By Patson Dzamara
Last night I sat at Africa Unity Square from around 10.20pm to 12am. It is really not that easy for me to breakdown but i found my soul marooned on its knees as i roamed the streets of Harare, CBD and then eventually sat at the Square.
I found closure by so doing. While i was at the square, engulfed and ruptured in a multitude of emotions, I felt that usual creative and writing edge descending on me. It hit me so hard. I began to structure a book on Itai and i am believing God’s grace to carry me through until the day its released, whatever happens to him.
Itai represents so many different things to different people. Some think he is a joke, a man heavily possessed by demons or a loser. Some think he is a hero. To me Itai represents more than a person or a brother.
To me Itai represents an idea, a force or principality. His force may not germinate today but it will one day. This little fire he lit shall spread and light up the entire nation of Zimbabwe one day.
Itai took a stand which many people would never dare take. He stood for what he felt was right. He chose to become a voice for the voiceless. He chose to defend the defenceless, at his own risk. He chose to ignore the dangers associated with his choice.
He stood and publicly proclaimed the truth and reality which most people, whom he always referred to as cowards, whisper about it in their small corners. When they tried to kill his spirit and truncate his wings several times, Itai always rose up.
He always believed it could be done. He always spoke about a new Zimbabwe. He always believed that NOW is the time to light the fire. It’s now over 72 hours since the time he was abducted. His sin or crime is that of choosing to take a stand.
Whatever happens, it is our responsibility to encapsulate this idea into a template for future generations. And I promise to do my best to put the template together.
We wait to meet Itai soon.
Mwana Mutoko
