Our Democracy Must Grow

By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo

Phenomenological studies proves that the best tool for power retention, is violence and confrontational politics. Our nation is buffeted by inconsistencies, buffeted by lack of cohesion, incapacitated by lack of direction and dirty politics. We must move away from politics of the past, we are beyond this, we need Development, we must embrace ourselves. We are sitting on a time – bomb of a civil war. We can do better than this, we need increase in productivity, we need increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). We need better GDP. In the past, Agriculture used to contribute 60% towards the GDP of our country. We have so many opportunities, as a nation, but we have resorted to focus more on VIOLENCE.

Violence must be a thing of the past, we must learn to be tolerant. Violence is tool which was meant for power retention, in the early stone age, and it does not exist in the glorious days of democratic achievements. Should we be counted in amongst toxic nations? We must be ashamed of ourselves, to associate with violence, toxic politics, hate, and acidic violence. If truth to be told, we have lost of investment opportunities, prior to intolerance, failure to adhere to democratic principles, we have remained where we are, simply because we have resorted to violence as a way of power retention. The only language our society understands, is violence, grabbing of assets & confrontational politics. We need to stop this asap, and we need progressive politics, we must be beyond reproach, and we must come out clean on toxic politics. We must embrace love, unity, peace and tranquility.

There are few lessons to be drawn from Zambian experience, which must be used as a case study.

Few achievements can be spoilt by violence. Our country has experienced traumatic episodes such as :

1. Gukurahundi
2. Murambatsvina
3. 2008 violent election
4. 2002 chaotic farm invasions
5. The August 1 episode

Some of these notable events could have been avoided, if the gospel of peace and love was preached. Human life is precious and important, and one of the attributes which must be emphasized to our nation is that we are one, and we need each other. Hate must be a thing of the past. Our differences must never be settled through VIOLENCE and killing. We have a better way for resolving our differences.

There is nothing wrong, with a fellow Zimbabwean visiting any place of his or her choice within our nation. There should never be restrictions of any kind, and attributes to good leadership is that we must tolerate each other unconditionally.

Whilst the International Community is watching, promptly, the UN Rapporteur, we are ashamed to be called ” Zimbabweans”. Breeding violence at the expense of the nation. We need better living, better employment, clean water, sanitation, zero tolerance to hunger, better quality education, good health and better standard of living.

The acrimony to effects of violence can be traced back to our failures to achieve Economic Development.

We need to redirect our effort towards fighting corruption, proper Infrastructure development, and improving lives of many, moreover, progressive politics.

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo is the Head of Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking – ZIST, and he can be contacted at countrydirector@zist.co.zw