Zimbabwe and SADC August 2024

By Takura Zhangazha*

Zimbabwe is going to host the next Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in August 2024.  Our central government in Zimbabwe may be over stretching it a little bit.  But that does not take away from the fact of the SADC summits importance.  Historically or in terms of current international relations global dynamics. 

For those that may not know, SADC is a direct result of the original liberatory Frontline States (Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana)  that supported not only Zimbabwe but also South Africa, Namibia in our struggles for African liberation from the bondages of colonialism and imperialism.

Its an issue that escapes a decent number of us because we choose not to understand the historicity of the regional organ called SADC.

 It is historically embedded in our liberation struggles across the whole region.  Not just because of geography but also because of a deliberately desired solidarity in freeing each other.  So I understand the historicity of the SADC summit being held in Harare, Zimbabwe. 

Yes we see the road and other infrastructural developments in Harare, Zimbabwe.  But we also notice the shifting political winds based on what is referred to as the youth demographic dividend.  Wherein there is an assumption that more young people of African origin are changing their historical perspectives on the future of their own continent. 

Let alone their region. 

In what we have witnessed around the recent 2024 elections in South Africa, we have had to be historically reminded as Nyerere once said, “Democracy is not like Coca Cola”.  We have had also had to be reminded that, again according to Nyerere, “the mechanisms of democracy are not the meaning of democracy”

These may seem like abstract points of discussion but their full import remain that we are not a people without a history.  Be it in South Africa, Zimbabwe or even as far back as the battles of Mavonde or Quito Carnavale that led to Namibia's and eventually  South Africa's independence. 

The historical reality of the matter is that we need to introspect.  No matter your age or experiences in the anti- colonial struggles. Whether you were a war veteran proper, a mujibha/chimbwido, a post independence shop floor worker or peasant farmer.   Let alone a post colonial left leaning struggles activist as led by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).

Even if you became more human rights focused liberalism via the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) in 1999 under the tutelage of Thoko Matshe and eventually Morgan Tsvangirai. The tutalage was real.

But back to SADC and its full import on Zimbabwe and the region. 

The historical and generally generational historicised fact of the SADC summit happening in Zimbabwe in August 2024 is probably well known. 

 We are part of a liberation movement history.  Where generated a counter political narrative based  on leftist narratives.  Ideologically we lost that ‘narrative’ war to the rural areas, through teachers who were always our bedrock.   What we didn’t understand was the violence that accompanied this consciousness and how we were to become its victims and not pick up the organic pieces. 

But that is a story for another day.  One that is unforgettable. 

But here we are as Zimbabwe, hosting a very important SADC summit in the midst of multiple global conflicts.  

We can argue and debate about how new infrastructure is related to the same event but essentially we have to think beyond this simplicity.  SADC is not and never has been an abstract conception.  It comes from our struggles against imperialism, neo-colonialism and struggles against generalized racism. 

What this means is that I have no pragmatic problem with Zimbabwe hosting a SADC regional summit.  Or assuming the regional chair of the same.  I am more worried about what we will do with this international relations’ influence either member states (DRC included) or those beyond beyond our borders such as the Sudan. 

Zimbabwe’s placement in at least regional international relations has changed significantly,

 Our dilemma might be that we are closer to the East than the West.  We will probably suffer for it. 

As long as we do not have to go to any sort of war.  Or pick a side in one which will most likely occur.
*Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity (takura-zhangazha.blogspot.com}