Is Ethnic Balancing In Politics Desirable ?

The Pros and Cons of Ethnic Balancing

By Dumisani O. Nkomo

A cursory analysis of the country’s four main political parties namely the MDC T, ZANU PF, MDC and ZAPU shows attempts at delicate ethnic balancing in the political leadership architecture and design. It has become commonplace for political parties to ensure that if they have a Shona President, the Vice President must be Ndebele, if they have a Ndebele President, the Vice President must be Shona. Ethnic balancing has become a norm and a political imperative in the Zimbawean context but what we have to ask ourselves is whether it is desirable, necessary or value adding. Does it demonstrate an absence of political maturity in the electorate or party congresses/conferences which are entrusted with electing leaders or is it a necessary political tool to manage ethnic politics? What will it take for Zimbabweans to start electing leaders on the basis of merit, ability, capacity and potential or are we going be stuck in the politics of who comes from where for the next few decades? These are questions which I have but do not necessarily have answers for as I hope they will provide a framework for fruitful, unemotional, informed and intelligent debate.

African politics and specifically Zimbabwean politics has been dominated by issues of ethnicity for centuries. I wish to examine the impact and effect of ethnicity on Zimbabwean politics and the collective destiny of the nation.

Ethnic Balancing Versus Quality Leadership

One pertinent issue that we need to address is whether ethnic balancing compromises quality of leadership in a political party and more importantly in a country. In African electoral politics the most frequently asked question is which tribe a candidate comes from or where they come from and not what they have to offer to the electorate. How has this phenomenon affected the quality of leaders we choose and subsequently the quality of political discourse, engagement and development? When political parties have congresses to elect leaders do they place a premium on the quality of leaders or the ethnic origins of the leaders? Looking at the four main political parties in Zimbabwe it is quite self evident that the ethnic political architecture is inbuilt into the leadership structure of all these parties. The reasons are many and varied but nonetheless it is self evident that ethnicity does a play a role in the way the leadership of these parties is constructed.

Ethnic Balancing As A Political Tool

MDC T, ZANU PF, MDC and ZAPU all seem to have delicate mechanisms to manage ethnic representation in the higher echelons of their leadership structures.  ZANU PF and MDC T appear to have reserved the positions of Vice President for Ndebeles, whilst the MDC N has a Ndebele president and a Shona Vice President whilst ZAPU has a Ndebele President and a Shona Vice President. In the recent MDC congress Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khuphe, Norman Mabhena and Thabitha Khumalo [all Ndebeles] contested for the position of Vice president. Ethnic balancing is frequently used by political parties to manage delicate ethnic interests and dynamics. In the absence of ethnic balancing there is general fear amongst political parties that they may be labeled tribalist regional parties and thus loses support and national credibility. In spite of these reasons I still contend that to an extent ethnic balancing does compromise the quality of leadership for the following reasons.

Ethnic Balancing Is Not Ethnic Representation

It is critical to interrogate the notion that by having a Ndebele Vice President or a Shona Vice President, Secretary General or whatever the case maybe this necessarily entails that the particular ethnic group that the individual comes from is represented. Does the fact that DPM Khuphe comes from Matabeleland and Vice President John Nkomo come from Matabeleland necessarily mean that they become the embodiment of the hopes, aspirations, dreams and concerns of people from that region.

Whilst at the level of the political parties that these individuals come from, it may be felt that these people represent certain ethnic groups in this case the Ndebele, their presence in these positions does not necessarily translate to representation of the Ndebele. History has proven that whilst individuals use the ethnic ticket to campaign for political posts in their parties and government, many of these individuals  tend to become mere political ornaments who do not adequately represent or articulate the concerns of people for example in Matabeleland or Manicaland  or wherever they come from. Ethnicity has thus become a useful positioning tool for some at the expense of addressing core structural issues, ethnic imbalances in resource allocation and development.

Ethnic Balancing As Leverage For Leadership Positions

Disappointingly whenever politicians campaign for positions in their parties they use the issue of ethnicity as leverage but once they are ensconced in power they forget about the people they claim to represent and lay claim to be “national leaders.”

The Ethnic Question In The MDC T

It is important to address the issue of ethnic balancing in the context of the politics of the MDC T because it is the party which is most likely to defeat ZANU PF in elections. If the party does not deal with issues relating to ethnicity now it could perpetuate the ZANU PF legacy of divisive ethnic polarization and marginalization.

Critics and activists in Matabeleland have argued that the MDC T party has poor representation from Matabeleland in its national leadership with Thokozani Khuphe and Lovemore Moyo being the only notable figures in its leadership whilst other politicians such as Morgan Komichi and Abednico Bhebhe are deputies. The counter argument has been that ethnicity goes beyond the Ndebele - Shona issue but should take into account other ethnic groupings such as the Tonga, Kalanga, Sotho, Nambya, coloureds, whites, Asians etc including language groups such as the Zezuru, Manyika and Karanga. To balance representation of all these groupings must indeed be a nightmare for political parties.

The MDC T suffers from a peculiar problem of under representation from Matabeland due to a number of reasons. First and foremost after the united MDC party split most of the party’s senior leaders from Matabeleland who were also in the national hierarchy sided with the then Mutambara faction. This included the Vice President Gibson Sibanda, the Secretary General Welshman Ncube, the Treasurer General Fletcher Dulini Ncube, the Spokesperson Paul Themba Nyathi, Legal Affairs secretary David Coltart and the likes of Esaph Mdlongwa and others. Even some who hold senior positions in the MDC T were initially aligned to the Mutambara faction. All these leaders had vast experience and a galaxy of talent and their exodus left a huge vacuum in the MDC T in terms of quality leadership from Matabeleland. This led to people who were fairly junior in the party structures but having the unexpected blessing of coming from Matabeleland being parachuted to leadership positions. Subsequently, most of the party’s cadres from Matabeleland cannot compete on an equal footing with their colleagues from other regions because of the historical leadership vacuum created by the split. This is a political reality which the party has to accept, confront and develop strategies to address. The leadership vacuum is evident in the fact that most of the leaders from Matabeleland compete for fairly junior posts as deputies or for positions which are guaranteed through ethnic balancing.

 Is ethnic balancing in government and political parties desirable? Well it may not be desirable but it is necessary for the time being anyway because our politics is still far from maturing and elections are less about electing quality people who can deliver but rather are more about personalities and ethnicity. Ethnic balancing also helps to ensure that minorities and marginalized groups within political parties are represented. An ethnic majority in the country could be a minority in a political party and as such could be under represented in that political formation. The reverse could also hold true as an ethnic minority at a national level could be under represented at a political party or government level. Ethnic balancing therefore becomes a necessary evil. The flip side of the argument is that ethnic balancing may compromise the quality of leaders in a political party or government as preference is given to ethnicity rather than ability.

In my opinion Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular will experience true democracy and socio economic growth once we start placing a premium on what people have to offer rather than which ethnic groups they belong to. The danger of ethnic balancing is that it may reduce minorities such as Nambyas, Tongas, Ndebeles, coloureds, Asians, Sothos, Ndaus and other ethnic groups to perennial deputies. Maybe  we can learn something from the election of Barack Obama who made history by being the first black president of the United States of America. Do we see ourselves in fifteen to twenty years voting for a white president, a Tonga president, a Venda president, a Ndebele President if that person is the best candidate? If the best candidate is a Zezuru, a Manyika or Karanga then so be it, but how long before we get to this level of maturity is another question.

There are encouraging signs in organizations for organized business, students’ unions, trade unions and civil society that indeed there is a generation of Zimbabweans that sees people not for their ethnicity but for their ability, the content of their character and what they have to offer to the nation. Failure to address the question of ethnicity may lead to the radicalization of ethnocentric politics and formations. We need to debate the issue widely and not wildly whilst at the same time thinking about the imperative of developing and electing quality leaders.

Dumisani O. Nkomo is a civil society practitioner and opinion leader. He is a founder of the Matabeleland Civil Society Consortium. Dumisani can be contacted on dumisani.nkomo@gmail.com or visit blogspot at dumisanionkomo.blogspot.com

Victory Felowship Builds Houses For Single Mothers

Victory Fellowship Unveils Houses For Single Mothers

Victory Fellowship in partnership with Equip International has unveiled two four roomed houses for single mothers in Queen Park East  in Bulawayo .There are plans to build two more houses and  foundations have already  been laid for the next phase of the S.M.I.L.E. village project .S.M.I.L.E is an acronym for  Single Mothers Included Loved and Empowered, a ministry of Victory Fellowship .Pastor Dan Harding and his wife Yvonne have been at the forefront of the project for the past five years .A borehole  has been drilled at the site and a water tank installed in preparation for small market gardening projects that will be done at the centre .

 The two houses are part of a bigger vision which will result in the construction of a S.M.I.L.E village complete with  livelihoods projects .The project is unique in that it does not only address the immediate needs of vulnerable sections of the populace but importantly it empowers them to break the cycle of poverty .Whilst many initiatives by both church and secular organizations focus on hand outs and relief for situations of lack and poverty ,the S.M.I.L.E. village project equips single mothers to face the challenges of the future in an empowering and dignified manner .

At an emotional dedication of the two houses Pastor Harding recalled how they had launched the single mothers ministry dubbed Single Mothers Loved Included and Empowered  over five years ago .The need for accommodation was one of the chief needs which they identified as a big hurdle for single mothers .Consequently they developed a vision and a passion for a village for single mothers .This resulted in an initial U.S 10,000 being injected into the project and there after another U.S 70,000 From a Canadian group named Equip International which has partnered with Equip Zimbabwe through Victory Fellowship to build the village .

A representative of Equip International Pastor Phil Nordine  informed the people that gathered at the launch that it was the vision of the group to redeem orphans and widows from the indignity of poverty and lack .

To this end a group of Canadian Christian business men had come together to mobilize resources for partnership with people in the third  world especially in providing shelter for widows and orphans .

Senior Pastor and Founder of Victory Fellowship  Rev Ken Haskins underscored the importance of partnerships in impacting communities for God .He stated that the partnership with Equip International would precipitate other partnerships between Victory Fellowship and local communities .Victory Fellowship is already running a school ,an H.I. V and AIDS project and a soup kitchen .

Besides the timely partnership with  Equip International ,other key stakeholders that contributed to the project include Elder Alfred Nyalila who donated 6 acres of land towards the S.M.I.L.E Village .City businessman Alex Hwekwete provided expertise in planning whilst Francis Rakonda  ,a finance guru provided sound financial advice .Importantly people such as Dean Webster sourced cement for the project at a time when it was in short supply .The initiative would have not been possible had it not been for the Canadian consortium of businessmen through Equip International who pumped over  U.S 70,000 into the project .

The S.M.IL.E ministry exists to empower single women spiritually, emotionally, vocationally and of late economically through projects such as the S.M.I.L.E Village .

The SMILE Village Project is just the beginning of an exciting chapter in the kingdom of God as the church and specifically Victory Fellowship takes its rightful place as salt and light of the world .

By Dumisani O. Nkomo

dumisani o nkomo: African Solutions For African Problems ?

dumisani o nkomo: African Solutions For African Problems ?: "Is African Politics Changing ?Effects of North Africa Revolutions On Regional and Continental Diplomacy By Dumisani O. NKOMO The SADC Troika..."

Beyond The Troika Meeting

S.A.D.C TROIKA, SPEAKERSHIP DEBACLE-SIGNIFICANCE, IMPLICATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES

By Dumisani O. Nkomo

In a space of a week ZANU P.F suffered two excruciating defeats at two critical sites of political contest namely Parliament and at the SADC Troika Meeting in Zambia. The victory of Lovemore Moyo in the battle for the post of Speaker against all odds in the face of growing repression, arbitrary arrests of opposition and civic activists was indeed a significant political development. Critically the tough position adopted by the SADC organ on Security, Politics and Defence against President Robert Mugabe and his ZANU P.F Party marked a radical shift in regional politics which could have a bearing on the direction of national politics in Zimbabwe. It is in this context that is it is important to briefly analyze the import, significance and impact of the two political developments and how they will shape power dynamics in the country.

It is not only important but also imperative to celebrate these two victories and beyond that consolidate the political territory that has been successfully defended and gained through the two critical victories. The maturity and magnanimity of the M.D.C led by Welshman Ncube should be applauded by all progressive Zimbabweans. As I have argued consistently before, a united front is the only way of unseating ZANU PF. It would be tragic if the M.D.C T failed to reciprocate this act of statesmanship.

In the same vein Morgan Tsvangirai must be commended as well for his outstanding diplomatic offensive in Southern Africa just before the TROIKA Summit. I have argued in previous articles that the M.D.C T is very weak in its regional advocacy but this time round the party did its homework and for the first time President Mugabe and ZANU P.F got a rude awakening as Presidents Jacob Zuma, Rupiah Banda and the other Heads of State were in no mood for compromise this time around.

The two victories at Parliamentary and regional level are important in a number of ways and specifically for the following reasons:

Confidence Building

The victory of Lovemore Moyo over Simon Khaya Moyo is not just a victory of the M.D.C T over ZANU P.F but sends positive signals to the fatigued electorate that ZANU P.F can still be defeated in spite of its recourse to force, violence and intimidation.

Unity of Purpose

The fact that Welshman Ncube and some elements in ZANU P.F supported the M.D.C candidate, Lovemore Moyo is a basis for building a more solid moral alliance against ZANU PF with the possibility of reaching out to progressive elements within the former liberation party.

Cracks in ZANU PF

The very fact that several ZANU PF Members of Parliament regardless of numbers voted against the party’s preferred candidate in itself served to magnify the fissures within the party which could prove detrimental to their electoral aspirations. Internal cracks tend to be more difficult to manage than external opposition and could heighten factionalism in ZANU PF increasing internal contestations for power as well as suspicion and witch hunting which could severely hamper the party’s success in any election. It would be in the realm of conjecture and speculation to ascertain the reasons why ZANU P.F legislators voted for an M.D.C candidate.

It could be a result of internal factional politics with neither of the two or three factions within ZANU P.F willing to give the other an advantage. In the battle for strategic succession positioning a victory for any one of the factions could have presented it with a unique advantage in the legislature.

The “rebel” ZANU PF M.P’s could also be reformists who are tired of their party’s ruthless and heartless tactics. Where these M.P.’s driven by conscience or sheer political considerations? The motivation for their actions could be crucial in tilting the power game against ZANU PF if there are reformist elements within the party who are willing to work with progressive political formations. Even if this is not the case if the legislators were driven by “succession” or faction politics this is still grievous and harmful to ZANU PF because it would imply that factionalism in the party is actually a bigger problem than initially perceived or imagined, a factor which could be unhelpful for ZANU P.F’s election drive .

Shift in SADC Position

The strongly worded communiqué released by the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security indicates a shift in both attitude and action by SADC as demonstrated by the decision to second a panel to work with the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee [JOMIC]. Traditionally and historically Mugabe has enjoyed the support of SADC leaders as an elder statesman but quite clearly the scales have tilted against the Octogenarian leader and ZANU P.F. Predictably ZANU PF has argued that the SADC Troika’s actions are tantamount to interfering in the internal affairs of Zimbabwe. However, Article 22:6 of the Global Political Agreement gives SADC a role in the Zimbabwean situation as guarantors and underwriters of the Global Political Agreement together with the Facilitator Jacob Zuma [Formerly Thabo Mbeki] and the African Union. In the context of regional and continental politics ZANU PF is becoming increasingly isolated and sounding like an abusive husband who claims he has the right to bludgeon his wife and his neighbours have no right to stop him from brutally and savagely beating his spouse and children.

ZANU P.F has thus lost in two sites of political struggle and contestation namely Parliament and the Regional Arena thus reducing their circle of friends, influence and political control. Whether they like it or not ZANU P.F is no longer in the driving seat and they have invited this on themselves. However, opposition parties and the progressive democratic movement should not relax because of this momentary victory. There is need to consolidate the gains made through a solid alliance of the main political parties i.e. M.D.C T, M.D.C led by Ncube, ZAPU and other progressive forces. This alliance should not take away the identities of the political parties but be a strategic electoral and parliamentary coalition.

Secondly there is need to maintain momentum in regional, continental and international lobbying of SADC, the A.U, and the United Nations using the Global Political Agreement as a lobbying tool.

Thirdly there should be massive mobilization of Zimbabweans to register to vote, to protect the vote and to engage in positive non violent direct actions to bring peaceful and democratic change.

Mayibuye IZimbabwe

Dumisani O. Nkomo is an activist, writer and opinion leader. He writes here in his personal capacity. He can be contacted on dumisani.nkomo@gmail.com/blog-www.dumisanionkomo.blogspot

African Solutions For African Problems ?

Is African Politics Changing ?Effects of North Africa Revolutions On Regional and Continental Diplomacy

By Dumisani O. NKOMO

The SADC Troika’s position on Zimbabwe has raised the ire of ZANU PF ,its acolytes and apologists who have argued that SADC ‘s strong stance on Zimbabwe  is tantamount to “interfering in the internal affairs  of a sovereign state “ .This is in spite of the fact that President Robert Mugabe himself has been at the forefront of the philosophy of  African solutions to Africa problems .I would also like to argue that SADC  ,its counterpart in West Africa the Economic Community of West African States Ecowas and the African Union do have a role to play in the affairs of member countries whose internal political contexts threaten both regional security and the lives of civilians in those countries .

Historical and Contextual Issues

Can African solve its own problems ,does Africa have the capacity to solve the problem various African member states .Richard Dowden notes that Africa has had over 30 wars  and social upheavals  the period the 1990’s to present .These conflicts and civil wars have ranged from the genocides of Rwanda and Burundi the Somali conflict ,the killings in the Darfur region of Sudan ,the ferment in the Great Lakes Region .This has been accentuated and excercabated in the last few months by the North African uprisings in Egypt ,Tunisia and Libya .Pertinently there is the crisis in Ivory Coast which has seen Allassane Outarra take up  arms against strongman and former democrat Laurent Gbabgo .These multiple crises have brought to the fore the ability of African regional grouping such as ECOWAS AND SADC in addressing conflict issues in Africa .These conflicts are also increasingly forcing these regional bodies to re locate their positioning in global geo politics and transnational relations .

It is important for African countries through the A.U and regional groupings to show leadership in resolving crisis situations in the continent .There are encouraging signs in Libya of signs of life from African leaders with Jacob Zuma leading diplomatic efforts in that country .ECOWAS made its position clear in Ivory Coast when it endorsed the presidency of Allassane Outarra .

Critically we have to ask ourrselves whether these interventions have been timely or effective as the A.U seemed to be taking concrete steps only after substantive action was taken by the United Nations in both the Ivory Coast and Libya .The solid stance taken by the SADAC TROIKA on  excesses of the Mugabe regime are also encouraging signs that much more can be done by Africans for Africans Is it  however a case of too little too late and what lessons can be learnt moving forward ?I detect signs of slow but sure change .

Is Africa’s incapacity to deal with own problems a result of resource constraints or lack of political will ?These are important questions that we need to interrogate as we locate the role of the A.U and regional bodies in addressing the problems of various African countries .I am also keen on interrogating intervention mechanisms and  their efficacy as well the effectiveness of regional bodies in addressing issues of regional peace and security .

The African Union and its surrogate regional bodies such as SADC and Ecowas  carry within their mandate the imperative of promoting and protecting democratic processes and institutions within member states .Regional bodies also have a critical role to play in promoting regional peace ,stability and security and it is in this context that I would like to argue that the contagion effects of instability make it mandatory if not imperative for these bodies to start addressing issues of truant and rogue member states such as Zimbabwe ,Swaziland ,Ivory Coast and Libya who continue to undermine some key tenets of the letter and spirit of the objectives ,ethos and founding philosophies of the African Union and the regional bodies .The A.U has metamorphosed from being the Organization of African Unity with an emphasis on freeing Africa from imperialism to issues of regional integration ,growth ,promotion of democratic principles and processes .

It is a fact that what happens in one member state will affect what will happen in another country in Africa .

The North African Contagion

African statesmen and regional bodies are wary of the effects ,ramifications and implications of the North African revolutions in Egypt ,Tunisia and Libya .They are not oblivious to the happening in the Middle East which have seen a multiplicity of uprisings against dictatorships .The manner in which revolution was exported from Tunisia to Egypt then to Libya in a matter of weeks  will forever change perceptions of regional security ,stability and peace .With the advent of globalization and the information highway, information cannot be locked up by dictators anymore ,neither can the spirits of people in such countries be bound  by repressive laws .

The resilience of the Tunisian people was transferred to other countries and the collective confidence of oppressed peoples has been boosted by the experiences of other oppressed people rising against dictatorships like an unstoppable tide .In North Africa countries such as Algeria rushed to introduce democratic reforms after noting the contagion effect of revolution.

SADC seems to have taken a cue from this as clearly articulated by President Ruppiah Banda of Zambia .The repression of people in Zimbabwe can  easily result in regional insecurity and instability if the people of Zimbabwe  decide to remove the dictatorship through people power .This could have implications on countries such as Swaziland and have a ripple effect on the sub region .Even if this does not happen the exodus of people from Zimbabwe to neighboring countries could severely affect the socio economic and political architectures of these countries

Leadership Renewal Factor

There is also likely to be a change of attitude towards dictatorships because the majority of leaders in Africa are now third generation  ,post independent leaders who may want to be associated with an African Renaissance premised on ideals of democracy ,social and economic  transformation .South Africa for example has had at least four other presidents after Oliver Tambo namely Nelson Mandela ,Thabo Mbeki , Kgaleme Motlante and now Jacob Zuma .The country is thus  a paragon for leadership renewal albeit within one political party .The same story goes for Botswana ,Mozambique ,Zambia  ,Malawi ,Namibia   and Mozambique .Notably though the leadership renewal in most of these countries has been within the ruling parties with the exception of Malawi and Zambia .Angola ,Zimbabwe and Swaziland remain exceptions .

Critical Issues For Regional Bodies

There are two critical issues which I think Africa regional bodies need to start looking at namely elections and negotiated ,power sharing arrangements and in particular the Government of National Unity Experiments .

I would like to contend that the issue of elections as a mechanism of resolving disputes remains contentious in Africa .Elections in themselves are   a democratic tool of facilitating  transfer or retention of power .However incumbent governments have used elections as a tool of legitimizing their dictatorships through electoral fraud and violence .A more radical stance needs to be taken by African countries against regimes that steal elections either through rigging or violence .A positive development is the stand by ECOWAS against Laurent Gbabgo in the Ivory Coast as well the insistence of SADC for a roadmap to free and fair elections  in Zimbabwe .

The G.N.U EXPERIMENT

Disputed elections in Zimbabwe and Kenya amongst other countries have resulted in questionable political settlements that have tended to reward the losers in the elections such as Kibaki and Mugabe .There is need to revisit the concept of power sharing as a conflict management tool as it has been abused by incumbents to usurp democracy .

Dumisani can be contacted on dumisani.nkomo@gmail.com

dumisani o nkomo: Freedom Lies Ahead

dumisani o nkomo: Freedom Lies Ahead: "Freedom Lies Ahead By Dumisani O. Nkomo As Zimbabwe celebrates 31 years of Independence it is important for us to ask ourselves some importa..."

Freedom Lies Ahead

Freedom Lies Ahead

By Dumisani O. Nkomo

As Zimbabwe celebrates 31 years of Independence it is important for us to ask ourselves some important questions as we continue our journey towards freedom .The most important question to ask ourselves is whether we are actually independent .Are actually free or did we replace a repressive white colonial system with a repressive black government ?The very fact that we cannot enjoy the freedom that so many ZIPRA and ZANLA combatants fought for and died for is testimony to this .

Did  Ziyaphapha Moyo and Josiah Magama Tongogara fight and die for worshippers  in Harare to be tear gassed at  prayer services for victims of violence ?Did Leopold Takawira and Samuel Parirenyatwa die for a black government to arrest priests and pastors  in Lupane for daring to speak the truth about Gukurahundi  and the June 2008 violence ? .Did Alfred Nikita Mangena and Edson Sithole die for a black government ,led by black people to arrest people for talking about national healing and human rights? .Did Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Robert  Gabriel Mugabe spend ten years in jail in order for a black government to displace thousands of black people under Operation Murambatsvina ?Did William Ndangana   and  Swazini Ndlovu  fight for a black government to slaughter twenty thousand blacks in Matabeleland after independence ? Who detained ZIPRA commanders ,Dumiso Dabengwa and Mafela Masuku  for four years after a competent court of law dropped   charges against them and acquitted them ?It was not the racist and fascist white government of Ian Smith ,it was a black government  and for that ,after independence .Look  Out Masuka led the armed struggle from the front and survived it .He did not die after years of detention by a white government but he died of brain hemorrhage  after years of illegal detention at the hands of a black government

Moses Mzila Ndlovu  ,co minister of Natioanl Healing, Integration and Reconciliation was recently arrested for addressing an unauthorized meeting in Lupane .Moses Mzila Ndlovu is a veteran of the Zimbabwean armed struggle and fought  for the liberation of this country .Today he languishes in the cells of a black government whose right to rule he fought for many years .

 Akim Ndlovu ,Teurai Ropa Nongo aka Joice Mujuru ,Rex Nhongo[Solomon Mujuru] and Amos Jack Ngwenya fought for black majority rule yet  in June 2008 Thousands of M.D.C activists were beaten and tortured for exercising their right to belong to an alternative political party of their choice .Josiah Chinamano ,Joseph Msika and Oppah Muchinguri did not fight for everybody to become members of their party but for every Zimbabwean to choose which political party they want to belong to without fear or  favor .

Herbert Chitepo and Nkomo declared during the struggle that the war was not against the whites but against an oppressive system .Almost fifty years later Morgan Tsvangirai Welshman Ncube ,Dumiso Dabengwa ,Lovemore Maduku and hundreds of other activists are still fighting against  a system that criminalizes freedom of expression and association .

The very people that set us free have become our oppressors ,they have inherited the same colonial system that Ian Smith used to ban political activities and to suppress free speech .They believe that the fact that they fought for the country gives them title deeds to the country .The colonialists invented oppression in Zimbabwe ,but ZANU PF has perfected it, all in the name of defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation .

Zimbabwe does not belong to ZANU P.F ,Zimbabwe does not belong to M.D.C T or  M.D.C or ZAPU . Zimbabwe belongs to all the people who live in it Ndebele ,Shona ,Nambya ,White or Black .This country is too great to be monopolized by one political party ,tribe or race .There is no virtue in replacing white repression with black repression .POSA ,AIPPA and other repressive laws are as evil as the Law and Order Act which the colonialists used to repress black nationalism .The oppressors think that oppression is okay  as long as it is practiced by a black government .We as Zimbabweans say no to this .Oppression is oppression regardless of the colour of the oppressor and regardless of the colour of the prison bars .Even if the bars in prison are made of gold it does not justify arbitrary arrests and oppression .

The law may not be on our side but justice is and justice cannot be trampled upon forever because God is on the side of the oppressed and the weak .Unjust laws will not live forever neither can dictatorships as we have seen in North Africa .We do not seek revenge but justice .Freedom can no longer be delayed by arbitrary arrests ,selective application  of the law and suppressing the freedoms of the people .Freedom cannot be contained by the walls of Chikurubi or Khami  Maximum Prisons .Freedom cannot be stopped by unjust laws and disruption of meetings held by civic groups .

As Joshua Nkomo wrote in his autobiography “Freedom lies ahead “in spite of the turbulence and hardships of the moment  .Freedom not just for the oppressed but also for the oppressor . Nelson  Mandela noted that the oppressor also  needs to be set free .The oppressor needs to be set free from fear ,the naked fear that grips and stalks him day and night .

The show of force ,the arrests of activists , banning of meetings  ,the violence, the heavy presence of armed police men ,the disruption   of meetings and deployment of State agents at  every public gathering is not a show of strength, it is a show of weakness and fear .Yes our oppressor need to be set free .The securocrats that are now running the country ,from the police to the army need to be set free from fear of the people .I know that freedom lies ahead , I know that freedom will come in our lifetime .Freedom in our land is an idea whose time has come and “nothing can stop an idea whose time has come” .We are not driven by hatred ,but a love of our country , a love for liberty , a love for a better tomorrow ,a better Zimbabwe .

“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free .”

Mayibuye iZimbabwe

Dumisani O Nkomo  is an activist and opinion leader .He can be contacted on dumisani.nkomo@gmail.com