“I’m a man of my times.” – Frantz Fanon
Dear friends,
For years I have “stressed” about our dear country and continent. We have seen the damage that our leaders have wrought on our people and nations and the sense of hopelessness that has come with that.Despite the occasional despair that ends with one throwing one’s hands in the air, I am, nevertheless, the sort of person that also asks what we have done to try and stop this culture of impunity. For while it is true that the despots who have been true to their character in wrecking our countries and people’s lives have just been themselves, it is equally correct to say that we have not been as true to our characters by standing up to speak against their excesses. In the process, we have confirmed Martin Luther King’s claim that “for evil to triumph, all it takes is for good people to do nothing.” This is the first of many letters to come.
For, as Fanon says, I too am a man of my times. With specific reference to Zimbabwe even though this could apply literally anywhere in Africa, I have seen families torn apart by forced self-exile from the countries of their birth, grandparents unable to celebrate grandchildren’s birthdays because families are living on three separate continents. From being deprived of simple every day joys like this to the real horror of violence, rape, destruction of homes and chronic poverty, our people have been subjected to conditions that should have ended with World War 1.
The African people must act, take power back from the big men and big parties that ride roughshod over our lives instead of providing a values-driven transformative leadership to our people for the benefit of our people.
I do not accept that we can just continue to “live our lives” while our continent continues to be a case study in unfulfilled potential. It is no longer good enough to stand on the side lines pointing fingers and muttering in to our choice of drink.
This letter is, therefore, addressed to people who I believe will pass it on to others or reflect on its contents themselves as a possible call to action. My thoughts below are just that, my thoughts and together with yours, should you choose to join us in conversation, we can start a journey that will hopefully lead to action on the ground in our beloved country, Zimbabwe and the rest of the continent, for the benefit of all. We owe it to ourselves and to the generations that will come after us long after we have left this earth. Our job is legacy.
Sincerely,
Albert Gumbo
14 March, 2016.
