Regaining political control was central to decolonisation yet decades into independence testimony from postcolonial Africa is that the black regimes have been nothing short of disastrous experiments of leadership, and lives of ordinary black citizens have not improved. Colonialism was inhuman, but we have deeper political problems in the independent Zimbabwe today, arguably, than we ever had pre-independence. Rhodesia was bad for black people, but Zimbabwe is worse in all measures.
One of the greatest failings of the independent Zimbabwe’s politics is the culture of unaccountability which has caused tribalism and political violence against those who hold different views to thrive; this is a universal problem across the political spectrum. It is more evident coming from ZANU PF who are brazenly using state instruments, including armed forces and withdrawal of basic rights, to terrorise opponents.
It is no exaggeration that politics in the independent Zimbabwe has been a monumental disaster for the ordinary citizens, and let us be clear, under the cloud of unaccountability things have been even worse for Matabeleland and Ndebele people inhabited parts of the Midlands. The ZANU PF led government has been physically and culturally terrorising people to submission.
Since the so-called independence in 1980, Matabeleland has faced many defeats, but it is essential that we are not defeated. We do not deny the fact we have been victims of diabolical tribalism, an exclusionary politics of hate and murder; also, we will not de-emphasise the reality that we are targets of violence from a despotic regime that is uncomfortable with all forms of difference, including difference of opinion, but we will get down and fight so Matabeleland will stand up tall, and once again be recognised beyond its borders.
We do recognise as Matabeleland population that while our black communities played a greater role in liberating Zimbabwe from the racist white rule, the part we the citizens have played in the making and sustaining of the places and communities we live in in the independent Zimbabwe has diminished. It is despicable that under the rule of fellow black people and through the calculated misuse of majoritarian democracy, decisions about Matabeleland are made by Mashonaland legislators while Matabeleland representatives sit by folding their arms in submission.
A solution to a problem starts with the acknowledgement that there is a problem. It is fundamental that we have a clear understanding of Matabeleland’s problem because in every problem lies a seed of its solution. However, we do not want to fall into the victim mentality loop; we will not pay undue focus on the problems and deny ourselves the opportunity to be at the core of the solution.
We are clear of the root of our problem and that ZANU PF as a political organisation and the governing party is a tribal and ethnic Shona hegemony whose interests lie in the political dominion over Matabeleland, and we unequivocally support representative democracy, federalism, and decentralisation as the path to the resolution of the marginalisation of Matabeleland and its people. In similar vein, we reject the demonisation and de-legitimisation of Ndebele people represented by the ethnic Shona political narrative and campaign.
The politics that sets out to misidentify people of Matabeleland as foreigners who must return to South Africa is a self-indulgent, ignorant, ethnic Shona people tripe that should not see the light of day. All population groups that occupy the territory called Matabeleland and parts of Midlands are legal citizens of Zimbabwe, and we must emphasise that fact in our campaigns.
When we, in Matabeleland, demand for localisation of political and economic problem-solving we are calling for local control over resources, politics and economic activity to ensure that policy reflects our needs, norms and values. That is ethical politics and must not, for political reasons, be mischaracterised as exclusionary politics that seeks to demonise certain population groups.
Lived experience has taught us that peace can never be achieved by excluding other humans from the system; we do not believe discrimination of any kind is the solution to challenges facing our people, but it is part of the problem hindering not only Matabeleland but also the rest of Zimbabwe.
Diversity of communities enriches rather than threatens Zimbabwe’s socio-political environment. To be a part of the solution, Matabeleland must be clear that tribalism anchored by a paranoia driven ZANU PF regime is the root of the problem. Gukurahundi is the base of ZANU PF rule in Matabeleland, and while we are on it, we find it reprehensible and objectionable that deliberations of such a sensitive issue will be headed by a Mashonaland chief whose impartiality is obvious given his close and present ties with ZANU PF, the perpetrators of the atrocities. Matabeleland is comfortable and proud of its diverse population; we must not subscribe to a political formula based on the targeting of certain population groups for abuse. All who live in Matabeleland and/ or call it home are entitled to basic human rights. We believe it is important to empower localised problem-solving and that policy and laws should reflect the traditions, norms, and values of the population.
MTHWAKAZI INDEPENDENT 