THERE is a very interesting billboard for those of us who drive around the buzzing streets of Harare.
It has the once leadership of the MDC-T peering over the Zanu PF manifesto and the caption reads something like this: “Our manifesto has interested everyone.” I will not focus on the interesting political connotation of the billboard, but just to share that indeed the Zanu PF manifesto actually did grab my attention too and I stole a chance to study it for a little bit.
I must say that the manifesto exudes very profound ideology right there, very progressive outlook indeed. However, one very clear insight is the implementation and meaning of the various sections — they seem to have been lost in translation of all sorts. Today, as I reflect on that billboard, I thought it would be interesting just to question some of my and others’ lived realities in connection with the promises that this, our leading political party, have so far delivered.
It is not personal, just my truth as an ever-growing Zimbabwean woman and clearly stating so as to guarantee my own safety if ever that is possible as things currently stand!
Indigenise
It is critical that if a people of a country ought to develop they need to have access to and control of their means of production. Surely it is rather awkward for Zimbabweans to have the majority of their means of production belonging to other nationalities! Not only that, a quick scan at some of the most developed countries, one would observe that they too are jealous of their national resources and are more comfortable having their own nationalities having a bigger stake of the pie.
This I am sure is clear in our nation and for now let us focus on the land. The redistribution programme did well in giving us the indigenous people the land – bravo!
With all due respect and appreciation of history and the narratives of the then and now, however, a couple of years down the lane. I am sure it is evident for all to see that we might have gone about this the wrong way as those who were given the land seem to be staring at it clueless on how those who occupied it before actually utilised it.
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Hence today our realities have shifted with hunger, shortages and all sorts of realities being witnessed.
I am very grateful for this new redistribution and hoping to get my very own piece of land plus support to utilise the land. It is very good to indigenise but never best to lack the support needed in order to enjoy the fruits of that indigenisation.
I work in Mutoko and surely have lots of connections to some of these mineral-rich areas that still live in poverty too shocking to even imagine. Is that how we see ourselves as indigenised with shares in ownership?
Surely indigenisation would also include some progressive thinking such as saying no to early child marriages and some of these ills we seem comfortable with as an indigenous people. Indigenisation means we own our means of production enough to make sense of our realities and be able to connect with other nations in such a way that it is a win-win balance. It is not about isolation and trashing all things non-indigenous.
Empower
I work with women all over the world in my own right and sense. I do know for sure that it is almost impossible for me to claim that I have empowered any of them. It is a personal journey up to a point where a woman feels empowered enough to be herself and live her life in her best interest.
When that happens, empowerment has occurred. To empower does not mean giving with one hand and taking with the other. It does not mean having a brilliant constitution that works as the supreme law of the land but such law is applied selectively! It means workers’ rights are as protected as those of their employers.
It means taking pride in our national inheritance and not paying a blind eye to the death of Cecil and Jericho his brother. Empowerment means no matter who I am and what I do, Zimbabwe is free enough for me to make informed decisions that affect others and mine’s lives.
It is not about dictating what I think is best for others at the expense of their peace of mind, progress and development.
Neither is it about abusing office for my own personal gain. Empowerment means equality and equity becoming a reality. It means women are able be guaranteed basic human rights freedom without fear of what would happen to their security of person.
To empower means the jobs promised would materialise. It means partisan politics does not mean a threat to my security as a person. It means when you finish reading this article and you do not agree or nothing resonates, we still can still find each other somehow and no one threatens the other.
It does not matter what political party I belong to, my background and so on. As long as I am a human being, empowerment is possible in my terms and my way.
Develop
Oh yes, to develop is not always an alone journey. Zimbabwe needs its citizens to be people who are free from fear to develop. Development does not mean banning the very means of sources of livelihood for the Zimbabweans. It is nowhere near harassing of the vendors and the female vendors having to experience the policing of their bodies so they sell their wares on the streets – after all, vending has mostly worn a female face.
Development is ingrained in facilitating for the holding hands by all people anywhere and everywhere to ensure that no matter how minor we view their group to be, they too have their rights respected. Development means disagreeing with what the next country views as priority and yet still have the decency to explore areas of synergy and forge an amicable way ahead. Development is almost impossible at national level without first having it happen at personal level.
Well, the thing is that indigenisation, empowerment and development happens when a people are free from fear.
Fear of a backlash when they decide to be true to their lived realities and empowered enough to make decisions that will ensure theirs and their countries’ development.
Zimbabwe has very many brilliant documents that are critical for the Africa Rising Dialogue. However, until and unless as a country we are able to stop the way we have been doing business since yesterday, we will still suffer the analysis paralysis.
How about we stop the churning out of great manifestos only and also ensure that after you are voted into office you actually have the integrity to implement the manifestos and ensure that the very people who bore the brunt of chilly election days have their basic human rights respected and needs met?
Indeed indigenisation, empowerment and develop is my dream, your dream, our dream but we need to go beyond rhetoric and actually implement that which we promise if we are to exude any level of commitment and seriousness not only to our manifestos but also to development and empowerment of individuals and this country. We might not be able to do everything at once but in our small corners, one breath at a time; a Zimbabwe that is progressive is possible. Let’s do this!
Grace Chirenje writes in her personal capacity and loves stimulating conversation. She would be excited to hear from you. You can contact Grace on [email protected], follow her on twitter @graceruvimbo or Facebook: Grace Ruvimbo Chirenje. Chat soon
