Saturday, July 28, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Let Dr Joshua Nkomo rest in peace!
Its been exactly thirteen since Zimbabwe's gallant son and human rights activists popularly known as Father Zimbabwe passed away. When it comes to Zimbabwe and Africa's politics, few men will match this man's status. Nkomo who became Vice President of Zimbabwe after the infamous Unity accord of 1987 was considered by many as larger than life itself.
"Mdala wethu" as he was affectionately known by many peace loving Zimbabweans, Nkomo was a once in a lifetime leader. He scarified his life for the freedom of the masses in Zimbabwe. The former ZAPU leader and commander in Chief never wavered when it came to liberating his beloved country. Dr Nkomo made some tough choices concerning his political career, given the prevailing situation in Zimbabwe at that moment and time. He agreed to the join Mugabe one party's state government as second Vice President. Not too many of his supporters were pleased with that move.
To him that was the only way to unite and bring peace to Zimbabwe, a country he had spent his life time fighting for. He was pained by agony of seeing Zimbabwe breaking into tribal lines. He had envisioned one Zimbabwe, where people of all colors and tribal origins would core exist and thrive. The idea of tribal politics caught him flatfooted. Though he was a Ndebele, he embraced the other tribes like Shona, and many others.
Mugabe's ambitious idea of achieving a one party state all by means prompted him to send armed soldiers and militias to Midlands and Matabeleland from 1983 - 1987. Thousands of Ndebeles and Nkomo' supporters were killed massacred and butchered in indiscriminately in front of their relatives. Times were tough, and Nkomo was not getting any younger. He had seen enough blood shed during the liberation war. The former Anglican preacher did not distinguish between politics and religion. He was quoted as saying that if he does not unite Zimbabweans, God would not admit him to heaven.
He left a legacy that was clear to all. "Unity, love and prosperity". Sadly enough, a little bit over ten years after he died, many are using his name for politically gain and personal ambitions. My only wish and plea to you all who revered this man is that you let this man rest in peace
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Tsvangirai benefited from tribalism
Tsvangirai benefited from tribalism
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai ascended to the helm of the MDC ahead of his late trade union movement superior, Mr Gibson Sibanda, on tribal grounds instead of leadership credentials, it has emerged.
This revelation is captured in Mr Tsvangirai’s memoirs, “At the Deep End”.
In the book, published last month, the Prime Minister admits he was surprised to be nominated to the powerful post at the party’s launch in 1999.
He also concedes that Mr Sibanda, then Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president, was the suitable candidate.
Mr Tsvangirai suggests the leader of the umbrella labour body was, however, sidelined because strategists felt his Ndebele origins made him an unsaleable brand.
Mr Paul Themba Nyathi is said to have told Mr Tsvangirai that: “A person from the Ndebele tribe was not ripe to lead the MDC.”
Mr Tsvangirai at that time was the ZCTU secretary-general.
Part of the book reads: “But there is a general consensus that you must lead the MDC. Gibson (Sibanda) has done a lot as well.
“But it is important for you to realise that in the game there is more to leadership selection and choice than just hard work. Gibson is from Bulawayo, you know what I mean. He (Paul Themba Nyathi) said indicating that a person from a minority Ndebele tribe, perhaps the time was not yet ripe for Sibanda to run the MDC.”
Mr Tsvangirai said he was left in a quandary as he had no idea how he would work with Mr Sibanda as his subordinate.
“For many years I had been guided by Sibanda and the ZCTU general council in my work. Sibanda was a man I respected tremendously. How could he suddenly become my subordinate, in whatever capacity?”
Political analyst and National University of Science and Technology Dean of Communication and Information Science Lawton Hikwa said Mr Tsvangirai’s statements were retrogressive.
“A progressive institution should not look at the leadership through tribal lenses because leadership should be based on qualities,” he said.
“As a country, we should move ahead of such perceptions and perhaps investigate the consequences of such trends.”
Mr Tsvangirai said his elevation to the post of secretary-general in ZCTU was another accident, as he only attained the position after a last-minute pullout by former Sunday Mail Editor Charles Chikerema.
“The popular candidate for the post of ZCTU secretary-general was ZUJ (Zimbabwe Union of Journalists) president . . . On the eve of the election Chikerema backed out,” the book states.
In the book Mr Tsvangirai exposes his lack of courage to participate in the liberation struggle despite the fact he was at the right age and many of his peers left their families to take part in the war.
On Page 48, Mr Tsvangirai portrays himself as a “newspaper guerrilla” as he claims that he closely followed the liberation struggle through Press reports.
“Although I was far away from the armed action in the north-east, I was a close follower of politics and the war and an avid reader and current affairs fanatic. The intense Rhodesian information and propaganda campaign projected Bindura on the national map as being at the centre of the war.”
Mr Tsvangirai also claimed that he failed to participate in the war because he had a family to look after, an assertion that was laughed off by a war veteran.
“So he thinks that we did not have families as well? We sacrificed our lives because we loved our country and we put the country first. What it means is that the country is not his top priority; he is the same person who wants to be the leader of the same country that he failed to defend,” the war veteran said.
On his role in the ZCTU, Tsvangirai astonishingly beat his chest and demeaned his colleagues, saying 38 senior members of the ZCTU lacked depth and he was the only who compiled a draft report.
“Reflecting on the offer took my mind back to 1986 when I had spent six weeks on study tour in Moscow with 38 other union leaders. I worked closely with them during the time and got to know them well.
“When we compiled a report for our Government, I realised that most of my colleagues lacked the necessary depth to understand complex governance issues. I ended up doing the draft alone, which they gladly endorsed without any amendments,” he said.
Cde Kumbirai Kangai, who was the Minister of Labour between 1980 and 1984, said Tsvangirai’s claims were outrageous as there were many influential figures in the ZCTU.
“As a ministry, we were very influential in the formation of the ZCTU and in my tenure as minister responsible for labour issues, I only knew Tsvangirai just like any member of the ZCTU. I think he is just denigrating the other ZCTU members to get mileage,” he said.
Other issues in the book include the Prime Minister’s glaring confession that he was totally unaware of the run-off clause when he participated in the 2008 Presidential election.
Tsvangirai also boasts about being a regular drinker. - The Sunday Mail By Kuda Bwititi
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai ascended to the helm of the MDC ahead of his late trade union movement superior, Mr Gibson Sibanda, on tribal grounds instead of leadership credentials, it has emerged.
This revelation is captured in Mr Tsvangirai’s memoirs, “At the Deep End”.
In the book, published last month, the Prime Minister admits he was surprised to be nominated to the powerful post at the party’s launch in 1999.
He also concedes that Mr Sibanda, then Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president, was the suitable candidate.
Mr Tsvangirai suggests the leader of the umbrella labour body was, however, sidelined because strategists felt his Ndebele origins made him an unsaleable brand.
Mr Paul Themba Nyathi is said to have told Mr Tsvangirai that: “A person from the Ndebele tribe was not ripe to lead the MDC.”
Mr Tsvangirai at that time was the ZCTU secretary-general.
Part of the book reads: “But there is a general consensus that you must lead the MDC. Gibson (Sibanda) has done a lot as well.
“But it is important for you to realise that in the game there is more to leadership selection and choice than just hard work. Gibson is from Bulawayo, you know what I mean. He (Paul Themba Nyathi) said indicating that a person from a minority Ndebele tribe, perhaps the time was not yet ripe for Sibanda to run the MDC.”
Mr Tsvangirai said he was left in a quandary as he had no idea how he would work with Mr Sibanda as his subordinate.
“For many years I had been guided by Sibanda and the ZCTU general council in my work. Sibanda was a man I respected tremendously. How could he suddenly become my subordinate, in whatever capacity?”
Political analyst and National University of Science and Technology Dean of Communication and Information Science Lawton Hikwa said Mr Tsvangirai’s statements were retrogressive.
“A progressive institution should not look at the leadership through tribal lenses because leadership should be based on qualities,” he said.
“As a country, we should move ahead of such perceptions and perhaps investigate the consequences of such trends.”
Mr Tsvangirai said his elevation to the post of secretary-general in ZCTU was another accident, as he only attained the position after a last-minute pullout by former Sunday Mail Editor Charles Chikerema.
“The popular candidate for the post of ZCTU secretary-general was ZUJ (Zimbabwe Union of Journalists) president . . . On the eve of the election Chikerema backed out,” the book states.
In the book Mr Tsvangirai exposes his lack of courage to participate in the liberation struggle despite the fact he was at the right age and many of his peers left their families to take part in the war.
On Page 48, Mr Tsvangirai portrays himself as a “newspaper guerrilla” as he claims that he closely followed the liberation struggle through Press reports.
“Although I was far away from the armed action in the north-east, I was a close follower of politics and the war and an avid reader and current affairs fanatic. The intense Rhodesian information and propaganda campaign projected Bindura on the national map as being at the centre of the war.”
Mr Tsvangirai also claimed that he failed to participate in the war because he had a family to look after, an assertion that was laughed off by a war veteran.
“So he thinks that we did not have families as well? We sacrificed our lives because we loved our country and we put the country first. What it means is that the country is not his top priority; he is the same person who wants to be the leader of the same country that he failed to defend,” the war veteran said.
On his role in the ZCTU, Tsvangirai astonishingly beat his chest and demeaned his colleagues, saying 38 senior members of the ZCTU lacked depth and he was the only who compiled a draft report.
“Reflecting on the offer took my mind back to 1986 when I had spent six weeks on study tour in Moscow with 38 other union leaders. I worked closely with them during the time and got to know them well.
“When we compiled a report for our Government, I realised that most of my colleagues lacked the necessary depth to understand complex governance issues. I ended up doing the draft alone, which they gladly endorsed without any amendments,” he said.
Cde Kumbirai Kangai, who was the Minister of Labour between 1980 and 1984, said Tsvangirai’s claims were outrageous as there were many influential figures in the ZCTU.
“As a ministry, we were very influential in the formation of the ZCTU and in my tenure as minister responsible for labour issues, I only knew Tsvangirai just like any member of the ZCTU. I think he is just denigrating the other ZCTU members to get mileage,” he said.
Other issues in the book include the Prime Minister’s glaring confession that he was totally unaware of the run-off clause when he participated in the 2008 Presidential election.
Tsvangirai also boasts about being a regular drinker. - The Sunday Mail By Kuda Bwititi
Zimbabwe's language model School
Ndebele gains popularity in Mashonaland
‘Salibonani,”
the children bellow in unison as we enter a Grade 5 class at Umvukwesi Primary School in Mvurwi.
“Sikhona, linjani bantwana?” we answered.
“Thina siyaphila,” they replied, before sitting down.
One could have been forgiven for thinking that we were in the heart of Matabeleland, but, alas, it’s actually in Mashonaland Central where Ndebele has been introduced as part of the school curriculum.
Whilst some Western-sponsored political groups like the Mthwakazi Liberation Front have been busy fomenting disunity by calling for the autonomy of Matabeleland region, pupils at Umvukwesi are slowly working at unifying the people of Zimbabwe by making sure that isiNdebele is spoken all over the nation.
The idea of introducing national languages across the board was first mooted by the Mashonaland provincial office before being put on the debate table by the parent Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.
Umvukwesi Primary School has set the ball rolling as a pilot project.
“We found it rational to introduce it as a communicable language first in 2001. The emphasis was placed on the national spectrum in that communication would be made easier,” said the headmaster of Umvukwesi, Mr Andrew Taruvinga.
“We thought that the language might be of use, in case the children might find themselves in Ndebele-speaking regions, thus they will be able to apply the basics of the language,” he added.
Mr Taruvinga said the whole school, which comprises more than 450 pupils, was now able to read and write isiNdebele.
This reporter can attest to the above-stated fact as our news crew employed stealth manoeuvres on the school to verify the headmaster’s assertion that pupils in the heart of Mashonaland were now eloquent Ndebele speakers.
“These guys standing in front of you are from The Sunday Mail In-Depth, they want to ascertain whether what I have told them that you are fluent Ndebele speakers and writers is true,” said the headmaster as he addressed the Grade One class.
“Igama lami nguRopafadzo Mukwati, ngivela emaphandleni eShamva,” (My name is Ropafadzo Mukwati, I come from Shamva) said a seven-year-old Grade One girl.
“Namhla kuyatshisa, engxenye izulu lingana,” (Today it is hot, maybe it will rain) added another seven-year-old boy who wanted to show his proficiency in the language.
Satisfied with the finesse exhibited by the toddlers, the headmaster took us on a long journey the school has travelled since the introduction of the language.
“Mesmerised by the enthusiasm displayed by the kids, the Ndebele community in the surrounding areas have come en masse to help in the setting and moderation of the subject.
“The problem was that supervisors from the district and the province are Shona speakers who were hitting a brick wall inasfar as supervision of the subject is concerned viz-a-vis the curricula and the syllabi,” explained the headmaster.
Mr Taruvinga said they had now set their target on grasping the concept before the first class can sit the Grade Seven national examinations in the not-too-distant future.
Mr Taruvinga said the other major obstacle they were facing was the shortage of Ndebele teaching resources.
“The whole school of more than 12 classes is being catered for by only two teachers who are finding it hard to cope with the increasing demands of the subject,” he said.
Mr Taruvinga added that the children are showing a lot of excitement and enthusiasm about the subject.
“It’s amazing that you find the pupils using the Ndebele language everywhere, whether it’s on the playing fields or in the school corridors. They are now just proud of the language,” he said.
The District Education Officer for the Mvurwi area, Mrs Nancy Mudiwa, concurred with the headmaster on the need to augment the available resources.
“Emphasis should be put on widening the obtaining resource base like increasing Ndebele teaching staff and buying more textbooks before the subject can be transformed from being communicable to examinable,” she said.
Mrs Mudiwa said more schools in the region were now clamouring for the subject after witnessing the successful Umvukwesi Primary School pilot project.
“Issues pertaining to the sound administration of the subject must first be addressed before the subject can be offered to other schools,” she said.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe said the idea was a brilliant move which must be applauded by all.
“I would want to believe that pupils must be able to converse in all the recognised languages in this country so that we may become one.
“We should not become foreign in our land and I would want to pray for a situation where Tonga is taught in Manicaland, Kalanga in Masvingo and Venda in Mashonaland,” said Mr Majongwe.
A linguistics expert formerly with the Midlands State University, Dr Walter Vengesai, said students from Mashonaland Central should be applauded for piloting the Ndebele project as language plays a significant role in unifying a nation.
“Language is a major vehicle for fomenting conflicts or uniting people all over the world.
“A considerable number of tribal and genocidal conflicts have been caused by differences mainly in language, so the universality of language plays a significant role in uniting people.
“Language difference has been used by merchants of tribalism as a means of identifying the perceived enemy, so the future generation has actually shamed those who harboured fuelling tribal conflicts in future as it will be difficult to identify enemies or foes through the use of language,” said Dr Vengesai.
In a bid to quell the myths peddled by advocates of tribalism through language differences, the late Father Zimbabwe, Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, is on record as saying:
“Akula m’Shona, akula m’Ndebele. Sonke singabantwana beZimbabwe.” (There is no Shona, there is no Ndebele. We are all children of Zimbabwe), he said while addressing a rally at Bulawayo’s Pelandaba
Stadium.
Several schools in Mashonaland Central are of the view that the envisaged introduction of the Ndebele language as part of the curriculum will go a long way, not only in harmonising relations among the children of Zimbabwe, but also by empowering the children with broader career opportunities. By Edwin Mwase
‘Salibonani,”
the children bellow in unison as we enter a Grade 5 class at Umvukwesi Primary School in Mvurwi.
“Sikhona, linjani bantwana?” we answered.
“Thina siyaphila,” they replied, before sitting down.
One could have been forgiven for thinking that we were in the heart of Matabeleland, but, alas, it’s actually in Mashonaland Central where Ndebele has been introduced as part of the school curriculum.
Whilst some Western-sponsored political groups like the Mthwakazi Liberation Front have been busy fomenting disunity by calling for the autonomy of Matabeleland region, pupils at Umvukwesi are slowly working at unifying the people of Zimbabwe by making sure that isiNdebele is spoken all over the nation.
The idea of introducing national languages across the board was first mooted by the Mashonaland provincial office before being put on the debate table by the parent Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.
Umvukwesi Primary School has set the ball rolling as a pilot project.
“We found it rational to introduce it as a communicable language first in 2001. The emphasis was placed on the national spectrum in that communication would be made easier,” said the headmaster of Umvukwesi, Mr Andrew Taruvinga.
“We thought that the language might be of use, in case the children might find themselves in Ndebele-speaking regions, thus they will be able to apply the basics of the language,” he added.
Mr Taruvinga said the whole school, which comprises more than 450 pupils, was now able to read and write isiNdebele.
This reporter can attest to the above-stated fact as our news crew employed stealth manoeuvres on the school to verify the headmaster’s assertion that pupils in the heart of Mashonaland were now eloquent Ndebele speakers.
“These guys standing in front of you are from The Sunday Mail In-Depth, they want to ascertain whether what I have told them that you are fluent Ndebele speakers and writers is true,” said the headmaster as he addressed the Grade One class.
“Igama lami nguRopafadzo Mukwati, ngivela emaphandleni eShamva,” (My name is Ropafadzo Mukwati, I come from Shamva) said a seven-year-old Grade One girl.
“Namhla kuyatshisa, engxenye izulu lingana,” (Today it is hot, maybe it will rain) added another seven-year-old boy who wanted to show his proficiency in the language.
Satisfied with the finesse exhibited by the toddlers, the headmaster took us on a long journey the school has travelled since the introduction of the language.
“Mesmerised by the enthusiasm displayed by the kids, the Ndebele community in the surrounding areas have come en masse to help in the setting and moderation of the subject.
“The problem was that supervisors from the district and the province are Shona speakers who were hitting a brick wall inasfar as supervision of the subject is concerned viz-a-vis the curricula and the syllabi,” explained the headmaster.
Mr Taruvinga said they had now set their target on grasping the concept before the first class can sit the Grade Seven national examinations in the not-too-distant future.
Mr Taruvinga said the other major obstacle they were facing was the shortage of Ndebele teaching resources.
“The whole school of more than 12 classes is being catered for by only two teachers who are finding it hard to cope with the increasing demands of the subject,” he said.
Mr Taruvinga added that the children are showing a lot of excitement and enthusiasm about the subject.
“It’s amazing that you find the pupils using the Ndebele language everywhere, whether it’s on the playing fields or in the school corridors. They are now just proud of the language,” he said.
The District Education Officer for the Mvurwi area, Mrs Nancy Mudiwa, concurred with the headmaster on the need to augment the available resources.
“Emphasis should be put on widening the obtaining resource base like increasing Ndebele teaching staff and buying more textbooks before the subject can be transformed from being communicable to examinable,” she said.
Mrs Mudiwa said more schools in the region were now clamouring for the subject after witnessing the successful Umvukwesi Primary School pilot project.
“Issues pertaining to the sound administration of the subject must first be addressed before the subject can be offered to other schools,” she said.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe said the idea was a brilliant move which must be applauded by all.
“I would want to believe that pupils must be able to converse in all the recognised languages in this country so that we may become one.
“We should not become foreign in our land and I would want to pray for a situation where Tonga is taught in Manicaland, Kalanga in Masvingo and Venda in Mashonaland,” said Mr Majongwe.
A linguistics expert formerly with the Midlands State University, Dr Walter Vengesai, said students from Mashonaland Central should be applauded for piloting the Ndebele project as language plays a significant role in unifying a nation.
“Language is a major vehicle for fomenting conflicts or uniting people all over the world.
“A considerable number of tribal and genocidal conflicts have been caused by differences mainly in language, so the universality of language plays a significant role in uniting people.
“Language difference has been used by merchants of tribalism as a means of identifying the perceived enemy, so the future generation has actually shamed those who harboured fuelling tribal conflicts in future as it will be difficult to identify enemies or foes through the use of language,” said Dr Vengesai.
In a bid to quell the myths peddled by advocates of tribalism through language differences, the late Father Zimbabwe, Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, is on record as saying:
“Akula m’Shona, akula m’Ndebele. Sonke singabantwana beZimbabwe.” (There is no Shona, there is no Ndebele. We are all children of Zimbabwe), he said while addressing a rally at Bulawayo’s Pelandaba
Stadium.
Several schools in Mashonaland Central are of the view that the envisaged introduction of the Ndebele language as part of the curriculum will go a long way, not only in harmonising relations among the children of Zimbabwe, but also by empowering the children with broader career opportunities. By Edwin Mwase
Monday, July 2, 2012
Growing up under the shadow of Dr Joshua Nkomo!
Dr Nkomo addressing a rally at White City stadium in Bulawayo in the 80s
There are few leaders in world that can match the calibre of the late nationalist and civil rights leader Dr Joshua Nkomo. To most of us the late Father Zimbabwe was more than political leader. He was the founder of a nation.
Many great stories have been told and written about this great man by great orators and commentators. One might wonder why I decided to write my personal account. Well from as long as I can remember, the late Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo was more than religion itself to my people. older folks spoke respectfully about him. They knew and understood his ideological teachings by head. I remember when I first opened my eyes as a young boy about Dr Nkomo probably at the age of seven or something like that. Like every child I was trying to be silly, I said something a that belittled Dr Nkomo just to hear myself talking. I was scolded. It was as If he was around. My parents were very angry. I could see it in their eyes that I have crossed the line. From that time onwards, I knew what not to say about Mdala!
My earliest memory of Dr Nkomo was when we were going to his rally in Maboleni in Lower Gweru village around 1979 or there about. We walked the whole day to get to the rally but we did not even see him. It turned out that he did not make it the rally for some unknown reason. I would assume he was on a busy schedule since it was an election year. This probably happened twice if my memory serves well. In all these occasions, there was no clear explanation by the organisers as to why he did show up. I later learned that it might have been for security reasons. We were among thousands who came from different villages and towns just to witness this great man speak. We had walked a total of over 15 kilometres or so.It did not matter if we were kids, we had to go and hear Nkomo speak. Nobody remained behind. Not with my grandmother 's family!
It was in those rallies that I first heard the word "Morale or imorali" The morale was high, people were singing all morning and toyitoying up and down tirelessly. They sang song like "Somlandela, somlandela somlandela yena uNkomo wethu" those were the days. Mdala was more revered than a god. There were myths and stories about new babies that were born, and prophesied that Joshua Nkomo was going to be the ruler. That was before Independence. To be continued!
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