Fix The Mindsets Not Just The Roads

Fix The Roads and the Culture Stupid ! Dumisani Nkomo Ten years ago I made the “suicidal “decision “of catching a train to Harare for a very important business meeting .My simple reasoning was that since my meeting was on the following day at ten in the morning I would simply catch the eight o clock evening train ,sleep in the train and arrive in the morning well in time for this crucial business meeting .The trip was to be a living nightmare as the train stopped on numerous occasions in the middle of nowhere with nobody bothering to explain what was causing the delays or at least apologizing .To cut a long story short I arrived in Harare at around at an incredible time of twelve noon and missed my crucial meeting . This was the epitome of poor service delivery and deplorable customer care .That was the last time I caught a train in Zimbabwe and I wonder how many tourists or indeed ordinary Zimbabweans have suffered at the hands of such institutional incompetence . Poor Service Delivery Poor service delivery by state enterprises and agencies is not just a function of undercapitalization and dilapidated equipment but also dilapidated attitudes as well as poor work ethics .A good example is the newly opened Joshua Nkomo International Airport .To be fair the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development did a good job although it took them almost a decade .The airport is quite beautiful and does justice to the legacy of Father Zimbabwe .The airport was fixed but I am sorry to say if the work culture and customer service is not fixed both the airport and the airline [ Air Zimbabwe ] will be rapidly reduced into a wasteland or a ruin .Why is it that every state institution seems to be competing to turn wine into water ?On more than two occasions in a space of a week flights have been delayed without anybody from either the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe or Air Zimbabwe bothering to explain what had happened .This is very bad for the country’s image as mainly businessmen and tourists use the airport and this could dent our ability of marketing the country as a tourist or investment destination . I was also amused on Sunday to see a man wearing a green ZANU P.F cap trying to use his ZANU- NESS to jump the checking in queue whilst a host of journalists from a newly licensed Harare based radio station tried to use their” wanna be “celebrity status to do the same .Very little was done to manage the small queue by airport security or marshals resulting in this chaos The queue did not even have more than twenty people and it took hours to attend to these few people whereas in other airports such as O.R Tambo airport it takes them minutes to clear much more people .If this continues that airport [J.M. International ]and the airline will soon become a shell . It is not really just about fixing the infrastructure but it is also about fixing mind sets ,poor customer care and repelling service delivery .One might wonder what customer care for an “elite “group of people at some fancy airport has to do with struggling Zimbabweans trying to catch a pirate taxi on sixth avenue extension or “Egodini” .The point is tourists and potential investors are turned off by such poor institutional behavior and in the long run a moment of indiscretion by just one official or employee can cost the country millions of dollars in investment or tourism which would then help the person struggling to get five rand at Egodini to get a decent job . Happily the new constitution enshrines principles which underpin good service delivery in state institutions and agencies .Section 194[d[ states that services must be provided impartially ,fairly ,equitably and without bias and paragraph [e] States that people]s need must be responded to in time .The constitution is the supreme law of the land and we expect all public institutions which provide vital services to adhere to such tenets of the supreme law of the land . The development of modern rail ,road and air infrastructure is pivotal and cardinal to development of the tourism industry and indeed other economic activities including service industries .However even If we had airports the size of Oliver Tambo or J .F.Kennedy Airport without developing the human customer care and service delivery software we will simply be putting old wine in new wine in old wineskins . Provision of timely ,affordable ,quality services is crucial and at times it may not cost anything but just simple communication ,courtesy and customer service .Understandably the National Railways of Zimbabwe and Air Zimbabwe are facing viability problems but simply customer care is not costly and in actual fact good customer care can help in making these entities more viable as more people will consume their services .Poor customer care is something that haunts not only the transport sector but also health institutions ,banks ,the police and virtually every government agency .The constitution now obliges these institutions and agencies to exercise good public administration, its time they walked the talk . Mayibuye!

Santa Fraud Stole Our Christmas

Santa Fraud Stole Our Christmas Dumisani O. Nkomo Its that time of the year when we remember friends and relatives whilst celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ .Gone are the days when each household would have a goat tied to Guava [or Gwava tree as we called it ]with mischievous small boys throwing various missiles at the poor animal .Gone are the days when a whole month before Christmas a whole family would go to Edgars ,Sales House or yes Parekhs to buy Christmas clothes,presents and other goodies .Those days it was not just about buying Christmas clothes but also clothes for New Year as well .Pantries and cupboards would be well stocked with all manner of goodies such as Assorted biscuits ,Casino Chocolates ,crates of Tarino, Rasberry Juice,Cinzano ,rice ,samp and other delicacies which often only visited many during Christmas .Christmas was the day every child would be waiting for to unleash their latest release “and by Christmas Eve anxious children would be trying their Christmas clothes much to the chagrin of indignant parents .Come Christmas day tiny boys in three piece suits complete with bow ties and pretty girls with Scoth skirts and pretty blouses with ribbons would be seen doing their version of the cat walk on the dusty streets of “Enkomponi-KoBulawayo]. Z.B.C before it became what it has become would be flowing with Christmas adverts from Bata ,Sales House and Edgars .Favorites such as “Christmas Season “ and “Christmas Tree” would be belted on our then truly favorite and only television station .I fear carols such as Oh Christmas Tree are now irrelevant because of rampant deforestation accentuated by lawlessness in the countrysides and former commercial farms . The sweet festive mood was before the dark days of Chimurenga propaganda dampened the festive mood with constant reminders of how people who are still alive “died for us “.Trips to rural areas where must then and we would not go empty handed .There would be boxes of biscuits ,chicken ,tins o condescend milk ,powdered milk[ which small boys and girls would routinely raid from their mother’s kitchens] .Transporting a whole family was not an issue in those days of Zimbabwe Omnibus Company ,Matambanadzo ,Pelandaba bus services .Cars were not a luxury and almost every teacher owned a sparling Peugeot 404[ or Pijot as we called it ],V.W Beetle[Ufudu] .I remember one time as a scrawny seven year old travelling as a whole family of eight to ten including our beloved dogs Jock and Husky to our beloved adopted rural home Plumtree .I still cant fathom how we fitted into my father’s white 404 but we did and back then the road blocks where fewer so where the spot fines and various handling fees charged by diligent or is it broke police officers . As adventurous children we would move from household to household feasting on various goodies which each family offered .This was the only time there was an amnesty from eating from your neighbor’s house as usually eating from your neighbor’s house constituted heinous and treasonous act which could result in a severe belting and accompanied by weeping and gnashing of teeth .Red ,green and orange Tarino bottles and crates of coca cola drinks were a must whilst for those given to stronger beveragesthere was never a shortage of the not so wise waters . The festive mood epitomized by Christmas Carols and lights would emblazon the City of Bulawayo whilst Santa Claus or father Christmas as we called him graced every shop .Yes a white Father Christmas .However now with the policy of indigenization we now have bountiful black Santa Clauses .What an awful site I must say .I must say I am all for Africa and Pan Africanism but a black Santa my foot !Anyway I digress whatever happened to Christmas ? Whatever happened to the popping of champagne, the early Christmas parties ,Christmas clothes ,the goats , chickens and other fowls not to mention the stacks of groceries . Christmas has been stolen dear brothers and sisters.Christmas has been stolen by those who have caused the closure of factories and productive farms .It has cruelly been taken away from us by those who have stolen our future through corruption, greed, ineptitude and misgovernance. Those who in the past have stolen elections have now stolen Christmas from us .We want Christmas back .We cannot have it back until the factories are operating again, until our economy is working again, until there is a stable political environment where alternative views and political parties are tolerated .We want our Christmasback. Mayibuye!

ZIMBABWEAN POLITICS - SHIFTS AND DRIFTS

ZIMBABWE’S POLITICAL SHIFTS AND DRIFTS By Dumisani Nkomo The pace of Zimbabwean politics is such that the political terrain can change within a matter of weeks and unless political actors understand this fluidity they are likely to become irrelevant .It is thus critical for Zimbabwe’s opposition political parties to quickly reassert and re position themselves lest they become perpetual and eternal opposition parties .ZANU PF internal politics is also a complex phenomenon largely due to succession politics and protracted wars of attrition between various factions as evidenced in the recent provincial elections . Engagement or Disengagement Nicollo Machiavelli in the diabolical political classic “ The Prince “notes that the Prince must know when to be a” lion and when to be a fox “. A lion is defenceless in dealing with traps whilst a fox is defenceless against huge predators but is able to avoid traps which lions are incapable of escaping from . What has to be noted therefore is that ZANU P.F has moved away from the politics or policy of overt violence to the policy of engagement for fair or foul reasons it remains to be seen .This has seen ZANU P.F ministers freely attending public forums and meetings with some such as Jonathan Moyo visiting private media houses and even openly calling for the de criminalization of criminal defamation .By so doing ZANU P.F is trying to occupy the space which was previously occupied by the M.D.C formations and render them irrelevant . Matabeleland ZANU P.F is desperate to win parliamentary seats in Bulawayo which were swept clean by the M.D.C –T in an electoral avalanche .In doing his ZANU P.F will try and move away from their politics of denial about the marginalization of Matabeleland .They will increasingly talk about the need of re industrializing Bulawayo and bringing development to Matabeleland .In doing so they will try and take the rug from the feet of the opposition by taking their agenda and purport to be addressing the plight of the region .They may not however have the necessary capital to implement this development agenda but in terms of rhetoric and language they will use the same language as the opposition although skilfully evading the question of Gukurahundi .The M.D.C T and M.D.C Ncube in particular may find themselves without a clear agenda or message for the Matabeleland constituency if they do not wake up to ZANU P.F ‘s new strategy which thrives on diplomacy ,deceit and political charm . This shift in policy thrust by ZANU P.F is driven by imperatives of political survival which require a political entity or politician to change tactics according to the terrain and situation on the ground .Unfortunately our main opposition parties appear to be too slow to adjust to changing political landscapes and terrain .Consequently when they where focussing on how ZANU P. F was going to use violence in the elections ,ZANU P.F used smart violence and political fraud to outfox fox the two M.D.C formations . Right now ZANU P.F will make an audacious attempt to steal the opposition’s clothes whilst they are bathing and in doing so render the opposition irrelevant .This calls for opposition parties to wake up and smell the coffee and re align themselves to the present political realities instead of focussing on petty personality issues .There is an opportunity to pin ZANU P.F in its own half by using the gains of the new constitution to push for further reforms to align legislation to the new constitution .If ZANU P.F fails to do this they [opposition]can then expose the ruling party not only in parliament but to the people at grassroots ,through the media as well as regional and international platforms . ZANU P.F is pre occupied with the issue of legitimacy and re engaging the West in order to open lines of credit ,reduce the domestic and external debt and finance its ambitious economic blueprint ZIM ASSET .They clearly do not have the money for all this have and have awoken to the reality that sovereignty cannot feed the people .The Government is therefore desperate to be seen to be implementing a semblance of political reform . The country]s oppossion parties are obsessed with their own trivial wars of succession and factionalism which are a mirror of the situation in ZANU P.F .They need to quickly deal with their internal politics in power and unite around a common change and transformation agenda .They have largely failed to read the shift in the political terrain and appear to be drifting away from the people .They need to deal with their internal issues by next year and form a United Democratic Front which will include the two or more M.D.C formations ,the N.C.A ,ZAPU and other democratic forces .Outside of this they will fail once again in the 2018 elections . Mayibuye!

How Economics Affects Our Politics

How Economics Drives Our Politics By Dumisani Nkomo The economic crisis which affected the country between the year 2000 to around 2010 which saw the economy being reduced to the pre federation period in the fifties also had a profound effect on the quality of political leadership that emerged during this period .The primary motivation for participation in politics and civics became money and survival .This period also saw the decimation of the middle class which traditionally drives and influences the nature and direction of political activity .New socio economic groups created by the or because or as a result of the economic crisis emerged during this time and occupied the spaces which the traditional middle class occupied .We had the “newly “rich Osiphatheni “[money changers]Amakorokoza [illegal gold miners] and flea market owners amongst others emerging as new “economic groups .In cities such as Bulawayo ,Harare ,Gweru and smaller towns such as Kadoma and Chegutu industrial activity drastically declined thus decimating the country’s labour force .Labour was the traditional stronghold of the then new opposition M.D.C which was lead a combination of middle class academics lawyers ,students activists and labour leaders with solid support from workers . Paradox The interesting paradox is that the initial economic meltdown of the late nineties gave rise to opposition labour driven politics but post 2010 politics has seen the virtual erosion of labour as an organized political force due to the economic crisis which caused the informalization of the economy and the emergence o new socio economic groups such as the informal sector ,artisanal mining communities and resettled farmers .This is aptly noted by leading Zimbabwean scholar and activist Brian Raftopolus who argues that the opposition failed to make inroads into these new socio economic groups .It is thus interesting that whilst the economic crisis gave rise to protest politics and with it the rise of the M.D.C ,the 2007-2008 economic meltdown resulted in de industrialization ,informalization of the economy and erosion of the power of organized labour which was the backbone of the M.D.C . The new political economy architecture resulted in the newly rich who were a minority and the new poor who became a majority .The new poor included large segments of the middle class including civil servants ,former arm workers and pensioners who saw their life savings eroded literally overnight . The economic crisis also gave prominence and pre eminence to the socio economic marginalization of Matabeleland which not only lost ten years of economic development in the first ten years of independence but lost another decade between 2000-2010 with massive de industrialization and unemployment coupled by lack of government prioritization of infrastructural development of the region .Political parties and pressure groups were thus created as a result of this marginalization with many pressure groups calling for an equal slice o the national cake .It was no longer just about Gukurahundi which had dire economic consequences abut a new form of Gukurahundi which resulted in economic exclusion and marginalization .The narrative of “Matabeleland politics is thus enshrined in the triune issues of distribution of power and resources as well as identity .Dominant however is the motif o economics which drives citizens to question the underlying political model or infrastructure that is responsible for the distribution and allocation of resources . According to Abraham Maslow ‘s hierarchy of human needs the basic motivation of human beings is that of having their physiological needs met i. e food ,shelter .After that other needs that follow are safety/security needs including protection of rights ,then social –emotional needs [love ,friendship],self esteem needs and finally self actualization based on talent and fulfillment .Unfortunately many of the political leaders that have emerged are driven purely by a desire to have their physiological needs met For them politics is not about meeting the basic needs of people but about having their basics need met by politics .This has seriously compromised the quality of leadership at a political level .This is not to say that politics should be for the rich since there are many poor people who can be able leaders and many rich people who still want more and will continue being corrupt .The point though is that we have an increasing and growing class of politicians who want to use politics as a gate way to economic survival who will cling to any political institution that offers them a chance to jump onto the gravy train or is it the “grave train “. Tragically the best of our minds and leaders are also caught up in the battle for survival with teachers ,lawyers ,doctors and other professionals literally living to meet their basic needs such as school fees rent ,food .etc Those who should be leading in science and innovation are also too busy trying to make ends meet meaning that the country will always struggle to make advances in science and technology which are the fulcrum of industrial growth .Whilst a scientist in China the United States or Canada is thinking on better ways to go to space our best scientists may be thinking of how to get fuel to get to town and where they will get money to pay rent at the end of the month . The country need leaders in every field including politics who are motivated by self actualization and a sense of fulfillment to provide leadership .We cannot have a country of Zimbabwe’s potential being led by followers who have the courage to lead but without the capacity to take the country to the next level The reality however is that economics will continue to drive politics in this country and whichever political party devises a strategy of addressing the people’s economic fundamentals “and shows capacity to deliver people’s basic needs will triumph in the next elections .In meantime the state of the economy means that the majority of people are struggling at the wrong end of Maslow ‘s hierarchy of needs thus creating an indelible link between the state of the economy and the state and quality of our political leaders .instead of attracting political craftsmen]women] and social entrepreneurs our politics will continue to attract political predators and economic vultures who want to feed on the economy . Mayibuye Dumisani Nkomo is a civic and opinion leader and Chief Executive Officer of Habakkuk Trust .He writes here in his personal capacity

Constitution Needs To Be Popularized

My People Perish Because of Lack Of Knowledge-Know The Constitution Dumisani Nkomo In my last installment I wrote about the desirability of building on the gains of the new constitution instead o being stuck in a moment of history and not realizing that the constitution has actually moved the country forward .The constitution provides the basis of good governance and a solid socio political infrastructure for state -citizen relations .However as long as we as people do not know the contents of the constitution as rights holders the constitution will remain a piece of paper which is the property of political elites .Just as the bible eloquently declares “My People perish because lack of knowledge “and indeed people will continue to perish as long as they do not know that the new constitution creates a relatively new governance framework and radically changes the manner in which the state and state institutions behave towards its citizens . Public Awareness of Constitution The new constitution states that the state should ensure that there is public awareness of the constitution .The measures which the constitution prescribes include : 1.Translating the constitution into the thirteen official languages of Zimbabwe and simplifying the document . 2.Ensuring that all state agencies including the security forces ,government department and all organs of government are familiarized with the contents of the new constitution . 3.Recognizing the role of civil society in carrying out civic awareness on the constitution . 4.The introduction of constitutional studies in schools and colleges through a civics curriculum . This in itself is a quantum leap for the nation as it means that all public institutions have a role in promoting public awareness of the constitution and for the first time the unique contribution of civil society organization is recognized and not criminalized in the supreme law of the land .In the past civic education carried out by civic groups was frowned upon by state agencies but now it is a national constitutional duty for civil society ,public institutions including schools to ensure that there is sufficient public knowledge of the constitution . Impact Public Awareness of the constitution will drastically change the collective behavior ,attitudes ,responsiveness and indeed the of the architecture of state citizen interface .The constitution is not a document which should only be understood by lawyers and used or abused by political elites but it should it is a document that is made in the image of people of Zimbabwe .The new constitution represents a giant leap forward in terms of issues pertaining to : 1.Gender equality 2.Fair regional representation 3.Increased local participation by citizens 4.Sound public leadership and good governance principles 5 .Media plurality and the imperative of an impartial public broadcaster 6.Recognitioonand promotion of previously marginalized languages and cultures . 7.Protection of excluded and vulnerable groups such as children ,people with disabilities ,youths and pensioners . 8.A marked improvement in civil and political rights 9.Environmental ,social and economic rights 10 . A framework for challenging human rights violations by empowering citizens to approach the courts on their on behalf on behalf of other citizens whose rights have been violated . 11. Depoliticization of security sector ,civil service and traditional leaders by barring all these categories of people from people from being partisan in the discharge o their duties . 12 .Recognition of devolution of power to provincial and local government 13.Ceation of institutions supporting democracy I .e the independent commissions . 14 .An improved electoral system including a mixed first past the post –proportional representation system .This ensured gender parity and even parties that did not win a single seat under the first past the post system such as M.D.C [Ncube] managed to gather a few seats in parliament . 15.Recognition of the role of war veterans .Whether we like it or not we have to acknowledge the role they played in the liberation . A Healthy Baby Whilst the constitution may be akin to an unwanted political pregnancy as a result of an abusive ,incestuous or forced relationship between rival inclusive government political parties we all have to embrace the healthy baby that the relationship gave birth to .All the three political parties namely M.D.C ,M.D.C –T and ZANU P. should celebrate the tremendous gains that they gave birth to .Civil society including the National Constitutional Assembly brought the agenda of the new constitution on the doorsteps of parliament and the nation and should be commended for their outstanding contribution .This is a step forward even though the document is not perfect but then it would be naïve to expect a “miracle constitution ‘in such an intoxicated political environment . Implications The act that the new constitution recognizes languages such as Sotho ,Nampa ,Kalanga ,Shangaan ,Xhosa ,Khoisan ,Venda ,Tonga Tswana , and Sign language is a huge step for people in Binga ,Plumtree ,Beitbridge ,Hwange ,Kariba ,Masvingo and other areas amongst other areas whose language and culture had been systematically pushed o the margins o social discourse and social engagement . The new constitution means that the Z.B.C cannot continue to be blatantly partisan but has to respect the rights of other political parties as enshrined in the charter .The new constitution legalizes peaceful demonstrations and this means that the likes of Jenny Williams ‘s WOZA , Mbuso uzwayo’s Ibhetshu Likazulu ,Z.C.T.U and Mthwakazi Joint Resolution have scored a huge victory in pushing the agendas of their constituencies through peaceful mass action . The new constitution protects detained ,accused and arrested people .This means that the police cannot just throw people into jail without explaining why they have been arrested .The police cannot just detain people without trial .We have seen people been bungled into jail without being given reasons why . The nee constitution gives people the right to approach the courts I and when they feel aggrieved about violation of their rights . The new constitution bars the civil service ,the security forces and traditional leaders from peddling in party politics or pursuing party agendas as has been the trend in past elections . The people need to know and own the constitution because it is the supreme law of the land .It can be used to claim our rights and bring the government of the day to account . Mayibuye

Hold On - Change Is Coming

Hold On Change Is Coming By Dumisani O. Nkomo Just two weeks ago I was privileged to listen to a talk by Siphosami Malunga a brilliant son to the late great Sydney Malunga .In his speech he made some interesting observations chief among them the fact that “change does not come in a straight line” .I would like to explore that statement because many in Zimbabwe expect change to simply come through the ballot box without understanding that change may come through various forms ,processes ,mediums ,methods ,institutions and people .The most shocking thing is the fact that the election results were so shocking that many people did not actually realize that some change had come through the new constitution . Our obsession with the elections and the personalities of Robert Mugabe ,Morgan Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube blinded us to the fact that we had actually moved forward in terms of democratic gains even though we seem to have moved in circles in as far as the economy is concerned . Change Is Evolutionary The constitutional reform process in itself is testimony that change may not happen instantaneously or in the manner that we expect because there many variables and factors which may hinder or help any given process .The process which was supposed to take just a year ended up taking over three years because of the contested political space within the Government of National Unity .Similarly we need to understand that though this is the time of instant products and real time transactions processes things in the socio political realm take time to take shape . The American Declaration of Independence eloquently declared that “all men are created equal “and yet for centuries slavery of black people persisted and women were denied their rights .Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and yet for over a century black Americans were treated like second class citizens who received second class treatment and second class services .It took a process of struggle by activists such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr claiming and fighting for their rights as well as men and women of conscience such as Abraham Lincoln pushing for change from within the ruling class to bring change .The reality though is that though we may not like it change may come in installments and not in a wholesale manner as we want it to . The constitutional democracy in the United Kingdom evolved over centuries resulting in the current system in which the British do not have a written constitution but use precedence ,democratic practice ,culture and values .Their political systems ,institutions and culture evolved over centuries from absolute monarchies to Oliver Cromwell’s overthrow of the crown to the advent of the political party system then dominated by the Whigs and the Tories .It was a political system that developed with time warts and all .Change takes time but change is inevitable and one stands in the way of change at his or her own risk but one thing is certain as one gospel artist said ‘Hold On Change is Coming “ . Unlikely Sources Change may not come in the time or from the people we may be expecting to bring change .In the book of Jeremiah we read of the false prophets who declared that Israel’s captivity was over and yet the prophet Jeremiah challenged this and said even though God had plans for Israel they would remain in captivity for seventy years .In the meantime they needed to make the most of the situation . Similarly Zimbabwe may not experience political or economic change suddenly or immediately but the good Lord knows the plans he has for us and in due season we shall reap the fruits of the change we desire .It will take time ,patience and focus because change is a marathon not a hundred metre sprint .Many are already quitting politics and activism because they do not understand that the “race is not for the swift “but this is a marathon which will tax the minds and hearts of humankind . Change From Within Change may not necessarily come from the M.D.C parties or civil society even though change may happen because of them and the relentless pressure that they may exert but change may even come from reformists within ZANU P.F .Not everybody in ZANU P.F is a devil and not everyone in the M.D.C is an angel .They may just be pursuing a just cause but the individuals themselves may just be the same as those in ZANU P.F .My appeal is for those in ZANU P.F who have consciences to be agents of change from within .Frederick de Klerk a man from the racist South African Nationalist party became an agent of change and within months of becoming President released Nelson Mandela ,unbanned the A.N.C and began talks for constitutional reform and independence with men and women who months before had been regarded as terrorists .In the Union Of Soviet Socialist Republics[U.S.S.R] now Russia Mikhail Gorbachev became an agent of change though the policy of Glasnost[Openness] and Perestroika[Reform ] which brought about far reaching changes in Russia .It is possible for change to come from within but it takes men and women of courage .It is heartening to note that the likes of Jonathan Moyo and Jabulani Sibanda appear willing to push for change from within .They seem to be going against the grain and calling for change and accountability .Whether the reasons are selfish or political what matter as long as we achieve the social ,political and economic change we need . Those who are outside the system should not be fooled into thinking the only way of bringing change is by going into the system because they may be swallowed .They should allow reformists from within to push for that change whilst they push from outside . Don’t’ Give Up Oppositions political parties should not give up because Zimbabwe is already in the process of change and change is evolutionary .The failed 1999 Constitution Commission Process ,the 2000,2005 ,2008 elections ,the G.P.A process and the COPAC process are all part of the process of change .It is a painful process that will take time and which will require people who will focus on the bigger picture not personalities and trivia . It may take five years it may take twenty years or even fifty years but change is coming and change agents need to understand that it will take time ,patience, methodical investment ,staying power and focus .Those in ZANU P.F who are for the reformist agenda should understand that they could make history like Gorbachev and de Klerk . Yes change is coming and change is inevitable . Mayibuye

Joshua Nkomo Honoured Fourteen Years Later

Joshua Nkomo - 14 Years Later! Fourteen years after the demise of the founding father Dr Joshua Nkomo the government of Zimbabwe has finally decided to honor the man who was once described by the then Prime Minister of Zimbabwe as the” Father of dissidents” .The government must be commended for taking steps to honor the late nationalist hero because just thirty years ago it was inconceivable that Joshua Nkomo could and would be acknowledged as having contributed to the liberation of Zimbabwe . Thirty years ago in 1983 people would disappear for just wearing badges with the picture of Father Zimbabwe and many indeed vanished from the face of the earth for daring to wear any Father Zimbabwe paraphernalia especially badges or orange Father Zimbabwe -T shirts or white P.F t shirts. .Popular songs praising Nkomo by the Light Machine Gun Fire Choir were literally banned from the airwaves because at that time any association with Nkomo was association with dissidents .It is therefore commendable that some thirty years later Joshua Nkomo has being finally . It is befitting therefore that a street will be named after Joshua Nkomo and an airport has been built in honor of him fourteen years after his death .it is commendable that a statue is being erected fourteen years after his death .It must be noted however that that Nkomo deserved these honors and this is not a favour which the government is making for Nkomo ,his family ,the people of Matabeleland or Zimbabwe after all the man was even honoured by the African Union as one of the greatest icons in Africa . One wonders why it took so long or the man to be honoured when it took barely a year to rename almost all the major streets in the country in the late eighties .But nonetheless it is a commendable that a man who was once described as a “cobra in the house” is being honored in this way fourteen years after his death .Yes it is commendable that fourteen years after his death a man who was once described as a threat to national security is being honored today . It is in indeed inconceivable that a man who was accused of plotting to overthrow the government in 1982 and was unceremoniously sacked from government in 1982 is being honored today .Yes that very same Joshua Nkomo whose ZAPU properties including Magnet House ,Castle Arms and Snake Park were confiscated by the government is being celebrated today . Yes it is the same Joshua Nkomo whose car was attacked and shot at by ZANU P.F supporters in 1985 in Masvingo .It is the same Nkomo who was whisked out of the country by Makhathini Guduza in 1983 after his Pelandaba home was attacked by armed state agents who were baying for his blood .This is the same Nkomo who saw thousands of his supporters being detained and tortured at Stops Camp in Bulawayo and Bhalagwe near his rural home in Kezi ,with thousands being killed in Nkayi ,Tsholotsho and Lupane for merely associating with the man and his party .Yes it is it is indeed inconceivable that this man is being honored today .It is inconceivable but commendable that Joshua Nkomo is being honoured today . This same Nkomo signed the Unity Accord to save thousands of Matabeles from being slaughtered by the Fifth Brigade .Unity Day is therefore a day in which we should remember that a “ceasefire “was negotiated .It is also the day when we should not forget the thousands of Nkomo supporters who lie in mass graves and hundreds who disappeared for daring to belong to ZAPU ,ZIPRA and the thousands of orphans who up to today have no birth certificates because their parents just disappeared and death certificates where never issued . The statue will forever remind us of Joshua Nkomo’s indelible contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe .It will remind us of his great entreupreunal and prophetic vision which saw him conceiving Ekusileni Hospital long before there was a health crisis in Zimbabwe .It will remind us of his contribution in helping to set up the National university of Science and Technology ,Nkulumane Shopping Complex and Entumbane Complex . Today millions of people are using Econet lines because Nkomo had the courage to defy those who denied Strive Masiyiwa a licence and on the day he became acting president he signed the necessary documents for Econet to get a license to operate in Zimbabwe . We will be forever reminded of these contributions but the statue ,the airport and Joshua Nkomo Street are also a memorial for thousands of his supporters whose graves are not known . Let the history books b re written to explain why he became Father Zimbabwe ,to explain that his people were not dissidents .Yes it is commendable that a statue has been erected in his honour ,an airport built in his honour and one street in the whole of Zimbabwe renamed after him but the truth should be told .It is the truth ,the whole truth and nothing but the truth that will set us free . Mayibuye! Dumisani Nkomo is a political commentator and Chief Executive Officer of Habakkuk Trust .He writes here in his personal capacity