Opinion / Columnist
Dr Brilliant Mhlanga's brilliant response: A bruising encounter between a Mthwakazian and a Zimbabwean.
06 May 2017 at 07:45hrs | Views
Mr Obert MC Makore a Zimbabwean put a number of questions to Dr Brilliant Mhlanga, a fearless Mthwakazian. The response was informative and instructive to an extent that Mr Makore ended up agreeing with a vision of a free, sovereign, and independent state of Mthwakazi. Let me list some of the questions which Mr Makore posed:
1. Help me understand this. I have had time to study the history of several territories in and outside Africa that have fought for and won secession and are now sovereign states. Much of it is replete with bloodshed and severe retributions among other sordid acts of suppression against such aspirations. How do you weigh the benefits of an independent Mthwakazi state against those potential consequences? In short is it worth it?
2. Secondly, what is the driving thought behind this push for secession? How is it going to benefit the citizens in juxtaposition to the status quo?
3. Thirdly, what do you think are the reasons for the current leadership to try to sabotage the calls for a free and independent state of Mthwakazi?
The following is Dr Brilliant Sigabade Mhlanga's brilliant response:
My good Cde Obert MC Makore, let me attend to your questions. I wish to begin by admiring the sober engagement you have shown in your engagement of this otherwise emotive subject. First, my brother, to answer your question on whether it's worth it or not. The answer is YES, it remains worth it. I will also link this question with your 3rd question, which focuses on the reason why the current leadership would not want to see the Mthwakazi issue coming to fruition.
May I also remind you that world over the struggles for sovereignty, self-determination and independence, let alone for freedom and liberation from all manner of colonialism, including the colonialism we now face as Mthwakazians under the Zimbabwe regime are bound to be marred with bloodshed. But we are prepared for it. In fact, what makes those in power view our genuine and noble cause as treasonous is because they know how criminal their actions are towards us and our otherwise genuine cause. And yet on the other hand, we have no malice, nor hard feelings against any Zimbabwean. When we get our independence, you will still be allowed to visit me as a brother. But bearing a passport. Our people will still inter-marry just like the Scottish and the English are inter-marrying. Must I also remind you that even Robert Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, and others faced all these dangers you have just raised and yet they still chose the path of blood for their freedom. We the oppressed have no choice but to choose the path of blood too. Ours is a just cause. It is founded on a qualitatively presentable reality - of our current state as colonised people and our history; not to mention our rich historical identities. 2nd, on the driving thought. Since you did mention in your post above, the Mthwakazi cause has as its impetus an entanglement of a number of factors; that are historical, political, economic and socio-cultural. You may want to know that this Mthwakazi cause was the basis for uMvukela wamaNdebele, in the 1890s; including the subsequent Battles, such as, the Battle of Gadade. All these battles brought together saved as the FIRST war of Liberation by our forebearers. Again the Mthwakazi cause was the basis for iMpi kaZhii!, in the 1930s/40s. Also, its ethos led to the formation of the Matebele Home Society. Allow me to also submit that even the colonial administrators had two separate administrations for Mashonaland and Matebeleland, something which proves even the colonialist were aware of this fact of the existence of these two separate states. The reason for keeping these two states separate was because they too even knew how mischievous their actions were. That's a bit about the historical entanglement and colonial legacy.
Then another factor, but still slightly linked to the previous one, is the fact that Zimbabwe itself is a colonial construct. We all know that it was constructed on the footprints or contours of a colonial structure called 'Rhodesia.' We also know that Zimbabwe is a successor state was born in 1980; i.e., on the one hand, designed to mirror and embrace the colonial structure that it sought to succeed, while on the other hand it had as its chief architects people who envisage a reincarnation of what the Mutapa state looked like (on this issue may I refer you to Stan Mudenge's (1988) book; A political history of Munhumutapa, c1400-1902. Having said that it remains a fact that the ethos behind the final formation and actualisation of Zimbabwe as a state was clearly hinged on Shona tribalism and remains quite exclusionary to this day. This also explains why we witnessed that untold suffering in the postcolonial period, which you and me rightfully refer to as the Gukurahundi genocide. Indeed, it was part of the practice of state formation. I know here you might want to respond by saying, '...but I never was involved, or I was not yet born'. My answer to that is simple - it is not our duty to prove to you whether you were involved or not, we owe our duty to posterity - and it is that we should right the wrongs of the past. And so the actualisation of Mthwakazi as an independent state is a very important step. Further, there is the economic factor. You probably have heard people arguing that if Matebeleland was to separate from Zimbabwe it won't survive. That line of reasoning is often raised by those whose wish is to sound unreasonable alarm bells, and also driven by malice. It remains a fact that Mthwakazi is one of the richest regions in the space between Limpopo and Zambezi river. Apart from the fact that we share borders with countries with strong economies in the region, it remains a fact that our state is endowed with a lot of natural resources; such as, uranium deposits in Wankie, Gold, Coal, Methane gas, Diamonds (that stretch through the Kimberlite zone from Botswana into Plumtree/Tsholotsho area), etc. We also boast of leading with a booming tourist industry. I am sure you have probably 'heard' about the Victoria Falls (one of the World's wonders), Hwange National Park, Matopos, etc.
For more on these issues, may I refer you to some of my academic writings - Mhlanga (2006). Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) Policy for Change and the Mask for Development: A Critical Analysis of Zimbabwe's E-Readiness Survey Report. Mhlanga (2012). The'ticklish' subject: the 'northern problem' and the national question in Zimbabwe.
Then there is the other political factor - it remains a fact that power as a resource in the current configurations of the state remains organised along tribal hands. Even the political nature of Zimbabwe as a state is such that everyone else is excluded, which also tends to have a bearing on the socio-cultural identities. It remains a fact that the people of Matebeleland continue to be subalternised on daily basis. Given the unequal and deliberately inequitable political power matrix and the way our people have had to be treated in Zimbabwe - to the extent of causing them to deny their identity in order to be included. Imagine what our people have to go through everyday - as Desmond Mushai has aptly put it, Matebeleland is one of the most underdeveloped region. Our people continue to suffer under the yoke of oppression to this day. We even saw Robert Mugabe announcing today that Zimbabwe is one of the most developed states in Africa, and also citing those exaggerated literacy rates. But what most people often choose to ignore is that in those high literacy statistics Matebeleland is far below 30%. Surely, looking at all that there is every reason why we should have a separate state. We need to manage our own affairs. We can do it. When our state has been established all these inequalities will be addressed; including giving equal official status to all the languages spoken in the region. Allow me to clearly highlight that the following languages will all be considered official in our state - Tonga, Nambya, Kalanga, Ndebele, Dombe, Shona, Tswana, Sotho, Venda, Tsonga/Shangani, just to mention a few.
1. Help me understand this. I have had time to study the history of several territories in and outside Africa that have fought for and won secession and are now sovereign states. Much of it is replete with bloodshed and severe retributions among other sordid acts of suppression against such aspirations. How do you weigh the benefits of an independent Mthwakazi state against those potential consequences? In short is it worth it?
2. Secondly, what is the driving thought behind this push for secession? How is it going to benefit the citizens in juxtaposition to the status quo?
3. Thirdly, what do you think are the reasons for the current leadership to try to sabotage the calls for a free and independent state of Mthwakazi?
The following is Dr Brilliant Sigabade Mhlanga's brilliant response:
My good Cde Obert MC Makore, let me attend to your questions. I wish to begin by admiring the sober engagement you have shown in your engagement of this otherwise emotive subject. First, my brother, to answer your question on whether it's worth it or not. The answer is YES, it remains worth it. I will also link this question with your 3rd question, which focuses on the reason why the current leadership would not want to see the Mthwakazi issue coming to fruition.
May I also remind you that world over the struggles for sovereignty, self-determination and independence, let alone for freedom and liberation from all manner of colonialism, including the colonialism we now face as Mthwakazians under the Zimbabwe regime are bound to be marred with bloodshed. But we are prepared for it. In fact, what makes those in power view our genuine and noble cause as treasonous is because they know how criminal their actions are towards us and our otherwise genuine cause. And yet on the other hand, we have no malice, nor hard feelings against any Zimbabwean. When we get our independence, you will still be allowed to visit me as a brother. But bearing a passport. Our people will still inter-marry just like the Scottish and the English are inter-marrying. Must I also remind you that even Robert Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, and others faced all these dangers you have just raised and yet they still chose the path of blood for their freedom. We the oppressed have no choice but to choose the path of blood too. Ours is a just cause. It is founded on a qualitatively presentable reality - of our current state as colonised people and our history; not to mention our rich historical identities. 2nd, on the driving thought. Since you did mention in your post above, the Mthwakazi cause has as its impetus an entanglement of a number of factors; that are historical, political, economic and socio-cultural. You may want to know that this Mthwakazi cause was the basis for uMvukela wamaNdebele, in the 1890s; including the subsequent Battles, such as, the Battle of Gadade. All these battles brought together saved as the FIRST war of Liberation by our forebearers. Again the Mthwakazi cause was the basis for iMpi kaZhii!, in the 1930s/40s. Also, its ethos led to the formation of the Matebele Home Society. Allow me to also submit that even the colonial administrators had two separate administrations for Mashonaland and Matebeleland, something which proves even the colonialist were aware of this fact of the existence of these two separate states. The reason for keeping these two states separate was because they too even knew how mischievous their actions were. That's a bit about the historical entanglement and colonial legacy.
Then another factor, but still slightly linked to the previous one, is the fact that Zimbabwe itself is a colonial construct. We all know that it was constructed on the footprints or contours of a colonial structure called 'Rhodesia.' We also know that Zimbabwe is a successor state was born in 1980; i.e., on the one hand, designed to mirror and embrace the colonial structure that it sought to succeed, while on the other hand it had as its chief architects people who envisage a reincarnation of what the Mutapa state looked like (on this issue may I refer you to Stan Mudenge's (1988) book; A political history of Munhumutapa, c1400-1902. Having said that it remains a fact that the ethos behind the final formation and actualisation of Zimbabwe as a state was clearly hinged on Shona tribalism and remains quite exclusionary to this day. This also explains why we witnessed that untold suffering in the postcolonial period, which you and me rightfully refer to as the Gukurahundi genocide. Indeed, it was part of the practice of state formation. I know here you might want to respond by saying, '...but I never was involved, or I was not yet born'. My answer to that is simple - it is not our duty to prove to you whether you were involved or not, we owe our duty to posterity - and it is that we should right the wrongs of the past. And so the actualisation of Mthwakazi as an independent state is a very important step. Further, there is the economic factor. You probably have heard people arguing that if Matebeleland was to separate from Zimbabwe it won't survive. That line of reasoning is often raised by those whose wish is to sound unreasonable alarm bells, and also driven by malice. It remains a fact that Mthwakazi is one of the richest regions in the space between Limpopo and Zambezi river. Apart from the fact that we share borders with countries with strong economies in the region, it remains a fact that our state is endowed with a lot of natural resources; such as, uranium deposits in Wankie, Gold, Coal, Methane gas, Diamonds (that stretch through the Kimberlite zone from Botswana into Plumtree/Tsholotsho area), etc. We also boast of leading with a booming tourist industry. I am sure you have probably 'heard' about the Victoria Falls (one of the World's wonders), Hwange National Park, Matopos, etc.
For more on these issues, may I refer you to some of my academic writings - Mhlanga (2006). Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) Policy for Change and the Mask for Development: A Critical Analysis of Zimbabwe's E-Readiness Survey Report. Mhlanga (2012). The'ticklish' subject: the 'northern problem' and the national question in Zimbabwe.
Then there is the other political factor - it remains a fact that power as a resource in the current configurations of the state remains organised along tribal hands. Even the political nature of Zimbabwe as a state is such that everyone else is excluded, which also tends to have a bearing on the socio-cultural identities. It remains a fact that the people of Matebeleland continue to be subalternised on daily basis. Given the unequal and deliberately inequitable political power matrix and the way our people have had to be treated in Zimbabwe - to the extent of causing them to deny their identity in order to be included. Imagine what our people have to go through everyday - as Desmond Mushai has aptly put it, Matebeleland is one of the most underdeveloped region. Our people continue to suffer under the yoke of oppression to this day. We even saw Robert Mugabe announcing today that Zimbabwe is one of the most developed states in Africa, and also citing those exaggerated literacy rates. But what most people often choose to ignore is that in those high literacy statistics Matebeleland is far below 30%. Surely, looking at all that there is every reason why we should have a separate state. We need to manage our own affairs. We can do it. When our state has been established all these inequalities will be addressed; including giving equal official status to all the languages spoken in the region. Allow me to clearly highlight that the following languages will all be considered official in our state - Tonga, Nambya, Kalanga, Ndebele, Dombe, Shona, Tswana, Sotho, Venda, Tsonga/Shangani, just to mention a few.
Source - Thulani Nkala
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