Opinion / Columnist
Mnangagwa's presidential oath to mention Gukurahundi?
22 Nov 2017 at 23:43hrs | Views
All systems in place indicate a likelihood that former VP Mnangagwa will be the interim president of the country of Zimbabwe following the "resignation" of RG Mugabe.
However, a number of people especially from Matabeleland and Midlands still have strong substantiated pessimism against his rise to the highest office in the land.
This is due to the fact that his name is still strongly associated with the 1980s massacres of about 20 000 Ndebeles in what former president Mugabe code named Gukurahundi. Mnangagwa is alleged for many years to have orchestrated most if not all incidents of this unfortunate past. All along there has not been an opportunity as we have now for genuine healing on this regrettable past mainly due to denialism and blame game, including a disclaimer by Mugabe that it was a "moment of madness".
In any basic conversation with people who are Gukurahundi victims by experience and default, they are not generally excited on the news that the Crocodile will now assume duties in this highest Office.
Therefore, it is my humble submission that the point of departure that may set the nation on a path of some ideal and long lasting unity of higher purpose is in the detail of his oath of Presidential Office, not just his inauguration speech.
That critical condition may bring some respect to this Office not held in high esteem at the moment as it represents everything bad about the country. He should be seen not to maintain the status quo, but lead by example in the process of a holistic national healing which may last for generations to come.
Just to edit his last oath of office as first vice president back in 2014, he may recite the oath in this manner:
"I, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Zimbabwe and observe the laws of Zimbabwe. So help me God. I swear that I will be faithful to Zimbabwe, will uphold the constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe; that I will yield to the aspirations of the whole nation.
Also, I will take measures to unreservedly reverse all the evils of the Gukurahundi genocide and its current systematic forms still in existence to date as I move the nation towards a future full of great hope and equal opportunities for all.
I will declassify all documents and reveal secrets regarding this sad chapter of our history as a matter of national interest; but will only not disclose directly or indirectly any secret that is debated in the cabinet or any other secret entrusted to me!"
So help us God to heal our land, for we are indeed a praying nation that seeks your face, or your people that is called by your mighty name. God bless Zimbabwe!
Written by Mthokozisi Ndiweni as a thanksgiving article to the Lord who has heard from heaven our prayers as a nation to be freed from bondage of wicked ways of governance for almost 40 years.
However, a number of people especially from Matabeleland and Midlands still have strong substantiated pessimism against his rise to the highest office in the land.
This is due to the fact that his name is still strongly associated with the 1980s massacres of about 20 000 Ndebeles in what former president Mugabe code named Gukurahundi. Mnangagwa is alleged for many years to have orchestrated most if not all incidents of this unfortunate past. All along there has not been an opportunity as we have now for genuine healing on this regrettable past mainly due to denialism and blame game, including a disclaimer by Mugabe that it was a "moment of madness".
In any basic conversation with people who are Gukurahundi victims by experience and default, they are not generally excited on the news that the Crocodile will now assume duties in this highest Office.
Therefore, it is my humble submission that the point of departure that may set the nation on a path of some ideal and long lasting unity of higher purpose is in the detail of his oath of Presidential Office, not just his inauguration speech.
That critical condition may bring some respect to this Office not held in high esteem at the moment as it represents everything bad about the country. He should be seen not to maintain the status quo, but lead by example in the process of a holistic national healing which may last for generations to come.
"I, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Zimbabwe and observe the laws of Zimbabwe. So help me God. I swear that I will be faithful to Zimbabwe, will uphold the constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe; that I will yield to the aspirations of the whole nation.
Also, I will take measures to unreservedly reverse all the evils of the Gukurahundi genocide and its current systematic forms still in existence to date as I move the nation towards a future full of great hope and equal opportunities for all.
I will declassify all documents and reveal secrets regarding this sad chapter of our history as a matter of national interest; but will only not disclose directly or indirectly any secret that is debated in the cabinet or any other secret entrusted to me!"
So help us God to heal our land, for we are indeed a praying nation that seeks your face, or your people that is called by your mighty name. God bless Zimbabwe!
Written by Mthokozisi Ndiweni as a thanksgiving article to the Lord who has heard from heaven our prayers as a nation to be freed from bondage of wicked ways of governance for almost 40 years.
Source - Mthokozisi Ndiweni
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