An Apology from a Human and Political Rights Activist from Zimbabwe (We Will Recover)

By Takura Zhangazha*

We, and by this I mean comrades of the 1997-2000 political activist crew, get laughed at a lot. The key issue is always '"Ndobva zvadii paya?"

We were the frontrunners of the nascent Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in Zimbabwe. 

Our parents knew that we were there on the frontlines of challenging Zanu Pf hegemony. 

They sort of supported us but also warned us to be sure/certain of what we were doing. 

In youthful bravado we insisted that we have it right. 

And that we were going to bring the country back to a democratic path under the leadership of the late Morgan Tsvangirai. 

True to intention in the year 2000 some of us became Members of Parliament and councillors in local governemnt. 

In 2009 some of us became ministers in central government because of the inclusive government mediated by Thabo Mbeki via the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

The cdes that went into government at that time had a clear task of enabling a transition from Zanu Pf's long duree rule. To a more democratic Zimbabwe. 

They failed. 

They got co-opted into state largesse and corruption and lost their political moral compass which led to them losing the 2013 general elections. 

I will personally admit that by that time we had lost the popular values of the struggle against Zanu Pf's autocracy. 

We had become comfortable in our own false consciousness skins. 

And Morgan Tsvangirai's populist attitude did not help bring us back to a much needed organic national consciousness. 

Even after he passed away the emerging national opposition leaders such as Nelson Chamisa, Tendai Biti, Elias Mudzuri, Charlton Hwende, Sengezo Tshabangu, Thoko Khuphe, Job Sikhala, Douglas Mwonzora, Lovemore Madhuku, Jacob Ngaribvume among many others lost their way. 

They either became too religious or pandered to a global narrative of democracy as merely being electoral. And seeking an approval from the 'white gaze'. 

As a long-standing pro-democracy activist in Zimbabwe, I therefore feel it is prudent that I apologise. 

I have to apologise for the fact that we did not try hard enough to challenge Zanu Pf's undemocratic hegemony. 

I also have to apologise that we didnt organise the mainstream MDC better beyond Morgan's hold on it.

Including the fact that when he passed things fell spectacularly politically apart. 

My apology is also a recognition of the necessity of recovery. 

And the necessity of optimism. 

We now know that Zanu Pf has come to a general political persuasion of permanent rule. 

In fact it is in its own 'self belief' mode of an  assumption of permanent political perpetuity.

With the arrogance of assuming there is never going to be another MDC or as nationally important a leader such as Morgan Tsvangirai to rival it.

Hence they have arrogantly amended the national constitution to extend the current presidents term of office. 

Including making our national Parliament an electoral college for the next president. 

We therefore see the emergence of an oligarchy. 

Both political and economic. 

This being an attempt at creating a permanent ruling class via the Mnangagwa presidency but without a clear equivalent Chinese ideological focus. In its pepertuity.

But I am sure that pro-democracy and social justice movements will recover. 

They may be down and out in an Orwellian sense but the nodes of a progressive counter-hegemonic struggle are there.

 The mustard seed was sown. Ideologically. 

Most of the doubters are now embedded in the current state system and its patronage. With a majority of them being tenderpreneurs that are paid slowly. 

Be it in infrastructural development or state related financial and event management activities.

The key point however is that what the current Zimbabwean government is doing, even without a clear opposition party, the people are not only seeing. They are also remembering. 

As am I. 

The targeting of vendors, destruction of houses, the lack of affordable public health services and the privatisation of education and public transport are unforgettable matters.  

As progressive activists for the equitable betterment of Zimbabwe, we may be down and out. But I promise, we will recover. 

*Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity