Creative altruism VS destructive selfishness: A citizen’s lament

By Mutsa Murenje

It is my sincere and earnest hope that we are all still aware of this fact: We are yet to realise recognition of our fundamental human rights and equality of opportunities. This is 36 (almost 37) years after independence. We are still not free. As I am writing this, I do so knowing that we are suffering greatly under the persecution and oppression of President Robert Mugabe’s dictatorial regime. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to a time when we will bring the tyrant down and restore sovereignty to the people of Zimbabwe.

The downfall of the oppressor is imminent and so is our victory as a people. But, “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness” (Martin Luther King, Jr).

Our struggle is a cross we need to bear. It is the way of sorrows, a path that leads through suffering but up to ultimate vindication. As for me, this is the path that I have chosen, knowing very well that growth comes through struggle. There is no more turning back. This has to be done. We all have a role to play.

It’s a thought that just visited me, but a product of an observation I have made. I was ruminating and cogitating about our dire situation when it appeared to me. I am sure it’s a consequence of the fact that my mind has become, as it were, like that of a trained soldier.

Mine isn’t a jurisprudential mind, but I happen to have been exposed to a bit of law. I have covered principles of international law, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee law to make but a quick, short list which could be extended many times over.

From an international humanitarian law perspective, in any armed conflict, whether international or non-international, there are two kinds of fighters: lawful combatants and mercenaries. And, I would like to find out if we are still the combatants we have been since the early 1990s or we have become mercenaries since the mid-2000s.

As I see it, our struggle for freedom seems to have been diluted by unruly elements. I doubt we are still fighting the same war. Some of us have become mercenaries and they want to be paid for their involvement in the struggle. We seem to have lost the plot. What happened to our prosocial behaviour? What’s wrong with altruism?

Not only is compassion “the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things” (Thomas Merton) but also “the ultimate and most meaningful embodiment of emotional maturity. It is through compassion that a person achieves the highest peak and deepest reach in his or her search for self-fulfillment” (Arthur Jersild).

The harm we are doing to the struggle may as well be more pernicious than what we have experienced in almost four decades. I may not be directly affected by the situation in Zimbabwe, but I am worried about all who suffer because of it. Deep down in my heart, I know and agree with Martin Luther King, Jr that we are all mutually tied up in a single garment of destiny.

I may be no political expert but mine is simply a systematic effort to inaugurate changes in thought, behaviour, and social relationships. We need to maximise direct participation at the grassroots level. It is my innermost conviction that citizen participation is the only way through which we can perfect the democratic process.

It is greatly heartening to learn that there are those of us who still believe in unity across the political divide. It is this unity that delivered Norton to an independent candidate, Themba Mliswa, despite all the trials and tribulations of this struggle for democracy and good governance. Going forward, let’s make it possible to provide disadvantaged groups with more powerful instruments for articulating their demands and preferences. This is good for our democracy.

The People’s Democratic Party is at its lowest, having lost key members to other political parties. The message seems to be clear. The party’s political future is in jeopardy. It has failed to leave a mark on the political scene ever since its split from the Movement for Democratic Change (Tsvangirai) more than two years ago. All hope isn’t lost though. There is need for serious thinking.

Zimbabwe cannot be sustained by a proliferation of political parties. We don’t need all of them. They aren’t healthy for a democratic nation we seek for ourselves and future generations. Some of these political outfits exist only in name. They bring no value to our politics. Should we continue with them or should we rather come up with a single movement that is capable of wrestling power from the dictator and his cronies?

I haven’t heard much from Welshman Ncube’s political outfit either. I still have deep respect for Ncube and I believe common sense will prevail. We all know what is needed for our nation to move forward. We know too where we are going astray. I don’t think it is so much the lack of liberation war credentials that has derailed our struggle. Such thinking is harmful to our nation.

Even those of us who are fighting against the Mugabe regime will feel that we are entitled to rule just because we fought dictatorship. Zimbabwe is for all Zimbabweans regardless of whether they or did not take part in any struggle. Leadership of our country cannot be reduced to participation in the struggle.

We can’t also reduce it to one’s academic credentials. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to receive education up to the level I have reached now. However, I don’t think my education should be sufficient for leadership of our country. More than anything else, it is character that should qualify one for leadership of our great country. In the words of John Wooden, “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”

In conclusion, there remains a great need to revitalise our drive towards others and convert self-seeking into social contribution. As Martin Luther King, Jr observed, “And man has not begun to live until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individual concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” May God help Zimbabwe! The struggle continues unabated!