SADC appears to have given the people of Zimbabwe a new hope and faith that another Zimbabwe, where life is normal, is possible. But of course there is a limit to what SADC and other members of the interna-tional community can do for Zimbabwe.
There is a lot that each and every in-dividual Zimbabwean can do, as a matter of duty to the nation, to democratize the country. Ultimately, the bur-den of liberation and deand collectively on our shoulders as Zimbabweans.
It is us who labour under the yoke of oppression. Unless we individually and collectively take clear steps, no matter how small, to ensure change comes in our lifetime, then the efforts of our neibhours may be in vain. It is only when the urgency of democratization seizes the nation, and we all act in unison to advance a common agenda, that change will happen.
Presently it does not appear to me that we have that common drive and unity of purpose. I have observed from my experiences as a Zimbabwean human rights activist that the democratization agenda is generally not approached with the seriousness and sacri common reaction, when one publicly calls for the respect of basic rights, is mad or are simply inviting the immediate violation of your own rights.
Friendly warning often given in hushed voices is ‘they are surely coming for you.’ You are reminded that you have an excellent profes and therefore should work quietly, enjoy the rewards of the legal profession in private practice without ly. And indeed many have taken this approach of supposedly letting sleeping dogs lie.
Many have resigned to fate, have chosen to of emancipation at arm’s length and have assigned the democratization and liberation responsibility to themselves strictly to their comfort zones. Within those comfort zones they seek to adapt and make do with whatever oppression an irresponsible regime throws at them. If the regime fails to provide electricity they do not ask why, they simply ask where they alternatives.
If the regime runs down the economy so that shops are empty, if they can afford they will for shopping. They will let those deemed ‘reckless’ do the dirty work while they occasionally enquire about progress of the democratization project or about what SADC is doing to stop the madness that has become normalized in Zimbabwe!My considered view is that we should not expect anyone other than ourselves to stand up for us.
It is good that SADC is gradually coming out in strong support for democratization, good governance and human rights respect, but that should not make us lose sight of the fact that they are only helping, the primary duty to act lies with Zimbabweans both at the level of political leaders and of citizens.
I recommend introspection for each citizen who is concerned about the state of affairs in Zim actions, if any, they have personally taken to con-tribute to the betterment of life and conditions in Zimbabwe. We cannot all be human rights activists, or political leaders, but -tribute to transform Zimbabwe into a truly democratic and human rights respecting country where all citizens can enjoy normal life.
For each there should be a role and a part to play according to their ability and capacity. And it is possible to support democratization without put life and limb at risk. You may choose not to personally speak out for democratization but certainly can make your money do it for you. We need to have Zimbabwe-ans committed and committing their time and re-sources to the project of democratization.
We need to inculcate a culture of supporting the democracy campaign in various ways change that we all desire to see. As the saying goes, no pain no gain. Recently sador Chris Mutsvanga told me profound words – he said ‘ had it not been that I went to the liberation struggle, I would have been a lawyer like you, but I left law school to join the struggle.’ That level of sac dence in 1980 and before ZANU-PF lost the way, is that Zimbabwe urgently needs today. – coordinator@crisiszim-babwe.org
Post published in: Politics