This opinion piece was initially entitled “Zimbabwe at a crossroads?” – and started on the 20th of November, it was a good title – but here, on the evening of my 28th Birthday on the 21st November, celebrating a birthday I’m sure I shall never forget – there is definitely a need for a different title.
In life there are few moments in which external factors could potentially define your future in a marked way. For Zimbabweans around the world but particularly in Zimbabwe, today is most likely to be looked back on as one such moment. I have, all of my life lived under the rule of one president, Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe. ‘The liberator’ was initially a celebrated figure, but over the last 20 years, through poor leadership in policy and socio-economic development had become one of the most widely ridiculed and least liked politicians in Zimbabwe’s history- widely regarded as a tyrant and dictator. Now he’s resigned – but where to from here?
Make no mistake, a 93 year old president who sleeps through proceedings and struggles to walk definitely needed to go, but who is to replace him? The Zimbabwean system is broken, not only the leader. The reality of the probably future leader, Mr Mnangagwa, is that he has not exactly ‘kept his hands clean’ over the last 37 years. In fact, he’s been a strong right hand to Mugabe in the majority, if not all of his underhand dealings. A quick look at these articles – both of which are easily depended in terms of their substance – should drive that home:
https://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/analysis-hope-delusion-on-the-streets-of-zim-20171119-2
The question remains – where to now? I was in Zim last week to visit my family, and crossing the border I was ‘ambushed’ by a news reporter to ask about my perspective on the ‘non-resignation’ of Sunday night. Off the cuff I was surprised to find that I was not elated at the prospect of seeing the end of Mugabe – rather I was circumspect about the future. Leadership of a nation is not about an individual, it’s about a value system, a process, a focus. Any self-serving president will be equally bad in terms of performance as Mr Mugabe, the question is, how do we find one that is not self-serving?
Recently an elder on our team shared some scriptures about governance. Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
As we were talking about peace the observation was that the government belongs on the shoulders of the Prince of Peace, Jesus – when the government is not on His shoulders – then we have an absence of Peace. Looking forward for Zimbabwe – we are not looking, or praying, for a president that can ‘tick all the boxes’ rather – a President who knows who God is, knows who they are in relation to God and has a heart for the people.
This may not be a particularly stunning political analysis – but it is the root of the reality that is needed. I can give a number of thoughts on economics, institutions of ownership and the usefulness of democracy – but without the Prince of Peace ruling then all is for nought.
How should we (Zimbabweans and friends of Zimbabwe) respond in the times that are coming in our land?
- Be incorruptible – corruption is like a cancer which is contagious, once you start making wrong decisions, there is always someone that will ask you for another – and most of the time someone else will hold what you’ve done above your head. Cleaning up your act only starts when you clean up your act.
- Forgive – as much as I sometimes wish for an alternative path out of conflict and past hurts, there is none. A lack of forgiveness results in poor decisions repeating themselves – an example is that the lack of forgiveness in terms of historic land distribution (Pre 1980) drove a poorly managed ‘fast track land reform’ process in the 2000s ultimately causing economic collapse and hyperinflation. (This is not to imply that the need for redress of the wrongs of the past was not needed, rather I am emphasising that the process of redress can be constructive or destructive and forgiveness or the lack thereof will impact on the outcome.)
- Expect and pursue innovation. God is the CREATOR – He has made us in His image and shares Himself with us – as Christians we should expect to be the MOST creative in terms of innovations of economic recovery, solutions to inequality, poverty and any people based challenges.
- Cast your vote – as I’ve mentioned, my faith is not in democracy but in Christ, however I believe that we should exercise the freedom granted to us within the constraints of the system we’re in.
How should we pray?
- That God would see the government placed on the people that he is calling for this season.
- That the Prince of Peace would rule in Zimbabwe
- That hearts in Zimbabwe would continue to turn to Jesus.
Lessons. Experiences. Life. 