Nathan Banana

2025-11-26T13:02:00.000+00:00

There are moments in life when your spirit aches to step forward, to answer a call that feels deeply rooted in your conscience. For me, that call has always been the desire to be involved in the political and social life of our country — not for power, not for recognition, but simply to serve. To try, in whatever small way, to give back to the land that shaped me and to honour the example of those who came before me.

But the truth is… the past is not always gentle.

The controversial events that touched my family and eventually cast a shadow over my parents’ legacy has never been easy to carry. Their story which was once a story of dedication, sacrifice, and hope became entangled with things far beyond their true character. However although I know the heart they had, and the intentions they lived by, the weight of that history has often felt too heavy, too loud, and too overbearing for anyone genuinely trying to walk a sincere path in public service.

I have spent years wrestling with that inner conflict and the conscience that says “serve” and the reality that says “your family name has already been used, twisted, and misunderstood.” Eventually, I had to accept something difficult that sometimes the world doesn’t allow you to continue a legacy in the same form. Sometimes honouring those who came before you means choosing a different road.

So I have made peace with stepping away from politics and the public space, not out of fear or defeat, but out of clarity. I have decided to direct my energy into other forms of service and work that still strengthens our communities, empowers our people, and contributes to the socioeconomic development of our beloved Zimbabwe… but without the noise, without the suspicion, and without the political baggage that can suffocate genuine intention.

I believe service is not limited to holding office or speaking on stages. Service can be felt in building families, in farming the land, in creating jobs, in empowering young people, in protecting our history, and in planting seeds of generational wealth and identity.

And that is the journey I am on.

I may not serve in the way many expected, but I am serving in the way that feels most honest to my spirit and most respectful of the complex history I carry. And perhaps, in its own quiet way, this path too will honour my parents and not by repeating their footsteps, but by continuing their values of dignity, purpose, community, and the courage to do good even when no one is clapping.

If my story resonates with anyone carrying the weight of a complicated family past, please may you also find peace in choosing the path that builds you, not the one that breaks you.

🧐 Who is really fighting corruption, and who is playing politics?

2025-10-27T06:02:00.000+00:00

Fellow Zimbabweans, we must ask ourselves when a public figure raises allegations of graft, are they acting out of genuine principle or are they jockeying for advantage in the corridors of power?

Take the case of Themba Mliswa.

On the one hand, he has long argued that corruption (“zvigananda”) is Zimbabwe’s greatest threat, not sanctions.He publicly accused Minister Marian Chombo and senior security officials of illegal land deals and protected mining syndicates.

On the other hand his recent focus on Vice President Chiwenga and related controversies raises questions:

• He claims that Chiwenga’s anti-corruption crusade is not about national reform but personal vendetta. For example: “From day one I argued that the VP’s move was steeped in politics and a revenge move rather than actually fighting corruption.”

• He accused Chiwenga of being influenced by his wife, and of overestimating his influence in the military.

• He publicly declared that businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei is President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s natural successor thereby implicitly dismissing Chiwenga’s chances.

If we map the action:

1. Chiwenga positions himself publicly as a “clean-up” figure, targeting cartels and contracting scandals (which is admirable in principle).

2. Mliswa attacks Chiwenga’s moral authority, questions the motives behind specific actions, and emphasises that no one in the political elite is untainted. (True, but the selective focus is telling.)

3. Meanwhile, the succession struggle inside the ruling party (ZANU-PF) looms large as the public ask themselves "who will be next?" "Whose faction will prevail?"

This raises a critical question that "Is Mliswa acting as a whistle-blower or as a strategist in a succession game?"

Let me highlight three red flags for us to consider:

Selective targeting – Mliswa goes hard on Chiwenga, but does he do the same to all major power players? He supports some figures (Tagwirei) and critiques others (Chiwenga). That differential suggests more than impartial moral outrage.

Personalisation of anti-corruption – The narrative sticks to one individual (Chiwenga) being “the problem”, rather than systemic reform. For instance: Mliswa says: “The fight against corruption should not be weaponised as a political gadget against rivals.”

Coordinated media messaging – While less directly verifiable, observers note how online news channels are amplifying discord within ZANU-PF and focusing heavily on this internal feud. A well-timed commentary like “the mirage of power” on Mliswa’s attacks suggests a broader campaign.

So what does this mean for the rest of us?

• If the agenda is genuine national reform, we should see an inclusive, transparent campaign across the board but not a one-man (or one-figure) spotlight.

• If the agenda is factional, we end up with a theatre of “anti-corruption” used as a tool to sideline rivals, while the system remains untouched.

• Real accountability demands strong institutions not just personalities pointing fingers. As Mliswa himself said: “Corruption is a national problem … cannot be hijacked for a few political points.”

In conclusion:

Yes, we must applaud any citizen willing to speak truth to power. But we must also remain vigilant. When the truth is wielded as a weapon in a power struggle, we risk trading one elite capture for another.

So the question we ask ourselves: "Is Themba Mliswa exposing corruption or is he playing politics with a different aim?"

Let us stay focused on principle, institution, and reform rather than personality, faction, and spectacle.

#Zimbabwe #Corruption #Accountability #ZANUPF

If Only the Universe Knew

2025-10-19T07:13:00.001+01:00

Sipho N Banana aka Voice of Freedom

If only the universe knew

how hard I’ve been trying

how much faith I’ve poured into each sunrise,

how I keep speaking light into dark days,

even when the silence feels heavier than hope.

Sometimes I wonder

if my prayers get lost between the clouds,

or if the universe is just waiting

for me to learn something deeper

than what comfort could ever teach.

Coming back home (Zimbabwe )has been

both grounding and humbling.

Zimbabwe a land of beauty and burden

teaches you patience the hard way.

It tests your will, your faith, your belief

that effort still matters when results feel so far away.

But I’ve learned

that the soil doesn’t forget the seed,

even when the rain delays.

The universe moves in rhythms we can’t always hear

it answers in silence,

it builds in stillness,

and sometimes, it blesses us through endurance.

So I keep breathing hope into each moment,

trusting that one day my efforts will echo back as answered prayers.

And when that day comes,

I’ll look back on this season of struggle

and finally understand

the universe was never ignoring me but

it was preparing me.

I’m still here, still believing, still becoming.

Beyond Politics: Building the Zimbabwe We Deserve

2025-10-19T06:57:00.002+01:00

A Zimbabwe for All

It has become painfully clear that the kind of politics we have today in Zimbabwe does not serve the interests of the majority. Instead, it benefits a small circle that survives by singing praises to politicians who have placed self-interest and party preservation above the needs of the people.

We can no longer expect a fair democracy from a system where almost every state institution has been politicized and captured to protect the powerful. The time has come for us to shift our energy from hoping politicians will save us, to empowering ourselves and each other.

Let’s start focusing on economic empowerment initiatives and strategic networks that strengthen our capacity to grow, trade, create, and innovate together. Through unity, skill-sharing, and collaboration, we can build strong foundations that make us less dependent on a failing political system.

At the same time, we must continue to demand accountability and transparency in how public resources and services are managed. Our voices, when organized and focused, can become powerful tools for change.

Real transformation won’t come from those who broke the system but it will come from citizens who refuse to be broken by it.

Let’s rise, rebuild, and take charge of the Zimbabwe we all deserve.

Remembering the Zimbabwe That Once Was

2025-10-16T07:30:00.001+01:00

This image captures a moment from the early days of our independence, a time when hope was fresh, ideals were high, and the dream of a united, corruption-free Zimbabwe still felt within reach.

In the photo stands President Canaan Banana, our first Head of State who is often remembered as a “ceremonial” figure, yet symbolically carrying the weight of a nation being reborn. His calm dignity represented a different kind of leadership, one rooted in faith, unity, and reconciliation, before the struggles for absolute power overshadowed the vision of national service.

Looking back, one can’t help but wonder…what if we had built on that foundation of humility and collective purpose? What if leadership had remained about service, not self-enrichment?

Today, as corruption and state capture have taken deep root, perhaps it is time we revisit those early ideals when leadership meant stewardship, not ownership and when power meant responsibility, not privilege.

Zimbabwe’s rebirth was once a moral and spiritual project. Maybe that’s what we’ve lost… and what we must find again.

The Forgotten Leadership Code (1984)

2025-08-31T07:38:00.000+01:00

Back in August 8–13, 1984, at ZANU PF’s Second People’s Congress, the party adopted what was called the Leadership Code.

It was a bold and well-thought-out policy designed to keep leaders humble, disciplined, and connected to the people. Among its conditions were:

• No leader could own more than one house.

• No leader could hold land exceeding 50 acres.

• Leaders were barred from owning or running private businesses for profit.

• Only one salary was allowed, and outside income was tightly restricted.

• Leaders were expected to regularly disclose their assets to ensure transparency.

One of the few leaders who genuinely respected this Code was Zimbabwe’s first President, Canaan Banana. He donated and converted a farm he had bought into an Agricultural College, aligning with the spirit of the Code and in preparation for the country’s long-term land reform program. That act showed that discipline and selflessness were possible.

Imagine if the rest of the leadership had followed suit:

✅ Zimbabwe would have been spared the rise of a political elite hoarding farms, mansions, and businesses.

✅ Leadership would have been measured by service, not wealth.

✅ Corruption and patronage networks would have been much weaker.

✅ Political culture today would be rooted in accountability and fairness, not entitlement and excess.

The Leadership Code failed not because it was a bad idea, but because most leaders lacked the discipline to live by its principles.

Forty years later, we live in the consequences: widening inequality, a ruling class detached from ordinary citizens, and a political culture where power means privilege, not responsibility.

It makes you wonder what would Zimbabwe look like today if the spirit of 1984’s Leadership Code, embodied by leaders like Canaan Banana, had survived?

Zimfest UK and the Politics of Distraction: When a Nation Majors on the Minor

2025-07-28T17:16:00.001+01:00

Zimfest UK and the Politics of Distraction: When a Nation Majors on the Minor

By Sipho N Banana

As Zimbabweans lit up social media this past weekend, you’d be forgiven for thinking something monumental had happened on the political front but perhaps a major corruption scandal exposed, a citizens’ victory in court, or a mass mobilization of the diaspora demanding change back home. But no. The firestorm was over outfits, artists, social snubs, and champagne tables at Zimfest UK 2025.

Once again, we witnessed what has become a troubling national pattern, the Zimbabwean tendency to major on minor issues.

It’s not that culture doesn’t matter. Music, fashion, celebration are vital expressions of identity and community. But when these take centre stage at the expense of deeper reflection on Zimbabwe’s ongoing collapse and when they become the only things we argue about it reveals something tragic. A people emotionally exhausted, politically repressed, and subconsciously distracting themselves from the pain of a broken nation.

Zimfest as a Mirror

Zimfest, in its ideal form, should be a space where the diaspora reconnects, networks, and shares not only joy but purpose. Instead, it has increasingly become a stage where classism, celebrity culture, and shallow rivalries take the spotlight and while real issues are ignored.

Few conversations trended about Zimbabwe’s:

91% youth unemployment,

Broken healthcare systems,

2023 rigged elections and a captured judiciary,

Civil servants earning starvation wages,

Ongoing abductions and silencing of dissent.

The irony? Many at Zimfest are directly impacted. They live abroad not just for opportunity, but because Zimbabwe pushed them out through bad governance, economic mismanagement, and state brutality. Yet faced with this reality, some in the diaspora have chosen to escape into performance, clout, and consumerism and safely far from the tear gas, but also far from the truth.

Why We Major on Minor Things

This isn’t unique to Zimfest. It’s a reflection of the broader Zimbabwean condition.

Survival mode has consumed our people for so long that long-term thinking and civic awareness have eroded.

The education system, hijacked by propaganda and patronage, has discouraged critical thinking and produced a generation more fluent in slogans than strategy.

Fear of repression at home and in the diaspora means people avoid hard conversations.

And now, with social media amplifying outrage over substance, many opt for viral distraction over civic engagement.

This isn’t a moral failure of individuals. It is a systemic failure of a nation betrayed. We’ve been taught to laugh so we don’t cry. To fight each other over nothing, rather than fight power over everything.

A Challenge to the Diaspora

The Zimbabwean diaspora is one of the most educated, talented, and resourceful communities in the world. But our impact is blunted when we fall into the same cycle of majoring on the minor.

What if Zimfest became more than just a party?

What if, alongside the music and dance, it created spaces for dialogue?

What if it hosted panels on youth unemployment, corruption, women's rights, land reform, or media freedom?

What if it raised funds not just for event production but for civil society, legal aid, education, or independent journalism?

What if we dressed well and thought deeper?

Conclusion: From Vibes to Vision

Zimfest UK could be a model for a conscious diaspora. One that celebrates our culture while confronting our crisis. One that uses joy not to escape but to energize.

Zimbabwe needs more than DJs and designers. It needs dreamers and doers. And until we, as Zimbabweans, stop majoring on the minor, we risk becoming entertainers at our own funeral.

We can do better. We must.

A Legacy of Sacrifice: Detention at Wha Wha Prison

2025-07-27T10:42:00.007+01:00

Late former Zimbabwe President Canaan Sodindo Banana.

My late father, Canaan Banana, Zimbabwe’s first President at Independence, was more than just a ceremonial head of state. Before independence, he was detained at Wha Wha Prison (Prison Number 188/78), where he sat alongside many of the country’s most prominent nationalist leaders which is a profound testament to his courage and resilience.

Sharing the Cell with Liberation Icons

Despite its reputation as a camp for colonial repression, Wha Wha Prison became a crucible for the liberation struggle housing many of Zimbabwe’s most revered freedom fighters:

• Robert Gabriel Mugabe, later Zimbabwe’s first post-independence executive President, was detained under prison number 176/64 at Wha Wha before being transferred elsewhere.

• Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, founder of ZAPU and the revered “Father Zimbabwe,” spent time at Wha Wha before being moved to Gonakudzingwa.

• Leopold Takawira, ZAPU’s External Secretary and later ZANU Vice-President, was detained and tortured in Wha Wha and other camps; he later died from injuries sustained in detention.

• Josiah Mushore Chinamano and his wife Ruth Chinamano, both prominent ZAPU leaders, were imprisoned at Wha Wha until 1970 before suffering travel restrictions upon release.

• Jane Lungile Ngwenya, a stalwart of the struggle and later ZAPU women’s leader, was detained at Wha Wha from 1964 to 1970 and became part of an internal detainee governance system focused on education and political strategy.

• Others who shared this crucible included Enos Nkala, Sydney Malunga, Fletcher Dulini Ncube, Mark Nziramasanga, Robert Mubayiwa Marere, Rido Mpofu, Chenjerai Hunzvi, and Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu and all detainees whose stories of defiance varied but who shared the same spirit of resistance.

Why This Matters

When detractors describe my father’s role as purely ceremonial, they ignore the reality of sacrifice, strategic thought, and sacrifice behind those cell bars. Being labeled “ceremonial” cannot obscure the fact that he and the men and women detained with him risked their freedom, families, and lives for Zimbabwe’s liberation.

The struggle wasn’t just fought in the bush; it was fought in places like Wha Wha where political prisoners transformed detention into a political university. There, they educated one another, developed governance frameworks, and preserved unity across party lines even in the most adverse conditions.

The Courage Behind the History

My father shared space with leaders who went on to shape the nation, not as ceremonial heads, but as visionary actors of change. Many of them paid a high personal price. Yet today, more than 40 years after independence, some of those same systems and laws he opposed are still being wielded to oppress citizens.

That history is not something to romanticize uncritically, but neither should it be dismissed. It’s upon that legacy of real sacrifice and conviction that we assess our present, and chart a better future.

Conclusively

That said, we can no longer afford to romanticize the past.

Over 40 years after independence, many of the struggles we now face are not the remnants of colonialism, but the result of poor leadership from some of the very liberators who once promised us freedom. The painful truth is they have become the gatekeepers of the same oppressive systems they fought against.

And after all this time, it’s now clear we cannot expect ZANU PF to reform. The party has mutated into a system of governance that closely resembles an organized criminal enterprise and one that maintains power through fear, repression, and manipulation. It uses inherited colonial laws not to liberate, but to silence and punish its own people.

As his son, I wish I could follow in my father’s political footsteps with pride. However I can’t do so blindly, because this is no longer the party that gave birth to Zimbabwe. What exists today is a far cry from the vision of inclusive liberation.

For me real patriotism today means choosing truth over nostalgia, and justice over loyalty to broken systems. Such unkind truths often come with reprisals.However despite the risks, I still hold onto hope that freedom of speech has a place in our beloved Zimbabwe regardless of the harsh socioeconomic and political conditions we face.

Without space for truth, there can be no healing. Without dialogue, no real progress.

"Freedom of Speech, But Not Freedom After Speech: The Cost of Truth in Zimbabwe"

2025-06-17T17:13:00.000+01:00

"Zimbabwe’s crisis has evolved beyond stolen votes to stolen livelihoods where poverty is no longer a byproduct of bad governance, but a deliberate tool wielded by a privileged few to choke dissent, starve democracy, and turn economic survival into political submission."

To be honest, for many people, economic and political justice in Zimbabwe feels less like a dream deferred and more like a dream deliberately denied. Decades of broken promises, rigged elections, rampant corruption, and economic collapse have hollowed out hope. When the cost of living rises daily while leaders enrich themselves, and when elections become rituals without accountability, it’s easy to feel that justice is reserved for the powerful, not the people.

But is it impossible? No, not if people continue to organize, speak out, and refuse to accept the status quo as permanent. Across history, systems that seemed untouchable eventually shifted because ordinary people didn’t give up. It may feel slow, painful, and costly and yes, the path is uncertain but the dream only becomes impossible when people stop believing in it and stop acting on it.

Justice in Zimbabwe might not come from the top down but it will likely be built from the ground up: in communities, through solidarity, through civic education, strategic pressure, and unified resistance. It requires a long view, but also bold and present action.

So no, it’s not impossible. But it’s also not automatic. It will demand more than just outrage it will take strategy, unity, sacrifice, and deep vision.

It takes immense courage to speak the truth in Zimbabwe. Yes, the Constitution may promise freedom of expression but in reality, that freedom often ends the moment you exercise it. The powerful still control the levers of state, and they can silence, punish, or destroy lives with impunity. So while speech may be "free," freedom after speech is never guaranteed.

This is the harsh reality faced by many Zimbabweans today.

Still, we must be honest: this struggle is not safe. Those who challenge authority risk losing everything. Jobs can disappear. Reputations can be destroyed. Lives can be made unbearable. How can one feel truly free in an environment where repressive measures can be applied so casually, so mercilessly?

The answer is complex, but it starts with naming the fear and refusing to let it rule us. Above all, it will take the courage to speak, even when the cost is high.Because the dream of justice only dies when we stop believing in it and stop fighting for it.

Is ZANU PF Destroying the Old to Build the New? A Critical Look at Zimbabwe’s Governance Trajectory

2025-06-12T13:39:00.000+01:00

Is ZANU PF Destroying the Old to Build the New? A Critical Look at Zimbabwe’s Governance Trajectory

In the evolving landscape of Zimbabwean politics, a concerning pattern has emerged. One that suggests the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) may be pursuing a strategy of dismantling old systems under the pretext of building something new.

While this strategy is not codified in any official policy, the practical evidence points to a calculated transformation of Zimbabwe’s political and institutional architecture. What we are witnessing may not simply be change but upheaval.

The Dismantling of Institutional Foundations

Over the past several years, ZANU PF has overseen the systematic erosion of key institutional pillars:

Land Tenure Systems:

The recalibration of land ownership, including the controversial issuance of new title deeds, has raised alarm. Critics view this as an attempt to reassert control over land allocation and usage and a move that benefits political loyalty over justice and equity.

Local Government Autonomy:

Longstanding frameworks that granted local authorities a degree of independence are being weakened. Centralized control is reasserted through opaque appointment mechanisms, budgetary constraints, and political interference.

Civil Service Neutrality:

Once envisioned as an apolitical organ of the state, the civil service is increasingly viewed as a politicized extension of the ruling party, where appointments and promotions are often aligned with political allegiance rather than merit or professional competence.

These changes are rarely framed as erosions of democratic norms. Instead, they are marketed as steps toward national renewal under catchy slogans like “Vision 2030,” the “Second Republic,” or “economic empowerment.”

Reform or Reinvention of Control?

At first glance, these initiatives might suggest progressive reform. However, beneath the rhetoric lies a troubling trend:

Consolidation of power and deepening political patronage.
Transparency has declined, with decision-making processes increasingly shrouded in secrecy.
Elite enrichment has accelerated, as access to resources and opportunities becomes concentrated among those within or aligned with the ruling elite.
Democratic processes, including elections and public consultations, are sidelined or manipulated to give a veneer of legitimacy to what critics describe as authoritarian maneuvers.

This is not reform in the democratic sense. Rather, it appears to be a strategic demolition of previous checks and balances clearing the way not for people-centered governance, but for regime entrenchment.

The Pattern Is Unmistakable

What makes this moment especially consequential is the intentionality of these shifts. Whether by design or consequence, ZANU PF’s governance has resulted in:

The dismantling of old, decentralized, and independent systems;
The creation of new, centralized structures of control;
The reframing of authoritarian practices as visionary progress.

This approach echoes the adage: “Destroy the old so that the new may be born.” But the critical question becomes "what kind of “new” is being born?".

A Call for National Introspection

Zimbabwe stands at a crossroads. The promise of a renewed republic is weighed down by the growing reality of captured institutions and diminished democratic space. The question facing every citizen is no longer simply about party loyalty or political ideology. It is about the soul of the nation.

Are we witnessing a genuine national rebirth, or a descent into deeper authoritarianism? Are these structural changes laying the foundation for an inclusive, equitable future or entrenching a legacy of elite control? Only an informed, active, and courageous citizenry can answer that and act accordingly.

Join the conversation. Stay informed. Speak out. Zimbabwe’s future depends not only on those who govern, but on those who dare to hold power accountable.

The true life struggles of the Banana children

2025-06-01T08:54:00.001+01:00

Michael Thabo (RIP), Nobuhle, Martin Mhambi , Nathan Sipho (Liverpool, U.K)

Life in Rhodesia

I guess our journey really started in the 70's when the family first migrated out of Rhodesia to the United States of America where our late father former President Canaan Banana was pursuing his academic studies in Washington D.C.

99 New Luveve before migration to America

As a Reverend our dad travelled a lot around the country most likely part reason we were all born in different Cities. My brother in Wankie (now Hwange), my self in Fort Victoria (now Masvingo), my younger brother in Bulawayo and the youngest my sister after independence in Harare.

On reflection these journey's across cities and countries would remain significant events in our lives even as young adults. Later in my article you will see how these travels might have affected our mental health and shaped what led to some of our life challenges.

Person of Public Interest

Our family in New Luveve after returning from America

I suppose when anyone is a person of public interest like a preacher or politician they have to try find a way to have a work life balance otherwise their family will miss out on quality moments to bond with them as a parent and husband.

I can only speak for myself but most likely my brothers and sister might have felt the same way, we never really got to know our father as a dad because of his seemingly busy working schedule and his love of his people. Our mum basically performed both roles quite effeciently and perhaps due to the strong extended family network structure at the time also helped her overcome some of the challenges that many single mothers faced even though in her case she was a married mother with a very busy husband.

Zimbabwe Independence 1980

The arrival of independece in Zimbabwe did not help change the family conditions that we experienced pre-independence, truly speaking it actually worsened them as our father was no longer just ours alone but a stately father figure whom every citizen looked upto and respected as a Head of State. The only times we had to have conversations with him was at the dinner table but that environment was also quite intimidating as it was a long table where we sat at a distance from the Head of table and obviously table manners had to be adhered to also to English standards.

Small breakfast table in one of the sitting rooms Martin & mum eating.

I personally tried disrupting the process by hanging around out of normal working ours activities where my father would be involved in football training and on some weekends during off season also jump into the motorcade to go fishing with him and during football season also attend some of the matches with him, but in all these events there was no close conversations as he would be focused on communicating with the players and coaches or Statehouse staff in the case of fishing trips.

Let me point out that my reflections directed at him are in no way an attempt to taint his positive contributions to society as a leader but to give you the reader perspective in terms of helping you appreciate some of the challenges faced by children of prominent individuals in society in terms of their relationships with their parents. Please also take note that my story might not be the same as the stories of other children in similar situations.

The Cost of Ego: How Zimbabwe’s Fragmented Opposition Keeps Power in ZANU-PF’s Hands

2025-06-01T08:19:00.005+01:00

By: Sipho N Banana

Zimbabwe’s democratic struggle is being held hostage not by ZANU-PF alone, but by the opposition’s refusal to make strategic compromises.

Our opposition landscape today is littered with splinter parties, each carrying a banner of hope, each believing it has the key to salvation and yet collectively, they fail to move the needle of change. Why? Because we have mistaken going it alone for political strength, and in doing so, we’ve handed ZANU-PF victory after victory on a silver platter.

The idea of working together in Zimbabwean politics is too often misunderstood. For some, it means merging parties. For others, it means compromising core values. But that is a narrow and self-defeating view. Collaboration does not have to mean surrendering identity but it means building a unified front capable of achieving shared goals. It means putting Zimbabwe first, not party logos.

The Pitfalls of Fragmentation

In the 2018 elections, over 20 opposition parties contested the presidency. Many of them knew they had no realistic path to State House, yet they fielded candidates anyway. What followed was a familiar outcome: ZANU-PF maintained power, not because it had overwhelming support, but because the opposition had once again diluted itself to the point of irrelevance. Had even half of those parties chosen to support a single credible candidate, we might be living in a different Zimbabwe today. In 2023, the story repeated itself. Smaller parties, many barely known beyond a few districts, insisted on participating “independently.” The result was predictable: they split the protest vote, gave legitimacy to a flawed election, and further confused the electorate. Voters were left asking ... who really represents us?

Meanwhile, the ruling party used this confusion to tighten its grip. This obsession with individuality and the desire to wear one’s own colours, speak from one’s own podium, and claim credit for imagined victories has reduced the influence of many political parties to that of pressure groups. They make noise, issue statements, march when permitted but they cannot shift power. Why? Because real power in politics comes from numbers, strategy, and unity.

Strategic Partnership ≠ Merger

Let’s be clear: no one is saying every political party must dissolve into another. But collaboration doesn’t require a merger. It requires a shared agenda, coordinated action, and the maturity to know when to lead and when to support. Political coalitions elsewhere in Africa such as Kenya’s 2002 National Rainbow Coalition or Malawi’s 2020 Tonse Alliance succeeded not because everyone became one party, but because they recognised the moment demanded unity above ego. Zimbabwe’s opposition must learn the same lesson. It must stop operating as a collection of competing brands and start acting like a movement.

That doesn’t mean pretending we all agree on everything. It means agreeing on what matters most ending authoritarian rule, restoring the dignity of our people, and creating a democratic state that works for all.

The Way Forward

To move forward, opposition parties must:

1. Create platforms for dialogue and trust-building among themselves, not just in election years, but permanently.

2. Develop shared strategies for engagement, including joint rallies, coordinated messaging, and protection of each other’s political space.

3. Stop prioritizing publicity over purpose. Just because your logo isn’t in front doesn’t mean your work doesn’t matter.

4. Involve civil society and independent voices in fostering unity, offering neutral ground for building coalitions that are more than just election pacts.

Conclusion:

Unity is Not Weakness The real threat to ZANU-PF is not any single opposition leader. It is a united movement that refuses to be divided by small ambitions. Zimbabweans are hungry for change they are desperate for leaders who show not only courage but wisdom and humility.

Until opposition parties learn to compromise strategically, their noble intentions will keep being buried under the weight of their own egos. The time has come to move from fragmentation to formation not necessarily of one party, but of one purpose. Because if we do not come together, we will keep coming apart and ZANU-PF will remain the only one smiling.

Reflections on the state of Zimbabwe on the Memorial Day of late President Banana

2022-11-10T06:53:00.006+00:00

(5 March 1936 – 10 November 2003)

It didn’t matter whether we met often or not, what mattered is that your advice helped me connect my life’s dots. It didn’t matter whether we spoke every day or not, what mattered was that you loved me a lot. Dad, I miss you.RIP

The 10th of November is my late father's Memorial.

My father was a member of Zanu PF who volunteered to step down from office before the end of his second Presidential term after the signing of the Unity Accord on December 22 1987 to facilitate peace and unity between the two liberation political parties Zapu and Zanu that were embroiled in a bitter struggle for power.

This emanated from the dissident insurgency in Matabeleland and Midlands and the subsequent deployment of the dreaded North Korean trained 5th Brigade to quell the conflict. Sadly the indiscriminate use of force even on unarmed innocent civilians led to the infamous Gukurahundi resulting in the senseless killing of thousands of innocent civilians across Matabeleland and the Midlands areas. This should provide context to the idea of the Unity Accord which led to an end in these hostilities.

My personal take on the Unity Accord is that it was a political strategy by Robert Mugabe and Zanu to consolidate power seeing that Zapu was a formidable opposition party, with a similar liberation war background and strong national structures. In spite of the 1987 Unity Accord being seen as a major achievement in ending the so called 'moment of madness' (Gukurahundi), I believe it mainly benefited the top leadership of Zapu whilst leaving the people from the region victims of the new system of government.

There is indeed some hope for national unity with the recently announced Road Map Manual on the Gukurahundi community engagement process led by Chiefs. It is however encouraging to see the new President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, taking this very bold step to move past our historical differences and work towards bringing equality, justice and peace for all. I think it is of utmost importance for Zimbabweans to make every effort to try and resolve some of these outstanding issues on their own without external interference.

While I appreciate and respect the sacrifices made by my parents and many others towards the liberation of Zimbabwe, 42 years have passed since Zimbabwean attained its independence and I now find it a bit monotonous and patronising for some of those in positions of power to continue using those liberation efforts as justification to remain in power and control of a nation that could have done better.

The most disappointing aspect in all this, is our failure as people of Zimbabwe to come together and play our part in both national development and the fight against what has now become open abuse of power and privilege by some elements in government who have access to resources to pursue self-interests. Corruption needs to be dealt with firmly otherwise all the well-intentioned economic development initiatives will not trickle down to benefit the many disenfranchised citizens of our once great Zimbabwe.

Each of us, in our little circles of influence, has the ability to create our unique comfort zones. I wake up each morning exploring ways to make a living and continue to explore ways to unleash my full potential without worrying about what the person next to me thinks. What is FREEDOM when that freedom has conditions and limitations to what one can do? Is the love for one's country of origin taboo? Should we be punished and stripped of our dignity for demanding that freedom and justice? Why have so many of us become so selfish and uncaring about where we come from?

There can never be a right time as time waits for no human being, our time is now and we must stop being critics from a distance but constructive critics who are also practically involved in offering alternative solutions. We can't cry about foreigners grabbing all the lucrative economic opportunities at our door steps when we now have the relevant qualifications, experience and knowledge to equally take on those opportunities. We need to move away from individualism and start working as a collective of patriotic citizens pursuing a common national vision that can improve our way of life.

If I could change the world alone I could, but I am not naive and know that the only and realistic way to change our environment is when we all come together in our diversity and stand up for the greater good. The liberation of Zimbabwe did not end in 1980 with political independence. As I see it, the struggle for economic empowerment of the many should intensify, we have to step up and make uncomfortable choices and sacrifices if we truly love and believe in human progression in our collective journeys as citizens belonging and wanting the best for our beloved nation.

"I write in my individual capacity as an advocate for the empowerment of Africans globally. I strongly believe in Afrocentric approaches and a desparate need to decolonise our education system but use the positive tools from colonial influences to innovate and acome up with value systems that serve African interests best."

Generation 50

2020-02-01T09:50:00.000+00:00

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My Generation Personal Reflection

Most of my generation [Generation 50] were too trusting of the generation before us (my father's generation), so much that we left the role of leading our country all in their hands out of respect for their efforts in the liberation struggle. This was also as a general principle of respect for elders which is a strong characteristic of African value systems which made it difficult to challenge their decisions as one may have been viewed as a rebel or lost cause.

The trust based on their colonial conquest milestone which has unfortunately left most of us divided, under resourced and almost toothless to take over and clean up the mess they have created largely because of the influence of the partisan nature our politics has been modelled. I believe this partisan model has created a very toxic business and political environment where ordinary citizens seem more focused on our minor differences than the more positives that could be harnessed in pursuit of common interests.

My awakening to the reality of the rot in our socio political and economic environment was unveiled to me during my 2018 political campaign that I lost as a result of several factors, partly which were based on a poor strategy based on a very short and under resourced political campaign to other factors like lack of access to media platforms like Newspapers, Radio and T.V that seemed to favour the more established political platforms and leaders. In spite of the unsuccessful campaign, I still wanted to find other ways of giving back to the country that helped start my journey of life and therefore decided to extend my stay in Zimbabwe from both a business and community projects approach perspective.

It will be incorrect for me to claim to have all the answers to all the issues that Zimbabweans are facing right now, however that does not mean that I can't start doing something positive about fixing just one of those many issues where I feel change is needed. Change is a process and normally may not reflect immediately or in one's life time but be of benefit to future generations..

I am not sure why some of our elder members of society are hanging on to roles in both public and private institutions that should in progressive societies be retired and allow opportunity for the next generation to take over. Could it be because not enough has been done to groom future leaders and prepare them for those high profile responsibilities that come with national leadership? Or perhaps not much value has been placed on other roles and functions of society to an extent we even have some highly qualified professional who would better serve our nation in their professional capacities in the private sector but choose to be political aspirants or public servants because corruption has made it look more lucrative.

Our politics has become a lucrative opportunity for most professionals because of the deep rooted corruption that now exists in our public institutions that clearly lack transparent systems for accountability. However with the right leadership mindset and will power I do believe Zimbabweans can make every role in society attractive and more appealing if we start promoting a leadership culture that builds and leads our society guided by strong moral values and principles of servitude.

In short we need better and more responsible leaders with integrity in all our public and private institutions who have people interest at heart rather than self interest and greed. This is however not a solution that could be implemented overnight but one we can start working on building now so it benefits for future generations.

Yes We Can, together in our diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

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Reflections of subconsciously living with Mental Health

2019-12-14T17:27:00.002+00:00

Meet the Banana brothers aka O'Ncube

"In many ways, mental health is just like physical health: everybody has it and we need to take care of it .

Good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life. But if you go through a period of poor mental health you might find the ways you're frequently thinking, feeling or reacting become difficult, or even impossible, to cope with. This can feel just as bad as a physical illness, or even worse .

Mental health problems affect around one in four people in any given year. They range from common problems, such as depression and anxiety, to rarer problems such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Experiencing a mental health problem is often upsetting, confusing and frightening – particularly at first. If you become unwell, you may feel that it's a sign of weakness, or that you are 'losing your mind'.

These fears are often reinforced by the negative (and often unrealistic) way that people experiencing mental health problems are shown on TV, in films and by the media. This may stop you from talking about your problems, or seeking help. This, in turn, is likely to increase your distress and sense of isolation.

However, in reality, mental health problems are a common human experience.
Most people know someone who has experienced a mental health problem. They can happen to all kinds of people from all walks of life. And it's likely that, when you find a combination of self-care, treatment and support that works for you, you will get better. " (https://www.mind.org.uk)

I have never really stopped to consider checking if I may have mental health issues and I am pretty sure that 99% of the people out there have had the same attitude towards the issue because most of us think just because we are in gainful employment or running a successful business and fit in the social and public definition of success or contentment we are therefore very normal beings.

The truth is most of us live a lie in that we are in most times disconnected from our own realities and actually live imagined realities that we want those around us to view in good light. Perhaps the very reason most of us would never think about nor associate ourselves with issues related to mental health. In Africa the mere mention of the reference is a very sensitive subject as it can easily stigmatise ones personal image amongst their close circle of associates.

I guess migrating to more tolerant societies and perhaps more developed in terms of understanding mental health issues has in a way helped me appreciate the challenges many face in terms of living with mental health issues. On reflection I can see that our family background and experiences may have actually triggered some of the symptoms associated to mental health issues, but because of pride and the general African perception which frowns on individuals identified with mental health issues in our vernacular languages they would say "uyahlanya" or "anopenga". These are usually very strong references that usually tend to have a much stronger meaning of being "mad", basically meaning someone has lost total control of their mental compass.

I think my return to Zimbabwe in 2018 put me in a situation where my mental wellbeing was tested and triggered to a certain extent. There were many times where I would ask myself why should I try and adjust to what had become a very confusing life caused by factors that were just beyond my immediate control. I would tell myself that this is all part of the struggle to get things right in Zimbabwe and try find solace from the courageous stance I was taking in joining many in trying to make things work (normalise the abnormal) in the very complex socio-economic and political environment. I would tell myself that if others can survive under the same conditions why should I fail to also embrace the conditions, not realising that most had no other options to move away from the hostile environment like I did.

I guess I would consider myself as a self-care patient. I think my mental health has not started with my return to Zimbabwe but possible from the time my late father was President and we as children had to adjust our behaviour as children to emulate those of staff members, official's and members of the public in terms of having that fear respect for our dad rather than having a love respect for a fatherly figure who was not just a head of state but head of our family. As a child of a prominent public figure one's child freedoms were also limited as 'behaving' in any childish way that would attract criticism towards the image of President was something that was made very clear in terms of what was expected of us in terms of how we behaved.

Living Statehouse and beginning to work amongst members from the general public also brought it's own psychological challenges as naturally people expected that the son of a President or former President would have certain privileges and command a certain kind of life style. Our late father believed that doing us any favours in terms of requesting certain privileges be accorded to us in his capacity as President or former President would bring his image and name to disrepute and be viewed as abuse of power and position.

All that played into our mental well-being as children of a former Head of State as we were unable to live up-to the expectations from members of the general public, obviously oblivious of the fact that we did not have to live up to anyone's expectations. As a result we often form our meagre salaries lived beyond our means in order to try and live up to those expectations and create an image with status labels. I left Zimbabwe to live and work in South Africa in my quest to live a life away from the status image and reference of being the son of a former President whom the ordinary people had high expectations of which I could not live up to as in reality I never had any resources to live up to their wishes.

It was as if we were expected to live a life style like the Royal family where we could be involved in public projects sponsored by tax payers money. All that I am sure not only played into my conscience but also that of my siblings. So what exactly have I just narrated? Well we all suffer from a bout of madness in our lives and one of the best ways to deal with mental illness is to be open about the issues that affect your way of life to those that you can confide in. Obviously not everyone close to your circles has your best interests at heart but remaining silent on some of those very personal isles can be counter productive and affect your heath and life style.

“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” – Glenn Close.

Beyond Partisan Politics towards a Politics of Nationalism

2019-03-19T09:38:00.000+00:00

The more I try hard to pull away from the toxic politics in Zimbabwe, the more I find myself being pulled back into the discussion irrespective of the direction that I have chosen to focus on the business and investment arena.

I however find myself more aligned to nationalism more than political party identities, though on reflection I can see how certain political party policies favour a nationalist approach on paper but somehow are still reflective of the inherited capitalist system that tends to benefit a minority few in positions of power and influence reflective of the Rhodesian government model of governance only this time economic beneficiaries are partisan based and to some degree also nepotistic (family appointments) in nature.

Whilst on the other hand the other political parties are more liberal and embracing an open kind of democratic dispensation that has no clearly articulated framework to protect the sovereign interests of the indigenous citizen of Zimbabwe but relies heavily on being guided by the influence that comes from the so called superpowers of the world with permanent interests in Zimbabwe.

That said in most political platforms looking from outside inside, I see how moral and ethical standards have been eroded in terms of being guided by values like 'ubuntu/hunhu' that represent who we are as African people.

This is not to suggest that we must throw away everything that was brought and taught to us by foreigners. I still respect certain aspects of western democratic models but have also realised that not all aspect can be applied to African political environments because of our unique cultural history and leadership style.

Most of us perhaps because of the influence that comes from a largely globalised political environment, we find ourselves naturally being attracted and looking up to foreign influences, moreso also because of our heavily inherited colonial education system that makes academic, visual and shared information on online resources appear more superior based on those indoctrinated foreign concepts, ideologies and value systems.

I guess finding the right balance in terms of where to draw the line with regards to protecting what serves the interests of African society/people over what is presented as helping develop African society can be a very complex task especially when there seem to be subtle hidden agendas designed to serve and benefit foreign interests more African people nor a sincere partnership for uplifting African nations.

I guess some will argue that it's also a double edged sword in the sense that most our so called leaders have embraced a culture of corruption which makes the whole quest to empower ordinary citizens (self emancipation) counter productive as the same crop of leadership seem to have a great admiration of western propagated 'status symbols' which are a byproduct of the dominant global capitalist system as reflective in their life styles.

It is African authors like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o that should inspire young African's to wake up and believe they have what it takes to take our continent out of this negative label of perpertual poverty. Surely African nations and their abundance of untapped natural resources can unite and be equal partners amongst the great nations of this world. Nothing is impossible as long as we believe we can rise above those artificial barriers some imposed by others and some that are just part of the natural creation of life.

As we enter the Zimbabwe Economic Revolution

2018-11-15T22:49:00.001+00:00

Grassroots Campaign Cowdray Park

“Success is likened to a deep pit, you have to jump in to get it, then you'll need a ladder of grace to climb out to enjoy it. However mediocrity is a pit that swallows people who have rested on seats of complacency for long.”

As we enter the Zimbabwe Economic Revolution

Introduction

My decision to return to the African continent, more specifically Zimbabwe was driven by my passion to want to give back to a society where I grew up and wanted to give back by sharing ideas inspired by my experiences living in different socio-economic and political backgrounds.

I knew from the moment I made the decision on this new journey that it was not going to be easy and I would need to make a lot of sacrifices financially and emotionally too. My journey back would not have been meaningful had it not been for the moral and financial support and encouragement from my wife, brothers, some extended family members and a few close friends and associates.

I must admit that in spite of all the support I received during my political campaign which I know started a bit too late still pushed me over my planned budget as proposals to run with Councillors just cut into my already limited financial resources.

Post Election Road Map

Fast forward..Zanu PF won a two thirds majority in parliament and a closely contested and legally challenged Presidential election.

I guess questions need to be asked to ascertain what went wrong. So what lessons have we learnt as political candidates and citizens from the election experience and outcomes?

On a personal level on reflection I know that I took a risk by entering the arena after having lived outside Zimbabwe for several years, even in spite of having managed to run a few community based initiatives from my Diaspora home targeted at my home constituency.

Naturally people can only relate to someone whom they can see on a day to day basis and would therefore be more comfortable in electing them as their representative. However in spite of the late entry my campaign was also affected by the lack of access to local media platforms, like local radio stations and newspapers which could have helped increase my visibility and also share my campaign message.

On top of the list was entering the race with a very limited campaign budget, which meant movement was restricted and visibility could not be effective without sufficient campaign regalia and funds to hire larger venues like stadiums to run rallies.

Second on the list was the disunity of opposition political parties and candidates, this meant that there was a very long ballot paper that many voters had no time to read and understand, hence results seemed to favour only the popular brand names with many new unknown names failing to garner enough votes to win the campaign.

Third on the list was the economic environment. the election was very ripe for vote buying as the country was facing cash shortages in banks with rising cost of living where many could not afford the basics. Even the largest opposition party was equally affected by the lack of campaign funding and largely benefited from an already large urban voter following that had grown over the years. Their main weakness was their lack of penetration of the rural constituencies that have remained Zanu PF strongholds since independence partly because of their utilisation of government and donor resources to mobiles cell structures during the distribution of those agricultural subsidies.

The strategic privatisation of parastatals and creation of political party aligned businesses meant that those companies given contracts and tenders would be called upon to support the parties campaign chest during elections. Many ask where did Zanu PF get so much money to buy so many cars during their campaign, well they have been in power since independence and have virtually policised the system of government right into the heart of the business community.

What is the way forward?

Opposition politics as we have all know it has been of constantly criticising almost everything government does and boycotting participation on some national programs meant to benefit all citizens is counter productive to national progress. I appreciate that government has been largely run on partisan lines with one needing to produce a Zanu PF membership card with subscription payments to access opportunities. Those in parliament need to expose and fight that injustice so such opportunities are accessible to every ordinary citizen.

There is a need to go on a massive conscientisation campaign to awaken critical consciousness of citizens on the importance of making leadership choices from a more informed position than just following the crowd mentality.

Voters need to understand how vote buying might provide temporal relief but long term hardships after elections. They need to understand that that a small bribe to win their vote is nothing compared to the millions these politicians keep syphoning from our national resources under the guise of serving society. Citizens need to understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens to hold legislators to account for their actions and decisions. The electorate needs to see the value of demanding more transparency in terms of how tax payer money and revenue generated from various sources and how it will be used for the benefit of building a more socially progressive society.

I feel our humble nature as Zimbabweans has left us vulnerable to exploitation by those in positions of power and influence and now more recently also being taken advantage by the business community sometimes conspiring with those in government.

In short collectively as citizens working with political institutions and other nation building entities hungry for real change really need to come up with social re-engineering strategies that will awaken our people and stand up to the increasing and reckless injustices being perpetrated against them. Opposition parties need to unite and work together to demand a much fairer society for all citizens not based on any political labels.

The Economy

We need to give as much focus on economic solutions like we have done over the years with our passion to seek political solutions. In any case there is no opposition political party or candidate that will be able to match the resource power that Zanu PF has managed to pull together over the years unless they have very powerful financial backers who have no ties to the current system of government.

Our politics is no longer just limited to the political arena but has transcended to also dominate the business arena with a few powerful and influential individuals (untouchables) controlling the bulk of our national wealth. So we need to fight to get back our economy which is now controlled by very powerful cartels working with key individuals in the current system of government.

let's demand our fair share of gold for this country is for all of us and future generations must look back and follow footsteps that build great nations rather than those that destroy and suck it dry of all it's natural resources. We need to demand more transparent forms of governance and hold leaders to account for their actions and decisions.

Reflections from my 2018 Political Campaign in Luveve Constituency

2018-09-09T22:45:00.001+01:00

Day 1 Workshop & Door to Door Campaign Old Luveve

Brief Background History

I knew from the moment I accepted the invitation to join a new political party in 2010 that the journey was not going to be an easy and straight forward one. Many of us did not realise that trying to build a political platform without sufficient resources hoping that sympathetic donors will come to our aid was very ambitious. What made it even more complex is that we had to work as Zimbabweans from diverse backgrounds scattered across the globe and only making contributions on a voluntary basis around our day to day working schedules which only made the whole process extremely slow, resulting in some members silently dropping out and focusing on their personal pursuits.

In spite of those evident challenges, the passion and will power that most team members had ensured the work of building 'Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe Party' would continue at snails pace for the next eight years. During that time the party had two other Interim Presidents of the party, the first who was responsible for research and policy formulation, followed by two others who were responsible for the administrative structuring and finally myself who was nominated and elected to lead the political structuring phase at the end of 2014.

Coalition/Merger Negotiations

The interim party leadership realised that the lack of funds to spearhead the party's vision and mission objectives forward if not addressed would eventually lead to the party shutting down. It was then that a decision was taken to engage other opposition parties with the intent of forming coalitions or having mergers in an attempt to consolidate the limited resources by grouping together all smaller political parties. Sadly our efforts to build progressive partnerships were met with hostility and in some cases silent diplomacy that did not produce and final outcomes. It seems most leaders within those parties were only interested in protecting their positions with the larger political parties wanting to dictate rather than negotiate a way forward.

Election Campaign

Banana 4 Luveve Campaign Team 2018

As a result of all the negative outcomes of these efforts the party was forced to let individual candidates try and self-fund their campaigns using the party branding and policies. We also decided because of the lack of resources to build national structures and hold Congress the party would not field any Presidential Candidate.

Campaigning was never going to be easy especially taking into account the inherent culture by older political parties of giving out free regalia to potential voters during the campaign trial. This was made worse by the already difficult economic conditions where unemployment is very high and there was no cash in the banks which left most voters vulnerable to vote buying strategies. I think the unlevel playing field influenced by lack of fair access to political funding was quite evident for all to see as the better resourced political parties were visible because their resource advantage in terms of party campaign materials and mobilisation.

Media Bias

To top it up access to media sources like Radio and T.V. all came at a costs only affordable to the better resourced candidates and only the media favored candidates were given coverage on both print and online media sources.TIt became clear that the election had become a two way contest between Zanu PF and MDC Alliance and it's break aways.

Both Local and International Media focused a lot on the Presidential campaign with little or nothing done to share Information about other candidates at local government and National Assembly.

Ballot paper

The ballot list of candidates was long and unclear so the easiest choice for most voters especially the elderly was to chose between the popular parties and not necessarily the best candidates hence many new entrants were denied the opportunity to bring in new ideas as the main message of the elections by largest opposition was transformed from "Mugabe must go" to "Zanu PF must go".

Conclusion

Conclusively those elected won not because they ran good campaigns and were the best candidates but because of the "political party labels" more than the credibility and track record of prospective candidates. Even most of the candidates fielded by the MDC Alliance were negotiated rather than elected through a democratic process (imposition), so technically they were not chosen by the voters but the party leadership.

My hope is that those elected in these elections will learn from our shared campaign messages and take on board some of the good ideas shared to help improve on service delivery standards and also demand accountability and transparency from the Zanu PF government in the next 5 years.

What does the future look like?

I do not intend contesting to be a Member of Parliament in the next election, but will continue to work in my target community with the winning MP and Councillors to contribute to growing the local economy and creating opportunities for residents to fully unlock their potential. I believe our focus as citizens of one nation should be more on coming up with economic empowering solutions that can help us eradicate poverty.

I shall continue the work of building the party and also continue exploring working partnerships with other political parties in Zimbabwe including the party in government. I believe as people belonging we actually have far more in common than that which divides us. It's quite clear for me that the divide and rule culture of politics has created a very divided nation based on opposition politics, which seems blind to working to achieve national objectives. This clearly does not inspire hope as we spend too much time complaining about our situation rather than also coming up with practical competitive alternative ideas that can help transform people's lives today and not only when there is a change in government.

I believe financial independence will make democracy work as it will become more difficult to bribe voters during election time with free handouts and food as they will be able to afford them on their own.

Mindset Change

I believe there is a serious need for social engineering, citizen information campaigns that can help them understand their rights and the responsibilities of elected leaders and how to hold them to account for their election promises and decisions that have a negative impact on their lives.

Newly Appointed Cabinet

The recently announced Zimbabwe Cabinet is certainly a step in the right direction that has given many of us a glimmer of hope as this is something that has not happened to this scale since 1980. Change from what was to what ought to be is a process that will take time. I'm optimistic.

The Corruption, Human rights violations and partisan politics have made most of us a very bitter people blinded from appreciating any good by the hatred of the current system of government. The frustration is so deep to an extent we always looking to discredit even anything promising that the Zanu government try to introduce as solutions.

I think there is a serious need for a mindset change and this process of change will take time and probably be influenced by the very performance of the new cabinet in meeting election campaign promises and citizen expectations.

I would personally wish to see a more competitive type of politics that moves away from empty campaign rhetoric and confrontational strategies that do not lead to positive outcomes to a politics that offers practical alternative solutions that contribute to national development now and not based on a future that can never guaranteed.

Let's all remember that we are Zimbabweans first before we belong to political parties. So nationalism must come before partisan loyalty. Personally I would like to see more transparency and accountability from all our leaders. I believe these are the key pillars for driving socio-economic and political change in our country.

Being in Politics is not an 'Entitlement' but an opportunity to serve Society.

2017-05-31T18:07:00.005+01:00

Tough Choices in 2018

My decision not to contest in 2018 has been met with a lot of mixed feelings and naturally some disgruntlement and departure by a few members of our party. It was something expected when people hopes are dashed, i wish i could perform miracles, that way everything I wished for would go according to plan. The good thing though is most are in for the long haul which is very motivating and encouraging.

In some instances I was even called a coward and told I do not know anything about Zimbabwe politics just because of the difficult choice I made after my field assessment of the political terrain and economic conditions in Zimbabwe. With current poor economic conditions our political environment is very ripe for vote buying and if truth be told the better resourced participants will be the winners in 2018 elections, be it Councillor, MP or Presidential candidates.

What I have learnt since accepting the interim role to lead Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe Party is most people join political parties expecting the party to somehow get a windfall of donations to fund the party's activities. In some cases I suspect a few presumed that as a person who is linked to a prominent name in history i must have some serious wealthy connections out there that would offer our party the financial resources to implement its vision, mission, principles and values.

Sadly I am just an ordinary citizen who is also struggling in my own corner and who works hard to make a living just like everybody else.

When my father's generation left Rhodesia and went into exile, they too did not willingly just leave the country but were forced by circumstances beyond their control. Some of them used the opportunity to pursue higher education, whilst others sought work to send money back to feed their families and fund the liberation struggle.

The liberation movements were fortunate to have sympathetic partners from China, Cuba, Libya, Zambia, Mozambique and many others to train their fighters and technocrats in preparation for an independent majority ruled nation that they were all committed to working to accomplish.

Today new political parties and leaders are facing a completely different enemy which appears in all kinds of deceiving forms. the game of chess has become a reality with the same pieces (leaders) being used to play the game. Perhaps our only hope for this game to end is for those pieces to ware out and be thrown away into the dustbins of history.

Yes i am talking about corruption, entitlement, hero worshiping, recycling, prosperity gospel preachers which have all become variations of dictatorship that some seem to be happy to continue entertaining.

The truth is not all of us will cross the finish line in the time that we expect or is expected of us. That said it should not be reason to stop believing in what we have set out to achieve. Some struggles take a few years, some are accomplished over-night but in truth our struggles as human are a life time experience.

Today we have people who want to dismiss Zimbabweans coming from the Diaspora and offering to serve our country, yet they seem to not know our history, that some of our past and current leaders also came from the Diaspora to serve their country. Is it now wrong for any citizen to leave the country seek ways to fully unleash their potential? Don't those citizens deserve equal recognition as they also made sacrifices in order to empower themselves with knowledge and skills that have the potential to contribute to a more progressive society?

I am yet to come across someone or an entity that was formed and they started big. Kumhanya hakuzi kusvika, ukugijima kayiskho ukufika.

There is an African Proverb saying "if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together". I will expand on that and say but don't just go with individuals who keep bringing you down, always explore different routes and you will be exposed to new learning experiences.

We cannot expect to do important things in a short period of time. We must do what we can and leave room for others to continue where we left off until its Uhuru.

What are your expectations of the 2018 Election?

2017-02-11T11:38:00.001+00:00

Zimbabwe's fast growing political party sector

Zimbabweans must gear up for a prolonged struggle..2018 is not a game changer

I decided to cut my planned six month field assessment trip to Zimbabwe after coming face to face with some of the complex challenges faced by ordinary citizens and the generality of the Zimbabwean population struggling in various sectors of our society.
Besides having a taster of what one can expect when they return home I also needed some time to reflect on my political pursuits in Zimbabwe and the work I'm involved in with individuals from diverse professionals working and resident in South Africa from motherland.

Nathan meeting Zimbabweans on the ground

As a new political party it's unfortunate that our entry has also been over shadowed by the break away formations from MDC-T and Zanu PF who naturally have the advantage of being known political brands and as such have somehow been able to dominate our public information sources.

The increase in the number of new political formations has also put a dent in our chances of sharing our vision and principles more effectively as a credible alternative to the current political environment. A new national chorus by some Zimbabweans dismissing our entry as that of 'splitting votes' or being agents of the regime has become the propaganda tool to try promote the relevance of the so called 'Big tent' as larger opposition party supporters wanting their party to stay relevant in spite of a visible track record of failing to remove Zanu PF and some of their officials being caught up in corruption scandals at local government levels.

Rural Water Community Investment Partnership

During my trip I also approached a number of Zimbabwe based business owners to share our vision and try and entice them to fund our activities.Though most of them showed admiration for our principles and vision they were quick to come up with reason why it would be a risk for them to invest in our political party. Most hid behind the psychologically induced fear of being vindicated by the current system for opposing them and rather suggested that we explore marriages of convenience (Coalitions) with those they saw as more established players in the arena.

A lack of a more modernised Political party funding Act is one of the reasons the political playing field will remain dominated by a few political parties. The invisibility of most new parties is because they are not as well resourced to reach out to Zimbabweans across the country as the older and more established political entities. That is something that will take a radical shift in policy and attitudes if ever new ideas are to rise in our current political environment.

Luveve Community Under 14 Team

My trip was not just focused on my political goals but I also got a chance to visit some of my community investment projects that I initiated last year, the first done with the partnership of family members resident and working in the Diaspora working with those on the ground in Rural Zimbabwe to drill and install solar power pump that would benefit the whole village. The second was a piggery project that I am working on nearer to the city centre in partnership with a young aspiring businessman and the third and final a Community organisation that I am helping set-up for my target constituency in Luveve with focus on Youth activities. I facilitated the donation of football kits for an under 14 team and are still to distribute some board games to youth clubs and old people's homes. These are just extensions of work in philanthropy and business that I have always pursued.

I do appreciate that politics is indeed about numbers but let's not forget that the so called 'Big Parties' were also small parties at some point and not brush every new entity with the same brush. I do appreciate the need for unity of purpose but it is something that needs to be negotiated based on all sides seeing value in each other and not as a means to secure individual position and advantage in any such partnership. I never chose to become a politician, it's something that was persuaded into by fellow citizens and something that I personally felt should be supported by strong institutional foundations.

#ThisFlag Campaign

I personally welcome the emergence of social movements like #ThisFlag campaign and others to try and empower citizen's with knowledge about their rights to hold leaders accountable for their actions and decisions. I do hope that they will play a significant role in voter education not because we have an upcoming election but because it is an important pursuit in ensuring citizens have access to information that can help us shape our society and elect more responsible leaders into office.

FJCZ Cardboard Campaign

This is one reason you will note that Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe Party campaigns are more focused on sharing our principles and values more than the party presidents image to the general public. The personalisation of political parties so they are branded around individual leaders is part reason we have not had many political parties with leadership renewal. I believe if there was leadership renewal from our liberation political parties we would not have so many break away factions and new political parties in Zimbabwe.

With leadership renewal new ideas can be born helping create an environment that promotes shared responsibility in terms of working to accomplish key national objectives beyond partisan based politics.

It's important for citizens to register and vote in 2018

I am yet to see a political entity that transforms it's election promises to visible outcomes that change the lives of a greater number of people.

I have had a few citizens asking me why is your party not part of CODE or NERA or any of the current planned coalitions. Well first it's not my personal property and in democracy there are certain processes that need to followed in order to arrive at a collective agreement. Second we are still busy with our political structuring exercise which will end when we hold our first Elective Congress and nominate and elect party officials that will represent the party in 2018 elections. It therefore does not make any sense to negotiate with any party for any coalition without first having a political structure with democratically elected candidates at party level. Last the decision to enter into any coalitions will be decided by our members at our elective congress though our doors will remain open to those who see value in our party being party any coalition arrangement as we progress.

Meeting our members in Cape Town

As a citizen what do you expect from an election victory, what do you expect from your Ward councillor, your Member of Parliament, your President? Are their promises realistic or just lucrative sounding statements that give you hope that they will deliver on those promises? How many chances are you willing to give someone that never fulfills your promise?

As I see it our political environment is based on a culture of entitlement and hero worshiping individual leaders, until we appreciate the importance of building strong institutions over strong individuals we may remain with the same culture of recycling and reshuffling the same political players who belong to the same school of thought in terms of defining a way forward for our beloved nation. I will continue my journey into politics and do what ever I can with the time and resources at my disposal. Building an effective and results oriented team to accomplish our collective objectives is one of my greatest challenges as an aspiring leader.

I hope time will help us leave good visible examples for future generations.

Transformative Politics: Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe Party

2017-01-12T10:15:00.003+00:00

We have many who are skeptical about the increase in political party formations in Zimbabwe and the first thing they ask is “what is different about your party from other political parties?” I think it’s important for us to clarify one very important fact about Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe party, that is it was formed in August 2010 and shared its principles of TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, INCLUSIVITY, SERVITUDE and RESPECT from that year on wards. From that point on wards, some of those same principles have now been embraced and shared by all other new political formations that are now also claiming they want to embrace the same values. This is a clear indicator that the ideas FJCZ brings to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic and political environment are admired not only by citizens but new political parties across the political divide.

Unlike most opposition parties in Zimbabwe, Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe party distinguishes its self by being a progressive party versus the opposition approach that focuses on opposing everything that the current Zanu PF led government is doing rather than offering competitive alternative solutions that citizens can begin to appreciate now rather than when the party wins’ power through general elections. We are not saying that we will not highlight the wrongs by the Zanu PF led government but do so by also offering alternative practical deliverable’s.

Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe party’s Community Investment Partnerships is a revolutionary concept that seeks to empower communities by linking them to potential investors be it Zimbabwe Diaspora professionals or any other investor seeking to pursue sustainable business activities in Zimbabwe. We believe as a party we must be able to attract investment that has a direct positive impact on communities’ moving away from the culture of dependency on government and NGO’s for solutions to the challenges faced by our people. Just like our principles and values have been embraced by many other political parties, we would like to encourage them to also embrace this revolutionary concept that we believe is a good blue print for the whole of Africa and the world.

Our own interim President Nathan Banana (visit his Face Book Page) has already successfully implemented this concept in his rural homestead through coordinating investment capital with members of his family resident in the diaspora working with those on the ground in Zimbabwe to drill a bore hole and install a solar powered pump that now supply water to the whole village. The project will create employment through a planned rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation technics.

What Zimbabwe needs right now is not so much just a change in political leadership alone but a change in people’s way of thinking (mind-sets), and that requires a political party that brings new ideas that are not just policy positions but are transformed to visible outcomes that add value to national development. We believe Zimbabweans need to rise above partisan politics and work together for a greater good of our people and nation beyond party politics. We do not believe that being an opposition party is an excuse to oppose for the sake of being seen to be in disagreement with a sitting government.

Let’s not gamble with the lives of our people by supporting political labels that are failing to transform people’s lives now, but embrace a new kind of leadership that believes in transformation based on bringing on board visible alternatives. We are not saying this will be an easy alternative but a working alternative that will transform our nation to its greatness once again.

Together we can build one great nation.

“Tisu vanhu vacho! Yithi abantu bakhona! We are the people!

FreedomJustice Coalition Zimbabwe Media & Information Department.(Email:info@freedomjusticecoalitionzimbabwe.org)

Building Strong Political Institutions

2016-11-04T10:35:00.000+00:00

Zimbabwe Parliament Building

"My journey into politics has presented me with various challenges, some that are beyond my control and I believe require individuals to embrace changed mindsets, for without embracing a new way of thinking our expectations will remain framed around the same tried, tested and failed political culture of campaign promises that are never transformed to visible outcomes."

The general expectation by the ordinary citizen when presented with a new political entity and leadership is to find it in a perfectly functional condition with clearly articulated strategies and transparent structures. However being a new entity usually means that may not always be the actual case as building political structures requires certain democratic principles to be embraced for the purposes of transparency and accountability.

In order to achieve a reasonable standard of democratic compliance a new political entity must ensure they recruit a team of individuals with certain competency levels. Competency is in most cases associated with individual's levels of literacy, education and experience. However most ordinary citizens join political parties as volunteers unlike when one seeks to paid employment and has to present their C.V to be considered for an interview for the advertised role.

Joining a political party does not demand that one has any special qualities to be accepted as a member, in most political institutions participation is measured based on ones passion and commitment, however that alone presents it's own complex challenges unless the political entity has the time and resources to provide training and mentoring of it's team members into their chosen roles of responsibility. The main challenge in building the necessary competence levels of political entities in Zimbabwe is the lack of free training opportunities to offer learning opportunities that can enhance the knowledge and skills needed by aspiring leaders to understand their roles and responsibilities in order to be effective representatives in their target communities.

The lack of a fair political party funding policy, the lack of a legislated political party registration system that can act as a guide and validation body for the authentication of political parties in Zimbabwe has left citizens exposed to the risk of joining bogus political parties led by opportunist individuals that are most likely to pursue their personal interests rather than the interests of members and target communities that they intend to serve. I guess some may ask how can you tell the difference between a bogus party and a sincere political entity?

Well for starters surely any authentic entity should have a physical address that they use as their offices, a website that shares information about their party's policies and leadership, a bank account opened in the name of the political party and traceable references from other public institutions that can also act as validation agents. Currently it seems validation is based on media publicity and keeping up appearances with more established political entities who have participated in general elections and may have parliamentary representation.

There is not much that we see being shared by some political parties in terms of community development initiatives like fundraising for building of clinics, schools or even helping with renovations of some of the now dilapidated public service buildings like community halls. Important lessons could be learnt from earlier examples from the late father Zimbabwe Joshua Nkomo who inspired the use of demobilisation funds to create income generating cooperatives for Ex-ZIPRA freedom fighters and the late former President Canaan Banana who donated his farm by converting it to an Agricultural College in Marondera.

Why should opposition politics be mainly focused on public demonstrations and protest action when there are so many other critical issues affecting society like the shortage of water in most parts of the country, the shortage of medical equipment in most of our old health institutions, etc. etc.? Are we going to focus on only highlighting the failures of the Zanu PF government without offering practical competitive alternatives? Is the sole aim of opposition political parties to remove Zanu PF from government or should they also be partners in seeking solutions to the development of Zimbabwe?

I know the common argument by opposition that they need power in order to implement their election promises but I do not believe that should limit what they can do to contribute to change in Zimbabwe. We do not need to always have funding to bring change but can act as a bridge to facilitate community investment partnerships with potential investors. It can be as simple as sign posting members of the public to lucrative opportunities be it learning, business or any other than can help enhance the quality of life.

So what progressive role should opposition parties play in defining Zimbabwe's future? Should sole focus be on opposing current government policies and calling for demonstration and protest action against their retrogressive policies and decisions or should all this also be complemented by introducing alternative practical examples that work to improve the lives of citizens whilst fighting for changes in policy positions?

Political parties are not government institutions that have access to tax and other public generated revenue to deliver a high standard of public services but entities that can only survive through donations received from general public well wishers and sympathetic investors who see value in the policy positions proposed by the political parties. Working for a political party is mainly a voluntary role that in most cases is not bound by time but requires one to be discipled in terms of having the ability to work as part of a collective group seeking to accomplish common objectives.

"Communication, effort and consistency are the key elements for any successful political campaign."~ Nathan Banana

Keeping up Appearances vs Offering Alternative working Solutions

2016-09-23T07:50:00.000+01:00

I think the pursuit of popularity in politics can easily make one loose focus of the their ultimate objective which is to serve and bring in new ideas that can improve people's lives. Perhaps the question is why do individuals choose to become politicians? What does it entail to be a politician?

I have on many occasion been told by different individuals that I am not visible and that means my message will not reach every Zimbabwean. If I want to be considered as a national leader i should do more to spread my message on a national scale.

I have however made it clear from the word go that my entry point is Luveve Constituency which is where I am trying to focus my current strategies in terms of working with members of that constituency in various ways, not just to highlight what everyone already knows but to also explore solutions in consultation with various stake holders in the community. It's a process to leadership not a destination to a position of leadership.

I do appreciate the fact that Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe Political Party is a national institution that I have been elected as it's Interim President and I am trying to balance my efforts with both roles based on the commitment levels of current leaders of the party and the availability of resources to manage a national campaign.

I think it's not secret that most political environments do not have a level playing field in terms of access to campaign resources. The challenge is we do not have any transparency in terms of funding of political parties, anyone irrespective of their background and source of funds can donate campaign funds to any candidate they favour to win the elections.

Our local media also seems to ride on the popularity brand to sell their papers and do little justice to the new unknown entities whose views are suppressed based on the notion their brands are unknown and therefore will not attract readers to buy their papers and visit their websites. Perhaps they subconsciously promote the recycling of the same names in our politics without realising the impact of their actions, though some argue it's because those names have the resource capacity to spend on endless public events.

There is a different view of politics in Zimbabwe that seems to only see value in aspiring leaders only if they are willing to make great sacrifice like getting arrested for confronting the government, keeping up public appearances through demonstrations and protests demanding answers from government which I do appreciate are all democratic rights.

How about changing that narrative of demanding answers to offering working alternative examples? Most opposition parties argue there is little they can do to offer alternatives as they do not have the power in terms of authority to do so. So what happens in local government levels where some representatives belong to opposition political parties, is that not the first level to show what one can do before they are government?

Surely these political parties have a network of affiliated Business who can also channel investment to their target constituencies, should the burden of developing our country only be blamed on a sitting government or should we all seek different ways to offer more competitive alternatives.

I think whilst we demand answers we should also be working towards offering and implementing alternatives that can be good examples of development. The elected MP's should do their jobs of fighting for policy changes that can help make such alternatives become a reality, that includes a more intense legal battle to fight corruption and ensure more transparent policies are put in place to hold officials accountable to the electorate.

We can't afford to continue with this us and them stance when we are all Zimbabweans who probably have far more in common than that which we differentiate ourselves with...just saying..

They must all retire and be back benchers, we have many young capable leaders.

2016-09-20T05:28:00.000+01:00

"Implementing the electoral reforms is tantamount to reforming ourselves out of power”~ Professor Jonathan Moyo Minister of Higher Education

Such public statements of defiance do not help build bridges of understanding that can lead to finding amicable solutions to move the country forwards. It's like seeking dialogue with someone who has already made up their mind that they will never agree to your idea of nation building.

From my position, our party may have brilliant ideas that may take time to be transformed to visible outcomes, but one of our biggest barriers is financial resources to ensure our message and ideas can reach every citizen in every corner of Zimbabwe. A sincere level playing field would make it possible for any aspiring candidate to share their message using all available mediums of communication, but our current environment does not give us that opportunity.

Like Dr Maxwell Shumba highlighted in one of his public posts new political parties are accused of splitting votes and coerced into joining coalition platforms with larger existing political parties to discourage them from winning over support from their membership base. Most of the leaders of current opposition like Mugabe have considered leadership renewal within their party's, even in serious ill health they hoard those positions of authority but we expect aspiring leaders to accept such and join their rank and file. No they must all retire and make way for fresh ideas.

We also have leader's who were expelled from Zanu PF now being presented as saviours coming to rescue the opposition as they are said to know the inside strategies of Zanu better than everyone else. These leader's seem to have unlimited campaign resources as they even have funds to hold rallies in neighbouring countries yet the country's economic situation is in tatters and many ordinary citizens are struggling for the basics because of a very high unemployment rate. So where do they get such funding to run endless campaigns?

We are urged to use silent diplomacy and not publicly criticise them in any manner as we will need them in a coalition against Zanu PF, remarks like who does not have any negative spots on them are used to brush off sentiment that may well enlighten the electorate about their false campaign promises.

GUKURAHUNDI..how desperate are we for political relevance? More than 36 years as part of government but they are still hungry for power and relevance. Is it because they were not courageous enough to defy the leadership or because they were too comfortable and never imagined that one day they may also be victims of the same system that they built?

Zimbabweans 'WAKE UP!'...

I too can keep up public appearances by ensuring I am in the mix where our media has their focus of attention, make video's just like pastor Evans Mawarire and all others demanding answers from this failing government, visit the Gukurahundi graves to try touch the emotions of families of victims of that so called 'moment of madness', but is that the politics that we want in Zimbabwe? Are these sloganeering campaigns and demonstrations improving our socio-economic and political environments?

When are we going to have alternative examples to compete with the current government? What's the purpose of our elected MP's in parliament if they can not fight for policy changes that create an environment that allows citizens opportunities for growth.
Let's not force everyone to bow to the 'big tent' mentality where the size of your support decides the relevance of your ideas, we need more inclusivity and flexibility than 'entitlement'.

Does Zimbabwe's political opposition have effective political strategies capable of transformational change?

2016-09-08T12:22:00.005+01:00

How do political leaders measure the effectiveness of their strategies?

How do they feedback the perceived success of any strategy back to citizens?

Since I started having an interest in Zimbabwe politics in 2009, I am still to be convinced that 'opposition politics' is contributing to the developed of Zimbabwe besides being credited for having contributed to the writing of the new constitution of Zimbabwe which extended Mugabe's term as Executive President but is yet to play a significant role in redefining Zimbabwean democracy so it truly represent's the will of citizens and their aspirations.

I have seen a lot of 'public petitions' circulated by various individuals and groups seeking to pressurise government to make decisions that favour their requests but are yet to hear of any successful outcomes. I have seen many demonstrations by the largest opposition party and other groups in Zimbabwe representing certain demands from government but are yet to see the fruits of those efforts. It seems like we keep doing the same thing expecting different outcomes.

More recently we saw the social media campaign by now celebrated Pastor Evans Mawarire which had some very sincere and genuine demands from government but nothing positive was achieved in terms of government response to address those issues. Some argue that the campaign managed to inspire citizens to face their worst fears and stand together as a collective, but the crust of the matter is the demands were not achieved but rather further repressive tools were created and applied to stifle democratic process by government

Are we using the right strategies to find answers to our current situation? I mean even if we go back a few years where the opposition with the help of international sympathisers successfully imposed the so called 'targeted sanctions' on the Zanu PF Government, leaders and affiliated companies. If truth be told those so called targeted sanctions did not affect Zanu and it's leadership alone as the intended consequences were simple cushioned by being transferred to citizens in various forms and has now became more of a burden for the majority disenfranchised citizenry.

As I see it the only time confrontational methods work is when one knows they have fair chance to overcome their opponent as they would be more prepared in terms of resources and tools to face their enemy which in all honesty Zimbabwe opposition are not equipped to do at this particular moment.

The alternative and most utilised strategy since independence from the Lancaster House, the 1987 Unity Agreement right up to the 2009 GPA agreement is negotiation. Ultimately in the words of the late President of South Africa Nelson Mandela "Negotiation and discussion are the greatest weapons we have for promoting peace & development".
You can not have peaceful protest in an arena where your opponent is willing to use any means necessary including State instruments and violence to suppress citizen discontent. This is why in the end the Rhodesian government had to try and repel a more fierce liberation war that led to the loss of lives of thousands in search of freedom.

Surely we have far more in common than our differences? We are all Zimbabweans belonging and why can we not seek ways to bridge our differences through respectable dialogue? This culture of self importance, entitlement and self righteousness does not build but tear us apart.

We simple can no longer continue promoting divisive sentiment like them and us when we are all mortal human beings of one global village merely defined by international rules that recognise us as Zimbabweans.

How long can we sustain the current strategies that are becoming more and more like a merry-go-round? Ultimately compromises will need to be made on all sides if ever we are to find an amicable way forward as citizens of the same nation.

Nathan Banana

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They must all retire and be back benchers, we have many young capable leaders.

Does Zimbabwe's political opposition have effective political strategies capable of transformational change?

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