Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) We must refuse hostage democracy

We must refuse hostage democracy
Nancy Nyamhunga – Opinion
Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:51:00 +0000

THERE are some bad habits we practice in our daily lives, that we despise and wish to discard, yet the habit is well embedded within us that we often find it difficult to let go.

Our present behaviour is mostly influenced by historical events or perceptions. The way we were brought up very much so dictates our future behaviour, mainly because children learn from the environment that surrounds them.

Take for instance children brought up in a polygamous relationship – if they are male, they are more likely to be involved in extra marital relationships. Publicly, they may justify their actions by citing a difficult marriage/relationship, but subconsciously, the inner person is rationalising it by saying if my father had more than one wife, why not me.

Perpetrators of domestic violence will cite the same reason. But if you try to get very personal with such people and try to get to the bottom of the matter, they will often confide and reveal the “role models” they will be imitating. Quite often it will come up as extreme childhood abuse towards them by those who were supposed to protect them, or witnessing violence between their parents. It becomes a cycle.

We do not want to speak or discuss such issues; we find comfort in shying away and hope that the problem will go away.

As a new generation of Zimbabweans, obviously much more educated than our parents, we must fight to break from the cycle of tribalism. It may be difficult, because we were brought up in an era where we were made to judge people by their regional origin, made to believe that only our own ethnicity is supreme than the other. It was handed to us by our parents, who in their own way cited historical events. But we must move on and break the cycle if we dream of real democracy in Zimbabwe.

Whilst it is easy to have some form of control of what comes out of our mouths, it is often difficult to conceal our behaviour; hence it gives away our feelings towards each other.

I will not scrutinise Zanu PF for the mere fact that it was founded in that era of tribalism and most of the “heavyweights” at the top hierarchy of that party practised it and still do. At one time at Seke Teachers College it was alleged that to secure a place on that college, you had to originally come from Masvingo. It was popularly referred to as “wezhira” meaning we travel the same road when going home. It was the buzz word in the streets of Harare in the 90`s.

So were many other public institutions. If the head of an institution came from Manicaland, then it became Wasu`s territory, likewise if the head was a Zezuru, so was most key personnel.

My concern is mainly with MDC parties, because this party was founded 9 years ago, and it is our own generation at the top hierarchy of that party, supposedly educated, “more civilised”, yet we are failing to break with the past. We cannot yearn for a much more complicated culture namely democracy, if we still allow ourselves to judge people by their ethnicity.

You ask MDC-T staunch supporters why they broke up with what is now known as MDC-M, in public they will rationalise their actions by giving you a long explanation about the irrelevancy of the senators in a country like Zimbabwe. An interrogation into the behaviour of the MDC-T`s electorate and its leadership will reveal a different result. MDC-T as a party, rides on the notion of democracy. If that is what the party represents, then the prime-minister designate, Morgan Tsvangirai was not supposed to have vetoed the decision to participate in senatorial elections without facing a backlash from the electorate. Yet his power to violate his own party’s constitution came from the electorate’s loyalty to his tribe.

Had Morgan Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube belonged to the same tribe, MDC-T`s electorate would have supported Ncube, because he was the one acting within the framework of the party’s constitution. Ncube “lost” because he belonged to the “wrong tribe.”

There is a danger with artificial democracy that is won through tribal loyalty. It disengages the minority from having a say in the policies that affect them. They do not see the point of participating if they feel their vote will not have an influence.

Revealingly, the results of the last elections support my point. Zanu PF has always struggled to get the Matabelend vote due to underdevelopment and Gukarahundi. It should have been manna from heaven for MDC, they were supposed to get an overwhelming win in that region, but it was not so. You cannot elbow one of their own in an unfair way and expect them to be pleased. They will not vote Zanu PF and neither will they vote MDC-T. They simply keep their vote to the advantage of Zanu PF.

You can try to dangle a carrot by preaching the setting up a truth and reconciliation commission and some form of compensation to buy their vote, but the enlightened will not believe it after what happened in those senatorial elections. More so frighteningly is the level of intolerance shown by MDC-T supporters towards MDC-M members and how the power of the majority tribe is used an instrument for oppression.

There is systematic intimidation designed to silence the minority.

We can not have democracy premised on one’s tribe – that is tantamount to hostage democracy. People must be judged by the content of their actions, not tribe.

We have no excuse of not breaking this bad habit, because we now know it is discriminatory, it isolates other people and encourages divisions and hatred within a society.

As a people, we must demand democracy that is inclusive from our politicians, our media, and our churches and in all social gatherings. We need to change our attitudes towards one another, instead of waiting for the other person to change, be that change.

Perhaps it is also time a Zimbabwean Obama comes forward, someone with that charisma and Midas touch which rouse even the deep sleeper vote, one who can connect with ease with the gullible Breton Woods institutions, without leaving the electorate wondering whether they read and understood the small print. It has to be someone with the ability to challenge the hypocrisy of the West, defend vigorously the need for economic justice for all Zimbabweans but still being able to connect with my hip-hop singer brother and convince him to stand in a queue for 6 hours to vote.

The reason why hooliganism is confused with freedom of speech in the parliament is because of hate speech espoused by our political leaders – that is why a Zimbabwean Obama is critically needed. Despite all the false allegations labelled against him by his political rivals, Obama remained focused, calm and did not hit back with bad language. He chose to be different and emphasised the need for change so the country could depart from that behaviour. The electorate were able to see what he stood for in the way he conducted himself and that earned him their trust and respect.

If only Kirsty Coventry was a politician – she probably could have had that Midas touch!

We must refuse to be products of hostage democracy – Americans refused it, Zimbabweans can do it too. It starts with you and me by saying no to democracy we do not believe in.

Yes We Can!

Labels: DEMOCRACY

posted by MrK @ 9:39 PM