Democracy Is No Spectator Sport - Be An Active Participant

Leeds - MDC Congress 2nd April 2011

Remember fellow activists, our struggle is to fight to preserve, protect and defend the things we value-(human rights, democracy, rule of law, freedom of speech, freedom of association to mention but a few).     

I honestly believe that true and meaningful democratic change in Zimbabwe can only be attained through passionate political activism (Tunisia and Egypt are recent examples).

To me political activism is much more than turning out on voting day and ticking a ballot sheet. That is far too passive and ineffective, and will NEVER be enough to halt the current deterioration of human rights and blatant contempt of rule of law in Zimbabwe.

Instead, to become a bona fide activist, we have to do much more: we have to have such a burning desire to make a difference that we are willing to embody the solution in ourselves, without only resorting to the all too easy recourse of vilifying politicians and/or governments (although it is important to first identify the problem step in trying to find a solution). To embody the solution takes courage, commitment and a deep understanding of how effective people power can be and what we can achieve as a group of steadfast political activists. None (not even Zuma, Mbeki, SADC, EU or whoever), but ourselves can delivery us from this quagmire that Mugabe and Zanu PF led us into.

To illustrate my point of active participation I will share with you a folk story about one famous village hunter called Mutsvuku, which I came cross among many of  Alex Magaisa's political commentaries.

According to this story, years gone by, men would often go on short hunting expeditions, relying on hounds, to chase and capture prey. The loyal hounds would often return with prey after capture and would be duly rewarded.

But during a particularly hard season, the hounds’ behaviour changed. They decided to satisfy their own interest first, which meant often, the hunters returned to the village empty-handed.

Until, that is, a certain fellow decided to take the hounds at their own game. This fellow, affectionately known as Mutsvuku, on account of his light hue, decided that, since the hounds could not be trusted and left to their own devices, he had to do something about it. He decided that it was best to run alongside them. Mutsvuku was so fast, sometimes, he even outpaced the hounds. That ensured that he would always be on hand to retrieve the prey upon capture.

Sometimes, I can’t help thinking that we Zimbabweans have placed too much reliance on hounds to do the chasing of freedom and democracy on our behalf.

You have to look at the character of the hounds upon which we have entrusted our future to see the problem that we currently face in Zimbabwe. Be like Mutsvuku and take responsibility by being an active participant as opposed to being a spectator. Democracy is no spectator sport…be actively involved. Let’s all be in Leeds on 2 April 2011 for the congress.

Together we can make a positive change.

Garikayi Gombera

MDC Southend Hausunde