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Zimbabwe has withstood serious tests and shocks in its history since independence in 1980.
In the evolution of its democracy that has been littered with many obstacles, we have seen many hands meddle with the cherished peace of the country.
Many countries on the continent and beyond also face challenges from time to time but they have had praise for the nation of Zimbabwe over the manner in which we have managed to resolve our differences peacefully over the years.
We believe that this is a reputation that we need to keep intact and preserve since it sets us apart from many nations.
The 14th of January witnessed an ugly side to the Zimbabwean people that had not been exhibited before on such a scale. Protests over rising prices and economic problems seem to have taken another twist and turned into an orgy of looting and burning of businesses especially of businesses in the western suburbs of Bulawayo and Harare, with the riots claiming the life of a police officer in Entumbane.
Our brief is not to apportion blame on anyone but to appeal to fellow Zimbabweans to realise that we have but one Zimbabwe and that if we burn it down we will have nowhere to run to.
We believe the population has grievances, like any other population of any other country would have grievances, but our point of departure is that resolving disputes should be done peacefully so that we do not blot the sincerity of such efforts.
We need economic growth, we need jobs, we need affordable prices and a stable economy. We may differ on the route to take to achieve these but what is important is the realisation that we have similar dreams and that the violent route does not take us anywhere near our aspirations but leads us in the opposite direction.
While the law takes its course on those that decided to turn their backs on peaceful means of registering their discontent, we would like to applaud millions of Zimbabweans that frowned upon and still remain in utter revulsion of the events of the past few days where people barricaded roads, burnt infrastructure and looted shops with an intensity and impunity never seen before.
This is not a Zimbabwean culture of resolving issues and our appeal to the majority is that let us continue to reject such imposed cultures that will leave many of our youths scarred for life, and many of them behind bars for long.
Just like in any conflict, eventually the parties will have to sit down and resolve issues. It is through dialogue that issues are resolved and we believe that our answer as a people, as a nation, lies in peaceful dialogue whenever there are issues of concern among the population.
Our call to those that resort to a call for arms, is that they should choose peace over violence since the latter begets more trouble for them and the generality of the population.
Online Reporter