CAPE TOWN - 30 years on, we need to recognise that Zimbabweans are spread across the world unable to survive at home. It is clear that they have suffered greatly through the past decade. This forced migration that has torn apart cultures and families and can only be blamed on Zimbabwes former liberators. A crippled health service has led to a very low life expectancy and thus the death of many elders. These elders were the custodians of culture and traditions so it can be said that continuity of Zimbabwes African culture has been interrupted in the last decade, through the failure to support life or basic survival. Many say the negatives far exceed the positives; this became clear to me when numerous black Zimbabweans recount how their lives were better in Rhodesia than in Zimbabwe. I can recall hundreds of people referring to Zimbabwe as the Namo (Funeral).
Sadness is what I feel on this day, a day I want to celebrate, a day I can clearly see as a landmark for Zimbabwe and a new leaf, but a day, which represents a dream that has not been fulfilled. Zimbabweans love their country, but it has become the love of a memory or recognition of the potential that is contained in its borders, rather than the current status quo. We have seen our heroes fall from grace and we have seen the preaching of equality but the implementation of inequality and corruption.
It seems independence has still to be obtained; we need to free Zimbabwe from the current regime. How sad it is when we see the victory of the past and struggle to celebrate it because of the battles that are now so desperately fought today. The battles are still for the basic rights to vote, to education, to health care, to work and to freedom of expression.
There are some positives that have come out of this new era, we must recognise that there have been benefits. These benefits are high literacy levels, a good education, an understanding and awareness of HIV and can be reflected in Zimbabweans across the World. These benefits have enabled Zimbabweans to migrate more easily and also to add value to any society they integrate into.
Post published in: Politics