A Chinese friend of mine proposed a theory to the effect that Africans are the most stupid people on the face of the earth.
There is no race on earth that hates its own kind more than the African race.
While we accept that this is a false argument, there is a grain of truth in the proposition. It is this very fact, that young Zimbabweans have discovered that their interests and opinions carry less weight than those of Chinese and foreign nationals in their native land.
The answer to them — they are better off abroad than in their native land.
But first a glimpse at South Africa’s Afro-phobia.
I was the lone black face in a long line of white passengers. Behind us was the American Airline jumbo jet sitting proudly on the tarmac.
The South African brother supervisor picked me from the group. “You, can I see your passport?”
After a brief inspection of my US passport, I then surprised him with a question in Zulu.
- Zim headed for a political dead heat in 2023
- Ziyambi’s Gukurahundi remarks revealing
- Giles Mutsekwa was a tough campaigner
- New law answers exhumations and reburials question in Zim
Keep Reading
“Wena weZulu, kunjani ungazange ubuze amakhiwa?” I asked him. (Why did you not ask the white people?)
“Hawu hawu wena, uyakhuluma isiZulu?” (You can speak Zulu?)
This story ended hilariously, but the confrontations directed at west Africans and Mozambicans have left six blacks dead and thousands displaced from their homes.
Dorenda Mabuza, a Mozambican and her two children, was in her house when African brothers torched it.
In the heart of this demonic Afro-phobia, there is a quiet spirit of admiration and desire by these brothers to be embraced by the Amakiwa (whites) and Asians.
The American philosopher W.E.B. DuBois says that the Negro’s ambition is to be accepted as a brother human by whites.
US president Donald Trump, in loud mouthing what whites say in private, has revealed to us that the desire for black-white accommodation is a pipe dream.
The Saudis and Emiratis have recently discovered this hidden truth.
My Chinese friend is relentless.
If an Asian or Chinese set up shop beside that of an African brother, in two weeks, the brothers will abandon doing business with their own kind.
Worse, in South Africa, white monopoly capitalists are watching with quiet glee as brother destroy Somali spazas, which offer stiff competition to the conglomerates.
As Trump has shown clearly, people of color were never considered worthy of human consideration.
The great shame is that South Africa’s President Cyril Ramphosa’s heart is sympathetic to the demonic brothers, in the belief that such actions will curry favour with imperialists.
Since colonial times, a steady stream of young Matabele men joined their Zulu brethren in Umzansi mines, but the largest cohort came from Malawi under WENELA.
Gukurahundi (1983-1987) attacks on young Ndebele men as terrorists virtually emptied Hwange and Victoria Districts of black males as they sought refuge in Umzansi.
To make matters worse, Sikumi Conservancy, an animal reservation and world-renowned tourist attraction, supporting 2 993 workers and their families was handed over to governor Jacob Mudenda in 2002.
At its peak, the 136-mile radius estate could support 20 000 souls.
Yet another, 350 square mile Nyathi Conservancy is also listed under Mudenda’s name, with similar results.
The persecution against Zapu male youths, and the expropriation of the conservancies, plus the upheavals at Hwange Colliery that had supported lifestyles and families for half a century, drove away black males into exile.
Mashonaland was not spared from the erosion of secure livelihoods.
Stoneridge demolitions in Mashonaland are illustrative of the death of conscience on the part of our rulers.
Stoneridge resident Lionel M. has sent me pictures of demolitions happening in their 20-hectare Chinese owned housing project.
Lionel says that he came home and saw bull dozers had already crushed his two-bedroom brick home, his life-savings.
Town council officials did not hold meetings with residents. Most residents have been there for more than twenty years and their children go to school.
In a normal society, government would consult citizens, make arrangements for alternative shelter during the cold season and provide for schooling for minors.
The issue is simple. Apparently, government does not answer to Stoneridge residents, their interests are immaterial. The Chinese developer collected his fees, has probably gone away and after 20 years, anomalies are discovered.
I had no comfort for Lionel. The Chinese developer is more respected in Zimbabwe. Lionel is a foreigner in his own country.
And we blame South Africa for Afro-phobia.
There is nothing new about Stoneridge at all.
Churu Farm’s 20 000 population was forcibly removed to Porta Farm in Domboshava. The reason-the farm belonged to reverend Ndabaningi Sithole, a government opponent. As soon as they had settled at Porta Farm, they were forcibly (re) evicted under Murambatsvina (2005).
Murambatsvina means get rid of the dirt.
The United Nations report on Murambatsvina says that government confessed that it could have “regularized” settlements, or removed residents after securing alternative safe conditions for them.
The last condition is required by international law.
“It did neither,” says the report.
Lastly, while in Zimbabwe before Christmas, I employed a former driver for a Goromonzi Chinese owned Lithium Mining Company.
First, the driver informed me that 27 lithium loaded trucks, each carrying 30-ton load, left the mine on a daily basis for Mozambique.
Secondly, he was not paid in a timely manner.
Whenever he and fellow drivers complained, or Goromonzi native villagers raised concerns, the following would happen.
“Soldiers have beaten up villagers in Goromonzi for resisting a controversial project involving a Chinese brick-molding company.”
My driver showed me immigration papers to Roumania. Truck drivers were in demand there.
And we blame South Africa for Afro-phobia.
*Ken Mufuka was a Zapu-PF representative in his second life.
