Answer:
The story's setting takes place in rural Zimbabwe, where Zibusiso and her family faced numerous hardships due to poverty and political instability. Despite the difficult circumstances, Zibusiso manages to describe her surroundings and struggles with a wry sense of humor.
Throughout the story, Zibusiso describes the rural landscape using vivid and descriptive language, highlighting the natural beauty of the area. For example, she describes the "lush green hills" and the "clear blue sky" with a sense of appreciation and wonder.
However, Zibusiso's descriptions also reveal the harsh living conditions in which her family lived, such as the lack of running water and the need to walk for miles to fetch it. Despite this, Zibusiso injects humor into her description, such as her sibling's tendency to spill water on the way back from the river, resulting in long, dry spells without water.
Furthermore, Zibusiso talks about the political situation in Zimbabwe, and how it has affected her family's life. She talks about how oppressive the government security forces were and the feeling of being constantly watched. While this situation is bleak, Zibusiso writes about it with a wry humor, as if to lighten the weight of it. For instance, she joked about having to hide her father's AK-47 under a mat, saying "our weapons wouldn’t be recognized as weapons, and we’d run no risk of arrest."
Overall, Zibusiso manages to describe her surroundings and the hardships her family faced with both humor and honesty, showcasing her resilience and ability to find laughter and joy amidst difficulties.