If you don’t live for anything, you fall for everything
PERHAPS the most interesting phenomenon in our politics of late has been the rise of the fickle politician, who is inclined - in typical chameleoneque fashion - to change loyalties, principles and ideals in a heart beat. Quite clearly, like rats, they have mustered the survival instinct of abandoning seemingly sinking ships and unashamedly latching onto buoyant ones.
One day they are denigrating people; the next day they are praising them. It is quite a spectacle really. But it is hardly surprising that such species are predominantly made up of young politicians who inexplicably seem to be in a hurry to replace the old guard.
And getting rid of the old guard meant chipping away at the perceived value system of the old guard - the liberation struggle and continuity of the country’s revolution.
This was always going to be fatal, considering that the group that was undertaking this ill-fated enterprise did not have any veritable principles and ideals.
Individuals that are not tethered on any ideals are dangerous, for they do not stand for anything.
If you don’t live for anything, you can fall for everything; this is how fickle politicians are born.
Throughout this whole episode of the contestation for power, the war veterans and the army have been referring to the sanctity of the ethos of the liberation struggle, which is quite instructive.
Zimbabwe is quite blessed because unlike other civilisations that had to invent myths in order to preserve their nationhood and draw inspiration for future successes, the country’s liberation struggle is more than a myth from which Zimbabweans can draw inspiration for future development.
The commitment to fight the war, the sacrifices that were made and the victory against a well-resourced system are all symbolic achievements of mythical status.
At the time, selfless youth, who were not promised any material rewards, committed themselves to sacrifice their lives in order to upend a racist minority system. Many paid the ultimate price. The history of Western civilisations is replete with countless myths, most of them probably invented, that have helped to shape the world.
Greek mythology & Alexander the Great
Many might not be familiar with the name Alexander the Great, but in one way or the other they probably have heard the name mentioned.
This seemingly larger-than-life character from Macedonia, Greece, became known as a military genius.
Closer to home, the city of Alexandria in Egypt was even named after him.
Just like Napoleon Bonaparte of France, Alexander the Great’s empire threatened to spread throughout the world.
He was most famous for leading his army from the front and again, just like Napoleon, many of his enemies either retreated or surrendered from the mere sight of him.
But what made him almost superhuman and invincible was his belief in his own divinity.
In a highly superstitious Greek society, Alexander believed that he was the son of the Greek god, Zeus.
This was a myth that drove him to make an indelible mark on history.
To better understand what this means, one has to appreciate what this myth was all about.
Greek mythology, which became the foundation of Western philosophy and civilisation, tells a story of Uranus, the sky god, who was born of Gaia, the Earth goddess.
Uranus married Gaia and the union conceived giants, including Titans, as children.
At the Earth goddess’ instigation, Cronus - the last-born Titan - castrated Uranus (his father).
After this deed, Cronus then ruled over his brothers and sisters, and fathers other gods after his union with Rhea his wife and sister.
However, he eats these gods as soon as they are born, with the exception of Zeus, who later overthrows his father, Cronus.
Later, war breaks out between the younger gods - led by Zeus - and the older Titans, from which the younger faction emerges victorius.
Zeus is then elected the King of other gods.
As someone who had been tutored by Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, Alexander believed this narrative and by believing that he was Zeus’ son, he believed that he was a god of sorts. This is why he dared the world. Every civilisation has a myth that is similarly fashioned from which it derives its inspiration and hope.
Historians say myths are one of the means by which human societies have attempted to interpret creative forces, natural phenomena and events beyond their control.
Furthermore, they offer insight into the human condition and are a source of inspiration or comfort when human beings are confronted with the apparently irreconcilable.
It is believed that while scientific discovery may appear to have invalidated the literal truth of many myths, they still remain powerful emotional and spiritual models.
Thankfully, Zimbabwe does not have to invent one; it has one.
It is unsurprising that the preamble of the country’s Constitution makes reference to the liberation struggle.
This epoch therefore is quite symbolic to the Zimbabwean State and has to be considered as a guiding reference point from which Zimbabweans, including future generations can draw inspiration, to chart the way forward.
Far from a historical reference point, the liberation struggle and its ethos are a compass that guides the continued growth of our civilisation.
The country now has renewed hope because the custodians of such ethos have since made a stand to defend what this country stands for.
Rather than generational renewal, what the country needs is to continue passing on these ethos to future generations in order to guard our values.
As the country charts a new way forward, the selfless principles that drove veterans of the struggle to go sacrifice their lives to serve the generality of Zimbabweans should be the guiding principles of those in the civil service.
It is not about material rewards, but service for the common good.
Also the victory by these veterans, which culminated in the birth of a new Zimbabwe, should provide hope that even as the country faces seemingly insurmountable challenges, it will surely overcome.
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darlington.musarurwa@zimpapers.co.zw