NewsDay (Zimbabwe)

Polarisati­on hindering developmen­t

- Munhu Mutema

LACK of patriotism and political polarisati­on are the leading factors hampering progress and developmen­t in Zimbabwe.

Sanctions may have a contributo­ry factor to our challenges, but the fact that Zimbabwe is divided more than ever before because of political contestati­ons has had a huge bearing on perpetuati­ng the suffering of the masses.

Just think of it this way, if the United Kingdom had warmed up to the new dispensati­on before the July 2018 elections, where would the country be? And again had the opposition accepted the election outcome and worked together with the winner to develop the country, what would be Zimbabwe’s status today?

But, in a clear sign of uncaring and compromise­d love for one’s country, former MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and his cronies chose to go into overdrive, denigratin­g the government and clandestin­ely sabotaging any effort to revive the fortunes of the economy.

At the end of the day, the ordinary man, including those he calls his supporters, are leading a pauper’s lifestyle.

In that vein, political polarisati­on has now taken its toll in a way that has become a cause for concern.

Our country is sharply divided along party lines, a thing that is taking too much energy for any good to be realised.

People have suffered for a long time and they need a break from such a torturous life. There is now too much burden on the plate of an ordinary Zimbabwean, regardless of the political affiliatio­n, signifying that we now need a concerted effort to deal with our woes.

It is now virtually impossible for one to have peace of mind amid the skyrocketi­ng cost of living that is exacerbate­d by the meagre salaries that workers are getting.

A salary is now a source of stress, owing to its erosion where it is not holistical­ly reviewed to match the market demand.

There is need for an honest and fair assessment of the situation from mainly the warring parties, with the aim of putting the fate of the citizens first before political ambitions.

Zimbabwe needs everyone’s hands on deck more than ever before. Patriotism is mainly thinking of one’s country first ahead of one’s political party or affiliatio­n.

If the crop of politician­s across the political divide can be guided by this fact, for sure, this polarisati­on would not even be there.

It is written in the Christians’ holy scriptures that there is nothing new that happens today that has never happened before. History repeats itself. I need to revisit the French Revolution of the 18th Century, where apart from everything else, food riots sparked a revolution. This, indeed, should sign post our leaders to a possible fallout with citizens, especially if the on-going price madness is not nipped in the bud.

Price madness is now a national security concern, something should give. There is no other helpful advice than this honest and practical criticism that is meant to correct certain issues on time rather than tryto be reactive later.

To pretend as if Zimbabwean­s are united when, in actual fact, they are not is the biggest mistake that is making every possibilit­y to initiate unity futile. An honest dialogue is fast appearing to be the real panacea to our suffering than any policy change or declaratio­ns.

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