In light of recent events, Zimbabweans have had some time to reflect on the rollercoaster ride that has been the past 37 years. A nation that has been fighting for it’s independence as far as it can remember has been left battered, bruised and gasping for air not knowing quite what to think. We saw thousands take to the streets of Harare in celebration of Mugabe’s resignation, whilst those who couldn’t make it ‘cheersed’ over a beer in typical Zim style.
Left scattered all over the world, Zimbabweans are crossing their fingers in hopes of a brighter future. But honestly, they’re just a bit tired. With an unclear and rocky road ahead, no one is jumping on to the next plane to Harare quite yet.
AN INSIDE PERSPECTIVE
RUSSELL HONEYMAN: Zimbabwe post-2000
“The collapse of everything that Zimbabwe was before the year 2000, sort of a multi cultural, diverse, happy paradise for many, really collapsed me, because everything that i was was bound up in was this dream of Zimbabwe, of fulfilling the dream of the African renaissance.”
The year 2000 was a significant year for many. Human rights atrocities and economic turmoil under Zanu-PF’s rule left the country in a state of upheaval. Their refusal to step down despite the majority win for MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) in the 2000 elections was a step that caused many like Russell to flee. His dreams of a utopia in which skin colour, religion and culture did not matter were crushed.
“Mugabe told us in 2000 that this shared dream was worthless and that this was never a struggle for democracy. This was always a struggle for power and control of the land and now he and his armed men were empowered and no longer prepared to listen to a democratic voice and to introduce this liberal democracy that we all thought we fought for.”
FADZAI HAMBURGH: Opportunities and family
Despite the turmoil and oppression that forced Fadzai out of her home country and to leave her son and daughter, unwell parents and everything she knew behind, she believes coming to the diaspora was “the best experience” for her. Although she was unable to attend her Father’s funeral nor be by her Mother’s side, opportunities made her more financially supportive from the UK than she ever would have been having stayed.
“Growing up in Zimbabwe I felt very marginalised as an artist in terms of this cultural upbringing. I was never accepted as a woman artist. In the late 80’s the way we behaved and the way we dressed was not suitable for the conventional African girl. So coming abroad has actually equipped me with the ability to be myself, although under sad circumstances of having to live in exile from the Mugabe regime.”
SHAYNA SHEIKH: Scepticism about the future
Although Mugabe is no longer in power, the Zimbabwean army that has stood by his side for 37 years continues to run the country. With Emmerson Mnangagwa, former vice-president, taking the reign, Shayna worries that Zimbabwe has still not won it’s battle for democracy.
“Everyone is celebrating an army takeover and what that really means is that we still don’t have a voice and the army are still in control.”
In light of knowledge that over 20,000 Ndebele people were strategically murdered and countless women raped under Mugabe’s watch, Shayna feels that Zimbabweans deserve an apology. “I think Mugabe recognised what they’d done was uncalled for and atrocious, but there has never been an apology. Mnangagwa in his speech spoke of how ‘we should forgive’, but he never once said ‘forgive me.’”
For this reason, Shayna won’t be throwing a party just yet. “I’m not prepared to celebrate yet. If I’m wrong and there is a general election next year which is not rigged then I will then happily eat my hat and and celebrate. I will then have a party, and I will then send out my apologies for running down everyone else’s celebration.”
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