acies include government based on majority rule and the consent of the governed, the existence of free and fair elections, the protection of political minorities, respect for basic human rights, equality before the law, due process, and political pluralism.
These Utopian conditions of democracy apply only in a world which has no competition. Human beings respect each other as long as their ambitions don’t converge at a common object. Once they do then there is always that rush to be the first to reach the destination and definitely the satisfaction of having outpaced the other cannot be underestimated. So can there ever be a rule of the people by the people for the people where there is competition for resources?
FREEMAN FORWARD CHARI, Zimbabwe Youth Movement
Keep up the struggle
EDITOR – It is sad to note that the cause of justice for which we are fighting is being undermined to such a great extent by the Mugabe sychophants (police). The only solution for us is to keep up the fight. We must do so in the knowledge that some day we shall overcome. That day is not far from now.
It is common knowledge that whoever tries to impede a revolutionary tide whose time has come will one day be washed away. Let them continue harassing the innocent cadres in the struggle. ‘The race is not for the swift but for those who endure the test’.
Please pass my regards to all those colleagues and Cadres who have fallen victim to this evil regime. I salute them! Keep up the struggle: It is our birth right after all!
BRILLIANT MUTABARUKA MHLANGA, Zimbabwe
The wages of sin
EDITOR – It boggles the mind to note that there are people who have always continued to talk about Zimbabwean problems from 2000! Were these people in Zimbabwe when Mugabe started his human slaughter in the early eighties? Or does it mean that those so butchered then deserved it or they were less human hence even subsequent marginalization throughout?
To me, such people are beneficiaries of the callous Mugabe’s governance and should not stop us from demanding our long overdue freedom. Events like Murambatsvina, which affected both Shonas and Ndebeles alike, should not overshadow daylight slaughter of the Ndebeles.
Let’s start from the very beginning where things went bad in order to reach a common standpoint from which to address Zimbabwean problems.
At the onslaught of Gukurahundi, Robert Mugabe, Enos Nkala, Perence Shiri and many others were at the forefront, but what was the composition of the soldiers and agents who actually carried out the butchering? What did the parents and relatives of those murderers say about that evil? An answer to this will go a long way in solving the crisis. None of them ever spoke Ndebele, of course. It’s understood that they were Zimbabweans who spoke only Shona and targeted Ndebeles only because even those Shonas in central committee of ZAPU that was linked to the so-called dissidents were unscathed.
Anyone claiming that in Zimbabwe Ndebeles and Shonas are united is a dangerous hypocrite and an unrepentant liar. Tongogara wanted to unite them but was killed for that. Joshua Nkomo wanted it but died in agony that it could not happen as he was labelled ‘Father of dissidents’ not ‘Father Zimbabwe’.
The issue of Gukurahundi is a very deep and thorny one. It is the Ndebeles themselves who should decide what to do with the murderers, not all other voices we are hearing. That will never promote any healing. The Ndebeles should be allowed to say what they feel about it and what they want about it. Anyone clever enough to speak for them without their acknowledgement or consent only adds salt to a gaping wound. The wages of sin is death – not pardon, Mr. Tsvangirai! Innocent people, particularly in Matabeleland, have voted MDC since its formation but continue to suffer because MDC has run out of ideas.
ANDREA SIBANDA (Secretary General -MFP), Matabeleland
We cannot go it alone
EDITOR – I still have my reservations about the wisdom of the MDC decision in supporting the passage of the 18th Amendment, but I feel that the desire to see the resolution of the current crisis in Zimbabwe means we should try and listen to the arguments being put forward by the MDC.
The MDC still have not convinced me but I am not writing them off. This is where I think the decision by civic society to engage on a parallel process naming the MDC as an enemy is not the right thing. While the MDC may have been wrong, their actions seem to me to have been motivated by a desire to stop the suffering of the people.
For civic society to say that they are going to force Mugabe to change the constitution by public protests and lobbying SADC leaders is simplistic. Everyone knows that the NCA has been campaigning for a new constitution for more than eight years now. Apart from the 2000 referendum nothing much has come from the work of NCA.
I am, therefore, persuaded by the thinking that civic society needs political partners if they are to make any head way in addressing the people’s quest for freedom and economic prosperity. I am not making excuses for the MDC but rather I am arguing that the approach adopted by civic society to go it alone is unlikely to lead anywhere. Can those in civic society guarantee that theirs is the best course of action and that it will bring results? The MDC should also be under no illusion that they can go it alone.
The New Zimbabwe project requires that all people work together with each group acknowledging the possibility that they could be wrong. I counsel that in this case both sides – civic society and MDC – refrain from declaring war against each other and direct their efforts at dislodging Mugabe and his evil regime. A united front will achieve results. Let this not be a power game because the people of Zimbabwe are suffering.
NYENGETERAI GIDI, Harare
Makoni for president
EDITOR – The selection of Simba Makoni to the presidential race will bring sanity into Zimbabwe political landscape. I am supportive to the idea of bringing a neutral person who has the support of all Zimbabweans. General Solo is right! It does not necessarily mean Simba will make the country back into track, but he will bring sanity and restoration of order and peace . He can also afford an inch of economic growth because his job will be to bring sanity and respect of the law.
MAFUTA MUJACHU, Harare
We support our leaders
EDITOR – We, as MDC Pretoria, stand by the stance taken by our leaders, as far as the amendment bill No 18 is concerned.
In trying times like this we think it is imperative to support and trust our leadership, as we are the very people who put them where they are, in order to deliberate on issues on our behalf.
This is the time they need our support as they are just but our messengers, so if we turn against them, it defies the logic of them representing us. We don’t want to create a situation where by we are our own stumbling-block on our own way.
We appeal to all stake holders in the Save Zimbabwe Campaign and all democratic forces to approach this issue with a great deal of scruple for the sake of progress. But on the other hand we don’t deny constructive criticism is a good warning whistle as we are dealing with a treacherous monster – Zanu (PF).
To our leadership we are saying:- We are behind you, when it gets tougher, always remember to come back to the people. We remain resolute in giving you the support that you deserve.
CHARLES NZOMBE, Pretoria
Why are we so scared?
EDITOR – This is a serious call to all patriotic Zimbabweans. Why are Zimbabweans such a scared bunch? Have we no pride, dignity, and self worth and self respect any more? Do we not want, even if it is far off, a better tomorrow for our children. How did we all get to this point?
We as a nation have had to see our children flee, to lands very foreign to them. Why have we become so docile and afraid, to stand up to the Pensioner? That old man, the one that still dyes his hair pitch black.
If we are still hoping and waiting for God, SADC, COMESA, NEPAD, the African Leadership the AU the UN, or even the cunning Thabo Mbeki, to come to our rescue, then we will hope, wait and pray forever.
We must all face reality that we are all on our own, we have been and always will be. Zimbabweans must collectively get up and start to sow unrest.
I urge all Zimbabweans not to be silent, the hour has come, lets us cause a Tsunami. Zimbabweans who are sick and tired, and have had enough of been made refugees in they own country.
WE can no longer wait we must be forceful and take back what is rightfully ours, our beautiful Zimbabwe.
JOHANNA CHARLES, by email
Salute the teachers
EDITOR – We gather that ZIMTA’s membership of some 58 000 teachers is to go on strike this week.
Zimbabweans everywhere will surely acknowledge the fact that the teachers have risen to the occasion and realised that Zanu needs to be brought into line and taught a lesson.
Zimbabwe’s teachers have the greatest of all responsibilities bestowed upon them – as custodians of giving the children of Zimbabwe a rounded education.
On Monday October 1st, teachers will give Zimbabwe and its children an historical lesson about democratic principles.
They have chosen to not allow schooling to interfere with true education – we salute them.
EXPATRIATE, Australia
4th Chimurenga?
EDITOR – This Zanu (PF) government has a propensity for shooting itself in the foot. I put it to you: Who needs sanctions to destroy the economy when you have Obert Mpofu, Paul Mangwana and Didymus Mutasa in charge of government policy? A few weeks ago Obert and Didymus launched ‘Operation Dzikisa Mutengo’ which resulted in the unaffordable basic commodities completely disappearing from the shelves. Then Didymus went on the diesel-chasing escapade to Chinhoyi with a pseudo spirit medium in search of the scarce fuel. As if to outdo himself he then takes over a farm which hosts one of the few functional primary schools because he wants to allocate the farm to his crony and lawyer.
The future of the school is definitely in doubt if what is happening to all the institutions on the resettled farms is anything to go by. An indigenisation bill has recently been passed in parliament compelling foreign businesses to sell at least half of their stock to indigenous black people. Paul Mangwana says it is a revolution – Fourth Chimurenga may be? Like third chimurenga before it this latest project will only benefit Zanu (PF) big wigs because they are the only people with that kind of money.
Ordinary Zimbabweans are struggling to feed their families. Where will they get money to buy shares? As if to emphasise how serious he is Mangwana then tells ‘foreign owned’ banks that they can leave the country because indigenous banks can do everything that they are doing.
He seems to forget that Governor Gono muzzled most of the locally owned financial institutions out of business but more importantly that the reason why Zimbabwe is in the doldrums is because it has no international relations. I totally agree with the people who say Zanu (PF) is the sanctions debilitating the Zimbabwean economy. Honestly with this kind of leadership who needs sanctions to make sure that the economy is in free fall? Amongst them – Mugabe, Mangwana, Mutasa and Mpofu – have everything needed to snuff life out of any economy. So imagine what happens when they are joined by the rest of their colleagues in cabinet.
NG, Harare