Without a foundation, nothing is sustainable. Zimbabwe gained independence approximately forty-five years ago. Much can be said about the failures that have collectively reduced the country to an uncivilized state. However, this does not mean all Zimbabwean people can be categorized as uncivilized. The root cause of Zimbabwe’s problems requires identification before starting afresh. We are a nation born out of confusion, resulting from improperly structured objectives of the war. Before engaging in war, there should have been a consensus on the points of opposition to the status quo and the agreed-upon form of an alternative government.
An armed uprising should not have been haphazard. For instance, the objectives of some of the people who went to war included their dislike of taking cattle to the dip tanks. Some opposed Ian Smith due to the prohibition of tilling land close to riverbanks. Others objected to the idea of contour ridges to prevent soil erosion. Additionally, some had genuine complaints such as blatant racial discrimination. There were also fugitive criminals with no vision of what they expected the next government to be like. Some of those leading the armed struggle saw an opportunity for self-aggrandizement, believing themselves to be wiser than everyone else.
The question of whether the liberation war was necessary, as opposed to engaging in constructive communication, can be a topic for another day. However, the issue is that we engaged in a war without clear objectives of the alternative. Did the Chimbwidos understand the purpose of that war? What were they promised for their support of the liberators? What was the remuneration promised to the fighters, including their relatives, in the event of their demise? What would the structure of the alternative government be like?
These questions should have been addressed before establishing a democratic government in Zimbabwe. The size of the government and the conduct of the ministers in their service to the people could have been clearly defined. In other words, the Patriotic Front should have had its own constitution, rather than relying on Margaret Thatcher’s dictates at Lancaster House. Without the proper articulation of such details, it is clear how we have arrived at our current predicament.
We must commend the African National Congress of South Africa for having a Freedom Charter. Although the described Freedom Charter may seem lacking in detail, the ANC at least has a foundational document. Regardless of the complaints made by the freedom fighters, against the regime, a formidable alternative should have been in place. Without a clear mandate from the people, freedom fighting was a ruse, and their achievements should not be celebrated.
There have been unconvincing claims suggesting that the freedom fighters were communists. If expressing the desire for an independent nation, how does that communist arrangement align with our own ideas as Zimbabweans? Independence implies adopting our own philosophies, not those of other nations. Without such clarity, it’s moving from one oppressive system to another. Independence means self-determination; thus, one cannot speak of independence while transitioning from one oppressive system to another.
Before independence, most people assumed that the liberation struggle promised a one-man-one-vote system for establishing a government. However, the one-man-one-vote pattern did not clarify the qualities expected of the leaders being voted for. Some were caught by surprise when, as early as 1980, ZANU PF, having won by a majority, immediately expressed a desire to establish a one-party state. This philosophy, adopted by Mao Zedong of China, was to be imposed on the people, who were expected to accept it without understanding its advantages and disadvantages.
There is ambiguity regarding whether the war against dissidents was meant to advance Mao Zedong’s ideology or was driven by tribalism. This confusion underscores the issues our nation has yet to confront and properly address. Currently, some individuals are protesting against the intention to violate the constitution ratified in 2013 by changing the presidential term limit. Nevertheless, some contend that further elections are unnecessary, considering the history of violent electoral events. Were the chaotic elections ever essential, or should people have perceived independence as inherently signifying a one-party state?
Nothing significant can be achieved by complaining about the past, which has led us to the present. The noble proposition is that, as a nation, we begin to chart a clear direction now without necessarily blaming anyone. Are we a one-party state or a multi-party democracy? Is the current constitution workable for us or not? This exercise should be conducted through Church institutions without politicization, facilitating the basic identity of who we are as a nation. The fundamental principle is to establish what characterizes our identity and belief.
The current constitution could be modernized to eliminate loopholes, aiming to prevent abuse by unscrupulous individuals. Are we a Christian nation, atheist, or attached to some other religion? Carefully crafted questions can easily facilitate the adoption of our true national identity. It should be understood that many people assume being Christian when the opposite may be true.
It is essential to carefully formulate questions based on universally understood traditions rather than denominational ones. Adopting traditions from other nations, provided they are appreciated by the majority, cannot inherently be considered objectionable. The provisions of a good constitution should be evaluated according to the greatest good for the majority. Zimbabwe has deteriorated into a state of dilapidation, requiring resuscitation.
There ought to be one thing that identifies us as Zimbabweans, which should be adopted as a rallying point. Currently, the most brilliant minds are in the Diaspora, but they have something that they may find likeable about being Zimbabwean. We can take a leaf from the Jews, whose rallying point became the re-establishment of Jerusalem and the Jewish religion. Ours could be associated with national culture or anything that could make us valued by other nations.
The Book of Proverbs explicitly states: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV). No one can deliberately choose the path of foolishness, except when lacking knowledge. If clearly Christian and Bible-believing, Zimbabweans have a strong foundation from which to start. For years, some individuals have fervently prayed for Zimbabwe’s recovery from its fallen state. God did not create one nation to adorn others but to complement them by showcasing what identifies the citizens as a nation.
The appeal of other nations can be seen in sports, music, arts, and other creative forms. Focusing solely on personal benefits is one thing, but considering the nation and one’s contributions towards others is quite another. The importance of considering the interests of the entire nation lies in recognizing that each individual is accountable for what makes the country what it is. Even a single person can alter the fortunes of a nation. The most important principle is to appreciate the principle of putting God ahead of everything, according to Proverbs 1:7.
Jonah was sent to Nineveh but could not appreciate the mission because, in his human evaluation, Nineveh was a write-off. In its state of degradation, Zimbabwe might be comparable to Nineveh. The miracle of redeeming the entire nation of Nineveh could apply to Zimbabwe, restoring it to its former glory. The inhabitants of Zimbabwe must restore their dignity and contribute to humanity as a nation, in alignment with God’s original plan. The most important consideration is that God is more interested in a nation than in individual personalities.
The anecdote reveals that God performed a miracle for His prophet Jonah to reach Nineveh, ensuring the salvation of its inhabitants. The miracle of Jonah’s survival in the belly of the fish is beyond human comprehension, demonstrating that God’s intentions cannot be thwarted. God had resolved to save the city of Nineveh and its degraded inhabitants. After spending three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, Jonah was expelled onto the seashore of Nineveh, eliminating any doubt about God’s communication. An individual may have fervently prayed for that city for God to have decided to send His prophet to that place.
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, [three-day journey in extent. And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water.
But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way, and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it (Jonah 3:1-10 NKJV).
Currently, most Zimbabweans seem content with focusing on themselves and their children. This condition is termed introversion and significantly contributes to Zimbabwe’s decline as a country. For God to have decided to send His prophet Jonah to Nineveh, there must have been some semblance of God-fearing people among its inhabitants. The city was in a bad state, but there must have been God-fearing individuals whose prayers led to the miracle of Jonah. Changes are possible through such people’s prayers, characterized by their discomfort with common issues affecting ordinary people. Their prayers are focused on requesting divine intervention for the restoration of order.
There may not be many people whose prayers God takes seriously, even among those known to be dedicated to prayer. It is well known that not all prayers are taken seriously by God. The starting point is to appreciate that God must be considered ahead of everything else. This is different from those constantly occupied with their own problems and those of their offspring when praying. Christians are instructed to preach the gospel to all nations, but charity begins at home. The starting point is to identify oneself as God’s child before influencing those in one’s surroundings, the ripple effect of which later impacts the outer world.
Strong nations are founded on faith in God and supported by a community dedicated to revering Him. The crucial question is whether we have individuals who understand the principle of fearing and trusting God above all else. The truly prayerful people are not those focused on praying for personalities, but those imploring that God’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Others advance the narrative that what prevails, regardless of how anti-survival, is God’s will. Nevertheless, God’s will can never be tyranny, oppression, corruption, or criminality. God’s will is characterized by goodness and kindness among citizens.
The advancement of God’s will begins with good marital relationships, leading to the upbringing of virtuous children. God-fearing parents will guide their children towards integrity. Education should primarily be the responsibility of parents, rather than relying solely on what is taught by teachers who may not necessarily be Christians in schools. Expressing love towards children does not require pampering them with gifts, but rather fostering the principle of extroversion. A well-fed child may appear physically healthy but may be spiritually malnourished. There can be no future nation to speak of if the children are spiritually malnourished.
“By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honour and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. The rich person rules over the poor, And the borrower is a servant to the lender. He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail” (Proverbs 22:4-7 NKJV).
The current conditions in our country reflect the lack of adherence to the Scriptural principles. Nation-building is impossible without the foundational principles derived from the richness of the Scriptures. The fallacy of assuming independence without divine guidance is akin to groping in darkness. Where there is no light, there is confusion, which describes the suffering our nation is currently experiencing. Blaming politicians, without instilling fundamental values in the living standards of our children, offers no solution, only more suffering and tragic deaths.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99