RESILIENCE is but an understatement when it comes to challenges confronting Zimbabweans. Belts have been tightened and they are now at the bone and can be squeezed no more.
Operations came and went. The Zim dollar collapsed. Money burning and laundering took their toll. Bacossi benefitted the intended beneficiaries. Farm and factory invasions were the height of operations. Chidyausiku’s judgment on three months’ notice was the latest- yet Zimbabweans are still soldiering on.
Opposition parties are mushrooming all over the show. Still more are to be formed towards 2018. An inquisitive mind asks, do we need opposition any more? If the answer is yes, what type of opposition is needed? Do we really have opposition parties or they are all ruling party appendages, created to while up time. This assumption is as a result of the seemingly disorganisation portrayed by opposition parties. It would appear every formed party’s sole purpose is to remove the incumbent President — then what?
Clearly, it is only a united and purposeful opposition that can address the country’s myriad problems and not to simply remove President Mugabe. But alas, every opposition leader aims at being president — too many bulls in a China shop. The issue should not be about positions and positioning oneself, but making the dream come true for Zimbabweans, that of a colourless, raceless, tribeless and accommodative Zimbabwe to everyone.
Opposition, to say the least have let down Zimbabweans. Is it failure to scheme or is it an issue of agency. Who is principal and who is agent, the guess is yours.
Generally, Zimbabwe’s politics has been the bedrock of violence and in most cases with the blessing of party leaders. What does the Constitution say or should say about a political party that thrives on violence. Violence is both inter and intra party. Tolerance has become anathema.
Is it a crime to think differently, to hold divergent views? I guess not. What is the difference between today’s political fraternity and the white regime’s so-called “oppression?” One was once asked: — “Why have you stayed for so long at the helm of your party?” His reply was that he feared that if he stepped down, vultures in his party would skin each other alive. Surprisingly, the same attitude is displayed by opposition leaders. Once in the driving seat, it would appear everyone wants to die glued to the seat.
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What then is the problem? Is it within Zimbabweans’ DNA to cling to power despite clear signs that point otherwise? From the time we attained independence, neighbouring countries have witnessed changes in leaders, be it at government or party levels. Variety is the spice of life by the way.
Another cancer bedevilling the country is corruption, coupled with mercenarism. For example, the issue of land barons, who are they and who is their surrogate father or mother? Land barons are offshoots of a failed system or are a lot that has gone truant.
l Moses Tsimukeni Mahlangu writes in his own capacity and can be reached on [email protected] for comments.
