Zimbabwe a country caught up in a whirlwind of madness, a whirlpool of rage and confusion and a cesspool of heartache and disappointment. The little teapot affectionately referred to by many due to its physical appearance on the map. The teapot has seen episodes of madness and some glimpses of sanity to note the least noting with all honesty it has been a season after season of madness to this point in time; leaves one to question will the citizenry ever experience a season of stability and growth? It is just going to be the same energy of madness to the ends of time. After the lowly death of Robert Gabriel Mugabe and his ousting in November 2017 by the military. One would note the nation and the whole world was hoodwinked by a mafia hellbound to maintain the status quo that best suits them and their cronies at the expense of the common folk. This system that the mafia are benefiting from can be named as Mugabeism. A name to a system that was left by one of the founding fathers of the nation called Zimbabwe. This, in turn, means that this is an episode of tyranny constant lies and repression of any kind. This cumulatively leads to a situation whereby as a society Zimbabwe is caught up in a mini civil war. The Civil war of Ageism, by Ageism one, means that this is a battle of ages. This means that two generations are caught up in a power struggle whereby the prison graduates. The group of Zimbabweans that went to "war" and saw the birth of Zimbabwe and the generation that can be called the born free's the ones born after the war. This generation is a ticking time bomb if one would pay attention to the current state of affairs that have bedevilled the nation.
This generation is the that covers from 1980 down to 2000, this two-decade-old generation tasted the tip of a prosperous Zimbabwe and how it looks like and how it feels like to be in a prosperous Zimbabwe. This generation one would note witnessed families being torn apart by the economical meltdown of 2005 down to 2009. The group then witnessed the nation experience an illusioned era of prosperity, "that is when the united states dollar was introduced" that is around 2010 to 2015. Then the following years until 2020 the episodes of hunger and poverty returned back with a bang like a rockstar who was once long gone and forgotten.
Zimbabwe a nation haunted by the past and uncertain future for the young generation this pays attention to the unresolved atrocities of yesteryear that have been swept under the carpet for decades in ones view are now becoming obvious and cannot be covered. This tags along with the Shona proverb that says, "Rina manyanga hari putirwi" this means that a horn cannot be hidden forever. The past should and must be acknowledged in order to determine and assert how the future would look like. Though one cannot determine how the future looks like because no one knows what the future looks like what can a mortal man do is be able to predict how the future is going to look like by referring to the past.
Reminiscing to the era of 1980 when the nation was born, the nation called Zimbabwe arrived among the league of African nations. One tries to capture the euphoria that was filled in the atmosphere, the energy that had enveloped, the atmosphere one can only imagine and try to connect with the people of that time by watching documentaries and browsing through articles. One such figure would be the live performance of Robert "Bob" Nesta Marley singing live at the iconic and historic stadium, Rufaro stadium down in the Harare township of Mbare. The lyrics of the song say, "Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny and this judgement there is no partiality...No more internal power struggle...". The euphoria that filled the atmosphere marked the unification of all peoples, the unification of all races, the unification of all tribes. This was a mere psychedelic trip that was in the hearts and minds of the people. A mere two hour high off of the smoking of a joint/blunt. What ensued two years after was utter madness and brutality a story that has been narrated from one side of the story this then in one's view painted a biased canvass of the Shona people. This then resulted in one's observation of a fallacy that has been entertained in the media spaces both locally in Zimbabwe and internationally. What one is inclining towards is the infamous Gukurahundi Massacre of 1982 to 1986. This massacre which is acknowledged by the Roman Catholic church and countless organisations has been dubbed the ethnic cleansing by the "Shona" people to the Ndebele. After an intense investigation through archives and articles, one arrived at one sole deduction in the whole narrative. In clearing the air first rather setting the record straight, Gukurahundi was not a war between the Shona and Ndebele people. In ones view Gukurdahundi was a war waged by Robert Mugabe to Joshua Nkomo. It is worth noting that Mugabe had full control over the infamous 5th Brigade the military wing that was answerable to Mugabe alone and no one else. In one's observation basing on the sole observation that Mugabe cannot be the spokesperson of all the Shona people to attack a fellow citizenry. One points out to the fact that Mugabe who was once part and parcel of Nkomo's political party (ZAPU) in the infancy of the liberation struggle. Mugabe had to leave the ZAPU party to join ZANU the political party that was predominantly comprised of Shona speaking people. With the birth of Zimbabwe, there were splinter groups that were not yielding to the call by the then government that people should be merged into the new Zimbabwe National Army. Furthermore, in one's view and observation, the splinter group of ZIPRA fighters were a thorn in Mugabe's pursuit to full control of the country. Mugabe understanding the significance of Nkomo within the political arena, Mugabe then did the daring feat of accusing Nkomo of conspiring against in 1982; Nkomo was removed from his ministerial portfolio this then gave Mugabe the greenlight to descend his infamous 5th Brigade on Matebeleland. Though there are reports tats state that the there was an arms cache that was discovered and their farms that were bought strategically around Harare this then led Mugabe and his government to entertain the thoughts of a coup was afoot these reports have to be confirmed sadly the one who oversaw the attack is six feet underground with six slabs of concrete on top of him. https://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/18/world/nkomo-ousted-in-zimbabwe-plot-is-charged.html
Thus Gukurahundi was born resulting in thousands of Ndebele speaking people to be tortured, mutilated and murdered by the 5th Brigade. Interpreting the Mugabe aggression through the 5th brigade one is drawn to pinpoint that Mugabe wanted to consolidate full power and control of the people and the country and the only hurdle that was in front of him was Nkomo. The best way to arm-twist Nkomo is through harming Nkomo's own people. This then was repeated by Mugabe to arm-twist Morgan Tsvangirai in the 2008 elections where state-sponsored attacks on all MDC supporters were expressed heavily on those who believe that Morgan Tsvangirai is the sole victor of the disputed presidential elections this, in turn, saw civilians being victimised by the aggression of Mugabe. As what happened to Nkomo is what happened to Tsvangirai, Nkomo was subdued and arm twisted to sign the "Unity accord", where in-state media which is censored who paint a fallacy and claim that the two tribes were waring in all honesty in one's view it was Mugabe warring with Nkomo. The sole reason is the consolidation of power to himself and those who are around in ones critical observation these persons are his wife, children and relatives. The haunted past that is not addressed in one's critical submission is based on the fact firstly, the fallacy of narrating that the Shona and Ndebele people cannot work together. In one's, debate this is an utter fallacy. Mugabe went to the grave without admitting to his crimes yet again this so-called government or presumed "second republic" is dragging its feet, key leaders have gone in the record in uttering insensitive phrases such as, "let bygones be bygones...".This then raises a question of noting how can one pass a sweeping statement as if nothing happened in 1982, the moral question bubbles to the surface of how and why? would someone of great magnitude say that? It might sound and look as if the phrase is worth praising, in actual fact, it is a sucker punch to the affected families of the crimes that were inflicted upon those who saw the aggression of the 5th brigade first hand. Those narratives in one's observation are bleeding hearts that are seeking the demise of the due justice that these affected families should receive thus the past trickles to affect the future.
A divide and rule situation is at play in Zimbabwe. The more the people themselves are divided, the opportunity for the political elite to grapple the country by the throat and loot. Handover mineral tenders to persons and countries that do not care about the people but they are more concerned about themselves. This, in turn, places the future of the young generation in limbo. The limbo in mentioning in this regard is the sole identity of being proudly Zimbabwean. A divided people is a divided nation. This one brings to point out that the Zanufication of the education of Zimbabwe needs to be addressed forthwith in order to forge a new Zimbabwe that accepts and acknowledges the past. As long as one is a domicile of the nation. One has the sole custody through the idea of "one man one vote principle" no matter the ethnic background must lead a country. This is a dream that some are yearning to realise in the independent state of Zimbabwe. The effects of a Zanufied politics is evident in the opposition party MDC-T or Alliance. There is no single trace of a Ndebele speaker who is in the realms of leadership, by taking a glance to Zanu PF itself the same situation. Thus one can excavate and submit yet again Mugabeisms the venom runs deeper than one would ever think. Thus one is drawn to note that a haunted past culminates to an uncertain future for the young generation.
Gukurahundi did occur, its wounds still bleed to this day and they have not yet healed. The late Enos Nkala he regretted his involvement in the Matebeleland and Midlands atrocities during Gukurahundi 1982 to 1986. In his dying days, he maintained that he did not have a hand in unleashing the 5th Brigade and blamed Mugabe for giving the orders.
Zimbabwe is a nation haunted by the past and this avalanches to birth an uncertain future where a generation is not proud of themselves. This then creates an identity crisis within the young generation who aspire to be South African, American, British among countless nationalities to choose from. This is one's observation results in the vision of having a united Zimbabwe in jeopardy in one's submission. The sole angle of observation is based on the obvious fact that points out at the powers that be who have manipulated the system to birth a chimaera of madness that best suits their narrative. Exploring this paragraph the point of arrival one will solemnly single out. The farm invasions of 1997 to 2002, indeed one must acknowledge the fact that the agreements of the Lancaster House in clear black and white indicated that Britain contractually bound herself to fund the land reform program as agreed in the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979 https://www.jpost.com/blogs/from-solomons-temple/lancaster-house-accords-what-britain-owes-zimbabwe-406561
In as much as the land reform program had to take place. The decolonisation had to take place; the wrongs of the colonisers had to be corrected in that stance one stands and supports the idea. The transference of the economy from the white minority to the black majority. The whole notion on paper made sense and is, and was appealing to anyone who has an agenda of rewriting the wrongs of colonisation. However, the methods that were used to ascertain the control of the key fertile land led to an imbalance rather an improper fraction to the status of Zimbabwe. The ethos of an independent state it means that the citizenry might have opposing ideologies however if they are for the benefit of Zimbabwe "thy will be done". Cascading further, one can note that it is not the concept and idea as was envisioned by the ruling political elite who in ones view saw the opening to affirm their political influence in Zimbabwe and the region. In the name of rewriting the wrongs of the colonies, they themselves were the ones taking over the available land for themselves and their supporters who do not have the skill or knowledge to work with the land. Singers such as Tambaoga with his popular song where he is mocking the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair, "The Blair that I know is a toilet..." the use of propaganda to rile up peoples emotions so that they can connect with the yesteryear euphoria of the good old days of the war of liberation struggle. This then created rather birthed an elite community within the Zimbabwean community. The community in the reference are the infamous "war-veterans" who were mere pawns to the political elite who saw an opening to the control of the available white-owned land. One comes to understand that the fundamentals of the law were cast aside this in mention one is eluding to property rights. With the property rights that have been cast aside by the then elites, this then meant that their own rights were not regarded at all such as human rights, the right to live in a safe and comfortable environment coupled with many rights were violated by the accelerated land reform program. The land reform program did not only cast away Zimbabwe to the doldrums of nothingness it painted a negative picture about the destination called Zimbabwe for future investors. As it is evident to the current situation where Zimbabwe is not a viable destination for one to pursue any investment exploration in any kind. The casting away of Property rights subconsciously meant that the state would do whatever it wants with its own people. As it is evident through the uncurbed violence on its own citizenry. One example in mention is the abduction and torture of Mrs Jestina Mukoko who was kidnapped in 2008 by the fascistic, nazistic inspired death squad that was hellbound to abuse and make Mrs Mukoko a living example. The beatings of persons such as Lovemore Madhuku and Morgan Tsvangirai trickling to the vanishing of Itai Dzamara who staged a one-man protest over the delipidating economic situation of the country whose mysterious disappearance is still a mystery to this day.
The sacking of the former Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay in the early 2000s marked the downfall and manipulation of the legal fraternity. In order for a government or state to operate with no interference from any sphere, there should be the enforcement of the separation of powers within any arm that make up a state. In this case in Zimbabwe in the early 2000s that was not the case. Before one expands the paragraph, one should explain what is meant by "separation of powers". A state is made up of three wings The Executive, Judiciary and Legislature. These three wings of governance operate independently though they overlap in many noticeable instances however, the premise that allows each wing to operate is operating independently with no interference from the other. In interference, one is inclining towards to the unjustified sacking of Gubbay in the 2000s. Prior to the farm invasions that happened in that and space and time, the white farmers approached the courts and they won the case basing on the facts that the farm invasions were unconstitutional for they violated the property rights of the farmer. Mugabe infuriated by the stance and steps taken by Gubbay in his chambers he saw it as an attack to his quest to have full control and in ones view privatising Zimbabwe to be his personal country a similar feat that was done by Leopold of Belgium if one pays attention to the systematic moves done by Mugabe and his cronies. Digesting further the sacking of Gubbay. Mugabe being an attuned intellect the best way of attacking the judiciary that was predominantly comprised of yesteryear justices who was under the then Rhodesian Racial government. Mugabe used his trump card the race card and the colonial narrative. Thence he sought his vicious stooges upon the judiciary through intimidation and other heinous tactics used by the stooges rather pawns to the chess game of Mugabe. https://www.news24.com/News24/Zim-to-begin-firing-judges-20010223
The attack intended to the judiciary by Mugabe and his company that is the then Minister of Justice P.Chinamasa. In one's view did not pay attention to the key fundamental principles of property rights in Zimbabwe. In Property rights, one is discussing that the investment that has been done on the piece of land that is the improvements that were made on the land over time. Such improvements are irrigation schemes, water pumps, tractors, the loans applied by the farmers from the banks among others. In one's view, these are the many of the reasons as to why Gubbay went with the judgement. The fast-tracked land reform program meant that the farmer was to leave the farm and all of his or her investments and go away. In the ethos that was subscribed by Mugabe and ZanuPF were the rules and statutes that make up a democratic country such fundamental principles must and should be adhered to. Zimbabwe as a nation its judiciary system upon investigating it carries characteristics of the English-Roman-Dutch law; characteristics due to her colonial legacy. Since Zimbabwe inherited the legal system this then had a cascading impact on the land reform program which was a violation of property rights. In this regard, one is drawn to understand that the scathing attack on the judiciary by Mugabe signed the death sentence to the independence of the judiciary this then meant the citizenry in future are taken for granted and are treated like in ones view second class citizens. Interpreting further, Property rights and human rights are one and the same. The connecting principle is the key noun of "rights". This has an epistemological meaning that everything that subscribes to human dignity envelopes an understanding and appreciates that some steps must and should have been taken with an approach that understands the magnitude and impact and implications of such aggressive attack on the judiciary which in one extent is a pollution of the legal discipline.
The eclipsing of the judiciary in the 2000s meant that the simple critical questions to any form of aggression imposed by the government of the then Mugabe administration and the now meant that a Zimbabwean is a pariah in her and his land. Thence the rule of law is a mere idea in Zimbabwe rather the rule of law only applied to the political elite and the obvious oligarchs who have garnered political influence in Zimbabwe. Therefore this means the ideas of independence were long gone and lost in 1979; before Zimbabwe was born to add a specific emphasis around this point the efforts of those who died in the war of liberation struggle were just mere pawns to the political elite. The significance of such landmarks such as the heroes acre have been washed away firstly by the Gukurahundi massacre of 1982 to 1986, secondly, the attacking and polluting of the judiciary by sacking Anthony Gubbay and thirdly the operation Murambatsvina of 2005 among countless historic events this then means that Zimbabwe is far away from realising true independence. This then has an avalanching impact on the future of the young generation. Where the country has an impressive human capital and abundance of minerals but no country or company would attempt to invest in the country. Thus such phrases such as "Zimbabwe is open for business..." is a far cry into the wind.
In the current state of affairs where African countries are relying on Foreign Direct Investment to channel growth economically and socially, this then means that the country is just for the taking to the elite and corrupt who are within the government and the ruling party. Tracing further, this then places the future in jeopardy.
Zimbabwe is caught up in a whirlwind of ageism, the nation is in fix and a tricky situation. The economic meltdown that happened in 2008 whereby overnight the savings accounts of pensioners vanished. Everyone including the war-veterans also experienced the same fate, this then meant that the middle class that make up the majority base of Zimbabwe whereby the people cannot have savings accounts. Furthermore, this means that Zimbabwe is an income-based economy meaning the government relies on peoples tax to function hence if the workers decide not to go to work they have might bankrupt the government in a matter of weeks this means that the power is in the worker, not the government. This then means that those who are already in the workforce have been moved from a savings lifestyle to a hand to mouth system. This then meant the young generation who are finishing university cannot be absorbed by the workforce because people are already in the workforce if they leave their careers for retirement are heading to poverty. This then places weight on the economy because it is not being productive. The ones who are supposed to be driving the economy are seated at home; to some lengths, the potential employers are using nepotic and corrupt practices just to grant that potential employee that job. Dividing deeper this then resulted in the mass exodus of the key drivers of the country. Specialists in research and development, policymakers and technocrats in key fields. The environment itself is toxic and corrosive. This then explodes in the face of the onlooker who is trying to understand the whole situation in Zimbabwe. Thus one scathing critique that can be placed before those who declared themselves to be the leaders of the country who in one's view are not brave to be accountable for their gross irresponsibility, that has led Zimbabwe into her dire situation. In as much as Zimbabwe is under sanctions some of the sanctions are nefarious and hellbound to tarnish the African vision of a self-governing state. Be that as it may, the critique can be levelled against those who hoodwinked the nation through their greedy mission of having full custody and control of the country from the means of production to retail. Basically, they were monopolising to control Zimbabwe dedicating the country all for themselves and no one else.
In conclusion, the muddled past has resulted in the country to be caught up in a whirlwind of madness and confusion thus placing the future of the young generation in the hang of balance. Thus the words of Josiah Magama Tongogara best sums it up, "What some of us are fighting for is to see that this oppressive system is crushed...I would like to see the young people enjoying together black, white, enjoying together. In a new Zimbabwe, that's all...
Well done
ReplyDelete