Pachapwa madziva miramba tichanyurura
When the pools dry up, we will fish all the barbels we want.
Tsanagudzo
Kushayika kana kuenda kwe chinhu (kana munhu) chaitambudza nekushungurundza vamwe kunoita kuti vaya vaishungurudzwa vawane mukana wekuita zvavaida kuita.
What the Words Say
When the pools dry up, we will fish all the barbels we want.
What It Means
The demise or disappearance of a specific challenge (or person) can bring benefits to others.
Cultural Context
Barbel (miramba) is one one of the favoured fish of the karanga people. However barbel are very slippery and can stay deep under water making them very difficult to catch particularly in or soon after the rainy season. However when the rivers and pools begin to dry, the barbel become more visible and easier to catch. The barbel will have fewer tricks and means of escape. Hence this change of circumstance was used by our ancestors to highlight that when a particular challenge disappears, which could be a person, there are those who will benefit from such a change in circumstances.
How It's Used
The proverb is used to give warning to those who may be causing grief for others that the day will come when they will be gone. It is also used as encouragement to those facing difficult times due to one person or event, as a way to strengthen them that this is temporary.