Sanctions era in Zimbabwe: Ripe time for national unity PEACE AND UNITY

Norbert Hosho 

UNITY makes a country strong and prosperous, and other countries cannot easily oppose or attack it. Zimbabwe faces several threats from its surroundings, just like any other nation. Some Western nations struck us with sanctions, and since we can’t always please everyone with our foreign policy decisions, our relationships with all these countries aren’t always friendly. Nationalism, which comprises identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, should take precedence over sectarianism, provincialism, racism, and the grouping of people based on their religious beliefs. 

Those who are fiercely hostile to us may consider using our internal flaws and divisions. In fact, they have frequently abused their power, and as a result, people have begun to put their religious groups’ interests ahead of those of the country as a whole. All these groups and sects are blind to their obligations as Zimbabwean citizens while they work feverishly to build up and unify their own organisations. The very survival of our country is at risk due to the growing conflict between the various societal groups. Then it becomes imperative that we unite as a nation and strengthen ourselves. Thus, we should work to strengthen national cohesion. Above all, we should all behave in our nation’s best interest. When it comes to issues that put our identity, national interests, and ability to fulfil our social obligations at risk, we should act like real Zimbabweans. 

As a nation, we should give proper chances to the provinces to develop their own languages and cultures. These languages and cultures are precious treasures of old and new words and ideas. As they grow, they should assist the national culture. Thus, we shall be achieving two aims-satisfying the people and taking advantage of their cultural wealth. Furthermore, all the provinces should be given equal chances of growth and development. The provincial governments should have proper powers to solve their problems. People should feel satisfied with the solutions to those problems at the provincial levels. Inter-province trade and travel should also be promoted. This will bring the people closer and promote national unity.

 Co-operation between the people and the Government is key. Together, they ought to strive for better national harmony. The Government should provide citizens’ representatives the chance to talk with them about their issues and suggestions for fostering national unity. A divided country can never be stable, peaceful, or prosperous. It is much more crucial for our nation since some internal groups in Zimbabwe pose a threat in addition to external foes. 

People have become so narrow in their outlook that they only love the region or town where they were born. They never discuss Zimbabwe, the nation where their province or town is located. Simply said, people are unable to understand the dire circumstances that exist within and outside of our nation. 

The presence of a contented and thriving Zimbabwe is intolerable to the hostile foreign groups. Our adversaries are well-organised and cunning, and they are working assiduously to further their plan, that of sowing discord among Zimbabweans. National unity is the solution to all our social, political, and economic ills and issues. 

United States

It is shocking that we have lost sight of the fact that our forefathers worked hard to build our nation. For both their own freedom and the freedom of the following generations, they gave up their lives and their possessions. We would have been subject to the same nations that put sanctions on us if they had not fought to establish an independent country. We must never forget that we are all citizens of the same nation and country. 

Then comes the rule of law. All anti-social activities must be crushed with the iron hand of the law, particularly in institutions that serve as the breeding grounds for hatred, regionalism and sectarianism. Corrupt and power politics also contribute a lot to disharmony in a nation. Politicians should not sow seeds of separation and disintegration. When every politician is driven by the desire for national unity, she or he preaches unity. This will ultimately empower the people to unite again as a single nation. 

As the nation forges ahead in adversity of sanctions, countrywide campaigns should be launched to make the masses fully aware of the threats which are likely to shake the very foundations of our country. Leaders in all facets of the society, as well as intellectuals also have a fundamental obligation to help create a climate of peace and respect for all the conflicting sects. Greater use should be made of television and radio to highlight the terribly negative effects of disunity on Zimbabwe’s national security, economy, and general livelihoods. 

Moreover, some among us, who are foreign agents, and are exclusively involved in negative activities, should be kept under close watch by the Government agencies. It is an admitted fact that the nations which weaken their unity, cannot maintain their freedom. 

Abraham Lincoln gracefully said, ‘‘A house divided against itself cannot stand’.’

There are hundreds of thousands of people in our country and billions around the world, all of whom have different perspectives on important issues in life. Differences typically lead to division and sporadic warfare. We frequently overlook the fact that everyone has to have the same ambition — the advancement of our nation and its citizens. Unity is created as a result of this. 

Although Zimbabwe is an independent country, we are not independent from one another. Why can we expect anything less from a nation and its people when it needs co-operation despite divergent views to govern a home, operate a business, and develop educational programmes? Employing individuals with a variety of expertise, experiences, and educational levels allows successful organisations to grow. It increases tolerance for the unusual and even the challenging. 

European Union

While many factors contribute to the overall development of a country, national unity is the most vital. Let’s stay together and help support one another in times of adversities. National unity is key in exposing the impact of sanctions by the United States (Zdera) and European Union on Zimbabwe. As Zimbabweans we need to fully sensitise each other, till we reach a point where every Zimbabwean is fully conscious of the motive behind the illegal sanctions and how they have negatively affected ordinary people across urban, rural and diaspora communities of Zimbabwe. There should be a common understanding that, for the past two decades Zimbabweans have been suffering from the multifaced effects of these sanctions across all sectors including agriculture, energy, health, security, water, education, mining, manufacturing, investments and banking.  

Whereas some among us might be having divergent views, or purporting to have such views, the truth of the matter is that the sanctions have crippled each and every sector of the economy, thereby destroying the Zimbabwean dream to many. When it dawns on us all as Zimbabweans, that these illegal and unwarranted sanctions were carefully crafted with the aim of making Zimbabwe a dysfunctional state, we would have defeated the enemy. Unity is strength and united we stand. 

* Dr Norbert Hosho is the president and founder of Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Trust (Zast), an educationist and trainer in financial literacy, economic empowerment and entrepreneurial leadership. He can be contacted on +263773115890 or email [email protected] or [email protected] 

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