He was one of the participants at a truth telling focus group meeting held in Nkayi, Matabeleland North Province. It was one in a series of many other such meetings organised in partnership with the Cultural Information Trust C.I.T., which seeks to unearth the truth about any forms of politically motivated violence in Matabeleland.
Mlotshwa, a survivor of the 1980s violent political disturbances, still has fresh memories of the atrocities. His son Mangaliso was killed by the so-called Fifth Brigade at his homestead. The Fifth Brigade, a North Korean trained military force, is accused of causing the death of an estimated 20,000 civilians in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces. According to Mlotshwa, Mangaliso was killed after the Brigade accused him of being a dissident. This term referred to suspected members of a former ZIPRA cadre which was alleged to be in possession of fire arms in order to overthrow the government of the ruling party ZANU-PF.
“They came here and dragged him out of the house, then ordered everyone to come out and sing while they interrogated a dissident”, said Mlotshwa who broke into tears while narrating. He emphasised that the ordeal is still fresh in his mind, although the opportunity to talk about it at meetings such as the one organised by Radio Dialogue helps him to deal with it better.
The issue of the 1980s atrocities – otherwise known as Operation Gukurahundi is still unresolved in Matabeleland, although many people have begun talking about compen-sation. Gukurahundi is a Shona term which refers to the first rains that wash away the dirt. This leaves many believing that it was set to wipe away the dissidents who were mainly Ndebele people.
The crucial question is what type of com-pensation should be rendered to the victims. Some activists are calling on the government to pay out a lump sum to the families of those killed, although they are not clear on how the victims will be identified. Mlotshwa is sceptical: “Singalandela lendlela kuzakhuthaza ubugwelegwele, njalo abayibo kabatholi lutho”(if we pursue such a method, it will fuel corruption and the truly affected won’t benefit), he says in his native Ndebele language.
The ninety-two-year-old and fellow participants at the meeting organised by Radio Dialogue suggested the government should not pay out lump sums. They said that although most of them lost loved ones and about eight years of their lives due to the disturbances, they cannot put a price tag on this. Instead, these villagers saw it fit for the government to implement development projects biased to Matabeleland. The projects should focus on building schools, hospitals, universities and roads, they said. Mlotshwa stressed that he would be very pleased with such developments, and his son’s spirit could finally rest, seeing that his people have been repaid for the pain inflicted on them.
It is rare for people to consider others when they have an opportunity to benefit themselves. This selfless community, however, had developed a sense of togetherness through the truth telling focus group meetings. The disturbances were said to have divided people when they sold out each other for their own lives. Yet when they sat in dialogue and heard different stories, they were brought together and realised they all had shared pain and hope. Radio Dialogue continues to hear and compile more stories of survival, and each time this is done, communities encourage each other to reunite. – With grateful acknowledgement to Radio Dialogue.
Overview
Radio Dialogue is a community radio initiative owned and controlled by the community of Bulawayo. The initiative seeks to provide a radio broadcasting service to the people of Bulawayo, thereby bringing in an element of media diversity in Zimbabwe. Although lacking a broadcasting licence, the radio station organises studio discussions and live shows as if it was on air. Important in this context are truth telling focus group meetings where people can air their grievances, especially about politically motivated violence which they might have encountered in the past Radio Dialogue
The solid community base that Radio Dialogue has established encourages and allows community participation. There is an elected seven-member committee (Ward Committee) in each of Bulawayo’s 29 wards.
These committees are responsible for initiating and organising Radio Dialogue’s activities in their vicinity. It is from Ward Committees that Radio Dialogue draws members of its General Council, the highest decision making body of the organisation.
Post published in: News