How Long

Zimbabwean producer Nyapimbi created "How Long" to tackle issues that Zimbabweans sweep under the carpet and do not want to discuss. "But for how long are we going to hide it?" he asks. Nyapimbi feels it is his duty to provoke debate in society about difficult issues. The play raises questions like "how long will people experience stigma and discrimination because of having to play hide and seek with their sexual orientation?"

"How Long" tells the story of a bisexual man who is in two relationships and is trying to deal with both demanding relationships. According to French playwright Víctor Hugo, "theatre moves, illuminates, disquiets, disturbs, lifts the spirit, reveals, provokes and violates conventions". And this, says Nyapimbi, is his aim with How Long.

"When Thembi marries Chamunorwa, the love of her life, she is all smiles and looks forward to living happily ever after, as people say when taking their vows. Chamu feels the same, yet different. While Chamu is in love with Thembi, he's also in love with somebody else. Six months into their marriage, Thembi accuses Chamu of being useless in bed and failing to fulfil his marital duties. Thembi decides to go with Chamu to her friend Shami a marriage counsellor for advice and during the counselling session Thembi accuses Chamu of seeing other women. In frustration Chamu shouts, "Who says I'm in love with another woman? I’m different. I swing both ways. I'm bisexual. I love you and I love him," says Chamu, meaning he loves Thembi the same way he loves Nkosi, a male family friend. In the play Chamu's lover Nkosi (Leonard Phiri) feels that he is getting a raw deal from his lover. He feels that he deserves all the attention that Chamu (Khumbulani Mathe) gives his "wife" Thembi (Sitshengisiwe Mpala)."

Rights.

The issue of homosexuality is not talked about openly in Zimbabwe; some Zimbabweans consider homosexuality to be "unafrican", and President Robert Mugabe has openly denounced homosexuals on numerous occasions.

The play premiered in Bulawayo on March 27, a day set aside by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to celebrate World Theatre Day. UNESCO's theme for 2006 was "A Ray of Hope".