Opinion / Columnist
Matabeleland's Leadership Void Is Dangerous for the Region
2 hrs ago |
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It appears ZANU PF has successfully crushed Matabeleland into complete silence. The region is at a total standstill. ZAPU PF is nowhere to be seen or heard. There is no movement suggesting the region is alive. ZAPU leadership is not performing. Insignificant voices rise and fall. The only visible political figures are Ndebele members within ZANU PF - practicing politics of the stomach, never of the people.
Can we say we are represented when we have Tshabangu in the Senate, Sandra Ndebele now a full member of ZANU PF, and Professor Welshman Ncube only vocal when fiscal enticements are floated in the region?
Perhaps I exaggerate. The Lord Mayor David Coltart is doing his utmost to deliver services to Bulawayo communities - much appreciated. But ZAPU leadership is a shadow of its former self. Sibangilizwe Nkomo has failed dismally to rise to the occasion. At his rallies, he religiously carried photos of his father Joshua Nkomo to evoke emotion. That trick didn't work. Using nostalgia is like faking leadership qualities you don't possess.
Something fundamental has been confirmed: leadership is not inherited through genes. As the Ndebele saying goes, "uDwayi ufa le nsiba zakhe" - you die with your own feathers. Sibangilizwe is not a charismatic or capable leader. Literacy alone does not constitute leadership.
There are several Mthwakazi groups in the region - how many, we don't know. My humble opinion is they lack the fundamentals of leadership implementation. Mthwakazi is well established and has been in and out of ZANU prisons - tried and tested. But now they must shift trajectory: from political to economic. Matabeleland needs guidance in farming, food security, and sovereignty. They must be demonstrative on the ground, especially in rural districts - assisting villagers with practical solutions. That would give Mthwakazi credibility.
Mthwakazi is on a path to future revolution - but we live in the present. Living in the now means producing enough food to feed hungry populations, not depending on international aid. Matabeleland's leaderless communities don't realize that food distribution is being silently sabotaged by ZANU PF. Chronic starvation will persist. Children born under these conditions may suffer permanent developmental setbacks.
It's high time leadership emerged. It's not that we lack young people to take over from the older generation - there are many. But they are failing the region. The candles must remain lit for future generations. Leaving this leadership void confirms our inability to survive under pressure.
ZANU PF is nearing its end. The psychological toll of Gukurahundi genocide guilt is heavy. The current dog-eat-dog infighting is proof. This is the moment for Matabeleland leadership to rise and demand redress.
ZAPU properties need urgent attention. Demanding their return could benefit the children of ZPRA war veterans - tangible reparations their parents never received. Leadership must demand devolution to begin improving the region for future generations.
This leadership impasse is serious - and dangerous. Some Ndebele people believe Nelson Chamisa will implement devolution if he comes to power. Far from it. The young man may be worse than Mnangagwa and Chiwenga combined.
Improving rural schools must come from Matabeleland itself. The Diaspora must be mobilized to refurbish dilapidated schools. Without collective initiative, no one from Mashonaland will do it for us. The danger is that the Ndebele nation may never rise again - benefiting other tribal settings instead. A leadership vacuum is tantamount to suicide.
If anyone asks why I speak of leadership when I don't assume it myself - my answer is simple: I cannot fight two revolutions. I stretched my limits in Zambia during the struggle for independence. It is now the turn of younger people to improve Matabeleland. Not us geriatrics.
To assume leadership in Matabeleland now is like asking Mnangagwa to rule beyond 2028 at age 88. Globally, it is time for younger generations to lead and bring change in sync with modernity.
The conversation about leadership must begin immediately. This is not about contesting elections in 2028 - it's about championing development, especially in rural areas.
The Matabeleland Water Project will never be realized in our lifetime. ZANU PF will continue teasing the region. When elections approach, we see activity at the Gwayi-Shangani Bridge. After elections, construction is abandoned. They will keep teasing us. We must find alternative ways to finance and complete the project. The future of Matabeleland North depends on year-round water availability.
Can we say we are represented when we have Tshabangu in the Senate, Sandra Ndebele now a full member of ZANU PF, and Professor Welshman Ncube only vocal when fiscal enticements are floated in the region?
Perhaps I exaggerate. The Lord Mayor David Coltart is doing his utmost to deliver services to Bulawayo communities - much appreciated. But ZAPU leadership is a shadow of its former self. Sibangilizwe Nkomo has failed dismally to rise to the occasion. At his rallies, he religiously carried photos of his father Joshua Nkomo to evoke emotion. That trick didn't work. Using nostalgia is like faking leadership qualities you don't possess.
Something fundamental has been confirmed: leadership is not inherited through genes. As the Ndebele saying goes, "uDwayi ufa le nsiba zakhe" - you die with your own feathers. Sibangilizwe is not a charismatic or capable leader. Literacy alone does not constitute leadership.
There are several Mthwakazi groups in the region - how many, we don't know. My humble opinion is they lack the fundamentals of leadership implementation. Mthwakazi is well established and has been in and out of ZANU prisons - tried and tested. But now they must shift trajectory: from political to economic. Matabeleland needs guidance in farming, food security, and sovereignty. They must be demonstrative on the ground, especially in rural districts - assisting villagers with practical solutions. That would give Mthwakazi credibility.
Mthwakazi is on a path to future revolution - but we live in the present. Living in the now means producing enough food to feed hungry populations, not depending on international aid. Matabeleland's leaderless communities don't realize that food distribution is being silently sabotaged by ZANU PF. Chronic starvation will persist. Children born under these conditions may suffer permanent developmental setbacks.
It's high time leadership emerged. It's not that we lack young people to take over from the older generation - there are many. But they are failing the region. The candles must remain lit for future generations. Leaving this leadership void confirms our inability to survive under pressure.
ZAPU properties need urgent attention. Demanding their return could benefit the children of ZPRA war veterans - tangible reparations their parents never received. Leadership must demand devolution to begin improving the region for future generations.
This leadership impasse is serious - and dangerous. Some Ndebele people believe Nelson Chamisa will implement devolution if he comes to power. Far from it. The young man may be worse than Mnangagwa and Chiwenga combined.
Improving rural schools must come from Matabeleland itself. The Diaspora must be mobilized to refurbish dilapidated schools. Without collective initiative, no one from Mashonaland will do it for us. The danger is that the Ndebele nation may never rise again - benefiting other tribal settings instead. A leadership vacuum is tantamount to suicide.
If anyone asks why I speak of leadership when I don't assume it myself - my answer is simple: I cannot fight two revolutions. I stretched my limits in Zambia during the struggle for independence. It is now the turn of younger people to improve Matabeleland. Not us geriatrics.
To assume leadership in Matabeleland now is like asking Mnangagwa to rule beyond 2028 at age 88. Globally, it is time for younger generations to lead and bring change in sync with modernity.
The conversation about leadership must begin immediately. This is not about contesting elections in 2028 - it's about championing development, especially in rural areas.
The Matabeleland Water Project will never be realized in our lifetime. ZANU PF will continue teasing the region. When elections approach, we see activity at the Gwayi-Shangani Bridge. After elections, construction is abandoned. They will keep teasing us. We must find alternative ways to finance and complete the project. The future of Matabeleland North depends on year-round water availability.
Source - Nomazulu Thata
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