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