ZANU PF has been ruling Zimbabwe with an iron fist for as long as most of us care to remember. I have always had an interest in politics being the son of a politician myself but have always been one of those that have been happy to read other people’s posts with the odd comment here and there but trying to write this has given me a new found respect for those that do it on a constant basis.
I suppose one of the reasons I am doing this is because like most people I am bewildered by the state of Zimbabwe, however the recent events in Egypt and Libya briefly gave me hope that Zimbabwe could one day be free again and flourish again.
I say briefly because seeing the back of Robert Mugabe would not be end of our problems but only the beginning.
The alternative, MDC having decided to part high and wide like the red sea whilst leader Morgan Tsvangirai who was once the symbol of hope seems to be more concerned about his Kim Kardashian like marriage/divorce fiasco.
In national sport it is perfectly acceptable for teams to hire foreign coaches maybe we should explore the prospect of a foreign president. Malema would get my vote (joke).
I then decided to look at countries that have recently overthrown their leaders who were similar to Mugabe. I considered using Egypt as an example simply because of the time Hosni Mubarak spent in power and his preferred method of governing which is not too different from Mugabe’s “by hook or by crook” approach.
For years the people of Egypt felt the full wrath of Mubarak and his forces but since he “did the honourable thing” and stepped down has life improved or become any better for the people of Egypt?
Rebuilding a torn nation is a long process and it has barely been a year since Mubarak left so using Egypt as an example would be nothing less than foolish even by simple standards.
Iraq on the other hand has been free from the shackles of Saddam Hussein since his capture in 2003 and eventual execution in 2006. Hussein also has spent a considerable amount of time at the helm, 24 years to precise before being gently removed from by the powers that be.
We have all read or heard the stories of how he terrorised his people and deserved to be removed from power.
The main point I am trying to raise is that are the Iraqi people any better off than there under his reign? From what it looks like things seem to have deteriorated to the point where explosions in busy markets have become the norm.
Just a few days ago 19 people lost their lives as a suicide bomber drove into a prison gate, I am not for a minute suggesting that Zimbabwe is headed along the very same road but what will happen when Mugabe does leave or die? Zimbabweans have always been divided along racial and tribal lines and that does worry me.
Will civil war break out, what will happen to mines, will it be a free for all where the police and army will ruthlessly massacre thousands of people and finally will Tsvangirai stop bed hopping and concentrate on what really matters?
Or will there be power struggle within ZANU-PF and if so what will happen to the country in meantime?
I don’t think I am the only one that has questions but judging from what is going on around the world things will only get worse before they eventually get better.
Iraq is still just as bad and even though the Egyptians are currently at the polls they look just as confused as ever and the people of Libya spent weeks parading Gaddafi’s body for some strange reason.
I’m not normally this negative but the situation is not particularly pretty and unless we unite to build a better Zimbabwe then there will continue to be countless and unnecessary deaths and I personally have seen enough pain and suffering to last me a lifetime.
We need to try and put our tribal differences aside if not for us then for the sake of our children and grandchildren who could be the benefactors of a united and better Zimbabwe.
By Thembelani Masilela
Editor’s Note: This was a contribution to Your Say. If you want to read the chain, please go to Your Say and if you have any comments please make your contribution. If you contribution is worth highlighting we will push it to the front page without disrupting the chain. I must admit I have not been paying attention to this section but the comments from your readers were a wake up call. I accept all my faults and would like to reactivate this section and welcome any comments. I will publish them all in the interest of promoting debate.- Charles Rukuni
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