We Do Not Write, Think for Ourselves.

By Takura Zhangazha*

I recently got lectured about my being off the Zimbabwe and African political opinion radar.  I would have shrugged it off had it not been for the fact of where the criticism was coming from. The accusation was made by cdes form the left who are also incidentally long standing trade unionists. And they talked about ‘narratives’ and how those that remain dominant in Zimbabwe are either populist, religious or  non-ideological. 

I retorted that one of the primary challenges of writing opinion is that you always have to ask whether cdes still have time to read.  Moreso in a time of audio visual social media content which is there at the press of a mobile phone touchscreen. 

Then I also remembered a conversation in rural Bikita where I was asked, "So why do we not read you in newspapers or see you on Al Jazeera or hear you on radio stations anymore?  I informed the cdes that I was tired of writing let alone analyzing issues in a way that did not have resonance with progressive cdes or populist affirmation.

The response was relatively abstract, almost as a desire for entertainment and information.  They argued that they do read though they cannot comment or social media their opinions.  Mainly because its not necessarily what is desired or what fits into populist echo chambers. Or that it would in one way or the other affect their livelihoods. 

The key point was they do read. They do listen to the radio or watch televisions and other videos as and when they are available.  And their political opinions on matters written or commented in newspapers, radio or television appeared to matter to them.  The only catch was that if they don’t see, listen or read those they are familiar with, they get disappointed.  It does not change their general opinion, they said, but at least it informs them. 

The essence of their arguments was pretty straight forward.  They are not my personal supporters.  They just need to read, watch or listen to varying opinions.  With an intent to make their own judgements even if they disagree with them. 

And that’s where I learnt my small lesson.  Freedom of expression is not just about who agrees with you.  Its more about the fact that it has occurred.  Where it does not, you short change society and the national consciousness. 

How we act is generally determined by how we think or are led to think. Wherein in a majority of cases we think because of what we learn or consume culturally, intellectually or by way of lived experiences.  Which still comes down to the same thing, the written, sung, spoken, televised or even “videoed” representation of our contextual societies matters.  

This, at least for me, means that narratives must clash on a regular basis. Be they dogmatic, abstract or based on what we know to be very real materialism in a capitalistic context.  And this should be beyond the political.  Its also about lived everyday ideas.  

Almost like telling a cde that it is ridiculous and unsustainable to be part of a ‘share your pay’ monthly Ponzi scheme.  Or that where it comes to for example, the rural-urban divide, the rural remains more pragmatic for a Zimbabwean.  Beyond the “bright-lights syndrome”.  One that has crossed over from just about being from Bikita to Harare, to being from Harare/Bulawayo to London or Ontario.

The key point that I get from all of the aforementioned conversations is the importance of avoiding political correctness and wading into the murky waters of even self-censorship.  And to understand that a holistic view of Zimbabwean society requires a lot more candidness than what we are currently experiencing from our mainstream and social media platforms. 

We need to learn to stop lying to ourselves.  And for this, we need to write, think, vlog more, even if for egoistic purposes as is the current majority of cases with those that would influence us and our perspectives on our own society. 

I know that there is no uniform ‘national consciousness’.  More-so in the materialist times that we live in.  Its in part due to the fact of our Christian evangelist culture that has been exacerbated by Pentecostalism.  Including our political economy’s mimicry of western culture (the things we enjoy, the holidays’ we seek, the cars/houses/schools/hospitals we desire and assiduously work toward)

The reality of the matter is that this is a false national consciousness.  Yes, you can get into a car, or aspire to have one. Build a double story mansion on agricultural land that was urbanized under the fast track land reform programme.  Or get a job in the global north that is more about your status than economic reality (bright lights syndrome) or get a trophy husband or wife.  But that is not the essence of our national Zimbabwean being. 

That is why we need counter narratives.  That is why we need to write or express them.  That is why we need to fill a specific ideological gap that I was informed about by longstanding labour leaders.

That’s why I promise to write again.

*Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity (takura-zhangazha.blogspot.com)