AS far as I am concerned, there is one major reason Zimbabweans are still suffering.
Zimbabweans continue to suffer not necessarily because of the unashamedly corrupt, incompetent and uncaring government, nor is it the grand looting of our vast national resources by the ruling elite. For me, the main impediment to Zimbabwe’s development is the apparent unwillingness and lack of interest on the part of the citizenry to be productively and legally prosperous.
That is how I see it!
It boggles the mind that Zimbabweans do not even seem to know that the authority of the country’s leadership is derived from them, despite this being enshrined in the country’s founding principles in the Constitution.
We, the citizenry, are the ones with all the power to elect whomsoever we desire and feel capable to lead us and no one should lecture us as to who we should elect. Similarly, we have the authority to kick out all those who are ruining our livelihoods.
That is why on August 23, Zimbabweans will go to the polls to elect councillors, Members of Parliament and a President.
This is the opportunity to exercise our inalienable right guaranteed in any democracy, designed for citizens to determine their destiny. As such, any nation deserves the leaders it has, since this is a direct result of own choices.
We cannot cry about poverty and suffering and keep blaming corruption, incompetence and an uncaring government when we are the ones who are either electing that government into office or keeping it in power.
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Whose fault is it if we maintain the status quo?
Who is to blame if we go to the extent of not only voting for the corrupt, incompetent and uncaring leaders, but also defending their wanton destruction of a once prosperous country?
Surely, why would a hwindi (tout), vendor, informal trader, teacher, nurse or even a sex worker support and stand with a ruling elite which has condemned them to a pathetic hand-to-mouth existence?
Everyone in this country should be enjoying comfortable lifestyles had this been a normal nation with a responsible leadership.
Why, on dear earth, would anyone defend the very leaders who have cruelly crushed their dreams and ambitions? Maybe many of us never had any dreams of a life of prosperity and abundant pleasures of life.
Indeed, in life, we all have our own different aspirations and ambitions, which vary with each individual. Nevertheless, there are things that are happening in Zimbabwe which I honestly do not understand.
Why would someone blessed with a relatively decent level of intelligence and education surely be gratified with some so-called “empowerment project” when they can be gainfully employed in a well-paying job which contributes to both personal and national development?
What is there to be happy about when s/he cannot even buy a small house for themselves and afford to travel anywhere they please? On what basis can an individual be satisfied with, and even celebrate, the ability to pay rent for one or two rooms, or buy a few second-hand clothes?
It is actually shocking coming across a Zimbabwean praising President Emmerson Mnangagwa for rolling out some “scheme or project” which has afforded them an opportunity to send their children to some poorly equipped and staffed public school.
Yet, citizens of well-managed countries — with the same (or even less) education and skills as us in Zimbabwe — can afford to purchase their own beautiful homes, drive around in lovely cars and enjoy a relatively stress-free life.
It is not even necessary for us to flee in our millions to such countries as South Africa, Botswana and Namibia in search of a good life.
We condemn ourselves to a life of penury by establishing and celebrating the creation of such dubious organisations as Mahwindi, Vendors, Teachers, Nurses and Lawyers for ED, which are pro-Mnangagwa affiliates to perpetuate the status quo — our suffering.
It is quite ironic that the very people whose lives have been wantonly destroyed are the very same people who are pledging their unflinching support to those who are making them suffer.
How then can Zimbabwe hope to develop and prosper under such circumstances? I really do not understand.
Since the authority to govern is derived from the people, common sense dictates that the citizenry should stand up and demand good, transparent and competent leadership. We should actually be holding those in power to account, and kicking out those failing to deliver the livelihoods we deserve and desire.
Yet, we see the poor propping up their tormentors.
What sense is there in that?
It is undeniable that only when we ourselves as Zimbabweans make our leaders answerable to us, can we finally expect the country and our livelihoods to improve.
Those in government are not our masters or bosses, it is actually the other way round.
In conclusion, on the one hand, the extent to which a country develops is in direct proportion to the extent to which its citizens desire to prosper.
On the other hand, the extent to which a country suffers is in direct proportion to the extent to which its citizens allow the cause to fester.
If we tolerate, accept or even celebrate rubbish, we will always live rubbish lives.
If people are content and celebrate being mahwindi and vendors or relying on so-called “projects”, which only enable them to live from hand-to-mouth – then there is no way we can force our leaders to create a better Zimbabwe.
We will always be thankful for the mediocrity our government touts as development, while we sing praises for the suffering they are causing us.
