Unfair Attack on Zimbabwe's Government and Innovator

The attack on the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe by the author of a trending article, criticizing a novel car invention and a radio, is unconscionable and unfair.

The article comment by Njabulo (email: libertyatliberty@gmail.com) paints a picture that is far removed from the reality of the situation.

It's not only misguided but downright stupid politics, or rather, ridiculous. This attack amounts to a mortification of the person who patented those novel gadgets. However, as people of firm minds in the Republic of Zimbabwe, we will not be dissuaded by someone driven by jealousy and a quest to attack the government. We greatly appreciate these inventions. It's hats off to that inventor. The invention by an individual has nothing to do with the politics that the stupid author is highlighting in their article. There must be credit given to good things. That is an individual Zimbabwean, just like any person in any part of the world, who has the ability to patent something.

The fact that a similar radio was made or patented by someone else does not mean it's the exact same gadget. Further, it is the state's responsibility to support its people in the field of science, to promote scientific discoveries and other types of research that can benefit our nation. The state has to encourage its citizens to venture into such kinds of inventions and discoveries. Yet, this feeble-minded person politicizes those inventions instead of supporting such a great breakthrough by one of our own. He or she seizes the opportunity to attack the government.

If the government did not support this inventor, this same person would likely say that the government is selfish and not supporting the efforts of its people in such important matters. The President did right by supporting that inventor. People need to be supported and encouraged by the government. The government owes that duty to its citizens. That is exactly what the President did. This is no different from what is happening in the West.

Such gestures to support individuals in any country, particularly in the West, have been the norm from time immemorial. For example, Cecil John Rhodes received support from the British monarchy to venture into diamond and gold mining, which ultimately benefitted the UK. All ventures by different individuals from the West in Africa and other parts of the world were, and have been, aided or sponsored by their states or monarchs. So, there is nothing peculiar in what His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, did.

Some of us are happy that the inventor of the novel car and radio has been recognized by the government. That is a great step in the right direction. The person who is trying to forfeit that gesture from the government and from that inventor is certainly motivated by jealousy and lacks proper reasoning. If he or she wants to attack the government, they should do so in more direct ways, instead of trying to make us all look like children. We can clearly see that the whole idea behind the article is driven by politics. It's a silly expression of hatred for the incumbent government. Some things for the nation should not be politicized.

This is not a genuine critique of the invention. It's a disrespectful attack on another individual's hard work. While everyone has the right to scrutinize and criticize something, this particular case is offside and offensive. Did the author even listen to the interview? The inventor sacrificed a lot to bring his ideas to life. He even lost a friend in the process and ended up in the hospital. What has happened to "Ubuntu/Hunu"? One would expect that the author would sympathize with his or her fellow countryman.

Furthermore, on this issue, the President, by virtue of the position he holds, is empowered and authorized by the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe to support all Zimbabweans in their quest to develop the country. There is nothing wrong, illegal, irrational, or unprocedural in what the President did or what the government has done. The President performed his duties dutifully, as enunciated in the Zimbabwe Constitution. It was not an illegal act nor a political gesture meant to gain political mileage. He is mandated by the Constitution to do what he did.

We have witnessed similar gestures around the globe. Why is it wrong when it happens in the Republic of Zimbabwe? The author has the right to write and criticize any government policies, but not to use such occasions to attack the government and try to demoralize a fellow countryman from doing something good for the development of Zimbabwe. Let us try to love and support each other in such things—put politics aside; this is for the nation.