Is Zimbabwe’s Independence worth celebrating? - Kpanie Addy, S.J.
April 19, 2008
On the eve of the 28th anniversary of Zimbabwe’s independence, I responded to a text message greeting sent to me by a Nigerian colleague with the following words: “Thanks. Have a pleasant holiday tomorrow. The state of Zimbabwe and that of our own nations tell us we’ve got work on our hands. Goodnite”. This terse message I sent suddenly provoked me into deep thinking about the phenomenon of annual Independence Day celebrations in a number of our African countries such as Zimbabwe, Somalia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and even Ghana, the proverbial pacesetter. What follows expresses in part the fruit of my thoughts.
Zimbabwe’s 28th anniversary of independence is taking place against the backdrop of a volatile political climate and within a crippling economic environment. The results of the not-too-recently conducted presidential election are, as at the time of writing this, yet to be disclosed, a situation that has led to a high level of uncertainty and anxiety within the population. The country is presently recording four digit inflation, evidence of which is seen in the sporadic increase in prices. Commuting from Mount Pleasant to Harare’s central business district which until last week was pegged at 20 million dollars (yes!) now costs 30 million dollars. The provision of quality education and health care suffers in such an environment. There is genuine concern about whether secondary schools will be able to operate when the school term begins in a couple of weeks. Nurses in hospitals report for duty, so I am told, with their own candles in order to make the ward rounds at night when hospitals are plunged into darkness due to Harare’s incessant power cuts; they have to rely on candles because there is either no money to run generators or no diesel to fuel them. There is very little to celebrate about independence in such circumstances.
By remarkable coincidence, Zimbabwe’s 28th anniversary of independence was a day after Kenya made history with the inauguration of its coalition government and the swearing-in of Raila Awolo Odinga as Prime Minister. But when one adds up all the figures: the size of this government stands at 92 ministers and deputy ministers; the estimated salary of each minister is within the range of US$16,000 per month; each minister will be provided with two fuel-guzzling official vehicles and so forth, one is left with the emptying feeling that Kenya has indeed made history but for all the wrong reasons. In my view, what the world witnessed in Kenya on April 17th was the epitome of political parasitism. Yes, the government that came into existence that day represents the lesser of two evils when one recalls that this government was part of a deal brokered to end the internecine carnage that broke out in Kenya following their own post-electoral troubles. But at such a cost! In Kenya as in several other African countries, we see how the political arena, far from being distinguished by public-spiritedness and civic responsibility, is now dominated by vultures feeding on the remains of an already crushed population. Wole Soyinka gave expression to this phenomenon when he referred to most African democracies as kleptocracies – the rule of thieves!
When our Independence Day celebrations occur within the context of such dismal realities – total government failure and/or the parasitism of our elected representatives – we legitimately question the significance of independence. The pomp of cultural shows, military parades, and flag-raising ceremonies is lost on us. Rhetoric about upholding national sovereignty and pride, about how we shall never be a colony again is seen for what it is, illusory and empty. Sometimes, even in spite of ourselves, we may actually pine for those days under the colonial masters. At least, life then was better than it is now.
I am not one for a return to the shackles of colonial rule. For me, Kwame Nkrumah’s dictum holds true: “Better independence with danger than servitude in tranquillity”. I am all for a re-interpretation of independence, however. Our African countries are in dependence. Today, what we need is a conceptual reorientation that sees independence not in terms of our nations being independent from Britain, France, or Portugal but in dependence on you and me. The progress, stability, and success of Zimbabwe, Somalia, Kenya, Ghana and the host of other African countries that are either still meandering in the woods or just emerging from them depends on us citizens taking up the risk of self-rule. This calls for public-spiritedness, genuine civic responsibility, interest in the affairs of government seen in our readiness to take our representatives to task, diligence in the performance of our own duties, generosity and availability for public service, abhorrence of corruption, respect for rule of law, and eager participation in the political process. Our renewed understanding of independence as in dependence will direct our interest always on ways in which we can better the lot of our nations. For various African nationals working or studying overseas – the growing number of Africans in Diaspora – the cultivation of these civic virtues should be complemented by an enthusiasm to return home to participate in the task of national reconstruction rivalled only by the zeal that gripped our nationalist leaders when they contemplated working to attain independence. Our understanding of national independence in terms of our nation’s dependence on us will thus inaugurate what we may call the second stage of African independence that will not only be directed at ensuring political gains but will focus also on the socio-economic transformation of our countries.
I conclude this piece the way I ended my day on the eve of Zimbabwe’s 28th anniversary of independence. I sent out a number of text messages to Zimbabwean friends. It read as follows: “Shamwari, have a pleasant holiday tomorrow. The state of Zimbabwe and that of many of our African nations tell us that we’ve got work on our hands. Our nations are in dependence – dependent on us. May our celebrations be tempered by this realisation. I share that hope and challenge with you. Happy In-dependence!”
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2 Responses to “Is Zimbabwe’s Independence worth celebrating? - Kpanie Addy, S.J.”
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Don’t worry, the Chinese will bring back the days of colonialism. See what they are doing in Zimbabwe? You’re next…..
Hi Kojo,You are product of UCC and you have tasted the word “survivor” for how long will our sister be yearning for freedom or is it different from what the people IRAG also fought for years back.Papa BUSH generations will never forgive you if you fail to send men to out MUGABE.SHAME AFRICAN LEADERS