WHY DO ZIMBABWEANS STAY SILENT? THE MYSTERY OF OUR FEAR
There is a big mystery in Zimbabwe. Why are people afraid to speak up for themselves? This mystery has never gone away. As our suffering has gotten worse, so has our fear. One would think the opposite would happen. In most countries, when people are unhappy with their leaders, they stand up and fight back.In places like South Africa and other countries, people do not tolerate bad leaders. They rise up and speak out when their rights are taken away. They do this without violence, following the examples of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., who led peaceful protests for their people’s rights.Even though these peaceful protests often faced brutal attacks, the people never gave up. So why is it different in Zimbabwe? Why do we seem to accept poor leadership and not fight for our rights?
It seems we have left our fate in the hands of politicians. These politicians only remember us when they need our votes. Once they are in power, they forget about us. They make big promises during elections but fail to deliver once elected. Yet, we keep believing them.We often complain that politicians only care about us during elections. They come with gifts and promises, but once they win, they disappear. We need to ask ourselves why this happens.Politicians do not care about our lives. Expecting them to solve our problems is foolish. Whether we think Zimbabwe is a true democracy or not, people who know what they want always demand their rights. They do not sit back and expect things to get better on their own.
In democratic nations, citizens understand their role. They make sure their leaders do what they promised. They do not just sit back and wait. They push and demand their rights.Imagine lending money to a friend who does not pay it back on time. Would you not ask for your money back? So, why can’t Zimbabweans demand their rights from their leaders, even if they support them?Demanding rights does not mean hatred. Some people say Zimbabwe is not truly democratic, so any protest will face a brutal response. It is natural to fear this. But I believe there is more to this fear.When faced with danger, people usually fight or flee. Why do Zimbabweans always choose to flee? Why do we not stand up for ourselves, even when we are suffering? This fear seems to go beyond just the fear of pain or death.
When someone has a real reason to fight, like protecting their family, they do not run away. So, why do we not fight for our rights and our future? The answer may lie in our history.There was a time when Zimbabweans were brave. They stood up against the powerful and ruthless colonial Rhodesia regime. They sacrificed everything for independence. But what did they get in return?The dream of a good life for all citizens did not come true. Many people, especially older ones, say that life was better under colonial rule. This shows how disappointed they are with the current situation.
Even when Robert Mugabe was removed from power in 2017, people hoped for a better life. But many now say things have gotten worse under the new government. This history of disappointment may explain why Zimbabweans are afraid to stand up.They have seen the failure of the liberation struggle. They wonder if their sacrifice will make any difference. This is a tragic situation. The failures of the past now affect the present. This makes it hard for Zimbabweans to believe that fighting for their rights will lead to a better future.
