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'We should be enlightened enough to see past clans, tribes' - Ezra 'Tshisa' Sibanda

by Ezra Tshisa Sibanda
16 Dec 2016 at 07:52hrs | Views
For some days now, I have observed from the side lines as events unfolded online that seemed to confirm my worst fears and worsen every time I logged on. I am currently on a fact-finding mission to assess how migration has affected our people as we were forced to scatter all over the world in search of a meaningful life.

The effects of poverty inflicted indiscriminately on us by our government has devastated and destroyed a once proud nation. As I went through the shanty towns in South Africa and saw our people defecating in plastic bags (to throw in nearby bushes) and living in unbelievable squalid conditions, it was absolutely clear to me. We are in this together.

This situation has not used a tribal selection process, but has affected us all equally. Zimbabwe has a history like every other nation on Earth (good and bad), but in all this, I believe we are a God chosen people. Africa is poised to learn the most important lesson in the World right now and Zimbabwe is in a position to deliver that lesson. A lesson in self-awareness.

As the West unites to form evolving economic brobdingnagian entities, Africa is still worried by tribal and nationalistic politics. We should be on a journey to be aware of who we are. Whites know who they are, why can't we see that we are a single entity. Why can't we see that after fleeing together into the diaspora and suffering at the hands of Xenophobic hosts, we marched together from Nelson Mandela Statue in London to the South African Consulate, in 2015, to have our say as one entity and cry for our kinsman burnt alive and murdered like dogs in the streets.

Why are we not self-aware? Why can't we see that as the World develops greedy introspective policies we need to unite. All Africans. As one. We should be enlightened enough to see past clans, tribes and past these borders that were imposed on us. We should recognise and celebrate our cultural diversity in a positive way. Let's bin the inferiority complexes that were brainwashed and etched into our minds about each other.

We are allowing ourselves to be chained by invisible chains of slavery and remain firmly in subjugation to the will of those that love division. I call upon all our elders to advise peace and unity. I call upon the warring tribal factions to cease the sermons of hatred they are publishing daily. I love all Zimbabweans and have hope that we can look at a post-Zanu era with one thing held above our heads. SELF AWARENESS. We are one, We are Africans.

Source - Ezra Tshisa Sibanda