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The argument that the opposition in Zim failed to oust Mugabe because they are weak is not grounded in reality & ignores the enormous consequences of weakened institutions. The equivalent of this argument is if we pour oil in the ocean then blame the fish for dying.
Dang those fish didn’t try hard enough not to inhale the oil fumes or getting their lungs clogged. Or starting a forest fire blaming the wildlife for dying.
Since Independence ZANU PF &frankly most post-independence regimes have systematically weakened institutions that should protect the will of the people-used violence, draconian laws, patronage, cruelty to push opposition in the corner, weaken civil society &made people afraid.
If the people are afraid of engaging in politics then democracy is dead. The argument that both Nkomo& Tsvangirai should have pressed on even as their lives, those of their spouses, children and supporters were endangered is not only ignorant but also cruel.
How many times do opposition officials have to get their heads banged before we think it’s ok for them to put their safety first?
Whether or not the 2000 constitution was magnificent is not the point because the political institutions that protect people were already at risk.
Whether or not the 2000 constitution was magnificent is not the point because the political institutions that protect people were already at risk.
In 2000 MDC reduced ZANUs control of parliament from 92% in 1996 to 48%. This was incredible for first timers but that was also the last time observers from all over the world were given access. Each election since has been a bloodbath.
We don’t talk enough about the damage done to Zimbabwean media. When the only source of news is also the oppressor under the guise of 100% local there is no democracy. Media was so restricted journalists fled the country or spent ,any months in jail for speaking truth to power-
Murambatsvina was aimed at gerrymandering and weakening the people hitting the opposition were it would hurt the most by disrupting urban life. Take a moment to think about the chaos, the cruelty, the pain. Thousands of children left homeless and in extreme cases also orphaned
And yet, MDC pressed on participating in every single election even as they campaigned in fear and buried hundreds of their supporters. Elections became an experiment for how much pain folks can handle.
Look, humans are fallible. Parties in democracies don’t win because the leaders are perfect. In Zimbabwe and other authoritarian states we demand unattainable perfection when we should demand institutions that are meant to mediate human weakness.
The idea that the opposition should be super heroes is ridiculous. We need free and fair elections, freedom of speech, free media, free and independent judiciary, freedom to say what we feel when we want to, freedom to join whatever party we like without fear, freedom to vote...
freedom to protest, freedom to call out failing politicians - this is what makes democracy thrive not these impossible standards. No one should have to die for Zimbabwe. Many of us have a family member who died during the war or because of political violence since.
We don’t need more dead heroes. No one does.
So yeah no revisionist analysis. No to folks who hide behind words instead of simply saying-I am sorry. I was wrong. I enabled authoritarianism. I was an enabler...here is how we hurt folks & how we can push for change
So yeah no revisionist analysis. No to folks who hide behind words instead of simply saying-I am sorry. I was wrong. I enabled authoritarianism. I was an enabler...here is how we hurt folks & how we can push for change
