By Valerie Karimakwenda- Massive displacements, which are the norm now, affecting barely known minorities are illustrious of the factual observation of how Zanu Pf and the Zimbabwe pre-independence governments are two sides of a shaved, debased coin, devoid of empathy towards the most economically vulnerable communities, good governance for vaccination against such vulnerabilities.
This article focuses on how the so called Zanu Pf revolution is now eating its children, a tragedy characteristic of piss poor revolutionary ideology, and mere chicken logic limited comprehension of independence, democracy, the epitomes of good governance, which would have protected the targeted minority communities for massive displacements.
Why did settler governments, such as that of Smith go to great pains to hide vital information? Why does Zanu Pf go to great lengths of pursuing the same policy?
The reason is because, in technical terms, media repression, allows for disinformation dissemination which is a preservative of the status quo that is hideous, illegal and illegitimate.
Traits that Zanu Pf and the settler governments have, similarly.
Media repression, is an effective strategic choice akin to lighting a light, putting it in a basket under the bed. A preference for darkness, for light would bring attention and subsequent demands for accountability and transparency, especially with regards with treatment of minorities, in this case for Zanu Pf. Unfortunately, Zanu Pf had an abortion, of transparency and accountability, in the first weeks of term, that is, the last few weeks of April 1980. Because of media repression perpetuated by the recently branded Zanu Pf TV (ZBC) to Auxillia Mnangagwa fantasy show, Zimbabweans are kept in the dark about past, ongoing and future massive displacements.
Cultures and heritages of minorities are not if any deterrent value against a profit offensive, platformed by Zanu Pf. Like the referenced settler governments, no consultations are made with the affected minority communities, nor are they represented in any manner in the deliberations, procedures of setting up of the entities seeking to acquire the ancestral lands of the minorities, at a regulatory or executive level. Their councillors, members of parliament, senators, all from the illegal party of Zanu Pf, don’t care, but are focused on retaining power for perpetual self enrichment, which is a consequence of the minorities displacements by entities linked to those illegally in power, in addition to not having met regulations, such as tax payments.
The Chilonga and Nambya people have a few things in common among them. Both are minority communities, who, with consistency, have aided Zanu Pf in staying in power. This is not a HAA! moment, they deserve it. No, it is a reflection and observation that only Zanu Pf would allow this. The people centered, oriented opposition party would not. A stark difference, and a break from the past, Zanu Pf.
The only genuine opposition, currently focusing on smooth and peaceful transition of power would have respected the minorities cultures and heritages, in addition to consulting them, for their input, which is undeniably, crucial, also ensuring that regulations protecting these communities are in place.
Furthermore, the genuine opposition wouldn’t rely on opaque, probably unconstitutional special permits seeking to deprive minority communities of their ancestral heritages, or any communities for that matter.
The genuine opposition would do community changing things in transparent accountable manner. None of the self enrichment activities fostering nicodemus exploitation of marginalized communities would see light of the day under the watch of the opposition. This explains recalls of people’s champions such as Biti. Typical flight from transparency and accountability by Zanu Pf.
The affected communities will not benefit, barely for the following reasons, employment, especially for the Nambya people by the Chinese, would be exploitative labor, flouting labor and safety regulations.
For both the Nambya and Chilonga people, because of decades long marginalization, evidenced by limited exposure to only public schools with poorest education infrastructure and poorly motivated and educators means that there is an impenetrable glass ceiling for the youth of these communities for social stratification advancement. In addition, this life limited exposure works well for the government and the dubious, above the law companies seeking to exploit these helpless companies.
These are some of the reasons the opposition which is being hounded out of parliament by the scared and paranoid Zanu Pf is fighting tooth and nail for proper and institutionalized devolution of power. Communities such as the Nambya, would thus have a say in their own affairs and governance, drastically mitigating colossal exploitation by Zanu Pf, things such as so called special permits would thus be impotent.
In conclusion, the mentioned minorities, and those yet to be displaced by Zanu Pf, should take this as a wake up call, stop aiding Zanu Pf illegal retention of power , rather they should consider the alternative to Zanu Pf, the people’s project opposition, which among other things would usher in devolution, a synthesis of democracy and good governance, valuing the input of all communities, banishing Zanu Pf spawns such as marginalization.
The opposition, together, especially with the minorities communities would initiate joint custodianship for both cultural and heritages of these communities, together with their possession of their ancestral lands, a clear, clean break from the past, which is undemocratic Zanu Pf and settler governments.
