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The angel with broken wings crash lands in Zimbabwe
Clyde B. Chakupeta
April 08, 2008

Mr Mugabe, with all due respect, I want to thank you, on behalf of the Zimbabwe population for what you have done for the country, both good and bad, the later dominating. You might be wondering and in surprise what happened? To you, this loss was a tsunami or kurohwa hezvishiri. Just to remind you of the not so few mistakes that led us to vote for change.

The Gukurahundi escapade was the biggest mistake you ever made, but because we were swimming in the currents of joy for independence, you managed to get away with that. Then came the Land Reform, where you instructed assumed war veterans to occupy illegally the so called white farms. They did this in style, raping, killing and destroying the farming system of the country. Many farms were grabbed, but surely Mr Mugabe, in your deepest conscience, how many farms have been fully utilized? Take stock of production more than occupation.

As if that was not enough, in May 2005, Operation Murambatsvina destroyed our houses and left close to a million people homeless. This project of yours was condemned widely, but being the Jesuit educated stubborn man that you are, you ignored. You "withdrew" us out of the Commonwealth, and went on to beat torture and kill our brothers and sisters in the civil society and opposition. You never tolerated any criticism and anointed yourself a demi-god. In life Mr Mugabe, success is not measured by the words we speak, but by the actions we take.

We expected from you, sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, the improvement of physical, intellectual, social and economic health through services as health, education, trade, commerce, employment, rural and urban development, housing etc. We looked forward to good governance, which is vital for the happiness of people, something called in modern language Gross National Happiness. GNH is the responsibility of the state to create the right environment where the citizen can seek and find happiness, the goal of life, according to the ancient Greeks. Governance is the foundation upon which a country-s political stability, economic success, conflict resolution, efficient service delivery and basic human rights rest. Mugabe, unfortunately and painfully failed in all this.

We would have wanted to retain you, but the results on the ground show otherwise. You campaigned vigorously basing your hopes on the land issue, but this time, we showed you that you are a great orator, but cannot deliver the results. You pride yourself in saying you are returned wealth to the blacks, yet there is no proof to that. We are a starving nation, a nation with the highest inflation, a nation with empty shop shelves, a nation with a deteriorating health system, alarming rates of corruption at the highest level, an education system that has failed and poor or non-existent social services. Mr Mugabe, success is never a secret for those who are committed and willing to execute. Results and performance cannot be hidden. Mediocrity can also not be hidden for long. To expect to reap where one did not sow is fraud. You have failed to deliver and for us to vote for you would be tantamount to suicide. Biblically, the Gospels say, when salt has lost its saltness, it is thrown out to be trodden under feet by men. You have lost taste and we are sending you to the trash bin. The recycle bin is not for you, we don-t want to recycle you.

Because we praised and hailed you so highly soon after independence, without checking properly your credentials of love for humanity, over love of self, we anointed you saint and saviour. That was a mistake on our part. Absolute power has corrupted you absolutely. Yours is an embroilment of an addiction to power. For your benefit, addiction is "any activity, substance, object or behaviour that has become the major focus of a person-s life to the exclusion of other activities, or that has began to harm the individual or others physically, mentally or socially". In your case with respect, after misruling us for twenty-eight horrible years, this last election proved that we are politely awarding you the "much deserved retirement". In this context thus, we voted against you and want change. We all know that you are in shock and surprise, something that you never thought would happen has happened.

We chose change because it is no secret that our country is in a sorry state. We would have wanted you to stay longer, but what is obtainable on the ground proves otherwise. You make noise about black empowerment, yet the nation is starving because of you. Unfortunately we have reached the sunset of your misery to the people of Zimbabwe and we welcome gently the sunrise of the expected glories of Tsvangirai. Please respect our wishes.

Pluck a leaf from the former premier of the island of Barbados, Owen Authur. When he lost the election held on January 15 this year, he made a public statement accepting defeat and admitting responsibility of whatever happened during his years are Prime Minister. He said in Chamber (an I quote), "I want without equivocation or without any reservation to accept full and utter responsibility for everything that was done by any officer, by any member of cabinet, by any official during the three terms that I was leader of this country, I accept utter responsibility" (The Daily Nation 27 March 08 - Barbados). In the political circles, this was regarded as a pearl of wisdom. Mugabe should learn from the Barbadian out going Prime Minister who accepts political responsibility and accountability to the people even if the Prime Minister, pro tempore, did not actually know of some wrong doing

To the High Court hearing the case by the MDC for ZEC to release the results of the presidential election, we expect impartiality. Allegations of torture as well as incidences of alleged misconduct on the part of the government official are not trivial matters and if not addressed timeously and in a proper manner, cast a dark and unsavoury shadow over the entire policing and justice system since an Orwellian impression can be created that some are more equal than others. Why would ZANU PF call for a recount even before the results are released? Does that show that they have the privilege before the electorate and the MDC to view the results? Some are more equal than others!

Finally, we all expect from the new government, an honest management of public goods, commitment to the rule of law and the promotion of the right and duty of all citizens to participate in the society. This is time to involve ourselves in constructive engagement and to hope. This is an opportunity for us to display a greater stance towards unity, racial equality, reconciliation, fairness, accountability, transparency, good governance and political stability - all in rebuilding our battered country. I borrow from better minds than mine. Rabindranauth Tagore says, "I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw a life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy". Such an attitude should fill us. To serve and only through that would we obtain happiness and joy, not for a select few, but for all Zimbabweans. Prosperity must not be privatized, but should be a communal destiny, out goal and desire for the nation.

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