via Is Zim cursed? – DailyNews Live 5 March 2015
HARARE – “When we are sick, we want an uncommon doctor; when we have a construction job to do, we want an uncommon engineer, and when we are at war, we want an uncommon general. It is only when we get into politics that we are satisfied with the common man.” — Herbert Hoover.
For those who don’t know, Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964) was the 31st President of the United States of America (1929-1933).
Given the paucity of political leadership in our long suffering country since we supposedly got our independence from Britain in April 1980, Hoover was surely a witch doctor (probably from Nigeria!) who had Zimbabwe in mind when he made this political observation almost a century ago.
Indeed, what sins have we committed as Zimbabweans to deserve the special kind of common (read useless) political leaders that we have?
I pondered over this issue as I listened incredulously to President Robert Mugabe’s outrageous utterances at his lavish birthday bash that was held in Victoria Falls last weekend.
And here I need to quote Mugabe, as he laid into his trusted former number two, Joice Mujuru, to hammer the point home.
“We managed to know what Mai Mujuru was doing at her house, even consulting n’angas (witch doctors).
“Recently, she invited two Nigerian sangomas. We heard that they were specialists in the field of witchcraft. They were specialists, yes, but specialists in robbing people, foolish people,” he said, adding rather indelicately that the ensuing rituals had allegedly been conducted while Mujuru was half naked.
“Izvozvo zvange zvichiitwa ivo vanzi bisai hembe. Bisai hembe; mazamu pachena, ugonzi unosara uku chete (While the rituals were being conducted, Mujuru was told to take off her clothes and her breasts were left exposed),” Mugabe told the estimated 20 000 people who attended his birthday bash, including children, without batting an eyelid.
And speaking earlier in an interview with ZTV, Mugabe did not hold back either in his assault on Mujuru.
“Hameno akavafurira mai ava tisu takasanovaisa munzvimbo (I don’t know who misled this woman (Mujuru) we were the ones who appointed her vice president) not because she was qualified, there were many men who were more experienced and more capable.
“And there she was and we wanted to groom her there and yah, I suppose the fact that she has gone to university she has become a doctor of some learning and she thought, oh I can now become president. It’s not those things which count,” Mugabe thundered — in the tone of a demi-god with the power to give and take life!
One would have to be a total imbecile not to appreciate the fact that there is everything wrong with what Mugabe said — from the content to the tone and places where he said all this.
For Mugabe is not just a very mature 91-year-old, worthy of being a respectable great grandparent to many, he is also the leader of this troubled nation that is in such desperate need of healing and grandfatherly love.
In addition, the target of his, and his wife Grace’s, disgraceful venom, Joice, was for many years like a daughter to him.
So, what message does the president think he is sending to the nation when he brazenly mouths off such embarrassingly indecent words, which border on sick sexism and hate language?
What lessons indeed did Chipangano and his often-violent Zanu PF Youth League take from these pronouncements from the Head of State and Government, who is also Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and Chancellor of all State Universities?
But more importantly, in a once-rich country that is now officially a dirty, poor, failed State. Are these the most important issues that should prompt a leader of such a country to commandeer the State broadcaster for days on end?
Does Mugabe not know about our dire economic challenges, the rising poverty levels and joblessness in the country, the decimation of commerce and industry as a result of his ruling party’s gross incompetence, and the endemic public sector corruption that has brought our resource-rich country to its knees in his 35 years in power?
Indeed, things are so bad that despite the bravado from on high, Zimbabwe is now a truly “Proudly Lost Cause” — with neither pride, its own national currency or the capacity to provide for its own basic needs.
So, back to Hoover, “When we are sick, we want an uncommon doctor; when we have a construction job to do, we want an uncommon engineer, and when we are at war, we want an uncommon general. It is only when we get into politics that we are satisfied with the common man”.
Cry the beloved country.
COMMENTS
Zimbabwe is a nation that has destroyed itself through the deliberate promotion of hatred, greed and racism. The nation let itself be led by the nose by Mugabe and his fellow gangsters because they were unable to resist the lure of hatred, greed and racism. Like very stupid sheep – and now the people complain about this self-inflicted misery.
I don’t know about Zimbabwe being cursed. As an African of my age I was brought up in a scenario where we were told that when a persons mouth was skew he had been slapped by a spook(ghost). I never bought it. Turns out that the person had maybe suffered a stroke. There was never a death that was natural so to speak. Every death had to be blamed on someone. Unfortunately educated people like the President would still want to encourage people to believe that these things exist and are controlled by certain individuals. Unfortunately some Cabinet Ministers believe a Nyanga can hit a rock and produce diesel to cover the country’s needs. Fortunately a lot of us know who the problem is. There is no curse. There are people who were entrusted with the job of moving the nation forward who instead, whilst we concentrated on our so called new independence slowly took control of the arms of the law and defence and dug in to captivated us like we have never been captivated before. Suddenly we found that Zimbabwe had developed a throne and on that throne sat a man who is ruthless and does not want to be opposed. History indicates we the people shall remove him or his successor . How its done, that has to still unfold. I am Doctor Do little.
where did the president get this type of information other than a nganga NDAYIYE ANOYENDA KUNGANGA.
Some say “nganga”, and some “nyanga”. Shona “inhotinetsa.” At this rate and with a world scattered tribe , courtesy of RG, it seems we will end up with no language.
@Tsuro maybe it’s one of the few languages we have. I know the word nyanga is a Ndebele word for a traditional healer.
No the great people of this our great land are not cursed. Our curse is that devils run our beloved country and we are gods’ children looking only to God for solace. One can not praise or worship other gods or human beings besides the only one in heaven. Mugabe and co may think they are Gods but we know otherwise.
Nyoni thanks. Sometimes we all need comfort or consolation in a time of great distress or sadness. Your reply has given me that.I sometimes think I am alone. But I then know I am not. I think you know what I mean.
The curse is called zanupf led by another curse called Mugabe. The curse is that the blacks destroyed a decent country in 35 years and continue to do so. The curse is that these sheep continue to vote and support Mugabe. Mlimo is the ancient name for a witch doctor or oracle. So I offer a solution to lift the curse. Remove Mugabe by force if need be . Remove zanupf. Encourage a nation based not on colour or tribe but on good governance and honesty. Maybe then your curse will be lifted.
Yes Dr Do Little I do know what you mean and thankyou .
The country itself is not cursed, it just lacks a shepherd. The current pretender on the throne unfortunately thinks nations rise on the strength of fables or useless talk. In leadership one has to turn the talk into a plan and then implement the plan. Show us you mighty works and let us be amazed and awestruck. Otherwise its all just useless talk, nothing gets done and the country going down the rankings. Passing the blame to subordinates whom one has himself appointed does not cut it. The reality at the end of the day is that the actual problems facing the nation have still not been addressed after the purges. This is the curse of irresponsible leadership. A toxic leader leaves his subjects worse of then when he assumed leadership.
The above thoughts are interesting but the Word of God tells us that we are indeed a cursed nation. Read Deuteronomy Chapter 28 v 1-14 for what constitutes a blessed nation and verses 15-68 for what constitutes a cursed nation. Sin and disobedience bring this curse upon a land. All we need is a heart of repentance for this curse to be lifted.
Not cursed just a senile selfish corrupt 91 year old throwing tantrums telling the world the country belongs to him like he built the country from scratch
Good headline question and I wonder if there is not some merit in it being asked. What makes the difference between most first world countries such as the UK, NZ, Australia, Canada etc. Having lived in Zimbabwe and two of the first world countries the major difference I think is, among many others, essentially in two areas: the quality and competence of the media and, secondly the ethics of those in authority.
In Zimbabwe a vibrant independent critical media has been sadly missing for much of Mugabe’s reign. There have been various attempts at to hold the Government to account. In the main these have been quickly suppressed. In addition in the first world hostile criticism generally has an impact upon those in authority. In Zimbabwe any such criticism was ignored and or met with retribution.
By ignoring the criticism those in authority displayed their lack of personal ethics. In essence the majority if not all of Zanupf were more interested in the acquisition of personal wealth and to feed at the trough for as long as possible. Hence the failure of Mugabe to successfully implement any form of control over such action. Instead we were subject to numerous indications that such policies would be implemented. We are still waiting!
Mutasa’s current actions and attempts to exonerate himself are nothing but an attempt to once again be able to feed at the trough. Therein lies another “fault” the inability to appreciate the hypocrisy of one’s actions. Again Mutasa unfortunately Is a prime example. During his long tenure in government he had no problem in supporting and or participating in similar actions, but now that he is on the receiving end he is fighting tooth and nail to be restored.
To answer the question I would suggest that unfortunately it has been cursed with those in authority but has been extremely blessed by abundant natural wealth, beauty and perhaps the best climate of all the countries in which I have lived. With the right government there is no reason why Zimbabwe should not be respected but now considered a joke.