One tree line at a time

Reimagining politics of Zimbabwe is self-preservation for Matabeleland; it requires a change in how we think because we are a central part of the process that shapes our experience of Zimbabwe. We are exposed to a repressive political regime – a product of corrupt mindsets, sustained, and maintained by public silence. Corruptible systems have been created and equally corruptible institutions set up to operationalise and strengthen them; in its silence, the public is complicit.

We have lost a generation to gangsters posing as leaders of government; we will not yield in advance to a posture of cruelty that these mobsters seek to normalise; we will not obey in advance and will never be overwhelmed by the task ahead. We retain the determination to change our thinking and reshape politics for a better future.

Politics in the independent Zimbabwe is one humongous scandal closely coordinated by mobsters from State House. It is a criminal regime that disregards conventional wisdom and resorts to clandestine methods; it exposes the average person to brutality, targets and dehumanises certain population groups, uses threats, intimidation, and even ‘disappears’ opponents.

All being equal, this is a system that requires a sudden and complete transformation, but the question is: do we have the right tools and capacity to affect swift changes at the required reach – depth and width – yet?

We understand the reservations around the effectiveness of incrementalism, and the real risk of co-optation by authorities, and we recognise that there are times when radical reforms will be more appropriate and effective, but incrementalism should not be seen as embracing a stultifying conservatism that preserves tradition over reform. To us it means making small adjustments in laws and policy gradually; it means breaking down undesired statutes, removing, and replacing sets of faulty structures, one piece at a time, until the idealised system and institutions are realised.

Summoning the best that is within us, one tree line at a time, would be critical. Let us reclaim control of our immediate spaces and communities; be a part of the local socio-political ecosystem – form formidable local structures that will take control of small-scale influential local projects, ensure inclusivity, improve communication, increase accessibility of information in easy to read/ understand formats, promote and protect local history, arts, languages, and culture.

Whichever way, make your presence felt and affect change locally; donate a set of writing/ drawing pens for your local school, donate sanitary pads to disadvantaged teenage girls so their school attendance is not disrupted unnecessarily, play an active part in the local school committee, use your voice to demand accountability from civic leadership and political representatives, influence how and who gets to lead you at local, regional and national level, guide local social and political narratives, and then expand your agenda from local to regional and national level.

Do not allow your inability to do everything undermine your determination to do something (Cory Booker, 2025).

Whatever you do today, do not do nothing; we cannot wait to acquire huge resources before acting; faced by oppressive systems, we just cannot afford the indignity of doing nothing; as direct targets and victims of injustice, silence cannot be the answer in Matabeleland; silence is complicity. We must not allow that which we cannot do to interfere with that which we can do. We must not stop doing anything altogether because we can only do a little.

There is clear understanding that the solution lies in going out there and passionately expressing our beliefs and turning ideals into concrete reality; with character, wisdom, courage, and boldness, we can make a difference.

We are not about changing the world, but the bit around us – friends, relatives, next door neighbours, civic leaders, work colleagues, etc. Incremental change is not cowardice, it is a deliberate approach that can lead to meaningful progress within the existing framework of government or indeed set the foundations for radical change in society.

Every day is an opportunity to change something for the better, no matter how small. If Matabeleland does not step up, the future is bleak. Do not wait for the invitation card, design one; whatever your ability, find your place and help us grow. Everyone has a role to play in setting up vital structures for a political culture of respect, progress, tolerance and transparency.

We shall never ask anyone to make drastic changes to every single one of their beliefs and behaviours or to overhaul the way they conduct themselves overnight. But what we are asking is that Matabeleland people consider reformulating their personal, social and political spaces, and transform their political interpretation and judgement in response to the politically induced crises in pragmatic and incremental ways to create healthier versions of the political space to create safe, progressive, and secure spaces for everyone in the region.