From Hope to Ruins.........Zimbabwe

By Black September memoirs-(Retlaw  Matatu Matorwa)

April 1987, Old Tafara Bus terminus was a hive of jubilation. Doors were left unlocked, food burnt to charcoal. Children playing Hwishu took their heels, on instincts, my friends and I followed the masses. Streets were empty as everybody gathered to the scene of attraction. Approaching the scene ZANU (PF) Activists Mai Bazil-Dzangare, Mai Zamani, Mai Chapasuka and others were busying around.  

The Prime Minister of the Republic and his First lady visited our community. When we arrived, Mugabe was going around greeting people. Clad in a ZANU PF T-shirt, Khaki trousers, a sliver watch and brown shoes. I shuffled to the front row, to make sure I do not miss his handshake.  

I was thrilled meeting an icon who appeared every day on news at 8 O’clock in person. News was the only program we watched last as a family; its ending comes sleeping curfew.

Those were days of see and hear no evil style of upbringing, words such as “kunyenga” and Julex would earn you beatings.

Dallas and Falcon crest were obscene for us, your own mother lying to your face “children are bought from hospital.” When your parents were just a part of your life, children belonged to the community. It was not unusual for Mai Maponga, Mudhara Nyamuzihwa or Mai Tarwireyi to discipline you before your parents. There were no strangers in our community, everyone was your relative.

Eventually, I found my way to his hand. I looked at him seeking eye contact but none came my way. He released my hand and I ran ahead to get another chance. This time he looked at me with a smile and said “Iwewe ndambokumhoresa.”

Sally Mugabe was handing out clothes to the public. She was dressed in ZANU PF attire and simple flats. Sally Mugabe was a darling to many she was humble, so down to earth and calm individual. It was easy for her to relate with other women. She was comfortable in her skin and  never bragged about her family empire. On no account did she use her husband’s title to get approval. Zimbabweans just loved her. She was not a person who competed for limelight.

Robert had a charismatic, cool, sweet and cheerful ambiance; no use for long oratory speeches to convince crowds. His presence was assuring enough “I have you at heart”.

He made a short speech acknowledging problems in our community. Promising us  sewages ponds were to be removed and relocated to Ruwa or KwaRoo. Little did he know twelve years later, that location would be one of Harare’s porshy suburbs of ZIMRE Park.

Alas, to date those sewage ponds still exist. As young boys, we enjoyed taking a straw round the ponds. Our main attraction was sneaking at unsuspecting lovebirds enjoying the comfort of the green lawn. It became a hideout for couples.My childhood friends Gilbert Maredza, Onward Mabhuru, Carlos Juma and I became notorious for stealing sugarcane from there. Even, the Chibatamoto’s Privilege Takawira and Yvonne Takawira- Matwaya owned a vegetable garden there. Those beautiful girls grew up eating those vegetables!

In 1987, bread costs 0.55cents, a kilo of meat 0.30 cents, bus to town 0.7 cents, milk plus candy cake 0.10cents, 50 kgs mealie-meal 12.50c, 10 Kingsgate 0.20 cents, tomatoes 0.5 cents and my school fees 2.00. At City Council offices known as KwaSuprintendent garbage bins and newspapers were issued free. Whenever, one buys 20-50 kg’s of mealie meal it was delivered to your house. Milk and bread vans sold their merchandise in our street each morning.

My father comfortably cared for his five children without cutting on his beers. Families were happy, our mothers enjoyed being housewives, and there wasn’t pressure with the economy. Marriages worked, our mothers were content, rarely did you hear them complaining of being needy. Getting reliable maternity service was not an issue. Nurses made impromptu visits to monitor if the newly born is being given adequate care. Free health checkups at school, free text and exercise books. We had life and Mugabe was our man. Surely, there was hope, so much Hope and lots of it.

A week after his visit, one Party State campaign started and I participated in support of the motion. This marked my first interaction with political activism even though I lacked understanding of the subject. We sang “Tinoda one party state”. To date have no idea what became of this campaign.

Had Mugabe rescinded power in 1990, No doubt he still would be adored; leaders to follow would have had it rough fitting his shoes. Mugabe would have had credit for a viable economy, social services infrastructure, peacemaker and national liberator status. He had potential to be glorified just like Nelson Mandela. Alternatively, he would be a respected statesman heading peace missions and negotiations in the region and abroad. Mugabe would have retained a fatherly, kingmaker and voice of reason status. His family would be guaranteed of a prosperous future but his death is likely to change their fortune.  Mugabe had opportunities to leave power with his name intact, blameless and hero worshiped. The liberation mentality and mafia syndrome would have departed this country; to date liberation war credentials are now a tool of holding the country at ransom. Despite criticism leveled against him, Nelson Mandela would have told his countrymen, I did my best during my time as president I never splashed your millions like Jacob Zuma.  South Africans have something to compare with.

As for President Mugabe, we are busy being told you are the best, but I wonder compared to whom? You are running the race alone, give people a comparative opportunity and let us admit to it without being coerced. The truth is ZANU PF and Robert Mugabe will be remembered for bringing hopelessness, corruption, social and economic debauchery. For being a self centered, egoistic and oppressive regime, ruling the country like an Italian Mafia. Social services declined dismally our hospitals equipment are now obsolete, health care is now a privilege of the few.

Long after you have departed, you will be remembered for crashing the hopes of our people. Future leaders will make excuses in your name; you have taken our promised land to ruins. Your good are now being outweighed by your failures and mistakes.