A priest from Chinhoyi observed last week that during the independence celebrations he had looked out for some comment on spiritual freedom in the journey that Zimbabwe had made these past 30 years but had not found it. The biblical archetype of a journey to freedom is the exodus from Egypt to the promised land.
The people of Israel had been slaves and now they were free. This story inspired preachers in the deep south of the United States in the civil rights struggles of the 1960s and was the inspiration of many songs, for a long time known as negro spirituals.
1980 was a moment of freedom. It was a political freedom, a physical freedom that allowed people to move and live and work as they wished. It soon became clear though that it did not automatically bring other types of freedom.
Economic life was still restricted within boundaries and while the opportunities for education were extended enormously many people could not find work and the possibilities that went with earning a living wage.
And because people became restless and frustrated, the leaders of the country found it necessary to take back some of the physical freedoms won in 1980 so that the right of association, of free speech and personal safety under the law were all withdrawn. And today, despite the inclusive government, there is nervousness among these same leaders about restoring those rights.
So what kind of freedom do we have after 30 years? Do we have people able to express their God-given talents in words and work? Or do we find them standing at crossroads in affluent suburbs selling juice cards and balloons? Do we find them excited about life and the opportunities available to them or are they dreaming of joining the diaspora? Are their minds full of plans and hopes or are they cramped in bitterness and jealousy?
Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matt 5). This beatitude, this happiness, comes from a freedom of spirit where a persons basic needs for food, shelter, health, education, work, safety and so forth, are met and the person is able to devote his or her energy to creativity, building a world of peace, justice and opportunity.
Despite everything, many people are creative in amazing ways. Look at HIFA (the Harare International Festival of Arts) as one example. It is an explosion of initiative. But why is it still so difficult for people, after 30 years, to do what they want to do, to do what is in them?
And why is it so hard to forgive, to conquer jealousy, to halt gossip in its tracks? We have someway to go before we can say our physical freedom is also spiritual.
Post published in: Opinions