IN my conversations with colleagues we came to the conclusion that, faced with lack of security, scarcity of development opportunities and lacking strategic and accountable governance, morality and identity can be discarded.
In such a negative situation human vulnerability is prevalent and moral values become hazy and unclear as people try to survive.There is need therefore to cling to our morals and identity so that we do not get lost. The future that we desire for all Zimbabweans compels us to tenaciously guard our identity and hold onto those morals that define us as a people.Morality is not handed down and inculcated by government institutions so we have to stop looking there. It is earthed in the local communities and also comes from the recognition that it is our moral imperative and within our interest to promote social relationships.Development is not the sinking of a borehole or the building of a well but first and foremost moral maturity that comes through self-identity and patriotism. This patriotism should be shown by paying allegiance to those values that ensure the survival of Zimbabwe and not of any one political party, be it left wing or right wing, Democratic or Republican, radical or liberal. I really think that as Zimbabweans we should “put down our guns” and reframe the issue of development by placing more emphasis on community centred empowerment which is initiated and implemented at grass roots levels, by Zimbabweans. Tolerance and restoration of justice should be the factors influencing judicial proceedings and not retribution or punishment for belonging to a different political party.Without social harmony, development projects are but a charade that leaves no lasting impact on those who participated in them. A harmonious community would bring about effective development in which there is capacity building, transference of skills and community centred development in both the non-governmental organisations and the communities involved feel that they have achieved a common good for the benefit of everyone.
Chipo Chikurunhe,[email protected]
