My name in Vincent Musewe, I am an African, born not by choice, but by God’s will in our beautiful country Zimbabwe in which you too were born.
Report by Vince Musewe
I respect the role played by many of my brothers and sisters, including you, in the liberation struggle to free Zimbabwe, our country, from colonialism and the oppression of man by man based on race. I acknowledge that in this process, many died and others still bear the scars of that war.
Some of these scars are emotional while others may be psychological, but still, they today, lie hidden in the psyche of many Zimbabweans, black and white.
I acknowledge the fact that you did sacrifice in order to deliver us from the evils of colonialism and for that you were incarcerated by those that did not stand for freedom. Thank you for your contribution.
Unfortunately, our freedom from colonialism and discriminating based on skin colour has, however, hardly been sweet.
It has been bitter and today we have a country with unimaginable potential characterised by hunger, despondency and lack.
This, to me, makes a mockery of that which you and others sacrificed for.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
I truly believe that your role has been diminished over time as most of us wonder today why, after putting your valuable life at risk, we must accept the socio-economic conditions that we have today.
Why millions of Zimbabwe must wake up each morning and wish they were born in different times and perhaps in a better place.
Why we must accept that it is only a few men that can benefit from our resources simply because they have access to Zimbabwe’s armoury?
The reasons for the decline of conditions in our motherland are numerous and can be interpreted in many ways based on our history, including your acts, omissions and commissions in government that have created our current circumstances.
We too have been complicit in creating our own problems through our fear to challenge the status quo. We cannot continue to blame others for that.
However, now is the time not to apportion blame. The last 33 years of freedom from colonialism are history and from here, we are forced to create and fashion a different future from the past.
I am convinced that even you know that something has to change; something has to give in in order for our country to progress.
At this juncture, there is no question that, despite our own mistakes in the past, the world we live in is significantly different from the Zimbabwe that you helped birth 1980.
The human spirit can no longer be fashioned, like iron, by arms of war, nor can it be confined and forced to satisfy the whims of a few men at the expense of the majority.
Despite what you may wish, a country whose people cannot realise their aspirations for whatever reason cannot be contained. That we have seen all over Africa and the world at large: Zimbabwe cannot be different.
There must come a time where us humans, whose potential is unlimited, choose to die rather than to live under oppression.
This is the choice even you made when you chose to fight for our freedom.
Unfortunately, the very same conditions that you fought and sacrificed for, and put yourselves in harm’s way for, exist today.
It is inevitable, therefore, that amongst us will be men who will chose the similar route as you chose as long as they are stifled. That is not advisable, desirable nor constructive.
I, however, still believe that you, Honourable Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, can play a significant role in creating the future that we all desire.
We must create a new Zimbabwe that is a modern democracy driven by the will of the majority.
We must create a new government whose responsibility is to eradicate poverty and serve the needs of Zimbabweans.
For me, this means that those who are in our government or aspire to be in power for self-enrichment can no longer be supported. I am sure you agree with me on that? I, therefore, humbly ask you to sit down with the generals that are resisting change together with Morgan Tsvangirai to ensure that regardless of who wins the coming elections, peace will prevail and for once, we must focus on rebuilding our beautiful country. I am asking you this specifically, Honourable Minister, because I know that you can do it.
There is so much pain amongst us to hear what is going on; you can stop that in the twinkle of an eye. You will remain important in our history and I ask you to also be important in our future through facilitating the birth of a new nation where all can live up to their full potential.
I pray that in these times, God guides your thoughts so that His spirit may cast away all hate and selfishness. I pray that when the times come, you shall, as honourable men must do, know that this country belongs to all who live in it.
Our country must move forwards beyond the limits that we may have on our minds and I trust that, with your help, we shall all begin a new chapter on August 1. Sincerely, Vince Musewe Vince Musewe is an economist based in Harare. You may contact him on [email protected]
