Hope on Zimbabwe's independence day
By guest author, Zimbabwean blogger Sokwanele
It is Zimbabwe’s Independence Day today, but rather than living in a state of freedom and independence, Zimbabweans are trapped in an interregnum. These elections are different from all the previous elections that have been rigged by Mugabe because we know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that we have proof we have won. We also know that most of the world believes we have won too.
The international legitimacy that Mugabe craves and needs to economically survive has been lost to him forever. The political dynamic has shifted into a different phase. For the first time, the freedom loving forces in our country visibly have the upper hand, and it is Zanu PF and Mugabe who are scrabbling, violently, to retain control.
Our twilight period is banded at both ends with the faint glow of hope: the hope we felt when we cast our ballots and the hope we still have for the future we have voted for.
We have to find a way to get through this darkening phase as Mugabe cranks up his war against his own people. The conditions in our country are worsening by the day.
Yesterday we received leaked information from a member of the defence forces, outlining Mugabe’s run-off election campaign. (Please note, the votes haven’t been declared and the run-off announced, but Mugabe is ‘campaigning’ already).
Last night we watched the bribery phase kick into action on State TV news, with the announcement of funded projects in previously ignored rural areas; before that we heard reports of activists being harassed and arrested around the country; this morning we woke up to news and emails from people around and outside the county desperately telling us personal stories of violence and intimidation.
Those of us who are able to have been following South African media reports of a Chinese ship that has arrived in Durban with a consignment of weapons – Mugabe’s run-off campaign materials - destined for Zimbabwe. We are not a country at war; those bullets have our civilian names on them.
We receive emails from around the world asking us ‘What is wrong with the Zimbabwean people?’ and ‘Why don’t they do something?’
We HAVE done something: Zimbabweans struggled to register to vote despite all efforts by the regime to deny us that right. We turned out in large numbers. We queued for hours to vote – sometimes we even slept in the queue the night before to make sure we didn’t miss the chance. When our vote is stolen we turn to the courts of law, not to violence.
On our Independence Day, we hope that the world will recognise that the Zimbabwean people are doing everything that they can to resist the African cliché that African nations can only solve problems through violence, and that Mugabe is doing everything he can to twist our country into the most grotesque version of the cliché possible. If Zimbabwe turns into a cauldron of terror and blood, it will not be because the Zimbabwean people are incapable of understanding or believing in democracy.
How can our future ever be anything other than glorious given the incredible dignity and character of the people who make up our country? We have a lot to hope for and much to look forward to.
Sokwanele's blog can be found here
Thank you very much Sokwanele. I am Zimbabwean and I know people had to muster all the courage they had to vote in the recent elections. I know that a lot of people who voted for the opposition expected the Zanu-pf reprisals to start the very next day. Still, they bravely voted for change.
I think it is time the world commended Zimbabweans for their non-violence stance. Would people have us kill eachother before they believed we mean't business with Mugabe? Or is there another way of doing this... possibly voting?
I think most people outside Zimbabwe think, voting is a happy little process where we all meet and voice our concerns through the ballot, kind of like a tea party. Taking time to let our neighbour know who we voted in and why. Please, understand voting in Zimbabwe is nothing like this. Weeks before the voting, would be rural voters are constantly intimidated into voting for Zanu-pf(usually by Zanu-pf militants wielding AK-47s). The Urban populace turn up on the voting day to find they have less voting centers making it close to impossible for the majority to vote. If you do manage to make it to the ballot box, you will most likely find your name is no longer on the voters role. Now that's just the tip of the iceberg...
No, I believe if we are to start a new responsible government we will do so with a clear conscience. Knowing we operated by the law. Besides how would we gain investor confidence if people are seen fighting an oppressive government using the same tactics they use?
That much can't be said for Zanu-Pf who are no doubt wanting to use the mortars greenades and goodness knows what else (ref: Chinese Ship docked in Durban carrying arms to be transported to Zimbabwe) on their own citizens and I suspect any foreigners still on Zimbabwean soil.
Posted by: Thembi | Friday, 18 April 2008 at 04:31 PM
Well put Thembi.
It is nice to hear temperate language for a change. I think it would have been great to hear positive reporting of the courage, perseverance and hope of ordinary people.
Thanks to you both.
Posted by: scotchcart | Friday, 18 April 2008 at 04:47 PM
Let's hope that the African countries can bring pressure to bear on Mugabe as I doubt that our politicians are going to make a difference.
I agree with Thembi, the Zimbabwean voters are a good role model for us, who are now too lazy and stupid to turn out and vote.
Anyway, good luck and hope it all works out well for Zimbabwe.
Posted by: flipped | Friday, 18 April 2008 at 04:59 PM
I hear the dictator Mugabe said 'Down with the British'.
Let the guy come to the U.K and say that. He's brave when he is so far away from he U.K and surrounded by his thugs but we British will never allow a person like mugabe treat us the way he treats his own people. He needs to accept he is not wanted and stop acting like a spoilt child. Its a pity the western world doesnt get oil from zimbabwe otherwise wqe would most likely invade and kill mugabe just like we did with saddam and iraq. I hope Zimbabwe can depose this despot and allow the MDC to take its rightfull place as the leadership of the country.
But if not then its up to the people of Zimbabwe to rise up against him just as the french did with their revolution.
Posted by: Crusader | Friday, 18 April 2008 at 05:52 PM
Why can't the South African government stop the transit of these weapons to Zimbabwe until the dictator Mugabe stands down? His immoral stance humiliates the proud people of Zimbabwe. They deserve a decent life without fear, violence and hunger. He is a foul blight on his country.
Posted by: patricia | Friday, 18 April 2008 at 06:24 PM
LOOK MUGABE IWISH U CAN SEE WHAT U ARE DOING PEOPLE NEED THERE FREEDOM NOT WHAT U A DOING STOP BULING POOR ZIMWABWEANS CAN U JUST DROP ALL THIS AND GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY DO NOT FOR GET U ARE NOT A ZIMBWEAN PLEASE GO BACK TO MALAWI. U A DOING THIS BECAUSE U DO NOT HAVE KIDS YOUR SELF THATS WHY U SO CRUEL TO PEOPLE, PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER LIFE.NO FOOD NOTHING HOW U EXPECT PEOPLE TO SUVIVE.
Posted by: CHATUNGA | Friday, 18 April 2008 at 07:07 PM
this is the time to send im the troops again mubabe needs to be removed we could have stoped him in a long time ago
Posted by: neil | Friday, 18 April 2008 at 07:40 PM
Mbeki won't stop Mugabe, they are buddies. Just watch and see how they hold hands when meeting. There is an intense bond between these two.
Mugabe assisted Mbeki in the years of his exile. You guys really think they going to break the bond NOW? Mbeki is spineless.
Morgan Tsvangerai has every right to request that Mbeki be removed as a mediator. Mbeki is spineless. He cannot even stand up to pressure groups in South Africa. How will he keep a heartless dictator like Mugabe in in check.
Beside Mbeki's time is also over. Even the ANC in South Africa do not want him.
We need strong and just leaders in Africa.
Posted by: Pieter | Saturday, 19 April 2008 at 04:36 AM
many thanks sokwanele for keeping us informed of the events that are taking place in zimbabwe. so mugabe has taken a pot shot at britain, has he? the guy is no leader of his country- he is just a thug who intends to hold onto power by means of using brute force when neccessary and intimidating his own people. which is not going to work because they will never back down to a dictator such as mugabe himself. the sooner he's gone, the better zimbabwe will become. zanu pf have heaped misery and suffering to those less fortunate, as well as driving away the white farmers to south africa.
also, china's relationship with mugabe is appalling but what else do you expect from a human rights abuser, supporting another? alas, its disgraceful, and i am chinese myself, but born in the UK.
speaking of south africa, tarbo mbeki is a spineless president, who cannot seem to say no to mugabe. not only is his friendship with mugabe infuriating those outside africa, but also those people in neighbouring south africa, who wish to have nothing to do with that despot. his reputation is in tatters and hopefully, it won't be long until he is ousted as president of RSA. zimbabwe deserves better, but so do the people of south africa.
either way, the african continent need stronger leaders, who will give hope and belief to its people- black, white etc, and to demonstrate to the world that africa is still alive, but stronger and more smarter than before. and yet in mugabe and mbeki, they hardly are the types of leaders who will do that and guide africa in the right direction
Posted by: ms waiching liu | Saturday, 19 April 2008 at 12:22 PM
I have heard that Zuma failed to condemn Mugabe for violence and intimidation taking place in Zimbabwe. It is still ludicrous to realize that African leaders are not able to be decisive when it comes to contentious situations like Zimbabwe.They put interests of their parties first before they put those of the masses.It is obvious that Zuma was desperately trying to be neutral. If SA had an influential leader, that has the region's interests at heart, Mugabe would be an ex-president by now.The South- African leadership has not shown assertive leadership at all.While acknowledging to have been engaging Zimbabweans, Zuma seemed to suggest that what is happening in Zimbabwe do not need any outward solution.Zuma should not allow his no-nonsense attitude to be questionable, he must maintain his stance and be consistent with what he said in the past.SA is suffering an upsurge of immigrants from Zimbabwe.Is that not a problem to SA than clandestinely trying to resuscitate a sinking regime?Trying to be diplomatic about the Zim situation now is helpless, because the Zimbabwe leadership have shown that principles of democracy do not exist in Zimbabwe.Diplomacy is synonymous with democracy.How can African leaders try to be diplomatic when the person they are trying to engage is not governed by democratic values.This is a shame to the African continent, because the rest of the world will pass a damning verdict that Africans are undemocratic.The Zim impasse was an opportunity for neighbours and member states to demonstrate to the world that the sanctity of keeping democratic norms at all costs is still alive in Africa. When forthcoming leaders such as Zuma become ambiguous, it goes a long way to show that Africans still have a long way to go in order to protect, rights
and freedoms of their own people.
Posted by: Sydney | Thursday, 24 April 2008 at 02:10 PM
I just want to say people of Zimbabwe God has heard the cries of His people and He we will move in with His mighty Right hand and will show all the world His power and greatness. The wicked will bow their knee to O Mighty God or O Mighty God will bow their knee. "I AM a God of my people and I will shine in the darkness and the darkness will flee" Says the Lord God of Israel. Psalms 11:6 Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
Posted by: Kim Oakes | Thursday, 26 June 2008 at 02:09 PM