Patriotism should supersede individual interests
Zimbabwe’s tragic tale is monotonously cyclic. The characters in the plot constantly undergo transformation, but the beginning and the end resemble similar misfortunes. Several years have gone by since the economic turmoil commenced and 2020 is near its end, but the absurdism in the political arena is blighting prospects of putting back smiles on the country’s suffering citizens.
Many writers with a soft approach to politics in various local publications have of late been strenuously trying to justify economic policies being implemented by the government as a great leap forward. However, judging by the immense suffering of the toiling workers, suppression of the masses, erosion of buying power of the local currency, looting spree of the country’s minerals by the elite few, it is foolhardy to subscribe to the cheap propaganda mantra that Zimbabwe is on a recovery path.
A government that is failing to deliver essential needs to the people should never claim to have registered positive trends — it has been more disaster on all fronts since the late former president Robert Mugabe was ousted from power in 2017. The current administration, which regrettably presents itself as progressive, but without providing safety nets to the impoverished urban workers and rural peasants, is day-dreaming turning sugar into honey.
Worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, the already haemorrhaging Zimbabwean economy — not basing on theoretical projections made by pro-government sympathisers — will regress further, unless there is political will to unite and focus on the patriotic need to save Zimbabwe. Unfortunately the concept of patriotism has been tarnished by Zanu PF, which treats everyone who differs with its ruinous policies as treacherous, yet that is the spirit required of everyone to extricate the nation from the mess it is rooted in. Civil servants, like many other workers across various sectors of the economy, are struggling. Hospitals have been turned into theatres of horror and most schools are no longer fountains of knowledge, while a decent livelihood is no longer attainable. With the majority facing this depressing situation, the ruling party and the opposition are sadly preoccupied with dramatising life — failing to offer solutions to restore the legacy promised in 2017. Corruption is soaring, despite the rhetoric by President Emmerson Mnangagwa when he assumed office that he would move swiftly to extinguish it. Individuals linked to unscrupulous dealings are seemingly immune to legal prosecution.
No serious investor will consider Zimbabwe a safe investment destination when looters are rewarded for championing illicit outflow of gold, diamonds, among other rich resources, into the hands of global mafia tricksters. If Zimbabwe enters 2021 and all other years to come with the same modus operandi, without a competent parliament, impartial judiciary and serious executive, the situation remains gloomy. Poorly crafted speeches alone are inadequate fodder to bring back to life a drought-stricken herd. The love for the country should supersede individualism.