Zimbabwe Development Forum (ZDF); Who we are

Due to the interest generated by our response to Minister Moyo's plea to the Zimbabwean Diaspora community, we hereby bring ourselves openly to the public of our great country. We are a group of Zimbabweans committed to the advancement of our country. We might be in the diaspora but our hearts and minds are on our country and the way forward. We are not beholden to any political party, movement or dominion, but our country and its four corners, with its many races, tribes and religions.

We have come together and resolved that our country has to be saved from all of us. We have all sinned against our land in one way or the other. Others misled when they were supposed to lead. Some pilfered when they were supposed to be custodians of our banking institutions and some reneged on service delivery whilst most of us colluded by either voting, not voting, keeping quiet or following the wrong herd. All of us have witnessed the brutality that pervades our society, from law enforcement tactics to domestic violence, from political arrogance to religious bigotry. All of us have stood silent in the face of genocide and victimization of innocents by the powerful. All of us have demons we have allowed to go wild against our own countrymen, from corruption to manipulation. All of us have stood by and watched as our industry has been scavenged upon by poor administration and very retrogressive economic policies. And yet all of us remain Zimbabwean with a job to recreate a better tomorrow for all.

As ZDF, we believe this is the right time for us to put our house in order. As we walk into the twilight years of our current leadership, we would like to call upon our countrymen, from whatever comfort of their current affiliation to stand up and add a brick to this new wall we are trying to build. A wall so formidable, that whosoever leads us, is unable to break us, disrupt our systems nor our children's futures, let alone divide us. Our desire is to recreate the faith in our governance, regardless of whoever governs, protect the institutions regardless of the CEO, craft policies to keep people working, healthy and thriving. Countrymen, we hope that's not too much to ask.

As the Zimbabwe Development Forum, we want to be at the fore front of identifying areas of need and then championing sustainable solutions. Our approach is simple. Our resources, be it national or individual, will only be channeled into environments governed by sound social, political and economic principles. We do realize that a lot of dollars have gone into our country over the years, but today, we have no way of telling what happened to the greenbacks. As Zimbabweans, we want to be part of the re-formulation of the landscape. We know our power, we just have to exercise it.

At ZDF we thrive on potential, but we do understand as well that potential rides on drivers. That is why we, at this juncture, are calling all Zimbabweans of all persuasions to get busy fixing territory and country. At ZDF, we accept that the past might not be very encouraging but the future presents new beginnings. We believe in unity of purpose and synergy. We all belong to this tired bus that needs a new engine, new wheels, new fuel and even new maps to be followed.

At ZDF, we appreciate the exposure of the diaspora to new, different and advanced ways of doing things. We believe Zimbabwe has a vested interest in taping onto this resource. This is the group that would advise on salaries and the service delivery. This group will speak on taxation and the need for proper auditing and policing. This is the group that will ask why it costs $400 to register a vehicle in Zimbabwe when it costs $68 in North America. This same group will ask why our leadership deems it acceptable that they get treated in Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa and none of their subjects can afford same. It is at this juncture that as Zimbabweans from all walks of life, we need to pull collectively. We have the solutions in sight, but leadership has to be enlightened enough to see the light too. If they don't see our suffering then they probably don't deserve to be captaining this ship.

We are concerned about the suffering of our people everywhere. The jobless men standing in corners of Makokoba, Mbare or Hillbrow South Africa are as Zimbabwean as Obert Mpofu, Chombo or Mugabe himself. They might not have the big names, big homes, big cars or big positions but they deserve hope and some decent attention from their leadership. Those who commandeer leadership positions need to have an understanding that they are in these positions for everyone's benefit. ZDF seeks to appeal to everybody's conscience about the Zimbabwe we want. We will drive questions to the government, the opposition, the churches, the municipalities and every other Zimbabwean out ther, to figure out whose agenda they are championing, because everyone needs to be assisted to re-focus their attention to the national cause. The ‘Zimbabwe We Want' beckons.

As ZDF, our emphasis is on looking for solutions. Our allegiance is to Zimbabwe and the souls within. Our mothers and sisters, fathers and brothers who toil and scrounge for an elusive job and income every day deserve more. We are concerned about the desperation of the tomato vendors, farm workers, domestic workers and the prematurely retired factory workers, not forgetting the public transport drivers and their touts. Our brother pushing a ‘pushcart' (Scania) all day long hoping to eke out a living in an environment where the dollar has run dry is in our hearts too. These Zimbabweans have families to feed and educate. As ZDF, we are inspired to change the circumstances of our suffering neighbours, friends, relatives and ourselves in whatever way possible.

In as much as our appeal goes out to the Diaspora to work together, we implore our countrymen, where ever they are, to join hands and labour for their own economic, social and political emancipation. Be part of the movements and initiatives. Our desire is for our countrymen to sit up and ‘watch the bus drivers'. Too many times we have been driven into creeks and flooded rivers because we are either asleep or whistling and cheerleading for misdirected efforts. Our country needs us all, especially now. Let us all pull side by side for a better country. ZDF values your input. Feel invited, get in touch and let us pull together.

Should you require additional information, please contact us at dfzimbabwe@gmail.com: For those in the vicinity of Edmonton, Alberta, please feel free to join us for our monthly meeting on the 5th of April, 2014 at the Commonwealth Stadium.

Zimbabwe Development Forum (ZDF)
Interim Committee:
Mr. Mduduzi Dallas Gumbo     (Chair: mduduzi25@hotmail.com)
Rev. Jowah. Godrey Zimuto     (V. Chair: jzimuto@yahoo.com)
Mr. Maxwell Zhira         (Secretary: maxwezhira@yahoo.com)