Opinion / Columnist
Past & present events paint bleak future for Matebeles in Zimbabwe
16 Jul 2016 at 22:01hrs | Views
Philosopher, Essayist, Poet and Novelist, George Santayana once observed that, "those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
In the short history of Zimbabwe or even before the fake state came into being on 18 April 1980, there has never been an alliance or unity between Shonas and Matebeles that succeeded without Matebeles being cheated, used and abused in the process.
This uncomfortable life between the cheater and the cheated, abuser and the abused which has escalated into a life of the oppressed and the oppressor is given oxygen by some cheated and oppressed Matebeles who do not know history or are refusing to learn from history or both. This glaring ignorance has led the Shonas to view us (Matebeles) as political dwarfs and punch bags. One and the same old and tired tactic has been used against us since the 1960s.
In 1963 the mother of Zimbabwe revolutionary movement, Zapu, split into two based on tribal lines. A section of Shona leaders felt that they could not be led by a Matebele and that the later should not be allowed to rule Zimbabwe. This evil thought was driven by nothing but tribalism. A very dangerous and tribalistic beast called Zanu-PF which committed genocide and went on to discriminate and marginalise Matabeles on tribal basis came into being.
Ndabaningi Sithole who led the split under illusion that he was Shona with a Nguni surname, had his fate waiting for him. The opportunity presented itself when he was thrown into prison. Mugabe who was considered to be more Shona than Sithole was immediately chosen to replace him.
Did we not say MDC T and Zanu-PF are like Siamese twins? It happened again in year 2000. Matebeles joined MDC in their numbers thinking that it was a party that was honestly standing for them. But in 2005 when MDC was now an established formidable force, the Shonas showed their true tribalistic colours. They complained that the MDC top 6 was dominated by Matebeles whom they wanted replaced with Shonas. As a result MDC split based on tribal lines. The likes of Welshman Ncube, Gibson Sibanda, Paul Themba Nyathi and others were stoned out of Harvest House and chased out of Harare.
Come 2013 when Tsvangirai was given an opportunity to test power in the GNU. He was given a slot to appoint 13 members from his party to be included in the cabinet. Beside the fact that most Matebeles lost their businesses and their lives for supporting MDC, Tsvangirai chose only one Matebele and rewarded his fellow Shonas with 9 other positions. It took brave Cde Paul Siwela's 1hr long conversation with Tsvangirai, telling him his piece of mind that the next morning more Matebeles were added and a few Shonas dropped.
Afterwards, Tsvangirai who was Prime Minister worked hand in hand with Mugabe to sweep gukurahundi genocide under the carpet, water down devolution of power and block Welshman Ncube from taking up his rightful position in the highest office in favour of his fellow Shona Arthur Mutambara. "Beaten once twice shy," goes the old adage but how many times do Matebeles need to be beaten to see that Shonas are evil political criminals?
MDC T has done it again. This time it was a clean job. No stones thrown, no tribal bile, no broken limbs. Only broken hearts, broken promises and great disappointment in Matebeleland. No one chased away from Harvest house or Harare. But the strategy is as effective, cruel and tribalistic as the first one.
Perhaps what made it to be different is the target. Be soft and tender when dealing with a woman especially a Ndebele woman and if that woman happens to be Thokozani Khupe.
The right hand must not see what the left hand is doing. The target remains inside there but powerless as it is thrown into a 'political cage.' The main aim is to prevent power from falling into the wrong hands. Wrong hands of Thokozani Khupe a Matebele woman should Tsvangirai answer to the call of his creator or vacate his position due to ill-health. Tsvangirai's home boys from Gutu, Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri have been appointed as VPs to guard the situation.
The tribal card has been played again.
But the question is until when are the people of Matebeleland going to succumb to the same strategy or tactic?
Is there any political party in Mashonaland amongst existing one and those yet to be formed that will have the interests of the people of Matabeleland at heart. According to history and the current events the answer is a very loud NO!
For the people of Matabeleland painful history of genocide, marginalisation, segregation, domination and oppression is there to learn from.
Let us ditch the deceiving politics of Zimbabwe that favours one tribe and support Matabeleland restoration cause that seeks to restore our statehood, our identity, our dignity, our humanity, our culture, our languages and pride.
Matebeleland people must stop joining and supporting shona led political parties as they have nothing to offer Matebeles. A good shona is a dead one.
Izenzo Kungemazwi!
Israel Dube
MLO Secretary For Information and Public Affairs
Contact:infomlo13@gmail.com
In the short history of Zimbabwe or even before the fake state came into being on 18 April 1980, there has never been an alliance or unity between Shonas and Matebeles that succeeded without Matebeles being cheated, used and abused in the process.
This uncomfortable life between the cheater and the cheated, abuser and the abused which has escalated into a life of the oppressed and the oppressor is given oxygen by some cheated and oppressed Matebeles who do not know history or are refusing to learn from history or both. This glaring ignorance has led the Shonas to view us (Matebeles) as political dwarfs and punch bags. One and the same old and tired tactic has been used against us since the 1960s.
In 1963 the mother of Zimbabwe revolutionary movement, Zapu, split into two based on tribal lines. A section of Shona leaders felt that they could not be led by a Matebele and that the later should not be allowed to rule Zimbabwe. This evil thought was driven by nothing but tribalism. A very dangerous and tribalistic beast called Zanu-PF which committed genocide and went on to discriminate and marginalise Matabeles on tribal basis came into being.
Ndabaningi Sithole who led the split under illusion that he was Shona with a Nguni surname, had his fate waiting for him. The opportunity presented itself when he was thrown into prison. Mugabe who was considered to be more Shona than Sithole was immediately chosen to replace him.
Did we not say MDC T and Zanu-PF are like Siamese twins? It happened again in year 2000. Matebeles joined MDC in their numbers thinking that it was a party that was honestly standing for them. But in 2005 when MDC was now an established formidable force, the Shonas showed their true tribalistic colours. They complained that the MDC top 6 was dominated by Matebeles whom they wanted replaced with Shonas. As a result MDC split based on tribal lines. The likes of Welshman Ncube, Gibson Sibanda, Paul Themba Nyathi and others were stoned out of Harvest House and chased out of Harare.
Come 2013 when Tsvangirai was given an opportunity to test power in the GNU. He was given a slot to appoint 13 members from his party to be included in the cabinet. Beside the fact that most Matebeles lost their businesses and their lives for supporting MDC, Tsvangirai chose only one Matebele and rewarded his fellow Shonas with 9 other positions. It took brave Cde Paul Siwela's 1hr long conversation with Tsvangirai, telling him his piece of mind that the next morning more Matebeles were added and a few Shonas dropped.
Afterwards, Tsvangirai who was Prime Minister worked hand in hand with Mugabe to sweep gukurahundi genocide under the carpet, water down devolution of power and block Welshman Ncube from taking up his rightful position in the highest office in favour of his fellow Shona Arthur Mutambara. "Beaten once twice shy," goes the old adage but how many times do Matebeles need to be beaten to see that Shonas are evil political criminals?
MDC T has done it again. This time it was a clean job. No stones thrown, no tribal bile, no broken limbs. Only broken hearts, broken promises and great disappointment in Matebeleland. No one chased away from Harvest house or Harare. But the strategy is as effective, cruel and tribalistic as the first one.
Perhaps what made it to be different is the target. Be soft and tender when dealing with a woman especially a Ndebele woman and if that woman happens to be Thokozani Khupe.
The right hand must not see what the left hand is doing. The target remains inside there but powerless as it is thrown into a 'political cage.' The main aim is to prevent power from falling into the wrong hands. Wrong hands of Thokozani Khupe a Matebele woman should Tsvangirai answer to the call of his creator or vacate his position due to ill-health. Tsvangirai's home boys from Gutu, Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri have been appointed as VPs to guard the situation.
The tribal card has been played again.
But the question is until when are the people of Matebeleland going to succumb to the same strategy or tactic?
Is there any political party in Mashonaland amongst existing one and those yet to be formed that will have the interests of the people of Matabeleland at heart. According to history and the current events the answer is a very loud NO!
For the people of Matabeleland painful history of genocide, marginalisation, segregation, domination and oppression is there to learn from.
Let us ditch the deceiving politics of Zimbabwe that favours one tribe and support Matabeleland restoration cause that seeks to restore our statehood, our identity, our dignity, our humanity, our culture, our languages and pride.
Matebeleland people must stop joining and supporting shona led political parties as they have nothing to offer Matebeles. A good shona is a dead one.
Izenzo Kungemazwi!
Israel Dube
MLO Secretary For Information and Public Affairs
Contact:infomlo13@gmail.com
Source - Israel Dube
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