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Bulawayo people do not participate in demos whose targeted objectives are not known to them-- Bajila
18 Dec 2016 at 06:00hrs | Views
An MDC official Discent Collins Bajila has said Bulawayo people do not want to participate in demonstrations which its aim has not been communicated to them.
This comes in the wake of a human rights activist Linda Masarira having accused Ndebeles of being cowards by not participating in anti government protests.
"The Linda incident brings us to a point where we must evaluate the effects of demonstrations and strikes as a mobilising strategy. While I wouldn't say that Bulawayo people are reluctant to participate in strike and demonstration activity, I would rather say Bulawayo people don't easily participate in causes whose end goal they don't have full knowledge of. It is thus incumbent upon the organizers of to fully explain issues when spreading the word," Bajila said.
"The likes of Milford Gwetu, Abraham Mdlongwa, Esaph Mdlongwa, Ntombizodwa Sibanda (nee Mbambo) , Mathula Lusinga among others used to organise powerful demonstrations back in the days. Presently, we have a powerful relationship between the ZCTU Regional Leadership and Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association that occasionally brings the city to a standstill if needs be. Processions associated with commemoration of the death of King Mzilikazi also get a favourable attendance in the city. Not to mention the defiant activities often organized by Mbuso Fuzwayo, Patricia Tshabalala, Jenny Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu and the organisations they lead."
He said the organizations (including political parties and workers unions) that have refused to take a cue from these illustrious mobilisers of our City have all failed.
"However, what has been consistent about the people of Bulawayo is that even if their participation in demonstrations and strikes is conditional, their electoral choices are always accurately and unconditionally against Zanu PF. Even as recent as 2013 General Elections, Bulawayo is the only province where Zanu PF won zero wards and zero constituencies yet in other provinces including those that are popular with mega rallies, resounding demonstrations and marches that attract the attention of world class media houses like BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera etc Zanu PF got its highest support in this century," he said.
"I hope that this will help those who have Lindaeic misconceptions about Bulawayo and her people."
This comes in the wake of a human rights activist Linda Masarira having accused Ndebeles of being cowards by not participating in anti government protests.
"The Linda incident brings us to a point where we must evaluate the effects of demonstrations and strikes as a mobilising strategy. While I wouldn't say that Bulawayo people are reluctant to participate in strike and demonstration activity, I would rather say Bulawayo people don't easily participate in causes whose end goal they don't have full knowledge of. It is thus incumbent upon the organizers of to fully explain issues when spreading the word," Bajila said.
"The likes of Milford Gwetu, Abraham Mdlongwa, Esaph Mdlongwa, Ntombizodwa Sibanda (nee Mbambo) , Mathula Lusinga among others used to organise powerful demonstrations back in the days. Presently, we have a powerful relationship between the ZCTU Regional Leadership and Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association that occasionally brings the city to a standstill if needs be. Processions associated with commemoration of the death of King Mzilikazi also get a favourable attendance in the city. Not to mention the defiant activities often organized by Mbuso Fuzwayo, Patricia Tshabalala, Jenny Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu and the organisations they lead."
He said the organizations (including political parties and workers unions) that have refused to take a cue from these illustrious mobilisers of our City have all failed.
"However, what has been consistent about the people of Bulawayo is that even if their participation in demonstrations and strikes is conditional, their electoral choices are always accurately and unconditionally against Zanu PF. Even as recent as 2013 General Elections, Bulawayo is the only province where Zanu PF won zero wards and zero constituencies yet in other provinces including those that are popular with mega rallies, resounding demonstrations and marches that attract the attention of world class media houses like BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera etc Zanu PF got its highest support in this century," he said.
"I hope that this will help those who have Lindaeic misconceptions about Bulawayo and her people."
Source - Byo24News
