Opinion / Columnist
Being a Zimbabwean in Canada: Raw and Uncut Version
08 Apr 2013 at 23:46hrs | Views
If there was a phrase to sum up the Zimbabwean way of life in Canada that phrase would be "Get that Dollar neMapepa", the only other country besides the United States; that Canadian-Zimbabweans seem to give respect to; when it comes to shark-like tendencies, regarding money; is Zimbabwe itself. Welcome to the Canadian-Zimbabwe experience, where individualism and capitalism supersedes everything else.
In a country such as Canada, that promotes Multiculturalism and encourages all cultures and people to represent their heritage, the Canadian-Zimbabwean has continuously fallen short of these principles due to the inner conflicts coursing within its own communities. Most Canadian-Zimbabwean communities by nature; are mainly concentrated in the urban areas of, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Kitchener which take up the brunt of the Zimbo populace. Any type of Zimbabwean leadership is lacking, as the known leaders within the community are hesitant of taking up a thankless job of leading a Zimbabwean power bloc within Canada.
Few organizations have actually stood the test of times within the community due to the cynicism that Canadian-Zimbabweans typically have, a notable exception has been the Zimbabwe Burial Society based mainly in Toronto and Hamilton, which has managed to grow within the last few years and enjoys a lively democratic membership willing to pay the fees that are needed for its survival and having an organized agenda.
Unlike the United States-Zimbabwean stories, tribalism in Canada does not play as much a role as compared to the divide that exists between Zimbabweans who landed in Canada direct from the Motherland and those who lived in the United States and then migrated to Canada afterwards seeking asylum. These two Canadian-Zimbabwean groups have a clear and distinct cultural difference between them that has nothing to do with them being Zimbabwean or what tribe they are from.
These differences have resulted in value-clusters forming within Zimbabweans, based on Western- Geographical values blended, with where an individual's roots are from within Zimbabwe. Thus Zimbabweans who were in the United States before coming to Canada tend to associate amongst themselves and actively search for like-minded Zimbabweans whilst Canadian-Zimbabweans straight from Zimbabwe tend to be more conservative in their beliefs and hang out amongst themselves feeling as if the other Zimbabwean-group deems them inferior. Case in point, a reason for the Zimbabwe Burial Society being a success can be attributed to the fact that ¾ of its members fall in the category of Zimbabweans who came direct from Zimbabwe, resulting in less conflict with the organization due to shared values.
Distrust and lack of Empathy within the Canadian-Zimbabwe community is contagious, and this blame can be squarely placed on the known leaders within the community that run away from taking up leadership roles within the community, but are quick to enjoy seeking attention or patronage from the Canadian society regarding Zimbabwean issues or African agendas. It is common knowledge that Zimbabwean-Canadian leadership roles are thankless positions and offer no incentive, furthermore lack of a vibrant coalition of leadership and agenda direction within the Canadian-Zimbabwean community has resulted in a disenfranchised bloc of people who are consistently overlooked within Canada.
On an individual basis there are many Zimbabweans who are remarkable in their contribution and legacy however this does not translate into any benefit to the Zimbabwean community at large; this is worsened since Canada is based on a multicultural system where communities are more powerful and respected to their contribution to Canada rather than individuals, unlike the United States which is more individual based.
The most respected and talked about individuals within the community are Zimbabwean Entrepreneur's and Zimbabwe-Hustlers mainly because they represent and appeal to the risk taking persona that all Canadian-Zimbabweans had to have, to come to Canada and survive it, however past those two sole aspects exists a vacuum that is increasingly growing as second and third generation Canadian Born-Zimbabweans are raised and are finding it hard to connect with their roots.
A myopic view of Zimbabwe exists within the Canadian community as they see and rationalize the cut-throat life of Zimbabwe; envisioning themselves as being able to be successful there; misconstruing the Zimbabwean nature of survival, of being the same mentality as their own of the "Dollar first".
Having been acclimatized to thinking that hard work in a job translates to success, laziness is frowned upon within Canadian-Zimbabweans; unless someone has found an ingenious manner in which to game the system. Zimbabwe women in Canada are usually the go-getters and more often are the more stable part of the family, as often Zimbabwe-males struggle to adjust to a system skewered to a more pro-female stance. Resistance to change has led to some Zimbabwean-males being deported for various crimes against females.
If someone was to list the biggest obstacle to Canadian-Zimbabwean growth it would be how, alcohol and law infractions further accelerated by the suffocation of male-ego; has hampered or paralyzed the male population of Zimbabwean males; inadvertently slowing the growth and rise of the community. Simple aspects such as a father being afraid of the police or justice system let alone avoiding to apply for certain jobs because they think they don't stand a chance of getting it, has resulted in this aura of immigrant-mistrust being passed into the preceding generation.
Social settings such as an Oliver Mtukudzi concert or a baby shower are the only venues you see Zimbabweans communicating together without any mistrust or competitiveness. Withholding of information that is of value to everyone, is considered a norm within the Zimbabwean-Canadian side, the only information easily dispersed amongst Zimbabweans consists of where employment is available, and again this information is again disseminated along family lines.
In a nutshell if someone was to ask if Canadian - Zimbabweans are proud of being Zimbabwean the answer would be a resounding Yes!! Nevertheless if one would continue to ask if Canadian-Zimbabweans are willing to represent and push agendas for Zimbabweans in Canada, the answer would disappoint you.
Unfortunately there is actually a group that can be blamed for this inadequacy within Canada and this lies squarely with Zimbabweans who shirk away from leadership positions within the community. These groups are the same ones that eagerly seek to return to Zimbabwe and further burnish their credentials without actually having contributed any viable solutions or policies to the community
The Canadian-Zimbabwean community has numerous; known leaders and elders that are not willing to be part of the solution or growth of the community. Zimbabwe-Canada has several musicians, intellectuals, activists and leaders in other fields that choose or refrain to be taking part in any Zimbabwean substantive discussions because it holds no advantage to them or their career. This has led to a vacuum in this area that has been quickly filled up by opportunity seekers or charlatans' eager to make a name for themselves within Canada as Zimbabwe proponents.
Unless this issue is not fixed or addressed, when issues such as the Canadian-Zimbabwean Mkurazhizha murder-case come into the public realm, Zimbabwean issues will always be sidelined to page fillers within local newspapers and nationwide news outlets in Canada. Or God forbid depending on the Zimbabwean Embassy.
As a journalist from Zimbabwe, describing living in Canada the best word I can think of describing Canada-Zimbabwe living is; "lonely". Mistrust amongst Zimbabweans has bred envy and hate, innovation and competitiveness has been substituted by the tearing down and stepping over your fellow man for elusive goals. A lack of leadership in Canada and a wrong view of how things really are in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe are the main drivers for this viewpoint.
The biggest question to ask is: After Mugabe is gone; what excuses will the Zimbabwean-Diaspora in Canada and the United States come-up with, for why they are not a contributing to being part of Zimbabwe culture?
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Tsungai Chipato is a blogger and free-lance journalist in Toronto, Contact him @: mugaradzakasungwa@gmail.com
In a country such as Canada, that promotes Multiculturalism and encourages all cultures and people to represent their heritage, the Canadian-Zimbabwean has continuously fallen short of these principles due to the inner conflicts coursing within its own communities. Most Canadian-Zimbabwean communities by nature; are mainly concentrated in the urban areas of, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Kitchener which take up the brunt of the Zimbo populace. Any type of Zimbabwean leadership is lacking, as the known leaders within the community are hesitant of taking up a thankless job of leading a Zimbabwean power bloc within Canada.
Few organizations have actually stood the test of times within the community due to the cynicism that Canadian-Zimbabweans typically have, a notable exception has been the Zimbabwe Burial Society based mainly in Toronto and Hamilton, which has managed to grow within the last few years and enjoys a lively democratic membership willing to pay the fees that are needed for its survival and having an organized agenda.
Unlike the United States-Zimbabwean stories, tribalism in Canada does not play as much a role as compared to the divide that exists between Zimbabweans who landed in Canada direct from the Motherland and those who lived in the United States and then migrated to Canada afterwards seeking asylum. These two Canadian-Zimbabwean groups have a clear and distinct cultural difference between them that has nothing to do with them being Zimbabwean or what tribe they are from.
These differences have resulted in value-clusters forming within Zimbabweans, based on Western- Geographical values blended, with where an individual's roots are from within Zimbabwe. Thus Zimbabweans who were in the United States before coming to Canada tend to associate amongst themselves and actively search for like-minded Zimbabweans whilst Canadian-Zimbabweans straight from Zimbabwe tend to be more conservative in their beliefs and hang out amongst themselves feeling as if the other Zimbabwean-group deems them inferior. Case in point, a reason for the Zimbabwe Burial Society being a success can be attributed to the fact that ¾ of its members fall in the category of Zimbabweans who came direct from Zimbabwe, resulting in less conflict with the organization due to shared values.
Distrust and lack of Empathy within the Canadian-Zimbabwe community is contagious, and this blame can be squarely placed on the known leaders within the community that run away from taking up leadership roles within the community, but are quick to enjoy seeking attention or patronage from the Canadian society regarding Zimbabwean issues or African agendas. It is common knowledge that Zimbabwean-Canadian leadership roles are thankless positions and offer no incentive, furthermore lack of a vibrant coalition of leadership and agenda direction within the Canadian-Zimbabwean community has resulted in a disenfranchised bloc of people who are consistently overlooked within Canada.
On an individual basis there are many Zimbabweans who are remarkable in their contribution and legacy however this does not translate into any benefit to the Zimbabwean community at large; this is worsened since Canada is based on a multicultural system where communities are more powerful and respected to their contribution to Canada rather than individuals, unlike the United States which is more individual based.
The most respected and talked about individuals within the community are Zimbabwean Entrepreneur's and Zimbabwe-Hustlers mainly because they represent and appeal to the risk taking persona that all Canadian-Zimbabweans had to have, to come to Canada and survive it, however past those two sole aspects exists a vacuum that is increasingly growing as second and third generation Canadian Born-Zimbabweans are raised and are finding it hard to connect with their roots.
A myopic view of Zimbabwe exists within the Canadian community as they see and rationalize the cut-throat life of Zimbabwe; envisioning themselves as being able to be successful there; misconstruing the Zimbabwean nature of survival, of being the same mentality as their own of the "Dollar first".
Having been acclimatized to thinking that hard work in a job translates to success, laziness is frowned upon within Canadian-Zimbabweans; unless someone has found an ingenious manner in which to game the system. Zimbabwe women in Canada are usually the go-getters and more often are the more stable part of the family, as often Zimbabwe-males struggle to adjust to a system skewered to a more pro-female stance. Resistance to change has led to some Zimbabwean-males being deported for various crimes against females.
If someone was to list the biggest obstacle to Canadian-Zimbabwean growth it would be how, alcohol and law infractions further accelerated by the suffocation of male-ego; has hampered or paralyzed the male population of Zimbabwean males; inadvertently slowing the growth and rise of the community. Simple aspects such as a father being afraid of the police or justice system let alone avoiding to apply for certain jobs because they think they don't stand a chance of getting it, has resulted in this aura of immigrant-mistrust being passed into the preceding generation.
Social settings such as an Oliver Mtukudzi concert or a baby shower are the only venues you see Zimbabweans communicating together without any mistrust or competitiveness. Withholding of information that is of value to everyone, is considered a norm within the Zimbabwean-Canadian side, the only information easily dispersed amongst Zimbabweans consists of where employment is available, and again this information is again disseminated along family lines.
In a nutshell if someone was to ask if Canadian - Zimbabweans are proud of being Zimbabwean the answer would be a resounding Yes!! Nevertheless if one would continue to ask if Canadian-Zimbabweans are willing to represent and push agendas for Zimbabweans in Canada, the answer would disappoint you.
Unfortunately there is actually a group that can be blamed for this inadequacy within Canada and this lies squarely with Zimbabweans who shirk away from leadership positions within the community. These groups are the same ones that eagerly seek to return to Zimbabwe and further burnish their credentials without actually having contributed any viable solutions or policies to the community
The Canadian-Zimbabwean community has numerous; known leaders and elders that are not willing to be part of the solution or growth of the community. Zimbabwe-Canada has several musicians, intellectuals, activists and leaders in other fields that choose or refrain to be taking part in any Zimbabwean substantive discussions because it holds no advantage to them or their career. This has led to a vacuum in this area that has been quickly filled up by opportunity seekers or charlatans' eager to make a name for themselves within Canada as Zimbabwe proponents.
Unless this issue is not fixed or addressed, when issues such as the Canadian-Zimbabwean Mkurazhizha murder-case come into the public realm, Zimbabwean issues will always be sidelined to page fillers within local newspapers and nationwide news outlets in Canada. Or God forbid depending on the Zimbabwean Embassy.
As a journalist from Zimbabwe, describing living in Canada the best word I can think of describing Canada-Zimbabwe living is; "lonely". Mistrust amongst Zimbabweans has bred envy and hate, innovation and competitiveness has been substituted by the tearing down and stepping over your fellow man for elusive goals. A lack of leadership in Canada and a wrong view of how things really are in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe are the main drivers for this viewpoint.
The biggest question to ask is: After Mugabe is gone; what excuses will the Zimbabwean-Diaspora in Canada and the United States come-up with, for why they are not a contributing to being part of Zimbabwe culture?
-----------
Tsungai Chipato is a blogger and free-lance journalist in Toronto, Contact him @: mugaradzakasungwa@gmail.com
Source - Tsungai Chipato
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