Zimbabwe will change when you change

ICWT Newsletter | Issue 50

By Trevor Ncube

Every day I reflect on what it would take for Zimbabwe to change. Much of what l look at during my daily commute screams: “Change me!” As l reflect on what my surroundings are asking of me, I have changed in many ways.

It is the sight of drivers and passengers throwing all manner of litter out of moving vehicles which makes me mad. All round us rampant illegal garbage dumping has turned cities into filthy dumps and destroyed the God-given beauty.

A recent drive around Rhodes Nyanga National Park was heart-breaking. One of Zimbabwe’s most scenic areas has been desecrated by littering, posing a threat to wild animals and birds.

Do we need a messiah to tell us that littering is wrong? It would help if political leaders behaved as if they were aware of this littering and reminded their followers that littering is a bad thing.

I once asked President Paul Kagame why it was important for Rwanda to be so clean. His answer in short: “Because clean surroundings are conducive to a clean mind and are a part of fighting corruption. Corruption is a form of filth that starts in the mind.”

His answer has stuck in my mind since. The garbage that is everywhere is an accurate reflection of Zimbabweans’ collective state of mind.

The reckless driving on our roads and complete disregard of good manners and the laws of the land are another reflection of who we have become. Usually those charged with policing our laws are nowhere to be found.

I hate with a passion motorists who use their phones while driving. It is illegal, but almost all drivers – including those of omnibuses and haulage trucks – text while driving.

Touts have become a menace at bus ranks nationwide as they force reluctant commuters to board buses they don’t wish to. These young people bully vulnerable women and the elderly with impunity under everyone’s watch making us all complicit in the madness.

Poor customer service delivery is the norm in most local and central government offices. Officials seem to think they’re doing the public a huge favour by attending to their needs.

We complain about corrupt politicians and yet most of us pay big and small bribes daily to get out of trouble and avoid doing the right thing. Bribery has become a cancer in our body politic.

The lack of respect and concern for the welfare of others will not stop when we get a new leader at State House. As long as we think we need a messiah to change, Zimbabwe will have a long wait.

The toxicity in our politics and national discourse is a grave indictment of who we have become. Sadly we have not seen any leadership from any of our politicians in this regard.

I am persuaded, more than ever before, that Zimbabwe will only change when we all realise that change, big and small, starts within each of us. This change starts with a reassessment of our personal values and extending these for the benefit of those around us. To build the Zimbabwe we want we must go back to, “Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

The messiah that we are waiting for is in each of us. When we begin to love ourselves, we will be able to extend that love to others. More grace, empathy and compassion are the ingredients desperately lacking in what we are trying to build. Only this way will we build a loving, caring and durable Zimbabwe.

In Conversation with Joyce Chimanye

Joyce Chimanye is one of Zimbabwe’s leading fashion designers. Joyce’s rise from the bottom to where she is reflects tremendous passion and determination. She believes that government should do more to protect the clothing industry by banning second hand imports. She also says the government, corporates and tertiary institutions need to collaborate in making the Zimbabwe Fashion Industry a success. Watch her episode here..

Audience Responses

From the Joyce Chimanye episode, our community had this to say:

@Mr_Rocca:

As a tailoring enthusiast I have learnt a lot from this conversation, what a phenomenal woman Joyce is. Time stamp 53:10, that really hit home and the fact that, as a stylist myself and bespoke suit maker, I travel a lot back and forth to Africa, city to city and all and I tend to think I’m missing out on spending time with my son (5) and my daughter (3) but again, like she said, something has to give. It’s a case of asking yourself, should I be a father who is always there and be ordinary or be a father who is always on the grind to secure a legacy for the family and currently I’m leaning towards the latter. All in all, great conversation once again Trevor, loving how the art and creative industry has been represented lately from Ruvheneko to Moffat now Joyce 🙌🏾

@Miamiiiiiii:

Love it when she mentions that her business is part of evangelism. When i lived in Zimbabwe, I was fortunate to have been part of the prayer group for women that Joyce was leading. Solid sister in Christ! Chido

@leonardmhanje8781:

Passion is key to find one’s purpose

Coming Next: In Conversation with Jacque Mgido

Don’t miss the next episode with Celebrity Make-up Artist, Stylist and CEO of Jacque Mgido Cosmetics & Vault Cosmetics Jacque Mgido In Conversation with Trevor.

Podcasts

• Bishop Never Muparutsa Muparutsa; Bishop of Pentecostal Assemblies of Zimbabwe and President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe.
• Nigel Chanakira; banker and businessman.
• Jestina Mukoko; National Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project.