Zimbabwe is a country at war. Though many have said the land issue is Chimurenga 3, a new war.., the fact is that today's situation is a continuation of a problem Zimbabweans were tricked into thinking had gone away.
All of Zimbabwe's Chimurenga Uprisings centred on one basic thing, and one basic thing alone... The, "Peoples'," entitlement to a fair share in their most easily accessible means to production... The land they lived on. Now, in the first version of this uprising, the People were pacified by Brute force... They lay dormant for years, till they felt equipped enough to rise to action once more. This time, they proved irresistible.., but just before they could claim an undeniable victory, they were pacified once more... this time through cunning.., the cunning of Political force.
Our ageing generation of Revolutionaries is only now beginning to realise how at Lancaster House, London England, victory was stolen from the People once again.
Calling the Revolutionaries out from the bushes of the backyard they were beginning to claim back, to, "discuss things," at a meeting held in the Oppressors' own homeland, (over delightful teas & crumpets I suspect,) was a very great move! It bought the Revolutionaries, who were fighting on behalf of the People, into territory whose rules they were at that stage quite unfamiliar with. The Political territory.
Back then, as it still is today, Economics, - meaning access to the means to produce, - is the main area through which the few Oppressors control the many. Politics, meaning the policies used to administer the means of production, has come to be used by the, "owners," as a glorified form of management... Now where the, "owners," once were the People, Politics is now firmly in the hands of the few Oppressors. This means that in today's world, Politics and its politicians are controlled by those few who "own" our world. Politicians, such as Mugabe, Mbeki and the Bush's & Browns of this world, have become a buffer, behind which those with control of Economy can hide...
People generally "vote" for a government every 7 years... thus where a government could be focusing on doing good for those that elect them, they have to must every few years, divert their attention to fighting electoral fights. Those who "own" the economy are in no such dilemma. In fact many of today's multinational companies have been in the hands of the same families for generations! This allows them a continuity that ensures that the ideas their companies believe and act on, stay firmly within the control of the few, "owners." Yet it has come to be seen as normal, "democracy," that governments, who represent the much more important interests of the Greater Good, must keep changing like a game of musical chairs.
In the UK & US, standard bearers of today's modern "democracy," the people generally vote between the limited choice of either/or.., in that their are really only two main political parties in both countries. This is again a device that has developed to give those who, "own," the economy, further power to control politics. As opposed to those in politics working together on proper behalf of the people, to ensure the means of production are fairly managed, politics becomes about, "opposing," sides. This takes away from the role of politicians being servants, "ministers," chosen to co-operate in representing the collective interests of the People.., reducing Politics to something quite similar to the UK's premiership football!!
The tension between Chelsea & Manchester United fans produces alot of emotion in the fans who truly believe in, and place confidence in, 'their,' teams... They even buy, 'their,' teams respective Tshirts & scarfs! Then they pay to watch the games, in stadiums they passionately feel are, 'theirs...' On another level, You have the teams' players and managers.., in whom fanatical fans missplace even more of their faith in.., Treating Mourinho like the, "Speacial One," who will fight it out for them on the football pitch.., Yet, the players and managers, despite what they may say in TV interviews and at press events, have a more realistic view, in that behind closed doors, they know that they know who thier true masters are. As shown by Mourinho's assertion about, no longer caring about Chelsea, within a day of his dismissal, managers and players are really only mercenaries, who play actually for whichever club offers them the best deal... Hence all in all, it takes little genius to see how the only people who really benefit from all the fans' hot air, are the few Owners & Shareholders... These are the Oppressor few who really control these clubs...
Yet, since in today's times, the common Zimbabwean is continually being conditioned to keep believeing in the idea that, the only way to have a proper say, is through the political process.., those who really, "own,'" the powerless political 'teams,' continue to enjoy good hiding cover. Just like England's reknowned football hooligans, already struggling Zimbabweans are being manipulated, into having it out with each other in the streets, over a meaningless illusion.
So to start actually addressing the real problems of hunger and hopelessness plaguing our land, (very economic, "sadza & nyama," issues..,) we must start asking the right questions... Which are; who has, "owned," who, "owns," and who is trying to, "own," the means of production in Zimbabwe?
Because our country is in such a position where our People are struggling for just basic development, (where development does not relate to our People gaining access to a wider choice of consumer things to buy.., BUT true development, in the sense of them achieving the means to sustainably feed, house and clothe themselves..,) the questions turn into, who are the real people fighting so hard to either, keep, maintain or gain the, "ownership," of our country's most basic means of production... Our very Land itself. Which brings us back to where the first Chimurenga began.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Intersestingly you talk about companies owning the means of production- It was not the british government of the time that settled rhodedsia but the company that had as a chairman a guy by the name of cecil john rhodes. The wealthy have always controlled the means of production- maybe one day this will change but not probably in our life time.
You talk with rose tinted spectacles about the time before Rhodesia- In some ways for them that lived there it would have been cool but it would have been extremly tough also- Childhood mortality would be high- life expectancy short- and the people that lived there also clashed with each other in conflicts. The population of zimbabwe then ( pre 1890) for these reasons would have been small under a million say probably a lot less. The way they lived has gone and would be impossible now for a population now exceding 10 million.
Getting rid of all the farmers in such a short space of time without replacing them is a major reason for the food shortages zimbabwe is now experiencing- Anyone who does not atleast acknowledge this fact is deluding oneself.
Democracy has many failings- no one can deny this but it is the best system that in my opinion humans have come up with (and in case you were woundering it was not a british concept). Democracy is a system that many countries have adopted because it is as fair a system as can be acheived.
As a human on this planet who owns none of it(my dwelling is not even on terafirma) I beleive that earth should be for all of us and that no one should be excluded just because of skin colour
Post a Comment