A Dispensation of Mixed Signals #IndependenceDay

By Grace Mutandwa, Opinion

Zimbabwe has been independent from colonial and minority rule for 38 years – a period that has been fraught with political restlessness, economic decline and a general sense of spirit-breaking hopelessness.

Today Zimbabweans turned out in their thousands yet again to commemorate their hard-won independence. They did so under a new dispensation birthed through military assistance in November last year. Robert Mugabe is no longer president. His former deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa is the new man at the top.

In spite of the hardships they have endured since 2000 most Zimbabweans value independence and celebrate it. Under Mugabe things went terribly wrong but it is important that we appreciate and take time to remember with gratitude the supreme sacrifice made by those who fought in the 1970s war of liberation.

Every year on this day many hope, that beyond the presidential speech and the mass displays, Zimbabwe might actually turn a corner and witness a new lease of life.

Since Mnangagwa took over he has spoken about the need for peace, tolerance and promised that this was now a new era and that things would be done differently under him. He has been speaking the language of a man who desperately wants the country’s economy to work but there is still no clarity on how this will happen. One would like to believe that Mnangwagwa’s vision and hopes are shared by his partners in the government.

On the eve of independence Vice President Constantino Chiwenga fired 15 000 striking nurses. He described their industrial action as being politically motivated. A few weeks ago, government announced it would terminate employment of the more than 3 000 youth officers engaged during the Mugabe era. The youth officers whose jobs were in recognition of their support of Zanu PF were largely seen as an unnecessary burden to the fiscus. Needless to say, the decision was reversed.

Every parent who has children who graduated from university listened to Mugabe in 2013 promising to create more than two million jobs, knew this was an empty promise but still hoped he would somehow make good on his promise. They wanted jobs for their children. Fast forward to November 2017 – Mnangagwa takes over and promises that his focus will be job creation and once again Zimbabweans hope this will actually happen even when some are sceptical.

But when the president preaches employment creation and one of his second-in-command fires 15 000 nurses for demanding fair remuneration and decent work conditions, it does feel like we have entered yet another cycle of an administration at war against itself. The mixed signals are dizzying.

Spoken good intentions are important but they need to be followed through with positive action. There is also need for the leaders of government to pull in the same direction. The government badly needs a working Zimbabwe to retain a foothold on the ruling ladder.

No doubt Mnangagwa wants to show that he can bring about economic change but does his team share his vision? It is refreshing to see him treat leaders of the opposition with respect during the commemorations and make an effort to make the day a national day of celebration but when his deputy throws shade on his efforts it is not only worrying but confusing.

Industrial action by health officials has disastrous effects – many patients die unattended which makes it hard for common people sometimes to empathise with nurses but there is need for both the nurses and government to reach a compromise that moves the country forward.

Independence day should be more than simply looking back but should be a day of renewal, a day to commit to new beginnings and a day to work for the rehabilitation of the country.