Tribalism Does Exist in Zimbabwe

I was fortunate or unfortunate this week to stumble upon an article in a weekly newspaper saying there is no tribalism in Zimbabwe.

The article was a response to another article published by this newspaper two weeks back.

The story that was published by the Southern Star was an exposé of how former minister of education, sports, arts, and culture, Aeneas Chigwedere, in his capacity or on behalf of his party Zanu PF, sought to smuggle tribalism into the school curriculum by publishing a Form 3 history textbook, Dynamics of History under a pseudonym S. Mukanya.

Among other blatant lies about the history of the Ndebele as a people, Chigwedere distorts facts and portrays the Ndebele people as cowards who never fought for the liberation struggle.

He also describes Nkomo as an indecisive leader and also claims that Imfazo 1 (Anglo-Ndebele war of 1893-4) was in fact fought by Shonas from Mberengwa and not the Ndebeles as we know it.

The writer of the article headlined: Tribalism: Beware of the hidden hand, adamantly argues that the Southern Star was wrong in asking for Pathisa Nyathi's comment regarding the historical background of what transpired.

It is a fact that Nyathi is a well-researched historian who has such history at his fingertips, and as such, the Southern Star was right in seeking to check the facts of the story the paper was running or publishing.

The author of the concerned article writes: "And why should we seek Pathisa Nyathi to invalidate the opinions? Why not Madzibaba Mafirakureva? Can Chigwedere not be more knowledgeable about the Ndebele than Pathisa Nyathi?"

What is apparent here is that the writer is a die hard tribalist who believes in the Shona hegemony that Ndebeles are not good at all to an extent that he is angry why Pathisa Nyathi â€" a Ndebele â€" is an authority on these issues.

He would rather have the comment sought from a Mafirakureva, a Shona and not a Ndebele but discussing a subject that concerns the Ndebele.

Yes, Pathisa Nyathi is more knowledgeable than Chigwedere on Ndebele history precisely because he has researched extensively and his works bear his name while Chigwedere, knowing the implication of his sordid actions and writings, had to hide his name because he knew that he was peddling falsehood in a bid to deliberately distort facts about the Ndebeles.

It is also interesting to note that the writer calls what Chigwedere via the ministry of education feeds our kids as historical facts and opinions.

The writer, who calls himself Munhamo Pekeshe, a clear abuse of pseudonyms by those who are shy to face facts and truth by hiding behind stupid names as Pekeshe, must be reminded that a History textbook must carry historical facts of what happened and not opinions from dubious historians like Chigwedere.

And that Pekeshe is              almost in tears as to why the Southern Star sought Pathisa Nyathi's comments clearly show that he does not believe that any Ndebele person can speak on behalf of other Ndebeles.

Ndebeles according to Pekeshe's thesis need a Shona to explain their cause. How pathetic an argument it is.

It is not a secret that Matabeleland is being marginalised, all for one reason: To be seen as playing second fiddle to their Mashonaland counterparts.

All right minded Zimbabweans, Ndebeles and  Shonas alike, should be singing with one voice and telling the powers that be, that the issue of the marginalization of Matabeleland is not a myth but a ticking time bomb which if not        resolved will burn the fragile nation called Zimbabwe.

Strangely, Pekeshe's observation is similar to one seeing a speck in someone's eye and not seeing or feeling the log in your own eye.

Pekeshe calls for debate on issues that are fuelling divisions between Ndebeles and Shonas but does not see the idea behind Chigwedere's venomous attack on the Ndebele as a people as such an issue.

To him, calling Ndebeles cowards and rubbishing their contribution to the liberation of this country from colonialists as meaningless is not tribalism but an honest opinion from Chigwedere.

Turning to the issue of Shona language which is slowly turning out to be the official language in Matabeleland, Pekeshe says this is positive.

He writes: "In Bulawayo, whereas English and Shona were frowned upon decades ago, today they appear to be crowding out (the) Ndebele (language).  This is positive as it is indicative of harmonious population mixing.

Also defies the underdevelopment reasoning. People follow development."

Now we know that the arrogance shown by Shonas some of whom have been in Bulawayo for more than 15 years and still cannot speak the language of locals √ɬ¢√¢‚Äö¬¨" IsiNdebele √ɬ¢√¢‚Äö¬¨" is not failure to learn but outright    arrogance that has the blessing of people like Pekeshe.

However, this is dangerous for I know for certain that Ndebeles are not happy that every time they buy something from almost all supermarkets in Bulawayo, even in Plumtree, they are addressed in Shona.

One day they will say NX and all hell will break loose.

Pekeshe's argument that the influx of Shonas into Matabeleland shows that there is development and job opportunities smacks of arrogance and an insult to the Ndebele people who have to resort to going to South Africa to seek employment as they have been ill-treated by the government that rules the day which is dominated by Pekeshe's kith and kin.

It is not out of choice that they are going to South Africa but they feel alienated and squeezed out here at home.

A casual survey in most parastatals and banks in Matabeleland will reveal that even menial jobs like preparing tea are done by Shonas who can hardly speak the language of the locals and according to Pekeshe, this is positive

It is also shocking and alarming that the inevitable death of the Ndebele language in Matabeleland especially in urban areas according to Pekeshe, is a natural process not underpinned by politics or tribalism.

My humble submission is that contrary to Pekeshe's view, this is a calculated ploy by people like Chigwedere and all others who think like him to symbolically and physically annihilate Ndebeles as a people and it is dangerous.

There is nothing natural about Shonas coming to Bulawayo and refusing to speak in isiNdebele.

Once this stance is institutionalised and police officers and government officials use Shona as a language of instruction and Chigwedere writes books lampooning Ndebeles, this is tribalism.