At 32, Zim lagging behind in addressing needs

Columnists
Zimbabwe turned 32 on April 18. If it were a woman she would be married with children. At 32 one is expected to be organised, productive and responsible. Indeed, one would be independent from parental control and be a parent themselves. Can Zimbabwe, at 32, be said to be organised, productive, responsible and independent?

Independence can only be meaningful when it creates an environment where all people live without fear or suspicion and be confident that they are valuable and a useful part of their society. They also need to have the freedom of expression and movement; to live peacefully and independently.

In the struggle for freedom in Zimbabwe, Josiah Tongogora, Robert Mugabe, Jason Moyo, Joshua Nkomo and other nationalists espoused that Zimbabwe belonged to all who lived in it, black and white. No government can claim authority over citizens unless it is based on the will of the people.

Our country will never be prosperous or free until all people live and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. Zimbabwe, as a nation, is yet to see the creative and progressive signs of a developing nation towards a free, independent and a sovereign society.

The fundamental need of such an environment is the credible functioning of the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary in serving the interests of the people and of the nation. It is appropriate for us to compare our situation today with  32 years ago when we attained  our independence.

Our young leaders Solomon Madzore, Nelson Chamisa, Learnmore Judah Jongwe, Auther Guseni Mutambara, Saviour Kasukuwere, Jim Kunaka and Philip Chiyangwa, who were young, if not unborn in 1980, will tell you that Independence means different things.

Solomon Madzore, who has been in prison for having a different political ideology to that of Zanu PF will tell you we are still not completely independent.

In many democracies, with no exception, the will of the people is tested during elections and the winners take on the authority to make decisions in the interests of the majority. It is however doubtful that Zimbabweans can be said to be living in harmony and enjoying equal rights and opportunities if the level of violence during past elections is anything to go by.

Opportunities are restricted to those who enjoy the favour of those who matter, rather than to whom they are due.  The rights of the youth, the women and other special-interest groups are still a basic shortcoming which is expressed in the failure of those in authority to address the causes of their marginalisation.

As a nation we have failed to alleviate the fear, suspicion, mistrust and the bitterness of the marginalised that have suffered enormously. Corruption has reached unprecedented proportions, especially in the government. There is discrimination in the sharing and access to resources.

Financial scandals are common yet people are suffering from unprecedented economic pressures.

I appeal to the powers that be to arrest this problem before the voiceless in our society resort to undesirable, such as uprisings, as a way of regaining and securing their basic rights.

Mashoko M Matonhodze Chitungwiza Provincial Youth Chairman MDC-T