The rain, the visit and the sanctions
5 min read
By Margaret kamba
It rained katts and dogs this week as if in symbolism of the special things about to happen. Many know that when rains fall like this, the gods must be happy and are showing their sign of approval and pleasure.
Many also know that the coming of the rains means that some rain asking ceremonies have been done and these huge rains are a sign that the prayers have been received by the gods. It was known that during these rain asking ceremonies when the drums were beaten and the asking was done, those returning home would witness the heavy rains before they even got home. To the men and women that have taken part in these ceremonies, we cannot convey our gratitude to them because we know that the gods are indeed with us.
What is interesting about this week’s rain is that it is a week before we join hands with other Southern African Development Community SADC member states in calling for the removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. A day which falls on the 25th of October annually thanks to the late Tanzanian President Dr John Pombe Magufuli (May His Soul Rest in Peace) who stood firm in calling for the removal of the sanctions during his tenure of office as the SADC Chairman.
His colleagues have since ensured that the declaration goes on at various platforms until the sanctions are removed unconditionally. It must be done, lest the dead man’s wishes and efforts go to waste and that cannot be allowed to happen.
As a country, we cannot also afford to relax in calling for the removal of these sanctions because we know very well how our lives have been altered because of these sanctions. We cannot afford to let our neighbours cry louder than us because we know how our families have been separated from us in pursuit of greener pastures. We cannot afford to cry in silence because we know we no longer rest easy as we must hustle day and night to make ends meet.
We know how we have lost relatives as they have pursued dangerous jobs in order to take us through school, put food on our tables and make each passing day bearable.
The men and women that called for these sanctions see how unbearable the impact has been but continue to use our suffering to inflict more pain and misery. They are too proud to swallow their pride and join us in calling for the removal of these sanctions.
To them it is a money making venture that sees them lining their pockets at our expen.se. It is evident through the likes of Hopewell Chin’ono who lament the failure by the MDC to get the required number of signatures ahead of the arrival of the United Nations Special Rappoteur. The constant rehearsals to hold demonstrations and all the other acts to cause mayhem have also shown that these are heartless men and women who like those during the liberation struggle for Zimbabwe sold out to the colonizer who mercilessly butchered the black men and women and massacred those who dared join the struggle.
How different are these men and women from the colonizer himself? They are only black skin but white inside because to them their intentions represent that of the white man who stripped our forefathers of the dignity they deserved through their birthright. They are not pitiful of the men and women camped outside the US Embassy in Harare away from their families as they protest against the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. For numerous days these men and women have braved the storms, cold nights and hot temperatures outside that American Embassy to show the small representation of the American Government how Zimbabwean men and women want the sanctions to be removed.
Another significant thing about this week is that the United Nations Special Rappoteur Alena Douhan is here to give an impact assessment of the same illegal sanctions. At the invitation of the Zimbabwean Government, the Rappoteur is here to give an honest view of how the lives of the people have been altered.
With the falling of these rains, there is hope that someone at that level of influence can give a true reflection of how deadly these illegal sanctions have been and perhaps their report can finally bring an end to the suffering of many in and beyond this country. We can only put our faith in the little knowledge we have of Douhan which precedes her.
This week is also significant in that it is almost a week before the ruling ZANU PF Party holds its 19th National People’s Conference and for the first time virtually. It is as though the ancestors are happy with the progress that the ruling Party has made in ensuring the people of Zimbabwe are brought out of poverty and alleviated from the burden of the illegal sanctions.
Another interesting thing about this whole thing is that the rains signal the onset of the rainy season and the beginning of the summer cropping season which will bring the country back to the status of being the bread basket of the region and perhaps this time beyond thanks to the numerous efforts being done by President and First Secretary of ZANU PF Cde E.D Mnangagwa to achieve a middle income class by 2030.
This vision which tallies with the Party’s 2018 people’s manifesto is clear on how the country must witness infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, job creation, investment opportunities, the engagement and re-engagement policies established in order for the people of Zimbabwe to benefit from the resources of their country.
The farmers on the ground welcome these good rains and those that had already done land preparation are happy because they are able to meet their targets of producing the maximum yields because with each passing day, any delay affects the outcome. They are geared to play their part in growing the economy.
It remains to be seen what will become of the rains, visit and the sanctions but we can only hope and pray that all this will also come to an end.
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