It has been tough and will get harder, but we believe that you in Zimbabwe have proved that no matter how much the police, war vets and other forces bribe, beat and oppress you will still put the ‘x’ next to your preferred leaders.
You did so with little faith that the votes were going to count, however, amidst all your suffering you waited in the queues and expressed yourselves. It has been an exiting week for us in South Africa, we have been watching TV, reading newspapers, phoning relatives and embarking on endless debates about what will happen when the leadership changes.
The truth is we are all counting on you. Our futures belong to you in Zimbabwe and families will be reunited if there is hope of survival in our country. The hope will come in form good honest governance. We will in the next weeks be putting a lot of pressure on the South African government to ensure your votes are respected. It is important that you participate in the run-offs and that you continue to vote fearlessly.
I think back to 2002 when I was with a group of activists the day the results came out.
Riot police were called in to disperse us, we refused to move and they did nothing to us. They did nothing because we asked them, are you working for Zanu or Zimbabwe? We told them that the next day Morgan could be their president. Sadly, this did not occur then.
We asked them if they were hungry, if they were well paid, if they wanted to beat their own people for a man who does not look after them. None of us ran, we shouted we were not thieves.
When they come to harass you, stand your ground, peacefully and ask them those questions. The police, army and riot police are paid peanuts, how can they be happy? Plead with them to stop abusing their own people, they will be remembered as heroes if they are strong enough to respect human rights.
Everyone will benefit if things change they will be able to eat, to buy food, to get medication to survive, so why should they fight for the lies? Please Zimbabwe, talk to your friends and family who are in the police and army. Tell them they do not need to work for one man – they must work for the country.
There are testing times ahead.
In South Africa we will make our voices heard. Now we ask you to stay strong and vote! We have our hopes and dreams in your voting hands. God bless you, Zimbabwe.
Post published in: News