Since he declared 23 August as the date on which Zimbabwe will hold its crucial harmonised elections, President Mnangagwa has taken the lead in preaching peace and unity; before, during and after the elections. He has taken every opportunity to hammer this message home and this has ushered in a breath of fresh air to the country’s politics.
Speaking at the ZRP Mkushi Academy, formerly Morris Depot, in Harare recently, President Mnangagwa reiterated this message saying: “As you are aware, our country is now in election season with the harmonised general elections due to be held on August 23 this year. I wish to reiterate my administration’s zero tolerance to politically motivated violence.
“Violence, divisive tendencies and nefarious machinations are unacceptable and alien to our country’s politics. My government will never allow the present peace, unity and stability in our country to be tainted for the political expediency of a few rogue pseudo-politicians.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police must, thus, assume the highest degree of vigilance to guarantee maintenance of law and order as well as the protection of life and property, before, during and after elections. I exhort you, the men and women in our police force, to be watchful, proactive and bring all perpetrators of politically motivated crimes to book, without fear or favour.
“Meanwhile, I want to commend our people, throughout the country, for showing a high level of political maturity since the proclamation of the election date. Let us all continue with this culture of peace, unity and oneness as we demonstrate that our country is now a mature democracy.
“The atmosphere that has characterised all political activities to date is applauded. Going forward, I call upon the citizenry to say ‘No’ to violence in all its forms. Let us all cultivate, nurture and preach peace, unity, political tolerance, love and harmony.”
Indeed, Zimbabweans have heeded the President’s call for peace, unity, political tolerance, love and harmony. And for the first time in the history of the country, the election season is less about politicking and more about development. This is why attempts to sabotage the economy by a few rogue businesses over the past few weeks have hit a brick wall. Zimbabweans have matured politically and are, therefore, no longer willing to be used as pawns in an endless game of political chess.
Since the early 2000s, Zimbabweans have allowed foreigners to influence their political affairs, but that practice is now on its death-bed. It’s fast dawning on Zimbabweans that there is more to be gained by remaining united than allowing foreigners to dangle dirty money to foment anarchy. The days of toxic politics, hatred and malice and foreign-sponsored political violence are over. Zimbabweans are tired of being used by foreigners who go on to sit back and laugh their lungs out as we tear each other apart, like the titans on WWE.
Addressing ZANU-PF supporters at Nyele Primary School in Matabeleland South recently, President Mnangagwa warned:
“We brought peace, we shall maintain peace. No one can teach us democracy, because we, ourselves, fought for that democracy. We are democrats and we are masters of democracy, so don’t be cheated and don’t be misled. We brought freedom, which they did not want us to have and we had to fight for that and we defeated the pretenders, the detractors, the retrogressive elements among us.”
History shows that Zimbabweans have always been masters of their own destiny. From the First Chimurenga, Second Chimurenga right up to the Third Chimurenga, Zimbabweans have always prevailed over the evil machinations of their former colonisers. The vanquished British and their Western allies know that Zimbabwe is endowed with vast mineral wealth. And the only way they can lay their hands on it is by inciting violence, which will give them a pretext to recolonise the country under the guise of “peacekeeping” forces.
The Second Republic has gone out of its way to ensure that the country enjoys peace and stability since its coming into office. This has created a conducive environment for economic growth, as Zimbabweans across the political divide have rallied to President Mnangagwa’s call that nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo. Thanks to President Mnangagwa’s visionary leadership, Zimbabwe’s economy is forecast to grow by between 2.5 and 2.6% between 2023 and 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Besides economic growth, the Second Republic has unleashed a number of developmental projects that are transforming the lives of millions of Zimbabweans across the country. All this has been made possible because of the peace and stability prevailing in the country.
On 23 August, Zimbabweans have the opportunity to give development a chance and they have the opportunity to show the world that they now want to be left alone to decide their own destiny. It’s time for less politics and more development.
For the sake of transparency (and posterity), let’s put that development agenda into perspective.
It’s not politicking that the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport now matches international standards. It’s not politicking that the Beitbridge Border Post is now in class of its own. It’s not politicking that the Harare-Beitbridge Road is one of the best highways in the entire Southern African region. It’s fact, not fiction that the Gwayi-Shangani Dam is 70% complete. It’s not a political gimmick that the Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion project has given birth to Units 7 and 8 that are feeding 600MW into the national grid. It’s not politicking that loadshedding is now a thing of the past right across the country.
It’s not politicking that devolution has transformed the lives of millions in the country’s remotest districts and wards. It’s not politicking that farming methods like Pfumvudza/Intwasa have ensured food self-sufficiency at household level. And it’s not politicking that Zimbabwe has for the first time in its history, recorded bumper maize and wheat harvests that have opened the door for grain exports to countries like Rwanda.
There are just too many success stories coming out of Zimbabwe. 23 August is the day to put the seal of approval on sustainable development, which is aptly captured in the mantra, “leaving no one and no place behind”. It is also the day to silence the prophets of doom. 23 August is the day for Zimbabweans to reclaim their story and tell it in their own words. The world is waiting with bated breath for the Zimbabwe success story, as told by vene vayo, the people who will cast their ballots on polling day.
Vene vayo gave their thumbs-up to President Mnangagwa on 30 July 2018 after just eight months in office. Surely, after a full and fruitful five-year term in office, President Mnangagwa deserves a second term to finish what he started.
Look, after years of being ravaged by illegal sanctions and the politics of toxicity, not everything is expected to be perfect in Zimbabwe. There will be challenges, big and small; natural or man-made; real or imagined. But when everything is said and done, it is how we tackle these problems and challenges that will define our future. 23 August should be about Zimbabweans finding each other for the sake of future generations and an upper middle income economy.
And, of course, let’s not kid ourselves. The country’s detractors are not going to leave us alone. They are used to seeing us fight and so they will put up a spirited fight to see us continue unleashing violence on each other. As Zimbabweans we will have to summon all our patriotism and nationalism to free ourselves. We cannot afford to become the perennial laughing stock of the world. We are far too educated and far too wise for that!
We have a rich history that should inspire us and a rich legacy that we should defend at all costs. There is just too much at stake for us as Zimbabweans to lose. We have learnt our lessons and it’s time to make use of those lessons. We must prove to the world that the sacrifices of those gallant sons and daughters who fought in the liberation war were not in vain.
The Second Republic has created the momentum for Zimbabweans to find each other. Zimbabweans at home and abroad should seize the opportunity to do so. Despite our differences — and they are many —we remain Zimbabweans at heart. In fact, those differences make us such a wonderful people. We only have one geographical space — the teapot-shaped country we call Zimbabwe — which was born out of a bloody struggle.
23 August should be about a new dawn — and a bright future. Our children deserve better. Our history deserves better. Zimbabwe deserves better!
As they say, “patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong”.
Rise up Zimbabwe! Rise up!