Examining economic greed’s fatal consequences through Sando’s decision in Mmango’s play, uDike noCikizwa

Abstract

Despite the availability of African literary criticism on themes such as forced marriage and patriarchal control, little scholarly attention has been paid to the specific intersection of economic greed and its fatal consequences in Mmango’s uDike noCikizwa. Existing literature tends to overlook the destructive potential of lobola when it is misused for personal gain, as seen through the character of Sando. The study uses a Marxist theory which interpret Sando’s actions as an indication of the degrading forces of economic greed and the restricted agency of women in patriarchal societies. The study employs a qualitative approach to analyse how greed as a central theme unfolds in the narrative. The findings indicate that Sando’s actions disrupted the family structure which led to tragic consequences that resulted in loss and death. The study recommends the re-examination of cultural practices like lobola to prevent exploitation and commodification. Additionally, indigenous interpretive frameworks such as ubuntu and communal relationality have been incorporated to ensure that the analysis remains grounded in African epistemologies and cultural logic. Rather than framing tradition as inherently oppressive, this analysis acknowledges its potential to coexist with evolving notions of equity and justice, allowing for a more nuanced interpretation of cultural practices.