Why Zimbabwe needs devolution

It is not only the people of Matabeleland North and South who want devolution of power but it is the six out of 10 provinces in Zimbabwe who need devolution if the people of Zimbabwe are to adopt the new draft constitution.

The historical events that have shaped Zimbabwe from the pre-colonial era up to now are testament to the fact that devolution of power is sorely needed in Zimbabwe.

The old Federation of Rhodesia was forged from the fusion into a single state, of different nations, tribes and chieftainships with different languages, cultures and most importantly, different legal, governmental and socio-economic systems.

This was a phenomena envisaged across the African continent during the 'Scramble for Africa'. That is why the liberation war was led by different nationalist movements namely, PF-zapu and ZANU.

At a time when the founders of Zimbabwe's nationalist cause marched under the banner of the African National Congress and the National Democratic Party, they were soon to part ways, not only because of the regional or ideological and leadership dialectics between them, but more so because of the deep rooted historical developments of their past.

After independence it became evident that Zimbabwe was free but divided. The massacres in Matabeleland and the Midlands provinces were an indication that an oppressive system was being born; a centralised brutal one party system that did not foster unity in diversity by upholding democratic principles and good accountable governance, but responded to our national diversity with disdain and terror.

So instead of using a centralised system of governance for developmental and unifying purposes; it was used rather to concentrate power in a single entity, ZANU- PF, and to stamp out any credible opposition while rewarding those groups and regions which supported the central machine and marginalised those groups and regions that were potential threats or did not cower to the might of the regime.

Ultimately, the result of this system was a lopsided development programme in  Zimbabwe where the regions of the party's political stronghold were developed while the other six provinces were either forgotten or systematically underdeveloped.

It was not until 2000 when the whole nation understood what the centralised system they had either supported or apathetically let live on was really about. It was a corrupt bloated one party system that could and did almost anything to consolidate power.

The sorrowful tale of the struggle for Zimbabwe from 2000 until 2008 was a clear indication that the centralised system had not worked, it had violently turned on its opposers and supporters alike.

It greatly puzzles me when some politicians and citizens say statements such like "devolution is not feasible", or that "it is potentially divisive", or simply that "it will not work". This is a very unfortunate, biased or unintelligent take on the political events that have shaped our country.

If we are to have peace, development, efficient service delivery and equitable distribution of income; then Zimbabwe needs devolution. It is not a mere political bargaining chip or a flight of fancy.

It is a serious need  and almost a right, and it is the only feasible political path for a lasting solution to Zimbabwe's political conundrum.

Devolution is the only way for  Zimbabweans to be masters of their own destiny, to be able to take part in the decisions that affect their lives, to benefit from the God-given natural resources that are around them and to be able to be as close as possible to the legislative processes, and hold to account the peoples' elected representatives.

If political parties that claim to be proponents of change ignore this undeniable fact then they surely risk rejection in key constituencies and in the future could become totally irrelevant to the emerging young vibrant and politically aware society of Zimbabwe.