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Gibson Nyikadzino Features Writer
A LEADING reggae music icon, Bob Marley, once advised blacks to “emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.” Towards the road to decoloniality, the first acknowledgement is to believe that no one but Zimbabweans themselves are the stewards and custodians responsible for shaping their own economic, social and political narratives.
Village wisdom teaches us that those who know about elephants confirm that the best time to ride one is when it is down. Once it rises, the huge animal will not consider going on the ground again. Therefore, only the wise who associate themselves with the foundations of economic reconstruction being laid today await to reap huge benefits that can be spread to everyone’s pocket.
A socio-economic revolution is unfolding in Zimbabwe as the African country, small in population, but ideologically forceful, is transitioning to the restoration of its power, glory and status that stretches back to the pre-colonial days.
Traces of the history of Zimbabwe’s ancient civilisations during the Mutapa Empire and how as a civilisation the pre-colonial Kingdom managed to sustain its survival are being reflected in Zimbabwe today.
The prowess and influence of the Mutapa Empire, which was located in modern day Zimbabwe, stretched as far as what is now known as modern day South Sudan. It encompassed a truly staggering portion of Southern Africa, from the Limpopo and Zambezi Rivers to the Indian Ocean coastline.
In the course of its forceful life, its great civilisation spanned over 300 years, a period that today outlasts the combined existence of other modern day states that are perceived powerful. Throughout history, Africa has been famous for its ancient empires that had powerful rulers. Each Kingdom had its own unique story. For the Mutapa Empire, successive generations believed in their own socio-political and economic organisation for the growth, expansion and security of their boundaries.
Zimbabwe is today taking the same route and course in its travel towards state modernity. Only a people with a strong nationalist mindset embrace Zimbabwe’s vision that is thrust on the pragmatic philosophy termed the, “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo” thought.
Zimbabwe has changed her internal organisation and become conscious of her own character that her successes are a combination of the experience of the old and the vital enthusiasm of the youth.
The power of all
A closer look at the composition of President Mnangagwa’s Cabinet has a telling outlook of the relationship that exists between the young and old in economic reconstruction.
Critical sectors of economic resuscitation have been placed in the hands of people who can balance the interests of the young and those of the old towards modernity.
The complexion of an assortment of personnel including Professor Amon Murwira, Prof Mthuli Ncube, Dr Anxious Masuku, Dr Kirsty Coventry, Dr Sekai Nzenza, Nqobizitha Ndlovu, Permanent Secretary Dr John Bhasera, Deputy Ministers Vangelis Haritatos and Barbara Rwodzi, among others, is as informative as it is clear that both the young and old are working to bridge the gap for Zimbabwe’s success.
The overarching message from President Mnangagwa is that both the young and the old are key constituencies in Zimbabwe’s renaissance by securing the legacy of the country through the guidance of the old guard who plan and let the young vanguards implement and advance the nation’s cause.
In this transition, if Zimbabwe fails to have many great new cadres working in unity and co-operation with the old cadres, our cause to rebuild Zimbabwe will come to a stop. There can be no experiences of segregation when it comes to rebuilding a nation. In 1957, China’s Great Leader, Chairman Mao, succinctly provided the template on how states that need to rebuild their economies should do it.
“The world is yours, as well as ours, but in the last analysis, it is yours. You young people, full of vigour and vitality, are in the bloom of life, like the sun at eight or nine in the morning. Our hope is placed on you. The world belongs to you,” said Chairman Mao.
Young people are the most active and vital force in society. In rebuilding Zimbabwe, young men and women have eagerly shown a desire to greatly contribute to Zimbabwe’s food security through productive land use, resource exploitation and revolutionary defence thought. They have put ideas into practice.
It is against this background that President Mnangagwa has encouraged the welding of Zimbabweans together and exhorted them to go into action by using their talents well in adding value to national rejuvenation.
Look Forward Policy
During the Cold War, Ghana’s Independence President Kwame Nkrumah spoke about the dangers of looking East or West for economic and political help. While his views espoused an African philosophy as refined from Marxist thoughts, Nkrumah saw it plausible to do things the African way.
“We neither look East nor West. We look forward,” said Nkrumah.
Zimbabwe under President Mnangagwa is like Ghana under President Nkrumah; it is looking forward towards global inclusion and multilateralism. Since November 2017, the emphasis has always been on keeping Zimbabwe as a friend to all and enemy of none.
In the previous administration, Zimbabwe’s posture was anti-Western.
To keep moderate relations in a multi-dimensional and economically plural world, the New Dispensation has balanced its interests through the Re-engagement Policy that is meant to engage with countries Zimbabwe severed relations with at the turn of the millennium, and also the Look East Policy of 2003.
The Re-engagement Policy and Look East Policy have both necessitated the formulation of a new paradigm in all political, social, economic, cultural, intellectual and creative endeavours, such that Zimbabwe’s economic interpretation is panning out in a new Zimbabwean centred way.
Positioning the Zimbabwean economy as an agent of change requires a special responsibility by all citizens to put hands on deck to revive the country’s fortunes “brick-upon-brick” and at the same time embracing the ‘Look Forward Policy’ for generational benefit.
The economy was once beset with terrible challenges and encroached on by more advanced foreign powers whose interests were to effect regime change using local agents. For the sake of the revolution, “brick-upon-brick” Zimbabweans are now ready to defend their turf from interventionists.
Remaining vigilant
There has been an attempt to conceal Zimbabwe’s influence and ideological power on the African continent. A lot of interest groups have been co-ordinating to undermine this strength.
When the Mutapa Empire and all its glory diminished and finally collapsed, a clique of the citizens from the same Kingdom had become close to foreigners, especially the Portuguese.
Stooges of foreign countries today remain attached to their sell-out arrangement in a bid to effect regime change. As Zimbabwe marches on in the “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo” thought trajectory, it is high time to pluck the thorns that advocate economic collapse as coming in the form of Non-Governmental Organisations and many of their sponsors. It is not a secret that the way to political power by the opposition in Zimbabwe is being certified by the West. Their bidding is to reverse what the New Dispensation has done in all sectors.
Neither NGOs nor the counter-revolutionary Western sponsored parties are ready to uphold the nation’s values and ethos. Their mission is to infiltrate the establishment of the State. It will remain a futile exercise as both the old and young revolutionaries are ready to defend the cause of Zimbabwe’s political and economic sovereignty.
Foundations of this country can and will only be made firm by “none but ourselves.” No foreigner, no agent and no counter-revolutionary is ever going to help consolidate Zimbabwe’s interests other than the indigenous people.
Zimbabweans, remember we are one!
Online Reporter