Getting involved in politics is scary but so is everything else!

Introduction

I have always been intrigued by how nonpolitical people give advice to those who show interests in politics. At some point, soon after I began to see the sad toxic realities of Zim politics, I actually swore to myself that I will never get involved again but as it turned out, my love and concern for my beautiful country wouldn't allow me to walk away from the things that determine the future of my country.

After my recent arrest and detention, this kind of advice surfaced again from concerned friends and loved ones. It's not that what people will be saying is illogical or false, they actually speak the truth and what they say makes a lot of sense. The problem is that they forget that before joining politics, we first considered everything especially the dangers involved. It is not that we're not afraid nor that we are careless nor stupid. The truth is that we are afraid too, we see the possible consequences of getting involved too but most importantly, we see the consequences of doing nothing and choose to be courageous.

Below is a short article written by a fellow comrade about getting involved in Zimbabwean politics. It contains the answers that I have long known in my heart but have been unable to express.

By Benon B. Ncube

When we chose to be involved in politics, we knew what we were getting ourselves into. If you feel that it's too much for you, just stick to whatever you are doing and don't get into our lane. If you hate politics, hate it alone instead of inviting others to also hate it. The future of our country is largely dependent on our present politics and avoiding participation is suicidal and treasonous.

Do you honestly think that we don't know that people die by getting involved in Zimbabwean politics? Well, we do...but don't doctors die too? Drivers, teachers, musicians, your friends, family and you will die too.

We just chose to die after having done something for ourselves and the people around us.
We chose not to be used and disrespected. We chose not to fold our hands while being ill-treated.

We refused to look the other way while our future is being driven down the drain and chose to do what you are scared to do. We want to have an answer when the next generations ask us what we did to guard their future.

One way or the other, if it kills, it will get to you too. The question is "what are you doing about it?" Before you come to us telling us that we will be arrested, tortured, abducted, lose our lives, etc, keep in mind that we know this, maybe more than you do. You should know that it is you that should be worried by your attitude towards our nation's problems because whatever we are trying to deal with is affecting you or will affect you directly and indirectly in the near future.

When and if we fail to fullfil our mission, some other people will come up and take it from where we left from and one day, at long last, our motherland will be truly free.

We know what we got ourselves into and we know what we are doing, if you don't, just shut up and stay in your lane.

#ZinasuLives

Let's talk about #31July2020.

Prince Gora | The day has been trending since the beginning of the month when Mr. Jacob Ngarivhume declared it as yet another D-Day for the future of our beloved country. The response has been overwhelming, key opposition and civic society figures have endorsed the scheduled demonstration but critics and nay-sayers have dismissed it and expressed worries pointing out to previous "D-Days". They argue that these produced nothing but more suffering for the majority of the citizenry, many of whom were beaten, tortured, abducted or even murdered following such days.

The government, having learnt the hard way about the power of social media from previous cases, has not been slow in responding. Various ZANU PF and government officials have come out guns blazing warning Zimbabweans to not participate in the demonstration and labelling it's own kith and kin as terrorists. We've even started debating on "the real reason for the tightening of the lockdown restrictions". Some of my comrades have even began to cast doubts on the recent surge in Covid-19 cases - Is it just coincidence?

As the day approaches, I feel that it is pertinent to have discussions around the things that will make July 31st a success or failure.

1. Kutenda kusina mabasa kwakafa - action matters!

There has been much tough talk from both ends of the political divide during the month of July. Ultimately, what is going to seperate the boys from men is the action that is going to be implemented on July 31st. We're not new to tough talk, we've heard it all before and many a time, some of us have really believed that "ZANU PF will surely not escape this time around". It's a pity that we've been disappointed time after time, again and again. Hopefully, #31July2020 will be different.

Another thing we need to address is the myth that action doesn't matter. The myth that by taking action we're simply courting more atrocities from the regime. Well, if you believe that action doesn't matter then you haven't been reading between the lines. Let me challenge you to go to Zanu PF's Facebook or twitter page and tell them the truth, the truth they have failed and must leave the government and see what response you get. You can even record a video or write a personal letter to the president. Having done that, and keeping in mind whatever response you would have gotten, I would then challenge you to carry a placard and go to read it (while seating) in front of the ruling/ruining party's headquarters and see what response you will get.

There's a reason, comrades and friends, why many people talk tough and even insult the president and get away with it while anyone who dares to take any form of action, no matter how small or petty, is dealt with in a matter of minutes. Haven't you come across the qoute that says "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never harm me"? Action matters my fellow countrymen and women. Each time we've tried to take decisive action, the state has responded devastingly, that should tell you something...maybe we just need to be a little bit braver, a little bit more resilent and a little bit more determined.

2. Will the masses show up?

This is a question that is, by all accounts, being avoided by many. It is easy and understandable for someone to be overwhelmingly confident that the masses will show up given the response the scheduled demo has received on social media but I am still sceptical.

Lessons from the past.

I learnt this lesson the hard way. In November last year seven of my collegemates were served with suspension letters on a late Friday afternoon. Exams were scheduled to begin the following Monday. To say the least, I was outraged and immediately halted all last minute examination preps I was undertaking to stand up for my brothers. Among other things that I did in an endeavour to have the suspensions reversed was organising a demo in solidarity with these guys. After talking to a few comrades about the idea we decided to open a Whatsapp group. 20 minutes later, the group was full and we had to open another. I delegated this responsibility to other comrades and was told that a few more groups were created. Solidarity messages poured in their thousands and I had so much confidence that our demo was perhaps going to be the greatest college demo of all time.

Fast forward to midday Saturday, when the demonstration was scheduled to start. Our fellow students did stop their exam preps, came out of their hostels, hallrooms and classrooms but only less than 50 arrived at the actual venue. The rest took nice spots nearby and became spectators. Phones were out and people gossiped around.

I had another dance with this sad reality recently but because of legal complexities and for the sake of my comrades, I will not talk about it today.

 Masses failing to show up isn't new on the national scale, various D-Days have either flopped or turned violent because of this very fact so I will ask again, will the masses show up?

3. Expectations

A major talking point in the lead up to #31July2020 has been why not now? Why should we wait for that long? The arrest of Hopewell and Ngarivhume, if anything, should have been the signal and the perfect excuse to bring forward the revolution. The idea has been tossed around but I will wait for it's implementation.

The idea of waiting a whole month to stage a peaceful protest raises questions of goals and expectations. What exactly should happen for revolution to kickstart? Is it just the date? What are we expecting to achieve? And when are we going, if ever, to stop?

We need clear goals because only then can we truly rise as a people and pursue the goal until it is achieved!

©2020 P. Gora