What I observed from meeting and breaking bread with people from all walks of life and from diverse political backgrounds is that Zimbabweans have embraced the dawn of a new era characterized by a totally different political culture.
Current hardline utterances by some elements within political parties traditionally association with violence as an instrument of political persuasion are rather misleading because the mood on the ground, from my observation, is that the vast majority of Zimbabweans are peace-loving folk who area not prepared to engage in senseless violence to advance a political cause.
The challenge
It seems to me that the problem with us is not that of a mindset or attitude, for it was clear that there is no affinity for violence among the people. The real challenge is that the vast majority of Zimbabweans – who are for peace and for harmonious political discourse in a multi-party context – are silent.
We are not speaking out enough in the name of peace or in exposing and condemning violent conduct. Scores of people have privately given me feedback that they absolutely agree that we need to banish the political culture of political violence, which sees every single election characterized by extreme violence and bloodshed.
The doctrine of political violence is thoroughly discredited and has no followers among ordinary Zimbabweans as far as I can tell. But the few died-hard merchants of violence and purveyors of disunity are very vocal – giving the false impression that they are in the majority and command a large following.
This small clique has selfishly soiled the name of the veterans of our national liberation by invoking the liberation struggle when they engage in their cheap, dirty politics and in violence. This same group incites violence, uses hate speech to promote divisions and perpetuate polarization in order to benefit politically and economically from the chaos.
Bogus war credentials
For most of them, a perusal of their own records will easily disclose that they have bogus war credentials that they peddle in order to squeeze economic gain out of the public.
This group is fully aware that the restoration of the rule of law, prevalence of peace, accountability and order will mean the end of their nefarious activities and certain economic and political ruin. Therefore they continue, through abuse of state resources, to mislead Zimbabweans that violence is a necessary means to achieve political ends.
All we need to ensure that the dawn of a new Zimbabwe that is now upon us will give way to the rising sun of peace and harmony, is to stand up for peace and to speak out for peace. The discourse of peace in our lifetime should necessarily transcend political identities.
It is important that, even when the merchant of violence is a comrade in your particular political party, you nevertheless condemn violence in the strongest terms possible. In fact, the strongest condemnation of violent political conduct should be reserved to members of your own political party.
As Zimbabweans, it is high time we consider adopting the slogan made famous by Dr. Kenneth Kaunda – “One people, One Nation!” And one might add, All for Peace! Political leaders should stop politicking and look to those things that bind us together as one people in genuine peace and tranquility in order to guarantee stability and sustainable development.
I am sure that our neighbors in SADC will stand with us as we push to restore Zimbabwe to its former glory politically and economically. The sleeping giant – the people of Zimbabwe – must now speak out for peace and drown the shrill voice of division that threatens to take our country to the brink and beyond.
Post published in: News