Senator David Coltart
31st December 2016
I would like to wish all genuine Zimbabwean patriots and those who support the Zimbabwean struggle for democracy throughout the world a peaceful, productive and prosperous New Year.
2016 has been a difficult year for Zimbabweans with the economy in free fall and the country rudderless. It seems almost too much to expect that 2017 can be any better.
However it can be if all of us recommit ourselves to certain fundamental principles.
Firstly we must remember that unless we become a nation of integrity the great potential of our country will never be realized. There has been far too much compromise – we have abandoned far too many core values such as honesty, respect, tolerance and patience. We are far too quick to justify our own betrayal of those values by pointing at others. Gandhi once said that the change you want to see in the world starts with ourselves and that is true. We all need, including me, to evaluate our own conduct – when we change and set a new standard for ourselves then we will have the moral authority to expect improved conduct from others.
Secondly we need to commit ourselves to the use of non violence. Zimbabwe is a tinder box – people are so frustrated with so many things going on that the country could explode. We need to remember that the use of violence is often seen as a tempting short cut but it usually only complicates matters. We only have to look at the chaos in Syria, Libya and Egypt to see that. Zimbabwe will only be truly liberated when we draw a line in the sand against violence.
Thirdly we all, especially those of us in leadership positions, need to adopt a sacrificial and selfless approach to the resolution of our Nations problems. One of the greatest frustrations Zimbabweans face today is the ongoing divisions in our political parties, especially within those opposed to ZANU PF’s misrule. The failure of democratic parties to unite or at least agree on a coalition is an indictment against the entire leadership, including me of course, of all democratic parties. Very little divides us when it comes to the policies we propose to implement – our divisions arise mainly from disagreements over who should lead. Whilst of course every party and every person has a constitutional right to fight an election alone, our Nation is in a grave crisis and that requires extraordinary measures to be taken. Critically we need all leaders to publicly indicate that they are prepared to subordinate their personal interests to the national interest. We need an honest national debate to agree on which TEAM, as opposed to which LEADER, is most likely to defeat ZANU PF. The team can then select the best captain to lead it – not everyone can be captain, only one person can be and that person should be able to unite all those who will form a Cabinet to resurrect our Nation. Once again the start to this process begins with every leader. All of us need to demonstrate a preparedness to submit to the national good. This is a tall order because politicians by nature want to lead, and people need leadership. In essence what we need is a recommitment to servant leadership – if everyone aspiring to leadership would drop their personal ambitions by genuinely reaching out to all competitors then I have no doubt that that new spirit would result in agreement regarding the composition of a broad and inclusive team to defeat ZANU PF.
Let us not lose hope. Zimbabwe remains a wonderful country with almost boundless opportunities. With the implantation of a few key new policies Zimbabwe will boom. It is not beyond redemption, far from it. Now is the time for a new positive, constructive spirit which will usher in the new dawn millions of Zimbabweans yearn for.