HARARE - At 30, one is considered an adult, someone who would have come of age. But not for Zimbabwe's "born-frees." (Pictured: Independence celebrations have lost meaning to many born-frees)
People born after 1980, when the country gained its independence from the colonial British government, are commonly referred to as “born-frees.” But while turning 30 years is generally regarded as a milestone, many of these “born-frees” have nothing to show for it. Instead, some call them a lost generation because they are growing up in foreign lands.
“I never thought I will at any given point consider leaving Zimbabwe but here I am in South Africa where I am picking up life from the jaws of death,” said Tafara Mashoko. He turns 30 on April 24.
Mashoko, should be counted among the adults to lead the country’s next generation and under normal circumstances he should be starting a family. But for him the idea of a family still remains far-fetched. “I cant start a family. I am not sure about my future, he said while pushing a trolley cart full luggage for long distance travellers at Johannesburg’s Park Station. More than three million Zimbabweans have left the country in search of greener pastures and the majority of these are believed to be staying in South Africa and UK. Mashoko, like many people of his age, trying to survive in foreign countries, sometimes say they feel hopeless and helpless. I see no future for me in Zimbabwe, he said.
Zimbabwe has a unemployment rate of over 80 percent while the economy, which although showing signs of improvement, is now under threat due to the enactment of the controversial Indigenisation Law.
“For now Zimbabwe is out of my mind,” he added. “I struggle here, I live with the crime, I see it everyday. I wish I could be home contributing to the growth of my country but for now I just can’t.” “To be honest, Independence means nothing to me. There isn’t much to celebrate,” said Mashoko, a graduate primary school teacher from Bondolfi Teachers College.
“There is nothing to celebrate, concurred Prince Rera. If I cant still look after myself at 30, shelter myself, buy myself food, it means the country is not yet independent. We are still waiting for our independence.” Wellington Dhlamini (27) is a vegetable vendor. He dropped out of school after his parents could not afford to pay his school fees. There is nothing to celebrate, I have no proper job. I do not hate my country, I am proud to be Zimbabwean because of the people who sacrificed their lives to fight for independence, but there just isnt work.
He says independence should just not be for Zanu (PF) alone. We have been used by the political parties to beat up people and we did it out of desperation because we have no jobs. We knew it was bad but if you refused you would be in trouble, says Dhlamini. Cephas Mrewa (28), who stays in Harares Budiriro Suburb said: Independence means that I know I am no longer under the colonial rule of the racist white regime and the black man is in rule. The challenge now is to correct the colonial past of colonisation, instead of sweeping it under the carpet and also to make sure that the present regime doesnt oppress its people like we are witnessing now. Attending independence celebrations should be voluntary, no -one should be forced to assemble or contribute money or anything for the event. People should not be forced to make contributions for independence celebrations.
However, Mrewa added that every generation had to fight for their rights or problems affecting them.
There is a war that every generation has to fight. We the so called born- frees have our struggles which we have to fight, for example corruption, and to make sure we get control of our natural resources and that there is rule of law and free and fair elections. We have to see that there is real democracy, no oppression and an end to political violence. We also need jobs. We see what our leaders are doing , plundering resources, amassing wealth and failing to address the problems affecting the ordinary person. That must end. For Sitabile Dewah (25), an Information Officer with the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu), independence is supposed to bring freedom of association ,freedom of assembly, equal opportunities for everyone.
Post published in: News