About two days ago, Zimbabwe leading online publication had a poll survey asking readers to respond if they agreed that maNdebele land should be a separate state. I am pretty sure that the results of the survey are yet to be finalized. It is also interesting to note that while that was going on the President of Zimbabwe had attended a celebration and commssioning of the new South Sudan. This is Africa's newest state which is said to have taken a long time after the people of that region fought hard to liberate themselves from the rest of Sudan that opressed them. I must also say that the calls to for Mthwakazi state or a separate MaNdebele independence state are growing larger each day. This is probably why Herald ran a poll survey I assume.
Zimbabwe's own second Vice President John Nkomo was recently quoted as saying that those who are calling for devolution of power are mislead individuals. Nkomo who sadly contradicted himself further by admitting that decentralisation was the only answer to the problems in Zimbabwe. Hardly a week before that another former high profile personnel in Zimbabwe' politics, who is also one of the founder members of the ruling party ZANU Pf, Cde Enos Nkala admitted that up until as late 1923 Zimbabwe was divided into Mtabeleland and Mashonaland. Hardly a month ZAPU leader and revivalist also denounced those who are calling for a Ndebele separate state. Dabengwa who defected away from ZANU PF last year also admitted that the Matabeleland region was lagging behind in terms of development. He further said that as much as he was not the separatist, he welcomed the debate that it has opened.
The high profile response by politicians of both parties was no doubt due to pressure social networks campaigns and the recent demonstration in Sand ton South Africa. The string of high profile letters written by Mthawakazi activist directed to his Excellency (The President of Zimbabwe) obviously hit the nerve. Without wasting time Zimbabwe's police commissioner Agustine Chihuri threatened to bring down to book anybody who causes conflict. Bulawayo was soon swamped by police from the left right and centre.
Three people were picked up among them was Paul Siwela a well known former Zapu 2000 Presidential candidant and activist. Siwela who is also the son of one of the Bulawayo mayors, the late Abel Siwela was detained for almost six moths in prison for allegedly committing the act of treason. The protest and the unite among Mthwakazi and the Ndebele community was overwhelming especially on face book. Infact I must mention that there is a huge political revival and consiousness in the entire Matabeleland these days. Every political party oraganisation is gunning for the poor Matabele men. The economic decline did hit the region very hard. A lot of companies have releocated to Harare leaving Zimbabwe's former industrial powerhouse (Byo) as ghost town. The saddest thing is that even in Bulawayos's good days locals did not get jobs. People from other regions enjoyed the succes and local Ndebele man where left without a choice but to cross the border and seek opportunies either in Botswana or South Africa.
I will not talk about scholarships and college education. "Ayipiwa bana ningi". Kungenwa ngubuhlobo langokwazana! As a matter of fact for one to be suucess full in the present day Zimbabwe, they have to speak Shona whether you like it or not. The discovery of the infamous anti Ndebele document in the mid 90s sparked anger and distrust among young Ndebele youths toward the system in the country. This documnet which might have have been written just b4 independence or there about suggested that All Ndebele tribes must be supressed and oppressed in evey sector. Govt, Military, police, public service, education etc. What bothered most people was not the documnet itself but the realisation that the principles of the docuument where already in operation.
This was the time when Zimababwe was said to be booming. Not even tourism industry could bennefit the locals. People were shipped from Mashonaland to feel position even the most basic postion in hotels. Clearly the idea of a united Zimbabwe where oppoturnites where shared by all fail to materialise. Every sector is dominated by Shona. Primary school children are taught by people who are not fluent in local languages. Ndebele languages are undermined in Zimbabwe period. Ndebele people have been patient for long time. Perhaps they have decided to take matters into their own hands now and forever. Who knows if separation of the country back to Mashonaland and Matabeleland as it was before the arrival of the white men will bring the much desired dignity and respect.
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