I am a politician but I am not writing this letter to you
in that capacity.
I am writing to you as a young woman, as a citizen and as
part of a generation to whom a debt is due. When we were little, we were told
we were "born free" but for reasons caused by this government we go
everywhere in chains. We are demanding our freedom because this great nation
feels like prison.
We were told that a war of liberation was fought on our
behalf and that a world of opportunity had been opened. However, with each
passing day, it is becoming evident that the oppressor only changed name, face
and colour but his methods, laws and operations have remained exactly the same.
The social contract between the state and the people has
been broken and replaced by threats of arrest, persecution and underhand
punishment for those who dare challenge the torn fabric of a once promising
dream. Why must a nation with all the ingredients for success be a graveyard
for aspiration? Why must the rich fly in private jets while the poor get
stuffed like sardines in rickety buses? Why must the many toil and sweat but
starve so that the few can live like royalty?
Why is it a crime to want a better society?
Why is a crime to want
funding for public health and schools? Why is it a crime to demand jobs
or modern infrastructure? Why is it a crime to seek accountability for the
money that we pay in taxes? Why is it a crime to protest against hunger?
Why
are the police who are meant to protect and secure the lives of citizens
mimicking the behaviour of the Special Branch by breaking into the homes of
journalists who speak out against corruption? Why do those who are innocent get
treated like criminals yet criminals go Scot free?
Imagine if all the young people who are arrested on
spurious charges of subversion were included in the economy and spending all
those wasted court hours contributing towards the economy through innovation
and productivity? Imagine if all the lawyers who waste time arguing bail
applications for the pro-democracy activists that are continuously arrested on
bogus charges spent their time working on mergers and acquisitions that would
grow and develop the economy?
Imagine if the property rights framework of the
nation enabled more of that to happen? Imagine if people were so inspired by
the national vision that they were not planning endless strikes and protests
but they were knuckling down to work and they were rewarded in a meaningful
currency for their hard work?
The people deserve better and more. We are sick and tired
of being sick and tired. There is a generation that is ready to pick up the
broken pieces and re-write the contract that you repeatedly breach through
violations of the Constitution and fundamental freedoms. People deserve hope.
People deserve an ecosystem that allows them to work hard and reap the rewards
of their hard work. People deserve to be free and secure in their homes. People
deserve a government that they can trust. We will never stop believing in the
beauty of this nation regardless of the madness. But the madness must stop.
When people unite and find their collective voice to fight
injustice, a nation is reborn.
Sincerely
Fadzayi Mahere
0 comments:
Post a Comment