How does the average African understand the meaning of 'Human Development'?

'Human development is defined as the process of enlarging people’s freedoms and opportunities and improving their well-being. Human development is about the real freedom ordinary people have to decide who to be, what to do, and how to live.'

Historically, development was mostly perceived in terms of economic performance. We have too long been preoccupied with material production and there has been a search for a good measure of it. Surely, per capita income has been proved to be a good candidate and has dominated the scene ever since. One can ask - why per capita income? First it is an attractive single indicator for assessing economic performance. Second, it is also useful to for dividing the world into groups as in rich and poor, developed and developing, which may be a good criteria for allocating official development assistance at international level. We have seen how good reliable and solid data on national income accounts were available to calculate per capita income at a point of time and over time.

Nowadays, development is not about economic performance alone, but most importantly about people and their well-being. I guess some will ask why should we shift from economic performance to people and what is the rationale? The reality is because people are the ultimate objective of development. Economic growth is not an end by itself, it is a means to enhancing people’s lives. The benefits of growth must be translated into lives of people.

Contrary to the above, in Zimbabwe some seem not to fully grasp the concept of human development, certain section of our society associate it with economic empowerment [making money], academic excellence [having high level academic qualification]..but does having more money or high academic qualifications automatically translate to human development or are they just some of the components that can help human growth and development?

Today we have some sections of our society advocating for monarchs and within that monarch system a totem structured hierarchy that discriminates other tribes/totem names based on some concorted historical relevance. How can a monarch system recognise individual excellence and achievement if it's only limited to a particular family line based on some ancient selection criteria? Wait a minute I thought according to some historical accounts there were wars that disposed some of these monarch systems in the past where they would be replaced by the victor, so then why should any so called royal selection process be limited to a specific totem name and not consider individual qualities? Sadly we still have some sections of our population who seem to be treating politicians like monarchs and demi-gods and also advocating for some kind of a similar dynastical system.

Please don't get me wrong, I have no problems with individuals aspiring for political office with historically links with individuals who were prominent figures in society, however these aspiring candidates/leaders need to first demonstrate they have what it takes to be considered for those leadership roles based on a very authentic, transparent nomination and election process that also highlights their career track record and positive contributions in terms of their work with communities.

Why should we leap backwards when the rest of the word is leaping forwards? Our media is now more about personalities than productive and progressive socio-econmic and political issues capable of developing our societies, those who aspire for leadership seem more interested in positions and power rather than servitude and justice.

I believe that anyone committed to social justice and equal rights must concern themselves with the importance of encouraging equal opportunity as a way of helping to ensure that all individuals in our society have an equal opportunity to succeed. Some of our current crop of leaders have constantly failed to acknowledge that their socio-economic and political empowerment policies have so far been based on a partisan basis in addition to racial prejudice and discrimination of minorities based on spoken language,

For the past thirty four years, using race along with other highlighted factors has marginalised the educational experience on our nation’s Educational Insititutions and lessened equal opportunity for people from minority backgrounds in many aspect affecting human development.
If we are to innovate and develop human ability, knowledge and skill beyond current levels we should not forget the fact that first and foremost we are all 'Human Beings' before placing all other lables on ourselves.

Community Politics in a changing Zimbabwe

Politics will not work without the people playing an active part in the decision making process in terms of development in their Communities.There is no doubting that Zimbabwe needs a injection of ambitious leadership to inspire local communities and create a better future for the people and localities they intend representing.

The challenges that have been faced by local government since Zimbabwe's independence is to empower communities and individuals so that they feel a sense of ownership and pride of belonging to a nation where everyone is given a fair opportunity to unleash their full potential in life.

There is a serious need to encourage councillors to take the lead in devolving power back to the people and communities. This can be done by working closely with political parties that have the interest of the communities needs at heart, to create a culture of shared responsibility, developing and sharing their thinking on agreed agendas within both party traditions and values and within the communities moral and ethical boundaries.

Ubuntu or Hunhu has traditionally been one of the core beliefs of Zimbabwean society, however the centralised system of governance promoted by the ZANU PF led government since independence we have seen how the marginalisation of the periphery has grown at pace over the last 34 years, too often local communities have found themselves being dictated to from the centre. Power has remained largely in the grasp of the national politicians, and not in the hands of the people who elect them to those positions of authority.

The difference now is that there is exist an opportunity to reclaim that right by people committed to reversing that. Zimbabwe needs a people party that does not go around holding rallies and promising people unrealistic outcomes based on unverified and sources of investment, we need a party that is willing to have conversations with members of society, a party prepared to listen to what people have to say about the difficult situations they continually find themselves in. 

The era of presenting lucrative looking economic policy proposals that are disconnected from the reality on the ground are fast loosing their relevance in a society where individualism, greed and intollerance have become the centre of attraction. Zimbabwe now has an unparalleled opportunity to deliver on the changes that have been planned but not fully implimented for decades. The people together ralling behind an untainted political platform can now reverse creeping state centralisation, and put power back in the hands of local communities. 

It's time people realised that they have the power and will to turn government upside down – ‘power from bottom up, not top down’ – just like was espoused by those who fought for the independence from colonial rule before us.It's high time people had freedom to innovate. To experiment. To deliver their own ideas, not those imposed on them by technocrats consipiring with politicians to retain economic power and control of our national resources.

It would be naive of me or anyone else to think such an under-taking will all  be plain sailing, because it won't. It's public knowledge that due to the levels of corrupt practice across almost every sector of our social fabric, the nation’s finances have been left in a naked state by a ZANU PF government that was spending money from national resources as if it was their God given right to use it as they saw fit for their own personal and partisan needs.

There is no question that difficult decisions will need to be made, but that fact only makes a people's agenda even more crucial. Our Councils have been dis-empowered and therefore won’t be able to provide effective solutions to the problems that they face whilst wearing a centrally-imposed straight 
jacket. ‘Business as usual’ just isn’t an option any more. Many Councils will have to innovate and come up with new ideas and new solutions, ready or not. 

I am currently helping build a new political party called Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe Party, and getting stuck in grass-roots engagement, across three chapters (UK, South Africa and Zimbabwe), to a once in a life-time transformation of ‘them and us’ into ‘citizens of Zimbabwe’.We’ve got an immense opportunity ahead of us to really change the way we see politics and they way we make politics work for us. 

It's not what can my country or party do for me but what can I do to change what I want to see improved in my country.

How to Contact Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe Party

Public Enquiries : info@fjcz.org
Membership Enquiries : join-us@fjcz.org
Student Volunteering : fjcz-student@fjcz.org
Website : https://www.fjcz.org
Facebook Page : Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe Party

Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/FJCZIM

We all Dream, Martin Luther King had a Dream. However Dreams Need to be Lived in Reality

Independence Day April 18 1980 is a significant day in our history which all who understand and appreciate our history should appreciate as many before us made sacrifices to make it a possibility. However what has followed in the 34 years of political rule under ZANU PF and its leadership should not be endorsed as representing the kind of independence in the minds of the majority struggling people of Zimbabwe.

The mass migration of citizens out-side the country is a clear indicator that tells the realities of the disconnection current leaders have in terms of understanding and addressing the real needs of the populace, part of which includes access to opportunities and creating an environment conducive for economic growth and socio-political development. The high employment levels and the closing down of companies are all clear indicators of a failing system of governance.

In every society even the most developed societies in particular where capitalism has become the driving force of economies, there will always be a pyramid structure where a privileged few at the top with access to the control of the country’s most valuable resources will do everything in their power to maintain their domineering power structures in some cases with disregard to human dignity and respect for common laws.

Such was the situation during the colonial era where there was no fairness in terms of access to opportunities and resources, this cycle of suppression and oppression of the majority has changed hands and those who were our liberators have now become our worst nightmare, the new black elite conspiring in every section of society and using every dirty tactic in the book to suppress growing dissent against their greedy and selfish egoistic ways.

What's the solution? Because of changing times solutions require different and intelligent approaches, yes they may have achieved their means from the barrel of a gun but that approach today will not serve a progressive solution, if we have learnt anything from our past it should be that violence is destructive and leaves deep wounds that can remain in people's minds for many years after they have been inflicted.

So our war is to fight for changed attitudes, it's time we all realised that depending on someone else to fix our problem will not produce the results we want to see mostly because we prefer to be silent observers complaining from the side-lines without playing any part in helping design what we aspire for. we all have responsibilities and politicians should work for us not us working to fatten their pockets, people need to understand what transparency and accountability means in nation building.

As long as we remain in dependence mode reluctant and fearful of failure and the unknown future, expecting free hand-outs, free land, free companies, free hand-outs during election times without looking for ways to equip our-selves with the skills and knowledge to acquire those things on our own, we will remain enslaved to the thought of a better Zimbabwe one day with no realistic vision to attain those objectives.

Attitude is everything when you are willing to change your situation.

~Voice of Freedom~

34 Years has it been Independence or Dependence for most Zimbabweans? How about Me?

In 1972 aged 5, my mother packed our (Michael, Martin & Nathan) bags as we began a journey that would later lead to some of the most significant and memorable experiences we would have in our lives. As we left Zimbabwe for Botswana for the very first time all I could recall as a child was the excitement of travelling on the train, buses and later my first flight out of Africa. I also recall a moment when we met my late uncle Ngwiza who took us to a very dark room in Botswana, don’t ask me what the room was for as I don’t know but that dark moment is still engraved in my memory from the experience.

From Botswana our flight passed through Kenya where we stayed a few days before connecting to London and eventually arriving in the USA Washington D.C. My dad who had already left earlier was there to welcome us to this new environment with a Kentucky fried chicken meal. I obviously had no clue what the purpose and status of our living in the United States was however looking back now I would say that was the first time I was a political refugee. My dad had found us a house in a small town called Rose Mary Hills where I and my older brother Michael were enrolled at Rose Mary Hills Preparatory School.

During our stay in the USA we met Martin Luther King Junior’s family, John Denver the musician at a place called Sky Lake who took me for a boat ride and many other celebrated individuals that I cannot recall perhaps because there was no significant connection between me and them. Strangely I never even knew that my dad was busy studying for his Theological degree at the time nor his intentions or involvement in any political activities back home, but when I look back I can see similarities to what I have eventually found myself pursuing after returning to higher education in the U.K.

After a few years living in the USA the family eventually decided to return to then Rhodesia. My dad was arrested at the airport on arrival and sent to then Gatooma Prison (Kadoma Prison) and later transferred to WhaWha Detention Centre where he joined Joshua Nkomo, Robert Mugabe and many other political prisoners.  At the time though much older I still did not understand the political implications or the reasons why the police had suddenly taken away my dad. We moved to a new location called New Luveve where my mother got a teaching job at the local school Mashayisokhova Primary and where we were also enrolled. I joined in grade 5 and in the middle of grade 7 we moved from Bulawayo to live in Harare. Before our move to Harare my dad and all the other political prisoners were released from prison to go attend the Lancaster Agreement in London, it was on their return from talks to end the liberation war that Zimbabwe Independence was celebrated with Mugabe as first Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and Banana first President of Zimbabwe.

Again for me it was a moment of great excitement as we were put up at Meikles Hotel waiting for Lord Soames and his family to vacate State House. Whilst staying at the Meikles Hotel we bumped into a lot of world leaders who had come to attend Zimbabwe Independence Celebrations, we met Indira Ghandi who was Prime Minister of India, Captain Thomas Sankara who was President of Burkina Faso and Kenneth Kaunda then President of Zambia, by the way most of them met us bare footed running playing along the corridors of the hotel (free souls we were). Because of security and logistics we were not allowed to attend the independence celebration at Rufaro Stadium.

So after all dignitaries had departed back to their countries we eventually moved into what was to become our home for the next 8 years (State House Harare).  It was indeed an exciting moment for us as kids and probably for our parents too as I am sure they never ever imagined themselves rising to such levels in their careers though for me many things were probably happening faster than I could comprehend. Bob Marley and the Wailers were invited to State House to meet the President and his family and as usual our natural child mentality helped us find ourselves shaking hands with them barely dressed for the occasion, I don’t think Bob and crew minded but I’m sure my dad was not too impressed as future meetings the staff made sure we remained in our rooms. Gradually our new home became like an Luxurious Prison, naturally as kids you want to play with other kids, there was obviously plenty room to run your heart out and plenty grounds to take long walks, our friends became the State House Staff, the CIO a, the Police and Presidential Guards and eventually it became a very frustrating experience being unable to leave at will to visit friends from school.

 I guess our newly found independence did not really give us the kind of freedom we would have wanted to experience, everything eventually had red-tape and one could not simple walk out of the gate to go to the local shops. In the 8 years at State House we only had one State arranged holiday to Mozambique at the invitation of Samora and Gracia Machell, we had also been invited by the Royal Family in Sweden but red-tape meant the trips never materialised. As a way out of State House I personally started training with what was initially the staff football team that later became known as State House Tornados. That became my best ticket out of the executive prison and it kind of also helped me grow closer to most football players at the time.

Fast forward after my ‘O’ Levels which I had to try and fit in study during our holiday to Mozambique I did not get very good grades and some of my results were still not out, as with all influences I also wanted to proceed to try ‘A’ level study with the hope of studying Law at the University of Zimbabwe. Because my older brother had been attested into the Air force of Zimbabwe suggestions were thrown at me to join the Police Force, when I look back I think it was all an attempt to copy the British Royal Family blue print of ensuring  the children do some service in the forces.

Well when your dad is President and  commander in Chief you gradually also end up fear respecting him like all the staff members around him, I am sure it would not be nice to be seen to be answering him back in front of his Aides, so his Secretary convinced me if I joined the Police I would through them be sent to study my Law Degree at the University, so I eventually found myself at Tomlinson Training depot being trained as a Police Constable (I was not impressed as that was the lowest entry rank in the force which meant I had to salute everybody). My dad resigned from Office to make way for a new Executive Presidency designed to bring peace and prosperity to Zimbabweans after the dirty gukurahundi atrocities that saw the killing of Ndebele people. As a result of this change all that was planned for some of us became less important for obvious reasons.

Police work was too repetitive for me, so I left after 2 years’ service to join the Counter Insurgence Intelligence Unit in Mutare to work on cross border security work during the Mozambican Civil war with Renamo. I began living a very high risk life style working with JOC on operations along the border with Mozambique, I was well equipped with a pistol and 4 spare magazines, an AK 47 with another 4 spare magazines and a Land Cruiser 4x4 that could drive on any terrain. As with all first experiences in such scenario’s one is always uncomfortable and constantly alert but with time I no longer cared what would happen. There was times where I thought I was being sent on dangerous missions intentionally but always accepted and did my job to the best of my abilities. I eventually decided to transfer to Harare to join the Counter Intelligence Unit responsible for creating an anti-terrorist desk, the work was very interesting as I was responsible for South African Liberation Movements security threats and local Embassy screening for potential spies and terrorist organisations. Due to constantly being side-lined from promotion which was done in favour of ‘comrades’ and the increasing symptoms of corrupt practice within the institution I decided to call it quits after serving government for a total 8 years.

I became what was known as a ‘dealer’ at the time as getting a job in the private sector was like starting a new career. Those who were seen as good dealers at that time were people like Kieth Guzha, Phillip Chiyangwa, Lee Sithole just to mention a few, I remember Chiyangwa had offices along Samora Machel and a Garage where he sold luxury cars imported from South Africa. I was very small only acting as a middle man to connect or source information for potential investors and buyers. I remember almost striking a deal to set-up a Precious Stone cutting business after having created a lot of mining links in the Emerald Mining Business, red-tape in the issuing of a licence ended that prospect prematurely.

34 years is a long time to tell a story, some of those years I have had to spend them outside Zimbabwe out of curiosity and to explore life outside ‘The Banana Political Legacy’. What I mean is there was a time where I felt everything I did in Zimbabwe weather working in government or negotiating for a deal or trying to date a girl was always affected by my family background sometimes positively and on other occasions negatively. I had to find some neutral ground where I could grow and be appreciated without first being judged in terms of where I come from, sadly the saying ‘you cannot run away from your problems’ is true as even though I may have found peace from name association in South Africa I was still name associated with ‘Makwekwere’ and some South African’s naturally hated foreigners.  In the U.K one was faced with similar problems of classification ‘Immigrants or asylum Seekers’, people always have so much things to say about those things they do not understand about people.

Fast forward to 2008 after having been in Zimbabwe in 2007 last I looked into Zimbabwe from outside and the negative media sources I had access to did not really help make the new shocking discoveries I learnt about the decline of a once great nation any easier comprehend. I also had my own sources on the ground to substantiate some of the claims and though some of the reports were exaggerated they were not too far from the reality. In 2013 I decided to go and see for myself and what I saw is definitely far from what I remember from 1980, I got the feeling that a new social structure had been invented, it’s either you were filthy rich and untouchable, barely surviving living a lie and playing the obedient citizen or extremely poor and free to be manipulated by the few rich and powerful for a pittance.

Was Independence a simple exchange of roles from an organised minority white rich and influential to a black minority powerful greedy and selfish self-serving individuals hiding behind the banner of the true liberation heroes of our time? How long shall we sit and watch from the side-lines in the comfort of our former master’s land as economic slaves working for a living and not making a living? We need a changed mind-set, we need fresh ideas, fresh leadership and a fresh approach to finding solutions to our problems.

The time for victim mentality and opposition politics is past it’s sell by date, we must break away from this inherited culture of dependency and start taking ownership of our future, only together working towards common objectives focused and directing our individual strengths in a complementary manner can we see the results of our independence. Let’s leave our sad past to history books but learn from those mistakes to build a better future, no amount of blaming and finger pointing the past will change the future, we must all make an effort to change our little circles and naturally add to the bigger circle of change.

Free your mind!