via So what did I resolve for 2014? JANUARY 4, 2014 by Eddie Cross (MP) NehandaRadio
As I watched the world celebrate the New Year – here in Bulawayo with fireworks and loud bangs and dogs under the bed, in the USA in Times Square in the freezing cold and elsewhere with mass displays and celebrations, I wondered just what all those people were resolving to do that was different to what they did in 2013.
For me 2013 was almost completely taken up with the elections in July and their aftermath. Not very productive as we ran a great campaign but got dumped in the end by the sophisticated electoral manipulations of those in power.
If we do not resolve the do things differently then we might as well accept that nothing much will change – either for better or worse. Life is like that.
So here we all are and what are we going to do about things? I see South Sudan is busy unscrambling the egg they created in 2011, in South Africa they seem intent on continuing with the spiraling downwards of the State and national governance practices.
The ANC looks like it’s not going to change significantly and is therefore condemned to continued decline. The CAR is disintegrating along with Syria and Egypt, not far behind are the other players in the Arab spring.
Europe muddles on – the economic crisis persisting and the EU floundering in its efforts to define itself, set boundaries and common policies that will make sense. In Mozambique Renamo ponders its future and its potential to influence the future of that country with its growing wealth and status in the world.
But for us here in Zimbabwe the choices are no less stark and urgent. Zanu PF has caught the bus, found it has no fuel, the tyres are worn and the steering mechanism dangerous and unpredictable. They have all climbed on board and now look decidedly uncomfortable and uncertain.
How are they going to get back on the road to legitimacy, growth and some sort of prosperity? They have a map, but it has put them on the wrong road – indigenisation and refusal to face reality in agriculture.
Their leadership is in a huddle with the driver who is old and unable to see properly any more but insists on driving. They are debating what to do; the driver is not listening and in any event is not that interested, all he thinks about is the fact that at last he controls the bus and its passengers and even if the bus is going nowhere he can play with the steering wheel and pretend to know what he is doing and where they are going.
Those of us who do not have a bus to shelter in and a State to support us in the manner to which we have become accustomed, we had better do things differently or face a bleak future. So what did I resolve for 2014?
I am an ideas person; I have always been someone who thinks about the next step and what to do about the problems and difficulties that confront me – either in a personal or a corporate sense. However in the recent past I have not been as effective as I should be in making things happen.
My first resolve therefore is to take all those ideas that rattle around in my head, decide which are important and critical to the way ahead and make sure they come to fruition in 2014.
On its own, this first resolution picks up a whole bagful of things and immediately commits me to a very substantial programme of action and initiative in 2014. I will not be short of things to do, time and resources may be a problem.
The second thing I resolved to do is to spend more time with my family – I think I am now the oldest surviving direct descendant of G W Cross who came out to South Africa in 1867. Keeping tabs of everyone is not easy.
We have a family tree that goes right back to Robert the Bruce in 1000 AD and to my clan roots in the Graham Clan in Scotland. I need to establish what the descendents of the family are all doing and where they reside and update the family tree and the family history.
It is so easy to forget what has gone on in the past and what has been achieved. One of my Aunts wrote a book on G W Cross called “Ours was the Frontier” and when my father died my daughter published a short book called “The Frontier Extended”. It’s time for something else.
But more than that, it’s time for more hugs and kisses and generally more love for all the family. I once gave a talk on the importance of family and growing up with your children to a Rotary Convention. As I spoke I suddenly realized that that large gathering of several hundred, older, successful adults was totally silent.
Afterwards I remarked on this to my wife who said that they were all thinking of the wasted years when they were pursuing the false gods of success and fame and were neglecting the one group they really had responsibility for – their children. I am not going to make the same mistake now that I have Grandchildren.
Then finally, I am going to do what I can to get Zimbabwe back on the road to democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. This fight is not over – it’s just begun. We tend to forget that it is 3500 years since Moses saw that burning bush in the desert and was called to lead his people out of the slough of despondency and slavery and into the Promised Land.
We have a lot to do and it’s all critical. The country is desperate for leadership; visionary, inspiring leadership of integrity and accountability. It cannot come from outside – this is our job. How to get the economy working again, how to get industry back on its feet, get agriculture back to where our farmers can feed the country, establish our image abroad so that people can plan that trip to the country with anticipation and pleasure.
In Parliament we may be in opposition again – but by heaven we are going to hold our Ministers to account for what they are doing with our resources. We are going to pursue the corrupt and incompetent and make sure that all public officers do their jobs to the best of their ability.
I watched the Queen address the Commonwealth on Christmas day and was deeply moved by the Christian content of her address and her commitment to what she called our “abiding principles in life” and her clear statement that these are still valid in the world we all live in.
I really am tired of those who apologize for adhering to the values that guided our forefathers of hard work, honesty and integrity and spiritual mores. If we want to build a better world then these are the things that are the building blocks, not cynicism, immorality and so called “material success”.
I am of an age in life and hold a position of leadership in my country. It is my responsibility to see to it that we exemplify these principles and values and make sure that they take center stage in our national affairs. 2014 will be an exciting and fulfilling time if these three resolutions are pursued and fulfilled in my life in this year. What about you?
Eddie Cross is the MDC-T MP for Bulawayo South
COMMENTS
Dear Eddie, I’m out here on holiday visiting family who were thrown off their farms in 2001. My Uncle is 96 and my Aunt 88; they celebrated 60 years of marriage last year. My Grandparents came out here in 1911 and we were a large farming family.
My sister and her husband live in Avondale; they have their own publishing company weaverpress.com.
I love this country but am based in London now but I still care deeply about its future.
If you know of any interesting meetings taking place in London, please let me know. Thank-you, Jane Staunton
thanks for that concern but i think its everyone else’s plea to do something for our country which is in quagmire holding any position or without hey it looks like all we are now obsessed especially for those who rely only with the ballot, its really painfull. I have finally admitted to many’s only hope which is divine intervention but my worry is God himself declared that when time draws near these will be indication therefore lets not try straighten dislodge the devil from its dwelling place rather seek for the justfull home
The problem with politics in Africa is that opposition is not tolerated. If you are in the opposition you have no say. The countries that are successful are that way because they have strong opposition that keeps those ruling in check.They will also find common ground on certain contributions and their opposition parties will contribute laws that are passed in Parliament which benefit the people at large. Of course they do have verbal disagreements which sometimes get heated but on common ground they agree. My point is that whilst what the writer say is encouraging it is impossible to change anything in Zimbabwe if you are in opposition because the one that is ruling does not want you to “steal his thunder” he will not listen or action your your suggestion.
The point of being in political ‘opposition’ is not to offer plausible solutions but to make the life of those that rule extremely uncomfortable. Those that ‘won’ the elections are rapidly discovering they are the ‘losers’. Cross and his ilk (and not the good Lord) need to give the ‘winners’ a torrid time on this earth, assuming of course that Parliament actually sits at some stage.
@Mambo thats my point. Let them try and some will end up in jail. We’ve seen it in the past.
In the British Parliment you get Tory MP’s backing Labour if they don’t agree with David Cameron. The don’t get expelled from the party for that. What Mambo say’s is typical African politics. If a Zanu Mp brings up a good bit of legislation MDC guys should back it and vice versa.
Doc and Mambo both your points put together would be valid. The main aim of an MP when in Parliment is to put forward the dreams and aspirations of his constituants and to oposse anything that he deems won’t benifit the people.
Dear Eddie, Why are you interested in changing things in Zimbabwe? 61% of Zimbabweans have just voted for “to hell with the west”, African democracy, Land for show off, , radar less economy, State condoned corruption, selective justice, 90% unemployment because Zimbabweans can do menial jobs all over the world, Basic services i.e. health, education, electricity , water roads and housing are the West luxuries Zimbabweans can do without as long as they have their sovereignty , land, hunger and the diaspora to run to.