The people are looking for honest leaders and freedom fighters

Zimbabweans United for Democracy (ZUNDE) welcomes the inundation we have experienced so far due to the volume of inquiries and requests for membership we have received. I am happy to discuss who we are and what the people can expect. Whilst many people will want action on the ground we would like to emphasize that planning and consensus is essential. We are engaging stakeholders on the program of work and very soon the nation will be advised. Dismantling a dictatorship like Zanu PF is a complicated task that requires meticulous planning. We are steadily laying the foundation of our struggle and when we are ready the nation will see and hear us loud and clear.

We are faced with the cruelest and generously resourced dictatorship of our time. We are creating the national platform within our communities from which we can plan, agree and finally act. If you have not been spoken to, be patient you will soon meet a ZUNDE cadre in your area. We are happy that he vast majority of committed freedom fighters have stayed focused on the ball. They know that it takes time to lay the foundation and that rushing into poorly planned skirmishes is the hallmark of strategic naivety.

Many of the inquiries we are receiving are from people deeply concerned that their country is sliding down the edge at our watch. Someone even asked "If I were a Jew during the time of Hitler would I have kept quiet, do nothing about it or run to a far country for refuge". We have a ten-times Hitler in Zimbabwe and are therefore facing the same situation. We can choose to run away, be silent or we can choose to do something!

There was a certain sponsored group which came to us rushing like wind. They wanted to know everything about ZUNDE our tactics, our funding and details about our leadership. It was obvious to us what they were after. No general will discuss his strategies in a pub. Our journey and objectives are very straight and clear; those with ulterior motives will always find themselves out of tune.

Many came because they thought we are dishing out money. When they saw no gravy train, they went away sorrowful. ZUNDE is not a money spinner. Those after money or "chibanzi" will be disappointed.  Some came for positions but found out that we are organised on tasks and not titles that one can wear and parade in the townships. We come to ZUNDE to give our lives and not to stroke our egos.
Many people have wondered what is so special about being a member of ZUNDE. Yes there is everything special to be proud of. ZUNDE is not about uniforms and slogans; it's about values and beliefs, it's more than talking, it's about behaviour and action.

First, one has to understand what ZUNDE is all about. As stated everywhere on our website www.zunde.org, ZUNDE is about working together to solve a common problem. While, in the traditional zunde concept, it involved helping the disadvantaged or setting aside provisions for a future crisis, the grander purpose was to instil values of brotherly love, collaboration and citizenry. One could not belong to a clan unless they were in love with it, they were prepared to live to its values and defend its interests. When the clan was under a threat, the able bodied did not wait to be asked to defend the clan and those less physically built did not sit idly observing from a distance; they provided support and material provisions to the warriors.

To be ZUNDE you must love your country and its entire people. You are blind to race, color or tribe. You understand that a nation is not built on personalities but more on enduring values of fairness, accountability, inclusiveness and respect of our diversity (FAIR). When our country is under a threat one does not wait to be persuaded to defend it. Those with means, especially the business community and those in the diaspora, need not wait to be begged for the resources.
 
Secondly, one has to believe that we can be free if we commit ourselves. There are many people who are not serious about democratic change.  Some have no shame in betraying their people for crumbs of bread falling from Mugabe's dinner table.
 
Many in the opposition are not sure of anything, you can't tell where they stand. They claim to be in opposition to the dictator Mugabe but at many forums they went public in praise of him. Some of them told the people that Mugabe was a dictator but quickly roamed the world saying Mugabe was part of the solution and even pleaded for sanctions to be removed.

The men and women in ZUNDE are convinced disciples; they believe that we can free ourselves. We are not waiting for someone from the moon because we are our own liberators. We believe the dictatorship can be dismantled. Mugabe's reliance on the army generals will not shield him from the demands of the people.

Thirdly, one has to embrace the spirit of ZUNDE. You cannot act love unless you fall into it. So is with ZUNDE; you cannot pretend unless you embrace it. When you embrace the spirit of ZUNDE you will find joy in being equal with your brethren, you will find comfort in giving more than in grabbing, and you will find more joy in other people's ideas than yours. You will find two terms in government enough and would rather leave office for someone with better ideas than to hold on until your third wife and son grows to take over. When the people suggest a leadership renewal you feel eager to let the new leader in than to target people with different views for persecution.

Fourthly, one has to be converted to be ZUNDE. Many people who come to us behave as if changing from their parties to ZUNDE is like changing clothes. In ZUNDE we don't sell uniforms but rather we provide a platform for people to realize their dreams of a free country.

When you join ZUNDE you convert from a supporter to a stakeholder. Many need to convert from power seeking to servant seeking. Many boss minded inquirers come to us and ask "If I join what role are you going to give me". The answer is nothing. Join ZUNDE and the people will assess what role they can assign you.

You don't join ZUNDE to hate more but to love your country and people more. In ZUNDE we convert from haters to lovers, from person worship to value based politics, from name calling to policy suggestion, from tribalists to nationalists, from asset grabbers to wealth creators and equitable distribution, from military power to people power. We grow from Mugabe's doctrine of "our votes our guns" to "our votes our people".

Some who come to us have been spoiled kids. They have been bosses all their life. They believe in power and positions. These must convert to thrive in ZUNDE where everyone counts. In ZUNDE position is temporary, respect is not demanded but earned, and no-one is going to shiver in your presence. No one is going to wait five hours in the heat for your speech. If you don't arrive in time people will leave and wait for your apology.

Fifthly one has to act and follow the ZUNDE way. We have grown from protesting to resistance. We will not stop short of the destination. We don't rely on one driver. We have so many drivers; in fact everyone can drive. The people's victory is certain and you don't need a return ticket; we shall never return to Zanu PF, to dictatorship and to personality based politics underwritten by violence.

In ZUNDE we have offered ourselves to the betterment of our country and people. ZUNDE is not an income generating project written to lure donors. ZUNDE is the march of a people determined to be free and to claim their destiny. It is structured by the people and for the people.