Opinion / Columnist
Harare worse than the Mupedzanhamo of yesteryear
13 Oct 2016 at 15:49hrs | Views
With population mushrooming and economy in a free fall, I found Harare to be very dirty and disorganized, and do not intend to return to the country any time soon.
As I wandered around the Kopje area, I came across screams of "Kanzuruuuuu, Kanzuruuuu!!!!!!" and a dangerous pandemonium ensuing. The situation was tense and dangerous. One has to be strong to avoid being fallen in the melee and stampede. It was a sad site.
My quick observation was that Harare has been turned into a Mupedzanhamo and I did not need to be a rocket scientist to come to a quick conclusion that the decay is a result of lack of strong, strategic, and accountable Kanzuru leadership. Another painful realization was the reluctance of the society to challenge the trend and their acceptance of the status quo.
The mess made me shift my plans to buy Bambara beans from Mbare musika. While Harare has turned into a Mupedzanhamo, I am not sure what to compare Mupedzanhamo to. I could not even imagine buying anything from Mbare. There is huge risk in terms of health, kombis - because the congestion is now severe and kombi drivers have come up with their own rules, and people all over the streets and sidewalks. Add vendors to this situation and you have the best recipe for disaster.
The chaotic situation is causing high casualty rates of both kombi riders and pedestrians. Security is now a nightmare with many thieves masquerading as Central Intelligence Organization (CIOs) personal relieving people of their hard earned dollars. In short organized crime has taken root in Zimbabwe and police are colluding with criminals. Environmental degradation - rubbish everywhere, potholes, pollution is unprecedented.
In short, the country is now hell - what I wondered most was where do this people go to use the toilets? I did not see public toilets anywhere I went and yet there are thousands of people roaming the streets.
And then a thought came to my mind - how is this mess going to be turned around? Honestly I cry for my beloved country. Those people in power, and those people trying to get power are all crooks. Any honest person will never wish to take such a mess as the one in Zimbabwe is.
For me, the turnaround needed in Zimbabwe requires a united front. It requires people coming together for the good of the country. It requires convening of a Sovereign National Conference (DARE) to chart a new way forward for the country. Anything short of that will result in Zimbabwe sliding into political, economic, social abyss.
I do not understand why it is so hard for my fellow Zimbabweans to rise above self and consider the: plight of the youth who have never known how it feels to hold a job; the young beautiful girls who are forced to sleep around with men older than their fathers; citizens whose vote never counts; fears of workers who distrust the central bank; concerns of those victimized who feels the political way is standing in the way of judiciary decisions; security concerns of all citizens; abuse of media. Why is it so hard Zimbabwe?
As I wandered around the Kopje area, I came across screams of "Kanzuruuuuu, Kanzuruuuu!!!!!!" and a dangerous pandemonium ensuing. The situation was tense and dangerous. One has to be strong to avoid being fallen in the melee and stampede. It was a sad site.
My quick observation was that Harare has been turned into a Mupedzanhamo and I did not need to be a rocket scientist to come to a quick conclusion that the decay is a result of lack of strong, strategic, and accountable Kanzuru leadership. Another painful realization was the reluctance of the society to challenge the trend and their acceptance of the status quo.
The mess made me shift my plans to buy Bambara beans from Mbare musika. While Harare has turned into a Mupedzanhamo, I am not sure what to compare Mupedzanhamo to. I could not even imagine buying anything from Mbare. There is huge risk in terms of health, kombis - because the congestion is now severe and kombi drivers have come up with their own rules, and people all over the streets and sidewalks. Add vendors to this situation and you have the best recipe for disaster.
In short, the country is now hell - what I wondered most was where do this people go to use the toilets? I did not see public toilets anywhere I went and yet there are thousands of people roaming the streets.
And then a thought came to my mind - how is this mess going to be turned around? Honestly I cry for my beloved country. Those people in power, and those people trying to get power are all crooks. Any honest person will never wish to take such a mess as the one in Zimbabwe is.
For me, the turnaround needed in Zimbabwe requires a united front. It requires people coming together for the good of the country. It requires convening of a Sovereign National Conference (DARE) to chart a new way forward for the country. Anything short of that will result in Zimbabwe sliding into political, economic, social abyss.
I do not understand why it is so hard for my fellow Zimbabweans to rise above self and consider the: plight of the youth who have never known how it feels to hold a job; the young beautiful girls who are forced to sleep around with men older than their fathers; citizens whose vote never counts; fears of workers who distrust the central bank; concerns of those victimized who feels the political way is standing in the way of judiciary decisions; security concerns of all citizens; abuse of media. Why is it so hard Zimbabwe?
Source - Wezhira Sam
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