It’s not Karanga Time, said the Minister
“It’s not Karanga time, it’s not Zezuru time, it’s not whatever tribe time . . . it has always been Zimbabweans time” so said the minister. Honourable Patrick Zhuwao was there. Like any other time, with his charisma and sharpness he kept the lecture interesting, although divorced from what I think should have been. It became an exhibition of his ministry; that is good but inappropriate for that space as it switched the symposium from a reflection on Umdala to a youth interface with the Minister, as if Mantate, Dr Moyo and Sir Justice were not there. After his well designed PowerPoint presentation about the ministry’s policy it seems he had snubbed the blistered toes of Bulawayo Youths.
Contrary to what Mehluli Moyo, the Chairman of the Youth Movement said “It is not a political gathering and we should attempt to ignore politics today” political “cards” were raised ranging from who accesses youth funds, why are youth programmes only available towards elections? Why is the minister in Bulawayo on rare occasions and all sorts of common questions which have become a trademark in Bulawayo even if they are irrelevant to the meeting they always force in and we find ourselves engaging on them even if we didn’t want to.
Minister Zhuwao was calm and ready to respond to each and every, even event inappropriate questions. He confirmed that for the past four weeks he has been in Bulawayo that was a shame to whoever asked who assumes that if the minister in around everyone should meet him. He cleared the air on the CABS Youth Fund stating that it was CABS money not Government’s. He also set the record straight that the ZimCHEER programme was designed with some of Bulawayo’s brilliant young minds such as Andile Songo. I applaud him for that — good and appropriate responses — only that his frankness did not go down well with one young lady who felt that the minister’s honest response was a bit slouchy to which Minister Zhuwao apologised to. This is common truth is like poetry; people hate poetry.
Be that as it may, all hail to Umdala. Long live his idea. People should be relevant in such spaces. People should prepare appropriately. mhlanga_micheal