Zimbabwe needs an exit strategy from self-imposed catastrophe

By Moses Chamboko

Following the revelation of part of its interim leadership, Zimbabweans United for Democracy (ZUNDE), has been inundated with enquiries, comments, suggestions as well as isolated criticism from across the globe.

Back home, doom and gloom get worse with each passing day.

Nevertheless, Zimbabweans being Zimbabweans, remain unwavering in their desperate quest for self-determination, desire for genuine freedom, hunger and thirst for economic prosperity. Not many Africans have the kind of resolve that we do.

While ZANU PF appears terribly overwhelmed by its “triumphant” victory following July 31, MDC is visibly shell-shocked and disoriented.

Consequently, the insignificant formation now virtually led by the duo of Welshman Ncube and Priscilla-Misiharaibwi-Mushonga is literally disintegrating. On the other hand, the bigger formation seems vacillating between blundering and indecisiveness.

Some people are beginning to ask, rightly so, “where is Plan A, B, C or D that we once heard about?” Dusting of resumes’ cannot be one of the plans. Some may revert to their lucrative careers but what about the people and those that suffered or died for change?

Contradicting statements following Ian Kay’s utterances are just a microcosm. Threatening Roy Bennett or like-minded cadres with expulsion represents another forlorn dimension of the unfolding drama.

As if not to be outdone, Jonathan Moyo and George Charamba have just fired scud missiles at defenceless Rugare Gumbo. This was before the avenging spirit of Didymus Muatsa fiercely came to his aid. It sounds like a movie or an excerpt from Charles Dickens!

In the melee, the natural question to ask is “isn’t it time to explore serious options elsewhere?” ZUNDE believes that nothing short of sombre introspection, honest self-appraisal and strategic re-alignment will move the country forward by an inch.

Expecting ZANU PF to admit that they are in a cul-de-sac is worse than expecting diesel from a rock. Ominously, the MDC appears to think that this is just another nightmare that will come to pass. The entire nation cannot have this horrific dream for nearly four long months now. This is reality!

For a very long time, the Zimbabwe Diaspora has either been looked down upon or viewed with suspicion, unfortunately, by both sides of politics. Some only remember these hardworking sons and daughters when their pockets are dry or when there is a death in the family.

Others have branded them “desktop activists”, “cowards” or “opportunists”.

Warnings from the Diaspora against counting chickens before they hatch, were discounted with “we know the capacity of our chickens”. Some were beginning to share a live animal still wandering in the jungle.

Given the dire situation that our nation now finds itself in, there is no better time for a strong partnership between the Diaspora and progressive Zimbabweans at home. The only option is to re-strategise, re-align, re-package and relaunch the pro-democracy movement if we are to expect different results from previous efforts. ZUNDE exists precisely for that.

The abundance of confusion, suspicion and wide fissures within the rank and file of ZANU PF as well as the piercing discord within the MDC, paint a very bleak future for our potentially great nation.

Zimbabwe needs pragmatic, unsophisticated but results-oriented minds.

It is on these basic principles and tenets that ordinary citizens like Strive Masiyiwa have risen to become giants. We cannot expect miracles from a country that is now virtually on auto-pilot whilst the supposed drivers are fighting with passengers.

There is need for a new direction that rallies the stunned masses in their numbers and totality, to refocus on the original objective of bringing about meaningful change to our nation.

Zimbabweans United for Democracy (ZUNDE) presents an emergency exit from this self-imposed catastrophe. As Benjamin Paradza rightly observed, “We can’t expect great change from great people because they are in short supply”

Come; let us build Team Zimbabwe with the progressive Team ZUNDE.

Moses Chamboko is the Interim Secretary General for ZUNDE. You can contact us at [email protected] or visit us at www.zunde.org.