Opinion / Columnist
A nation that must believe in its own power, no saviour is coming, Zimbabwe
1 hr ago |
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For decades, Zimbabweans have been conditioned to believe that political parties and presidents hold the master key to national transformation. From election season promises to slogans of "ongoing reform," citizens are encouraged to wait patiently, endlessly for leaders to rescue them from the social and economic hardships that define daily life.
But if history has taught anything, it is this no individual, no party, and no presidency will single-handedly save Zimbabwe. Not Emmerson Mnangagwa, not ZANU PF and not any opposition formation. The salvation of this country does not reside in State House, it resides in its people.
Zimbabwe's political culture is built on the illusion of the "liberator-saviour" the idea that leaders who rose from the liberation struggle possess a permanent licence to define the nation's destiny. That illusion is powerful, but it is also dangerous.
President's change, cabinets reshuffle and party manifestos evolve. Yet the fundamental struggles of unemployment, corruption, poor service delivery, failing institutions continue decade after decade.
To continue believing that the next speech, the next rally, or the next congress will deliver miraculous national recovery is to hold onto a dream that will never materialise. Zimbabweans have always been the backbone of their country's survival. When industries collapse, people innovate. When currency systems fail, citizens find alternative ways to trade. When government programs stall, communities step in. From cross-border traders to smallholder farmers, from youth entrepreneurs to hardworking civil servants, it is ordinary people who keep the nation afloat.
Instead of waiting for political messiahs, Zimbabwe must embrace a new national philosophy is We are our own solution. Zimbabwe will rise only when its people, NOT its politicians, choose to rise. The belief that "someone up there will fix things" has trapped the nation for too long. Waiting has cost lives, opportunities and decades of potential progress.
The truth is simple and urgent, Zimbabwe does not need a saviour. Zimbabwe needs Zimbabweans who believe in their own power. And once citizens recognise that they are the driving force of national renewal, no leader, no party and no crisis will ever hold the nation hostage again.
Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi
+263772278161
But if history has taught anything, it is this no individual, no party, and no presidency will single-handedly save Zimbabwe. Not Emmerson Mnangagwa, not ZANU PF and not any opposition formation. The salvation of this country does not reside in State House, it resides in its people.
Zimbabwe's political culture is built on the illusion of the "liberator-saviour" the idea that leaders who rose from the liberation struggle possess a permanent licence to define the nation's destiny. That illusion is powerful, but it is also dangerous.
President's change, cabinets reshuffle and party manifestos evolve. Yet the fundamental struggles of unemployment, corruption, poor service delivery, failing institutions continue decade after decade.
Instead of waiting for political messiahs, Zimbabwe must embrace a new national philosophy is We are our own solution. Zimbabwe will rise only when its people, NOT its politicians, choose to rise. The belief that "someone up there will fix things" has trapped the nation for too long. Waiting has cost lives, opportunities and decades of potential progress.
The truth is simple and urgent, Zimbabwe does not need a saviour. Zimbabwe needs Zimbabweans who believe in their own power. And once citizens recognise that they are the driving force of national renewal, no leader, no party and no crisis will ever hold the nation hostage again.
Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi
+263772278161
Source - Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi
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