The meaning of ‘independence day’ to a Zimbabwean refugee
April 30th, 2009
This is a second blog from a Zimbabwean refugee, still living in South Africa and still afraid to return to Zimbabwe. These are his thoughts on Independence Day.
Refugees met on Independence day to show South Africa, Africa, and the world what they think and feel about independence in Zimbabwe.
In actual fact, I personally, I have nothing to celebrate on this so-called Independence day.
Taking history from my Mum, in 1984 I was six years old when ZANU PF started the Gukurahundi in Matabeleland. It was after Independence.
In that year, when my both parents were hiding in the bush, I became unconscious because of starvation. I nearly died.
To me Independence is a day that the government tries to cover up the killings which they did. I am angry I cannot celebrate.
Now that I am grown up and chose to be part of a certain political party, why is Zanu PF not happy to have a multi-party democracy? If we are independent why do they want to rule forever? Why are there no free and fair elections? Why don’t they allow another Zimbabwean-led political party to rule after being voted democratically by the majority?
If we are independent why are there still human rights abuses done by the leaders who claim fought for democracy?
I am not independent. I am oppressed by politically power hungry and greedy leaders. I am angry the Zimbabwean leaders meet to celebrate so called Independence when I am a destitute here in South Africa, afraid to go home just because I was accused of politically motivated crimes for simply campainging for the MDC.
I have been oppressed by my own black brothers. I am not independent.
April 30th, 2009 16:12
Unless the government is encouraged to bring about genuine democracy in Zimbabwe and liberalize the political environment, the long-term economic outlook will remain bleak. Corruption can only be stifled if a free flow of information is available, through ongoing investigative reporting which exposes corruption.
The facade of democracy built up by Zanu-PF over many years must be thrown, and continue to be thrown, in disarray. The MDC must not allow its ability to organize and mobilize its opposition to be thwarted, for the Mugabe regime’s only real underlying goal is to hold on to power. But if MDC can mount enough challenges to be effective, both commercially and politically, regime change may well be achievable.
April 30th, 2009 18:13
“I am not independent. I am oppressed by politically power hungry and greedy leaders.”
Independence is not the same thing as freedom.
Libya, for example, has independence but no freedom. Texas has freedom but is not independent.
If you want freedom as well as independence, you have to struggle for it, as the ancestors of the citizens of free countries did. (And the present citizens have to be eternally vigilant to preserve their freedom.)
April 30th, 2009 20:37
@Don Cox – It occurs to me then, quite rightly Don, that one does not ‘need’ both freedom AND independence. If I had to choose – as Zimbabweans might have to – I would settle for what Texas has many times over before what Libya has.
But that takes a certain maturity to realise, yes?
May 7th, 2009 22:55
sorry that your writings have only brought the muses of several texans to your attention. i have several friends here in cleburne texas that are originally from zimbabwe. most have regrets about not being at home just like you do about being in south africa. the folks i know have become very dedicated texans (americans) in their outlooks and enjoy and take advantages of the opportunities that poltical and economic freedoms allow. no one here is giving them any special breaks, they are making it on their own achievements by hard work. thats what will eventually take back zimbabwe from the likes of mugabe and his followers. keep the faith