As often happens on occasions like this, many have tripped over each other in a hasty dash to the podium to extol the virtues of the late Vice President Joseph Msika. In the choir, singing praises of Msikas visionary leadership are many who never agreed with him when he spoke against the looting of private farms under the guise of land reform. And some who thought him a traitor for daring question President Robert Mugabes sincerity in apologising to former PF ZAPU leaders for the Gukurahundi killings.
Perhaps this is as it should be, after all culture and tradition dictate that deaths or funerals are never the occasions to speak ill of the dear departed or your neighbour.
We will not be the first to break with the age-old tradition! But we must tell the hypocrites that they fool no one by being first to climb on top of the highest mountain to praise Msika and yet continue to stand in the way of freedom, peace and progress that the man wished for his country and people.
To use the words of MDC-T secretary general Tendai Biti: The only befitting tribute we can pay to Honourable Msika is when we create a truly just and free society where Zimbabweans of all political shades live side by side without fear. A Zimbabwe where we all feel we live in one country which gives us pride and which must create hope and a better future for all.
In other words, the only way to pay homage to Cde Bruno, as he was known among his Zanu (PF) associates, is by fully implementing all the provisions of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), restoring the rule of law, upholding human rights and democracy.
That is the only way to put our crisis-sapped nation back on the path to peace and prosperity. It is the only way to ensure that Msika and the many other true heroes who went before him rest in peace.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga