Dreams of a ”Born Free Generation” – A response to your inauguration pledge Mr. President

The author of the “I have a dream speech”; Martin Luther King once said “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This was indeed a speech filled with sentiment and expectation, a speech by a young man looking forward to a better future in a new America. The apparent reference to the constitution signified the desire for justice, for equity, and for freedom in every citizen’s pursuit of happiness. The same underpinning aspirations and desires of Martin Luther can be likened to the desires of every young person in Zimbabwe today. The goings on in our country’s political arena over the past few weeks have prompted the existence of an atmosphere filled with euphoria, anxiety and expectation of a turn in our country’s fortunes particularly for the many young people. Indeed, the climax of the events have culminated in the change of the macro-political dynamics of our environment prompting many to dream of a change in every direction. The discourse by the new Zimbabwean president spoke to the innumerable challenges that have inundated the life of every Zimbabwean and provided a promissory note for a deviation from the current status quo.

For any young person who was not privileged enough to have fought in our country’s war of liberation, the experience of independence is confusing, exciting and to some extent depressing due to the unpredictability of future events. Those who were there at Rufaro stadium 1980 independence day celebrations do attest to having gone through the same experience of what happened over these few weeks. The majority of the young people of the 1980s expected the status quo to change and surely for the initial periods much of the things changed for the better. Education, Health, Jobs, Freedom of Expression and association were all available and in abundance. The socialist mantra propagated by the then regime of Robert Mugabe delivered free education and health and promoted young educated black youths into positions of government. The move benefited our nation and years of success patently came by. But somewhere along the years, complacency creeped in, performance was no longer the primacy and political polarization and violence was the order of the day.

Our nation is on built on the ethos and sacrifices of the liberation struggle. The gains of independence have greatly influenced the manner in which our nation has been governed since 1980 and any departure from it has been met with ruthless antagonism.  Undeniably, the sacrifice of the pre-1980 generation ought to be respected for they fought a system of oppression and one that was greatly starved of the life and civil liberties and administered on the lines of race. The majority of the fighters believed in a system of equity, particularly for one Josiah Tongogara once said “What some of us are fighting for is to see that this oppressive system is crushed. We don’t care whether, I don’t even care whether I will be part of the top echelon in the ruling, I’m not worried but I’m dying to see a change in the system, that’s all, that’s all. I would like to see the young people enjoying together, black, white, enjoying together. In a new Zimbabwe, that’s all”. This was the dream of a fighter who unselfishly put his life on the line for a better Zimbabwe and better fortunes for generations to come. The sacrifice of the man admittedly has to be understood from the context of his words for today we carry the same desire and dream.

Now we enter into this new era, we have again to revisit these visions and dreams of the yesteryear generation and seamlessly marry them with those of the present and future generations to create a better nation. Your promise Mr. President as the head of state to chart a new direction does provide hope for a better Zimbabwe which must be driven by leadership and astute management:

Leadership - The early years of independence were characterized by diligent leadership, committed to serve its people under the dictates of a new constitution. Unlike the situation where corruption and nepotism were publicly upheld and encouraged by those in the public office, the new Zimbabwe wants leaders who provide equal opportunity for all and distaste for corruption. Corruption is a cancer that has consumed our nation creating an environment where no one is able to help without soliciting for a bribe particularly in the higher offices. The generation wants a crop of leaders who provides them with direction which points them towards development and prosperity. Our parliamentarians and ministers ought to adhere to their oath of office be the servants which they undertake to be and it starts with you Mr. President. Leadership entails embodying the very promise that you preach about and this is our dream for Zimbabwe. Every young Zimbabwean dreams of the day that this nation will be Magufulified!

Management - The very reason we are in this “new era” was the lack of energy to properly drive government business especially by the Chief Executive. It is thus hoped that this process will be characterized by increased levels of energy to manage principally the civil servants who have become an idle force.

Planning – our dream is to see more deliberate planning from government. Directness of plans ensures all personnel are in sync with what is expected of them. Industries have suffered predominantly from lack of planning taking into context the existing business environment. More planning should go into how parastatals should be resuscitated so that our economy can work again. Social safety nets need to be revamped to allow workers to easily move into retirement allowing for more energetic young men and women to assume office.

Implement – admittedly, some of form of planning has been done but it is the implementation which many analysts have decried. The land redistribution has always been hailed as one of the noble empowerment programmes of our time. It is how it was done that left many pessimistic of its perpetual benefit. Many questions were left hanging from compensation to resourcing of the eventual beneficiaries to sustain productivity. The incoming president spelled out a plethora of changes that must to be put in place and everyone is fond of that. What we all await is the implementation, actions must certainly speak louder than words.

Monitoring – the lack of monitoring and evaluation has always contributed to the failure of any project as it can go off rails at any time without anyone keeping track. The same can be said about our independence project called Zimbabwe. It was allowed to go off the rails because checks and balances were taken to the shelves of a single office. Our dream is to see non performers being held accountable, our monitoring institutions, Auditor General, ZACC, LSZ, all have to be respected and their input considered seriously.

Truly, your words have made us dream and our dream is for a better future, a future driven by unity, equity and freedom. The march on Zimbabwe, attended by thousands on the 18^th of November 2017 illuminated the very wishes of this nation. It exemplified the true vision and dream of the future generation, a nation that is not divided on racial, political or religious lines. But a nation united by the common goal of success and a better life for all. Your request for every Zimbabwean to play their part has not fallen on deaf ears, we will do our part just like we have supported this entire process as per the request of the powers that be, we look forward to the servant leadership you have assured us to take us to a new Canaan.