adminCollen Mharadzano
HAVING been born in the twilight years of Zimbabwe’s liberation epoch, stories which have been naturally imbibed by my mental faculties are galore of the exciting moments which characterise the escapades of the heroines and heroes of the tortuous war.
Certainly, the war was not a stroll in the park as the gallant daughters and sons of this fortress defied all odds by humiliating an enemy who was armed to the teeth with then modern weaponry. Someone might ask, what is exciting about a war? The simple answer would be that the excitement will always be there on the side of the victors irrespective of whether their credentials and identity suit anyone’s whims.
The war has always been a dreaded phenomenon as its grotesque consequences have always created horrible scars in the affected societies. Those who actively participated in the war and communities which witnessed battles have lifetime tales which they never want to witness again.
This then forms the crux of this week’s installment which exhort the populace in its diversity to embraces the virtues of peace which are a product of selfless sacrifice by the multitudes of heroines and heroes, fallen and living who took it upon themselves to ensure eternal peace becomes a permanent feature of the republic.
Following hot on the heels of the war of liberation was the Renamo insurgency which destabilised Mozambique and Zimbabwe, derailing envisaged economic gains which should have accrued to the two nations.
The savagery and turmoil which this war caused on the Zimbabwean and Mozambican communities is immeasurable, some lost limbs and carry scars to this day.
Renamo fighters were soldiers of fortune and destabilization, hence their senseless acts left societies with untold suffering. Given this stench of death, sorrow and pain which envelopes communities at war, one would be tempted then to proffer the ideal of peace as the only viable option available to human beings. Having elaborated on the effects of war which in itself denotes the absence of peace, one might wonder as to what the definition of peace is.
Without being scholarly by way of quoting authorities in this genre, in ordinary parlance, peace entails the absence of hostile antagonism and/serenity. In Conflict studies, not all antagonism is destructive. Remember, great ideas which have shaped the world have sometimes emerged in such battles. Once conflict relegates itself to the peripherals of negativity, then peace is under threat.
The journey which Zimbabwe has travelled since the attainment of independence gives testament to the significance of peace. Though the various economic sanctions which Zimbabwe has find itself entangled in have been a drawback to strides which the country had made since 1980, its treasured possession has been unbridled peace.
The fruits of peace have found expression in the arena of education where Zimbabwe remains at the zenith of the continent. Of course, those who are myopic minded with a retrogressive agenda for the nation might take this for granted, but in essence it is a worth a bow, for it is peace which has a direct positive effect to a nation’s developmental agenda.
Probably, drawing parallels to the peaceful nature of Zimbabwe and the wanton killings being perpetrated in Libya and Syria would give some a wakeup call as to the importance of peace in a nation. The recent senseless slaughter of innocent lives in Belgium is a case in point where those with a penchant for the human blood continue to threaten the availability and sustenance of peace.
Where there is no peace, resources are channeled elsewhere which does not benefit the people and further alienates the people from the national purse. The resources which were supposedly meant for national development are directed to quelling disturbances and restoration of sanity.
As a peace scholar, having read contents of the book by David Coltart, controversially titled: ‘The Struggle Continues: 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe’ which unashamedly makes gory references to attempts by the Movement for Democratic Change to create a military group to fight a legitimately elected Government.
It seems the learned lawyer is oblivious of the dire consequences of the mere conception of such an idea. It is plain banditry which can best be described as treasonous.
The statements which were attributed to Zanu-PF spokesperson, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo that Coltart needs to furnish the law enforcements with flesh to his alleged skeletal claims need to be taken seriously. In fact, law enforcement should move with speed to interrogate Coltart and those he alleges were behind such alleged insurrection.
The contents of that book are sufficient evidence that there was intention to revolt against a legitimately elected Government. The Shona people have an adage which extorts people to be wary of things which appear small yet there will have a much devastating effect later. ‘Kamoto kamberevere kakapisa matanda mberi’.
Probably, it is because we are in the Third World, can someone tell me what would happen to anyone who would have dared say such destructive mantra in the so called First World. I bet he/she would by now be rotting in jail for the rest of their lives. It instructive that, for Third World countries to have any meaningful development, there should take issues of peace seriously for they are key to the emergence of any developmental agenda.
One is left to argue that the so called First World is where it is today due to the apparent fact that they take issues of peace with the gravity they deserve. Anyone within/without their boundaries who disregard the existence and continued sustenance of peace in their societies will be rebuked and be removed from the societies for as long as their laws permit. As a result, these nations focus on key deliverables for their citizens. This partially explains the continued growth in their economies.
It is time Africa and the rest of the developing world take this issue of prevalence of peace seriously as it is indeed one of the key panaceas to the ever emerging quagmires. As Zimbabweans, we are now in the season to celebrate the nation’s independence hence these peace matters have to be taken with the seriousness they deserve. Yes, independent Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister designate Robert Mugabe urged then warring parties to turn their guns for ploughshares for the enhancement of the nation. I would urge Zimbabweans to embrace such a constructive spirit as the nation grapples with crucial economic matters which need to be addressed. Therefore the existence of peace surpasses all as it is the key ingredient to the achievement of all progressive human endeavors. May we all embrace peaceful existence?
Collen Mharadzano is a Peace scholar and a political writer based in Nyanga
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