Photo Credit: Gary Bembridge, First Street, Harare, Zimbabwe
From a very young age, I was taught that the country of my birth was haunted by the lingering effects of its tragic history. Similar to the fiery images of hell reserved for the wicked, the horrors inflicted upon its own people were ingrained in my mind at an early stage. Through these narratives, I learned that this was a place devoid of compassion, and the duty of my generation was to confront these demons. The historical background of my nation sheds light on the current turmoil within its institutions and society.
This republic is a product of capitalism, tribalism, racism, and militarism, lacking the refinement and prosperity to earn respect from other oppressors. To truly grasp the present state of Zimbabwe, one must be willing to delve into the heart of the tumultuous state and society, almost akin to descending into the depths of hell. Shall we commence our exploration around 1923?
From August 1890, Zimbabwe was under British rule, governed by the British South Africa Company (BSAC), established by the controversial Cecil John Rhodes, a prominent figure in the Cape Colony. The BSAC administered the colonial territory for nearly thirty years. In 1923, the minority white settlers chose to transition from company rule to self-governance. The British government presented them with two options: to become self-governing or to join the Union of South Africa, leading to the claim that Zimbabwe is South Africa’s tenth province. They opted for self-governance.
Thus, the era of company rule ended, ushering in self-governance for the white minority. Amidst these changes, the indigenous population was entirely excluded from discussions on self-determination. It would be remiss to recount this chapter without acknowledging the plight of the unfortunate natives. In 1923, the colonial administration and the British colonial office dismissed the reinstatement of the Ndebele monarchy and the natives’ proposal for Matabeleland to become a British protectorate, akin to Lesotho and Eswatini.
In 1923, the teapot-shaped region was established as a country, forming a sovereign state. The state evolved into a Westphalian construct devoid of the people’s interests. To truly grasp the predicament settler colonies face, one must recognize that these states are designed for self-preservation and evolution. With each era, the state adapts its language to suit the times, yet its inherent nature is to oppress and exploit those deemed inferior by their peers. As dictated by the Westphalian system, the state gained independence to the detriment of the natives within its borders.
The state exercised its independence with impunity, serving its owners when necessary. The Tonga people were displaced from their ancestral lands to make room for a dam, while preferential treatment was granted to animals airlifted from their flooded habitats. The San (Tshwao) were also displaced to create the Hwange National Park. Southern Rhodesia, as the state came to be known, relocated the natives to arid and rocky reserves.
I refuse to believe that the end of colonialism translated to justice. It later became evident that the transition of power from a white supremacist regime to a black majority was merely a facade masking the evolving state. Soon after, genocide unfolded against ethnic minorities. I wish people could have seen then that the genocide was the prelude to what the state had in store for all of us. The Gukurahundi genocide became the template of the post-colonial era state of unease that many fellow countrymen would experience.
There is no doubt that the state is keen to serve the interests of the few. It is not lost on me that this country devours its young. One cannot read Alan Patton and amuse oneself with the thought that this country can never be wept for, and really, where would one find the indecency to call it beloved? How do you love something intent on destroying you at every opportunity it gets? The skeletons of this state are its caste system and insatiable desires for exploited labour and resources.
