past couple of years. I have endured so much from this man.
312. MAMA MJUNI:
(STRONGLY) Do you hear that, Kaifa? I know you may be the head of this house, but Farida is the heart and soul because she takes care of you and the kids; she cooks, cleans, and works in the field. The least you can do is to show her some respect! Farida lied because she knew that if she told you the truth, she wouldn’t get support from you!
313. MZEE ALI:
You know, this is an issue which many women in the village face on a daily basis. A lot of the women lack support from their husbands. Take this issue of common beans. I tried talking to many of the husbands and some are willing to change, to start sharing with their wives in making decisions about who to sell to, and how much to sell for. But for many it will take some time.
So I think, Kaifa, you should try being more supportive to you wife because the two of you are blessed with a good family and beautiful children. So you should try to live and work together in peace and harmony.
So I think, Kaifa, you should try being more supportive to you wife because the two of you are blessed with a good family and beautiful children. So you should try to live and work together in peace and harmony.
314. AFANDE KAIFA:
(HESITANT) Well, I … well, I would like to apologize to my wife and I promise to be supportive in the future.
315. SFX:
SILENCE.
316. MAMA MJUNI:
Farida, did you hear what your husband just said? What do you have to say about that?
317. FARIDA:
I don’t think he can ever change!
318. MZEE ALI:
Farida, I think it is a good sign that Kaifa has acknowledged his faults.
319. FARIDA:
Acknowledging his faults is not enough. He has to really prove that he wants to change. Actions speak louder than words!
320. CONTROL:
Farida
321. Scene 8
322. Location:
Ext. Women’s vicoba farm. Afternoon.
323. BG SFX:
Women singing.
324. Characters:
Mama Mjuni, women, Mr. Patel.
325. SFX:
WOMEN SINGING.
326. ALL:
Women, we have proved that we can do it!
Not just growing common beans in the field,
But also doing business and selling in the market.
We have shown that there is strength in unity.
Women, we have proved that we can do it.
And we have managed to do it!
Not just growing common beans in the field,
But also doing business and selling in the market.
We have shown that there is strength in unity.
Women, we have proved that we can do it.
And we have managed to do it!
327. SFX:
ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
328. MAMA MJUNI:
Thank you, my fellow ladies, for that beautiful song that signifies what we have achieved here today! This is a big milestone for us women in the village. We have accomplished the goals we set for ourselves a couple of months ago. And we all should be proud of successfully growing the common beans to supply to the factory!
329. SFX:
CHEERS FROM WOMEN.
330. MAMA MJUNI:
Okay, so without taking too much time, let me welcome our honourable guest who is paying us a visit today at our farm.
331. SFX:
APPLAUSE FROM WOMEN.
332. MR. PATEL:
Thank you, ladies! I would also like to thank the manager of operations at the factory, Miss Stella, who told me about your vicoba group … because not only are you ladies hard-working farmers, but you are very talented singers!
333. SFX:
CHEERS AND LAUGHS FROM WOMEN.
334. MR. PATEL:
Well, I’m a man of few words, but I would just like to say that what you ladies have been able to accomplish here is amazing. Looking at these common beans which have blossomed so beautifully makes me proud of you all. And you should be proud of yourselves because I’m going to give you a contract to supply my factory with common beans starting next month!
335. SFX:
CHEERS FROM THE WOMEN ERUPT LIKE A VOLCANO.
336. CONTROL:
Mr. Patel
337. Scene 9
338. Location:
Ext. Mama K’s home. Morning.
339. BG SFX:
Mama K’s home ambience.
340. Characters:
Grace, Mama K.
341. SFX:
A COCKCROW.
342. SFX:
GRACE OPENS THE DOOR AND STEPS OUT.
343. MAMA K:
(SURPRISED) Grace, where are you going dressed like a pupil?
344. GRACE:
Good morning, mama, I didn’t expect to find you up so early.
345. MAMA K:
I asked you a question: where are you going dressed like that?
346. GRACE:
I just enrolled back in school so I can finish my A level studies.
347. MAMA K:
With whose money?
348. GRACE:
What do you mean with whose money! Mama, you know we are going to make a lot of money with the women’s vicoba group selling the common beans to the factory, and I also made a lot selling my own common beans. So I saved some to pay for my school tuition fees. And today is the day that I start my studies.
349. MAMA K:
(LAUGHS) Studies?! Aren’t you a bit too old to go back to school now?
350. GRACE:
Mama, you know what they say … There is no end to learning.
351. MAMA K:
What about your responsibilities here at home? Who will help with the cooking and other chores?
352. GRACE:
I will help with the chores at home as usual, but that won’t stop me from going back to school—because I will go to school.
353. MAMA K:
And what about the bar? Who will help me with the bar if you will be leaving every morning for school?
354. GRACE:
With the bar, mama, you will just have to manage!
355. MAMA K:
I always knew that you were a selfish child and all that you thought about was yourself!
356. GRACE:
I’m not selfish. That’s why I’m going back to school to get an education so I can help you in future! Goodbye, mama!
357. SFX:
GRACE LEAVES.
358. CONTROL:
Grace
359. Scene 10
360. Location:
Int. Farida’s chicken coop. Evening.
361. Characters:
Farida, Jenny.
362. BG SFX:
Farida feeding the chickens.
363. JENNY:
(FAR FROM MIC) Farida, where are you?
364. FARIDA:
(NEAR MIC) I’m out here at the chicken coop!
365. JENNY:
(JOKING) I knew I would find you here! A mother and her chickens!
366. FARIDA:
(LAUGHS) Where else would I be?
367. JENNY:
(ASTONISHED) Wow! These chickens got big fast! What do you feed them?
368. FARIDA:
The usual stuff!
369. JENNY:
My goodness! How many weeks has it been?
370. FARIDA:
It’s been three weeks now! I think by next week I will start selling them.
371. JENNY:
Congratulations, my dear. Where is everybody? Where are the kids?
372. FARIDA:
They are still at school. I think they have some kind of function today. A sports bonanza or something.
373. JENNY:
And their father?
374. FARIDA:
He is at work.
375. JENNY:
(GENTLY) So how are you guys coping now?
376. FARIDA:
(HESITANT) Well, he is trying, you know… although it’s still hard to be in the same room with him. But he appears to be making an effort not to be the same person he was.
377. JENNY:
Well, so far so good then. One thing is for sure: you are in much better spirits now than the last time I saw you during that whole disaster.
378. FARIDA:
Yeah, I guess we are making progress.
379. JENNY:
Well, enough of that! I want one of these chickens! And I’m not leaving until I get one!
380. FARIDA:
I knew this was coming!
381. JENNY:
In fact, I will protest if I don’t get one of these chickens!
382. SFX:
THEY BOTH LAUGH.
383. CONTROL:
Farida
384. Scene 11
385. Location:
Ext. Tikka factory. Morning.
386. Characters:
Jenny, Farida, Grace, Mama Mjuni, Mama K, Stella, Mr. Patel.
387. BG SFX:
Truck arriving.
388. SFX:
TRUCK ARRIVING.
389. SFX:
CHEERS FROM THE WOMEN.
390. SFX:
TRUCK HORN
391. STELLA:
Is that Jenny driving the truck?
392. FARIDA:
Of course! (LAUGHS)
393. STELLA:
(LAUGHS) She will never change!
394. SFX:
TRUCK ENGINE STOPS AND JENNY GETS DOWN FROM THE TRUCK.
395. JENNY:
(EXCITED) We made it, guys! We made it!
396. FARIDA:
(ELATED) I can’t believe it! This is actually happening!
397. GRACE:
It feels like a dream!
398. MAMA MJUNI:
Well, it’s no longer a dream, my dear, but a reality! And did you know that a few of the women in the group talked to me, and their husbands are now willing to share in the decision-making and marketing of common beans!
399. FARIDA:
Well, they know a good thing when they see it!
400. SFX:
ALL LAUGH
401. STELLA:
So how many sacks of common beans did you bring in Jenny?
402. JENNY:
There are 92 sacks of common beans!
403. STELLA:
Congratulations, ladies! You made your first delivery to the factory.
404. SFX:
CHEERS FROM WOMEN.
405. STELLA:
Hey guys, come and unload these sacks.
406. WORKERS:
Yes!
407. SFX:
WORKERS UNLOAD THE SACKS FROM THE TRUCK.
408. GRACE
: Look, here comes Mr. Patel!
409. MR. PATEL:
(APPROACHING MIC) Ladies, I’m so happy that you kept your word and delivered the common beans at the time we planned! Eight o’clock sharp! It tells me that this is a start of a good working relationship between us.
410. SFX:
WOMEN CHEER.
411. MAMA MJUNI:
And we are forever grateful to you, Mr. Patel, for giving us this opportunity! We assure you that we will be very professional and honour our agreement.
412. MR. PATEL:
I’m glad to hear that! Okay, ladies, I don’t have much to say but … carry on! And congratulations again!
413. SFX:
WOMEN CHEER.
414. FARIDA:
(HAPPILY) Yes! We made it!
415. MAMA K:
This calls for a celebration! Ladies, free drinks on me at my bar when we leave!
416. JENNY:
Mama k is giving out drinks?
417. MAMA MJUNI:
We really must have it made today!
418. CONTROL:
Mama Mjuni.
Acknowledgements
Contributed by: Kheri Mkali, script writer, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Reviewed by: Frederick Baijukya, agronomist and N2 country coordinator for Tanzania, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), East Africa Hub, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada, www.idrc.ca, and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada, www.international.gc.ca
