It must be noted that while Zimbabwe celebrates its thirty two years of Independence from Britain this day. There is a huge cloud of uncertainty about the future of the country and its citizens. Zimbabwe's socio- economic and political future status baffles both the sophisticated and ordinary people alike. It is important to acknowledge that while many of us still dream of better and prosperous Zimbabwe, historical fact of the past three decades suggests otherwise. Judging the future by that past might not always be the best formula, but what can make one think things will suddenly change given the fact that thirty years have been blown away by anarchy, misrule and corruption?
If we were to go back in time and rewind the clock, not many people would celebrate this event. This is not to say that people condoned colonialism and segregation. No sir/madam this is because the majority of people did not experience the freedom they fought hard for. They did not partake in the sharing of national cake. Only the close relatives of the executives and the political rulers. Only the political party supporters were rewarded for their faithfulness. The rest are eating political slogans! Many commentators agree that Zimbabwe's then Prime Minister Cde Robert Mugabe had the chance and opportunity to unite the nation. We would have been talking about a different situation now. It was not all in vain because he used that very window of opportunity to his own political advantage. Power became everything! He would use every resource, facility and energy to split and divide the people, rewarding his faith full without any fear, to any level and limit.
We have seen Zimbabweans of all races, age, tribes and creed being tortured, maimed and killed without any regret or remorse. All that was done in the name of patriotism. Political opposition has been systematically obliterated in the last thirty two years. Independence voices have been silenced. People imprisoned, editors jailed and political activists abducted and killed. One might say that this is not new, because it also happened in the Ian Smith regime. It is important to remember that the colonial regime did not owe us anything. The idea of independence and self rule for people within the borders of Zambezi and Limpopo and the entire Southern African continent was a big priority.
As President Mugabe approaches his sunset years age wise, it is clear that Zimbabweans are faced with more questions than answers as to who be the next leader of the country. The country is currently held together by a Government of national unity thanks to former South African President Thabo Mbeki who engineered the document and brokered the peace among the political parties. This was after the country was obviously ungovernable after the harmonized 2008 elections. The Pretoria negotiation arrangement which was later inherited by President Jacob Zuma was meant to be a temporary and short term means of governance until the constitution is drafted. This has kept the peace for the last three or so years. To be continued!
