Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) GPA: Outstanding issues are mere trivia

GPA: Outstanding issues are mere trivia
By Bishop Trevor Manhanga
Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:25:00 +0000

MUCH has been spoken and written of late about what is commonly referred to as the, "outstanding issues" of the GPA. It is my conviction however that while much time has been spent, and effort expended in pursuit of solving these "outstanding issues," all this time and effort may not bring the kind of outcome we long for.

The sad fact about all this is that the real "outstanding issues" are being sacrificed at the altar of expediency, while a flurry of meetings are held in pursuit of issues that have no real bearing on the peace, security and prosperity of the nation.

The real issues, which unfortunately are not getting the priority they deserve, are the national healing and reconciliation process, economic empowerment and developmental issues that will enable Zimbabweans to have a decent roof over their heads, bread on their tables, affordable education for their children, affordable and dependable medical treatment and service delivery issues that give them access to clean water, a constant supply of energy, (for both domestic consumption and transport) and a living environment that affords them a dignified existence.

These are the real "outstanding issues" and it will be to our eternal shame that we spent so much time, and effort haggling on what really are peripheral matters, while the real issues remained on the back burner.

One has to wonder if our political leaders are aware of the centrality of national healing and reconciliation to all that they are trying to accomplish.

The relegation therefore of national healing and reconciliation down the ladder of priorities, is a fatal error, in that anything that the Inclusive Government does outside of a genuine National Healing and Reconciliation process is doomed to failure.

Why do I say this? Because the levels of mistrust, acrimony, and in some instances hatred between various political players, ethnic or racial groups, cannot be overcome by the removal of certain individuals from national institutions. On the contrary, any attempt to enforce this kind of thinking adds to the division rather than serves to bring unity. The schizophrenic manner in which the parties to the GPA have presented themselves to various audiences since the signing of the GPA bears testimony to this.

This inability to present a cohesive, united front is in large part due to the fact that there has not been genuine reconciliation between those who were previously antagonists. Until there is a genuine acceptance of, and not merely tolerance, of each other, all we are currently engaged in is building castles on the seashore.

It should be clearly and categorically stated that the removal of Dr. Gideon Gono from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Mr. Johannes Tomana from the office of Attorney General will not be the antidote for the antagonism that we have previously witnessed between our political parties, nor will it lead to the harmonious co-existence of these political parties. In what way we must ask therefore, will the removal of Dr. Gono from the RBZ lead to political activists refraining from acts of political violence? In the same manner that the mere possession of a marriage certificate does not immunise a marriage from violence between the two parties that signed the marriage certificate, so too the signing of the GPA and even the resolution of these so called "outstanding issues," (which continue to multiply faster than amoeba with each passing week,) will not lead to these political parties peaceful co-existence.

What makes a marriage work, and what will make a political agreement work, is not the paper it is written on, or the vows and commitments agreed to, but rather the sincerity of the hearts, unity of purpose and embracing of shared values, of those who signed the agreement. This is something that no Sadc Troika or any other group for that matter can enforce – it is something that must be born in our hearts as Zimbabweans, because we believe in it and want it.

The arrival of the GPA in 2008 was met by the broad population of the nation with much relief, thanksgiving, and hope that finally we were as a nation at the threshold of a new era. The hope was that the signing of the GPA heralded the beginning of a new day where we could all as Zimbabweans put aside our differences of whatever nature, coalesce our collective strengths, ingenuity and resources to build the kind of nation we all know we have the potential of becoming. With just over a year into the new dispensation, all the goodwill, hope and expectation that ushered in the GPA seems to be dissipating with each passing day. There can be no doubt that there have been noticeable positive changes that have been made during the brief tenure of the GPA. We have witnessed positive movement in the education, and health sectors for example, in addition to the vast array of goods now available in the shops, the availability of fuel coupled with the not so frequent power outages most definitely have been welcome steps in the right direction for the majority of the population. That does not mean to say all is rosy, many challenges remain. The introduction of the multiple currency system with the attendant withdrawal of the Zimbabwean Dollar has caused, and continues to cause untold suffering to the majority of the population. It is a slight against the Inclusive Government that more time has been spent talking about "outstanding issues" when the matter regarding the reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar is just brushed aside with the now familiar refrain "we are not yet ready to see the introduction of the Zimbabwe dollar," without proffering a timetable or plan as to when we could expect to see our economy performing in a manner that would allow the reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar. This lackadaisical attitude to a matter of such national importance, is one which suits those who are paid by NGO’s or have access to sums of US dollars that the ordinary populace do not have access to, but it is cold comfort to those who are barely eking out a living and failing to source the elusive greenbacks. Those who parrot this refrain should ask themselves why for the first time since independence in 1980 well over 60 percent of eligible students failed to find the money to pay for their exam fees this year? And so sadly we continue to stumble along from one mediation meeting to another, seemingly oblivious of the desperate plight of the people whose needs we purport to be concerned about.

It is in this vein that the headlines that met Zimbabweans in yesterday’s edition of The Herald: "GPA Fresh issues emerge" were most distressing. This is tantamount to a game of football where the rules keep changing as the game is played.

The emergence of these fresh issues must be seen against the backdrop of the statement by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown prior to the Commonwealth meeting in Trinidad last week. If ever we thought that the GPA was a matter for Zimbabweans, then Brown’s statement brought our thoughts down to earth with a thud. It has been clear in the period leading up to the signing of the GPA and the period thereafter that certain western countries were not happy with the unfolding events in Zimbabwe.

One does not need to be the proverbial rocket scientist, to see that signing of the GPA was met with a very tepid response from certain western countries, that promptly stated that certain "benchmarks" needed to be met before there could be the lifting of the economic sanctions they imposed.

These "bench marks" were not arrived at in consultation with Zimbabweans, the very people whose interests the western countries are purportedly trying to protect. No, Zimbabweans have been relegated to be mere bystanders as events unfold before them.

These "benchmarks" had nothing to do with the wellbeing of Zimbabweans, but rather are a testament to the condescending attitude of the western nations, that unless the Sadc mediated process met with their "bench marks," the current economic embargo on the nation and travel restrictions on certain people would remain. So Brown’s statement last week that there must be: "progress on reforms in security, justice and the economy – including restructuring the Reserve Bank to improve management of public finances – and embracing a vibrant free press," let the proverbial cat out of the bag.

It must now be clear to the discerning eye that once the "Reserve Bank has been restructured," read that as Dr. Gono being removed from his position as Governor of the RBZ, or failing that, made impotent by the enactment of legislation that makes him a mere figure head. Then we hear from Mr. Brown that there must be progress on reforms in "justice." Read that as the removal of the Attorney General from office, the next logical step in accordance with Prime Minister Brown’s statement is "progress on reforms in security." Let us be crystal clear that as part of the grand strategy being pursued by Brown and his colleagues there must be the total removal of all current Service Chiefs who fought in the liberation war and are seen as pillars of President Mugabe’s continued stay in office. Now the implications of this external interference in our national affairs must not be taken lightly. Those who believe that the removal of our security service chiefs and other personnel perceived to be stumbling blocks to what the western world wants imposed in Zimbabwe must understand the very serious repercussions for the well being of our nation that such thinking will usher in.

It becomes clearer with each passing day that as long as the preconceived plan of Brown and his allies is not met, we will be faced with ever shifting goal posts. This is where we expect Sadc to put its foot down and very firmly. It is Zimbabweans who must decide whether they want a government led by Zanu-PF or one led by the MDC-T, MDC or any other party. The future of Zimbabwe must not be decided in the corridors of Whitehall but in the polling stations in Glen View, Muzarabani and Sakubva, nothing more, nothing less.

The idea being presented currently, (or rather before the introduction this week of additional "outstanding issues), that the future well being of the nation is predicated upon the removal from office of the Reserve Bank Governor and Attorney General must be seen therefore for what it is, a diversion from the real issues.

Will the removal of these two gentlemen lead to political harmony and the removal of acrimony between the political parties? Does this mean that once these two offices have been filled with different people there will be no political violence in future and we will have enough fuel and electricity, the shops will be awash with goods and unemployment will be reduced to single digits? For as long as we continue to focus our efforts and attention on minor issues while leaving the major issues untouched, we are condemning ourselves to continued strife and upheaval. The fact of the matter is that there remains unresolved anger, residual hurts that have nothing to do with Dr. Gono or Mr. Tomana or any of the new list of "outstanding issues." For as long as national healing and reconciliation remains a peripheral issue – as it currently is, we will not deal with the real issues that have divided us over the years. While the GPA acknowledged the need for national healing – and they must receive the credit for at least acknowledging that national integration, peace and prosperity would be a pipe dream in the absence of a process that dealt with the unresolved issues that have plagued us for years, they have erred in not making the process the number one priority issue following the signing of the GPA in September 2008.

Today almost 30 years after that glorious night on April 18, 1980 when the Zimbabwe flag was hoisted for the first time, signifying the birth of the independent sovereign nation of Zimbabwe, we are still a very much divided nation. Let’s look at the white community for example from which political power was being transferred then, who it is clear President R. G. Mugabe (who was Prime Minister at that time) was reaching out to, in that epochal and bridge building speech, when he announced the policy of national reconciliation. For all intents and purposes the white community did not reciprocate, but spurned the hand that was extended to them and the magnanimity showed to them responding with acts of sabotage and when that failed adopted a business as usual approach, with the feeling that you have political power but we will continue to exercise economic power. There was no apology for past wrongs committed. For the most part when the land reform program was embarked upon it was not seen as an attempt to correct the injustices of the past and therefore rebuffed by the majority of the whites still present in the country. That is why today you still have white members of the community starting their own schools, congregating in churches where they are the majority (even if it means changing their lifelong held religious convictions,) meeting in their own social clubs and circles, because right from the onset in 1980 no genuine reconciliation had taken place. While I have heard many calls for there to be a reconciliatory process started to atone for the tragedy that unfolded in the post 1980 period in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces respectively, these calls while noble and deserving of attention, should of necessity start with the pre-independence period as well. If we are going to truly see national healing and reconciliation then we cannot be selective in deciding what period to cover, it must be all inclusive, both pre and post 1980. Then, and only then, can we hope to genuinely put to rest the demons that have imprisoned us all these many years. As part of the national healing and reconciliation process there must be finality put to the land reform program. Once again this does not start with the land reform program post 2000. We cannot call for the compensation of white landowners who had their farms taken as part of the land reform program while forgetting the indigenous people of Zimbabwe who had their land taken from them when the white settlers came. The seriousness of this matter is evident in what we see unfolding with the MDC national treasurer Roy Bennett. It is clear that Bennett is at variance with what his party signed on to in the GPA in that he still believes he has a right to, and will have his farm returned to him. Obviously in his mind the land reform program is not final, and if indeed he holds on to this viewpoint does it follow that his party holds this view as well? Now that it appears the land issue is back on the agenda as part of the "outstanding issues" does it follow that as part of the issues to be resolved is the return of farms to their former white owners? This in effect would nullify the entire land reform program with catastrophic consequences for the well being of this nation. These are the issues that pose the gravest threat to national cohesion and stability, and yet they are being conveniently left on the sidelines while we hear tons and tons of words spoken about what in essence are peripheral matters.

The inconvenient truth that those who have been trying to have Dr. Gono removed from his position, do not want to acknowledge is that he has a proven, successful track record, that saw CBZ emerge from the ashes of the bankrupt Bank of Credit and Commerce, to become the largest commercial bank in Zimbabwe. No mean feat and one that should earn him commendations, not brickbats. To have called Dr. Gono an "economic terrorist" is nothing short of scandalous and if we were serious about national healing and reconciliation, the starting point would be for those who uttered such false, derogatory and inflammatory words to publicly repudiate them.

This would send a signal that indeed we are genuine about national healing and reconciliation. We should celebrate people of Dr. Gono’s ilk, but we don’t, and we have several like him, who have risen to the challenge that faced them, seized the opportunity, showed tremendous vision, tenacity, business acumen, outstanding leadership skills, and built business empires that can stand up to the best in the world. Strive Masiyiwa, Mutumwa Mawere, Shingai Mutasa, Philip Chiyangwa, and Oliver Chidawu, are just a few who come to mind. It is most unfortunate therefore that, rather than celebrate the heroes and heroines that we have in our midst, from a wide spectrum of fields, (the business sector being just one of the many,) we have on the contrary, continued to exhibit this fatal attraction of attacking those we don’t understand or accept, and seeking every opportunity to not only pull down them down, but do all we can to see them destroyed. For as long as we continue on this self-destructive path, we will never realise the vast potential that lies within Zimbabwe and build the kind of nation we so desperately need.

Hate speech of whatever nature, uttered by whomever does, must not only be condemned, it must be stopped. We should ask of our public officials to heed the words of Gautama Buddha, who said, "If you propose to speak, always ask yourself – is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?" In light of the destructive potential of their words, those who have engaged in uttering inappropriate speech need not wait for the organ on National Healing and Reconciliation to come knocking at their doors to initiate a process of healing and reconciliation. On the contrary, they should proactively come out, acknowledge that what they have said is wrong, apologise for what they have said and seek reconciliation. That is the right thing to do, even if it may not be the most politically correct thing to do.

The fact of the matter is that while President Mugabe magnanimously announced a policy of reconciliation in 1980, this did not and has not become a reality in our nation. We owe it to ourselves therefore, and future generations to not allow this moment to pass us by, to acknowledge the wrong doings of the past, make amends for injustices and hurts caused, but be magnanimous in forgiveness and unite to build a better future. In so doing let us be led by our own convictions, and shut our ears to outside interference by those who wish to serve their own interests, not ours. National healing and reconciliation cannot be put off a day longer, let us give it the priority it deserves.

l Bishop Trevor E. C. Manhanga is the Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Zimbabwe

Labels: GLOBAL POLITICAL AGREEMENT

posted by MrK @ 6:16 AM