Online Reporter
Costa Matyavira, matyaviracgmail.com
THE philosophy of Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo (a country is built by its own people) is a developmental mantra championed by President Mnangagwa.
The philosophy encompasses unity, peace, confidence, freedom, security, responsibility, accountability, teamwork and a deep-rooted belief in self-reliance. It promotes a sense of belonging and a binding relationship within communities and the nation at large.
For this philosophy to be fully effective, however, it requires a morally upright society.
Moral values are principles that help people distinguish between right and wrong conduct. In Zimbabwe, these values are drawn from various sources, including religion, traditional customs, rules and laws.
The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 of the Christian Bible, for instance, provide moral guidance rooted in Christianity and preached in churches across Zimbabwe. Paying lobola and kneeling when serving food to elders are examples of practices associated with traditional customs.
Rules provide guidance in schools, workplaces and homes, while laws enacted by the Government regulate conduct in society. Those who break the law may face penalties.
Moral values can be constructive or destructive. Positive values include self-discipline, honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion, perseverance, kindness, fairness, gratitude, courage and patience. Negative conduct, on the other hand, includes dishonesty, discrimination, violence, theft, corruption, disrespect and selfishness.
A society guided by positive moral values is more likely to nurture trust, cooperation and social cohesion. Its members can work together, share resources and support one another during difficult times. Such values can also promote productivity by encouraging responsibility, accountability, confidence and teamwork.
Conversely, destructive behaviour undermines relationships and erodes trust. Where corruption, dishonesty, discrimination and violence become widespread, social cohesion and cooperation are weakened. Leadership may also suffer when mistrust discourages consultation and informed decision-making.
Therefore, moral values can be understood as driving forces behind the philosophy that a country is built by its own people. These forces can be positive or negative, shaping whether collective efforts contribute to development or undermine it.
Good moral values are positive drivers of nation-building. When people practise respect, compassion, gratitude, kindness and fairness, they help create conditions conducive to peace, unity, order, accountability, confidence, security and teamwork.
These are also some of the qualities embodied in the philosophy of building a country through the efforts of its people. When citizens enjoy a sense of security and belonging, and when they trust one another, they are better placed to reflect on their origins, assess their present circumstances and work towards a shared future.
Such cooperation can stimulate economic, social and infrastructural development, particularly when communities mobilise locally available resources and skills.
In other words, the ideals contained in the mantra can be translated into practical outcomes when they are supported by positive moral values. Respect, fairness, compassion and responsibility help create an environment in which self-reliance and collective responsibility can flourish.
The opposite is also true.
Hatred, violence, discrimination and dishonesty can weaken relationships, breed mistrust and obstruct development. Where these behaviours become entrenched, communities may experience insecurity, conflict, economic stagnation and displacement. A society divided by destructive conduct will struggle to sustain the unity and cooperation necessary for development.
The relationship between moral values and nation-building can be explored through the history of Great Zimbabwe and the development of modern Zimbabwe.
Great Zimbabwe: The foundations of a civilisation
The growth and survival of Great Zimbabwe as a major settlement, with a population estimated by some scholars to have reached approximately 20 000 people, demonstrated the organisational and productive capacity of its inhabitants.
The construction of its impressive dry-stone architecture, including the Great Enclosure, whose walls rise to about 10 metres in places, and the distinctive conical tower, required considerable skill, labour and coordination.
These achievements invite reflection on the values that enable communities to undertake and sustain collective projects.
Great Zimbabwe was also a centre of political authority, agriculture and regional and long-distance trade. Its prosperity was supported by a range of economic and social activities, including cattle keeping, crop production, craft-making and commerce.
Some interpretations associate the site with religious practices and spiritual authority, although the precise functions of its different structures and the nature of its religious activities remain subjects of scholarly discussion.
The values of cooperation, responsibility, respect and mutual obligation can help explain how communities organise themselves and undertake demanding projects. While archaeological evidence cannot establish precisely which moral teachings shaped the daily conduct of Great Zimbabwe’s inhabitants, the city’s achievements provide a useful historical context for examining the relationship between collective effort and development.
Trade
Great Zimbabwe maintained commercial connections extending beyond the Zimbabwean plateau, with archaeological evidence of imported goods pointing to links with Indian Ocean trading networks.
The ability to sustain commercial relationships over time depended on more than the availability of goods. Trust, negotiation, cooperation and the capacity to maintain relationships were also important elements of trade.
Honesty and fairness are essential to such relationships. Where traders consistently cheat, steal from or exploit one another, confidence in commercial exchange can deteriorate, weakening economic activity.
The trading history of Great Zimbabwe, therefore, provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of ethical conduct in economic development. In modern Zimbabwe, the same principles remain relevant to businesses, entrepreneurs and institutions seeking to build sustainable commercial relationships.
Agriculture
Agriculture was another important foundation of Great Zimbabwe’s economy. Crop production and livestock keeping supported the settlement’s population and contributed to its economic life.
Agricultural production requires cooperation, knowledge, labour and the responsible management of natural resources. Communities must also adapt to changing environmental conditions, including variations in rainfall.
Religious practices and ceremonies may have played a role in how people understood and responded to rainfall and other environmental conditions. Gratitude, respect for nature and collective responsibility are values that can be associated with such practices.
However, the historical relationship between rainfall, agricultural production and the decline of Great Zimbabwe is complex. Environmental change, resource use and shifting economic and political circumstances have all featured in scholarly explanations of the settlement’s transformation.
The broader lesson is that communities depend on the responsible management of resources and the ability to work together in responding to challenges. These principles remain relevant to Zimbabwe’s agricultural development today.
Political structure
Great Zimbabwe developed as a centre of political authority, with leadership structures that helped organise economic and social life.
Effective leadership depends on qualities such as responsibility, discipline, consultation and the ability to consider the interests of the wider community. Leaders who listen to advice and make informed decisions are better positioned to build trust and encourage cooperation.
The construction and maintenance of a major settlement such as Great Zimbabwe required coordination across different activities and social groups. Its history demonstrates the importance of organised collective effort in building and sustaining a civilisation.
The precise circumstances surrounding Great Zimbabwe’s decline remain debated. Changing trade networks, environmental pressures, political developments and the emergence of other centres of power have all been considered in scholarly explanations. It would, therefore, be difficult to attribute the city’s decline to the abandonment of particular moral values or to the actions of one ruler without stronger historical evidence.
Nevertheless, the historical experience of Great Zimbabwe offers a valuable starting point for reflecting on the role of leadership, social cohesion and responsible resource management in the fortunes of a society.
Modern Zimbabwe: Values and the national journey
The colonial period brought profound changes to the social, political and economic lives of the Shona and Ndebele peoples and other communities in the territory that became Zimbabwe.
Colonial policies included racial discrimination, land dispossession, taxation and labour arrangements that disadvantaged the African majority. These measures disrupted existing economic and social structures while restricting the opportunities available to indigenous people.
The liberation struggle that followed drew on collective determination, courage and the desire for self-determination. The First and Second Chimurenga occupy important places in Zimbabwe’s historical memory, while Independence Day and Heroes Day provide occasions to remember those who fought against colonial rule.
The restoration of national independence in 1980 created opportunities for Zimbabweans to shape their country’s political, economic and social future.
However, independence did not immediately resolve every challenge facing the new nation. Political tensions and violence in the 1980s, particularly in Matabeleland and the Midlands, left deep scars. The 1987 Unity Accord between Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu marked an important political agreement intended to address those divisions.
The experience underscores the importance of reconciliation, respect, compassion and fairness in strengthening relationships across communities. National unity is not simply a declaration; it requires sustained efforts to build trust, acknowledge differences and promote peaceful coexistence.
Zimbabwe’s economic history has also presented considerable challenges. The country has experienced periods of economic instability, constrained access to international finance and external restrictions, alongside domestic policy and governance difficulties. These factors have shaped the economic environment in which citizens and businesses have had to operate.
During difficult periods, perseverance, mutual assistance, creativity and self-discipline have helped many households and communities find ways to sustain themselves.
Such values are important not because they remove the responsibility of institutions to address economic challenges, but because they can strengthen people’s capacity to respond to adversity and participate in rebuilding their communities.
Hunhu/Ubuntu and the responsibility to build
The philosophy of ‘nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’ is closely connected to the values of hunhu or ubuntu, which emphasise humanity, mutual respect and the recognition that individual wellbeing is linked to the wellbeing of others.
These principles can be seen in the work of organisations that support vulnerable members of society.
The Jairos Jiri Association, established in 1950, has played a longstanding role in supporting and empowering people with disabilities. The Mbuya Nehanda Children’s Home, established in 1986, has provided care for orphans and vulnerable children. The Angel of Hope Foundation, established by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in 2018, is among the organisations involved in supporting vulnerable groups, including women, young people and children.
Such initiatives illustrate how compassion and social responsibility can be translated into practical assistance.
The private sector also contributes to national development through the provision of goods and services, employment creation, investment and innovation. Diverse companies have become part of Zimbabwe’s commercial landscape, serving different needs within the economy.
Businesses depend on trust, responsible management, respect for customers and employees, and the ability to maintain productive relationships. Their contribution to society is, therefore, not measured solely by profits, but also by the economic opportunities and services they provide.
The relationship between moral values and development is evident in both community initiatives and commercial activity. When organisations operate responsibly and people work together towards shared goals, they can contribute to a more productive and supportive society.
Addressing the obstacles
If Zimbabweans are to advance the philosophy that a country is built by its own people, attention must also be given to practices that undermine collective progress.
Drug and substance abuse is one such challenge, particularly where it affects young people and disrupts their education, health and prospects for productive participation in society.
Addressing the problem requires a coordinated response involving families, schools, communities, health professionals and the Government. Employment opportunities, skills development, accessible rehabilitation services and sustained public education can form part of that response.
Creating opportunities for graduates and other young people to use their skills productively is important, although employment alone cannot resolve every aspect of substance abuse. Prevention, treatment, family support and community engagement are also necessary.
Corruption is another obstacle to development. Bribery, dishonesty and the abuse of positions of trust undermine public confidence and can distort the distribution of resources.
When public resources are misused, communities may be deprived of services and opportunities intended for their benefit. Promoting transparency, accountability, fairness and ethical leadership is, thus essential to strengthening public institutions and encouraging citizens to participate in national development.
Moral education also deserves attention. Introducing age-appropriate lessons on values from early childhood through higher education can help young people understand the importance of responsibility, respect, honesty, compassion and cooperation.
Such education should not be confined to classroom instruction. Children learn from the conduct of parents, teachers, community leaders and public officials. The values taught in schools become more meaningful when they are reflected in everyday life.
The ancient city of Great Zimbabwe reminds us of the capacity of communities to organise labour, mobilise resources and create achievements that endure across generations. Its history also illustrates the complexity of sustaining a society through changing economic, environmental and political conditions.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle argued that moral virtue develops through habit and repeated practice. His observation offers a useful perspective on the relationship between values and conduct: people do not become morally upright merely by learning definitions of good behaviour. They must practise those values in their daily lives.
In the end, the philosophy that a country is built by its own people calls for more than declarations of self-reliance. It requires citizens and institutions to translate shared aspirations into responsible action.
A nation is built through the choices people make in their homes, workplaces, schools, businesses and public institutions. It is strengthened when honesty replaces corruption, cooperation overcomes division, and responsibility guides the use of resources.
Therefore, the moral foundations of nation-building are not abstract ideals. They are reflected in how people treat one another, how leaders exercise authority, how institutions serve the public and how communities respond to shared challenges.
When these values are practised consistently, they can help create the trust, unity and collective responsibility on which sustainable development depends.
