Zimbabweans not yet hungry enough for total freedom

It was Thomas Jefferson who said that the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots. It therefore can never be refreshed by continuous false hope and non-action as is the case in Zimbabwe. I, however, truly believe that the idea of freedom can indeed be circumvented but it can never be forsaken.

Over the last three years I have had the opportunity to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe with Zimbabweans from all walks of life, locally and abroad, and sadly it has finally dawned on me that, in general, Zimbabweans are not yet hungry enough to demand their total freedom from a dictatorship.

Despite the over whelming evidence that the ZANU (PF) regime has failed on all its promises, Zimbabweans continue to make a plan around the issue. It is as if they expect others to sacrifice for their freedom while they wait in anticipation and hope to enjoy the benefits someday.

The hassle and bustle which I have seen this Christmas, despite the fact that our economy as at its worst, has made me wonder what it will take for Zimbabweans to reject their own oppression and say enough is enough. It appears to me that as long as there is food in the shops and one has a dollar, they are prepared to wait until tomorrow. Unfortunately freedom will not come tomorrow unless we make it happen ourselves.

Our business sector has been decimated by ZANU (PF) policies and yet most our business people find it appropriate to either keep quiet and play it safe or pay homage and dues to a predatory regime that has created their suffering. Their love for money exceeds their sense of responsibility for their country's better future. We must not expect change to come from them simply because by their nature they are parasitic.

Our civil servants have been abused so many times its not funny anymore. Despite the false promises of bonuses and the late salary payments, they continue to hope that things will change one day without them taking the necessary steps to cause the change they desire. They are sheep to ZANU (PF). As they wait to be paid their December salaries, their CEO has seen it fit to go on an all expenses paid holiday to the Far East, courtesy of the tax payer of course. How sad.

Our opposition political parties think that issuing press statements or signing collective statements is a means of fighting a dictatorship. That is naïve because freedom will never be given by the oppressor until we demand it.

We are indeed a nation of wretched idiots who have become so paralysed by fear and self-interest at the cost of political change for the common good.

Some of our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora continue to protest and demand political reforms from a regime which knows that it will be suicidal to do so. Their calls for comprehensive reforms will never be heeded because ZANU (PF) knows that it is hugely unpopular especially amongst those who had to make the choice to leave the country. Allowing them to vote, for example, would sound their political death knell and they will do whatever it takes to make sure that Zimbabweans in the Diaspora do not vote. That is the truth.

Those political parties in the Diaspora must also learn that politics can never be played by remote control or through social media alone and it's important that they become active on the ground here at home. Coalition politics is the future.

We then have the ZANU (PF) supporters whose fear of poverty exceeds their imagination and aspirations for a better life. They have become happy with the little that they might get and are so locked in this abusive system. They truly believe that any political change would lead to their dispossession of the little space which they have been afforded by ZANU (PF).

Included here are the rapacious predatory cabal and self-anointed struggle elites who have stolen so much from the country and fear possible exposure or possible expulsion from the gravy train. They will hang onto ZANU (PF) till kingdom come even when they no longer believe in it.

Our youths have chosen to escape reality through drugs, alcohol and dance hall music as if things will change on their own. Little do they know that without their action for change nothing will happen to address their condition. They are a hopeless lot caught up in a vicious cycle of poverty and joblessness. It makes me sad.

We then have a significant number of the middle class which is unfortunately now caught up in the prosperity gospel elusion as they throng the new churches for deliverance and material gain. It's a sad comedy of unrealistic expectation and sheer stupidity.

This is the Zimbabwe we have created-a nation of educated idiots who are divided and have been frozen with fear. We have allowed one man to destroy our lives and livelihoods with our consent.

It is in this state that we go towards 2016 which, in my opinion, is going to be another year of suffering for many as food shortages bite and the lack of money becomes a common phenomenon for all.

Two things can happen. Its either we continue to suffer and complain and hope that things will change by themselves or we make things change as matter of urgency. If we want change we just have to have a new political strategy as a collective. The old formula is not working.

Freedom will never come by us kindly asking the dictator to give it to us, we must claim it now with one voice and a common purpose.

Vince Musewe is an economist and author based in Harare. You can contact him on vtmusewe@gmail.com