Clarity about who we are is necessary for the evaluation of ourselves, our position in an everchanging world, and any productive intercourse with any other cultures. Societies continuously try to recreate themselves; Matabeleland is no different; we want to adapt and adopt new ideas from a position of strength not of weakness; that can only happen when we build on the foundations of our cultural identity. We must be unwavering when it comes to who we are; we will make it our strength and arm ourselves in it, so it is never used to hurt us.
A good local foundation is important for recreating Matabeleland society and politics; our thoughts should never be other people’s opinions of us and our lives a copy of other societies, but a by-product of our values intelligently integrated into new innovations and the world within a context of our self-appreciation. It is necessary for our healthy day-to-day interaction with other social groupings that we are clear in who we are, and that we define ourselves let others deal with us not with their idea of us.
Being recognised for who you are is an important aspect of one’s sense of identity. The danger of a lack of recognition or misrecognition is the resulting marginalisation of people and cultures which in turn can lead to suppression or oppression of certain population groups which can generate extremism and resentment.
Identity politics seeks to address the marginalisation of groups by redefining the group’s identity from that of a damaging cultural stereotype. This is designed through the reshaping of the group identity to give back to the group a sense of value and pride.
Matabeleland identifies as a diverse, multicultural nation constituting BaKalanga, Nambya, Nguni, Vhenda, Sotho, Tonga, and others. We are a culturally vibrant and diverse society with no intentions at identity or culture washing; we are accommodating and welcoming, multicultural with a multitude of religious and spiritual beliefs equally recognised. For over a century, we have lived peacefully side by side as neighbours in these socially diverse communities, all wishing for a just and more human world; identity differences have never been a source of division or intimidation but are core to our society’s beauty.
The growing phenomenon of divide and conquer mentality that characterises contemporary Zimbabwe state is a ZANU PF construct that sought to create self-doubt while establishing a highly polarised and dangerous political space in Matabeleland. In this space ethnic Shona supremacism and privilege were cultivated; in this space population groups other than Shona people were dehumanised and that gave birth to hate and growth of anxiety among peoples of different social background.
Politicising difference served as an important tool that ZANU PF would effectively use to gain ethnic Shona support to legitimise the Gukurahundi atrocities that saw people of Matabeleland stripped of their human rights, freedoms, and liberty when they were raped, tortured, starved to death, and literally butchered. Gukurahundi which was to be later described as ‘a moment of madness’ by its architect Robert Mugabe was pronounced as war on dissidents when in fact it was state terrorism against unarmed Matabeleland and Midlands civilians.
Nothing about ZANU PF fits in Matabeleland; while our priority is giving value and embracing the idea that culture is important to one’s social and political identity, ZANU PF’s is one people, end of difference. For the greater good of Matabeleland, we aim to create systems and institutions that acknowledge the political importance of identity, embrace it, and are better prepared to deal with its challenges.
Difference and dissent are not a crime but normal phenomena, and an indication of systematic inadequacies that require urgent review and adaptations to meet the changing worldview and needs of certain population groups in society at any given time.
It is fundamental that we maintain our defined identity and build a political system that fits into that identity. We want to recreate and steer our society away from the ZANU PF toxicity of tribalism to one that promotes diversity within unity; we want to effectively tackle the challenges that arise out of cultural diversity and minority marginalisation. Arguably, multiculturalism is the best fit for Matabeleland.
Multiculturalism is the idea that distinct identities and cultural groups should be acknowledged, preserved, and supported in society. This will require a federalist and decentralised governance system to ensure culture washing is avoided and communities retain their socio-cultural identities, economic and political independence and willingly subordinate their interests for the greater good of the nation, but for that to happen communities would need to perceive benefit in doing so. People would want the nation to reflect them.
Guiding principles for a progressive Matabeleland are that it would reflect the diversity of our society; all population groups must see themselves in the systems and institutions that govern them. A decentralised federalist system would better achieve our goals; we must strive to create space for cultural diversity to thrive and to avoid marginalisation of any population group. We acknowledge the importance that cultural diversity plays in multiculturalism; with that in mind, cultural diversity should not just be tolerated in Matabeleland, but it should be celebrated. Cultural diversity is compatible with civic unity, and political cohesion. Diversity promotes understanding and cultural exchange between groups and encourages respect for difference and protects against prejudice.
MTHWAKAZI INDEPENDENT 