In my book, there is nothing that robs a man of all his dignity and confidence like hopelessness and despair.
There is no sight sadder and more gloomy than a man who is fully aware of the hopeless nature of his predicament – but who persists in engaging in undeniably ridiculous and even degrading pursuits, all in the vain hope for a miracle of respite, or a fading spark of hope.
It’s akin to watching a man caught cheating with his wife – perhaps in bed with another woman – whose obviously irate and weary spouse, having had enough of the unrepentant bravery, can no longer bear the nonsense, and decided to leave him.
Yet there he is, in a desperate and clearly rather disturbing attempt to woo her, begging her forgiveness and crawling like a hungry kitten – spends all day crying, practically crawling on her lap as he follows her around the house like a puppy, and for the first time, even goes to his church which he had always made fun of like a bunch of brainwashed fools (yet now pushed to lead praise and worship, much to his amazement of all participants)!
This is what happens when an individual is driven to despair – knowing how desperate his situation has become!
What a sad, sad, gloomy sight!
However, while the illustration above may just be an imaginary scene – in Zimbabwe it is an all too common occurrence, especially when dealing with the ruling elite – who, n ‘being only too aware of how unpopular, scornful and hated they have become in the eyes of the general populace, they have resorted to the most incredulous, ridiculous and desperate means to save what remains of their good will.
To be quite frank, there is nothing more laughable, and even sad, than the image of the President of the Republic, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, reduced to wearing various clothes from the many apostolic sects of the country – all in a pathetic attempt to salvage what little remains of its rapidly waning record support.
In fact, a survey by what Zimbabwe’s state media recently called “reputable” Afrobarometer pollsters, found that Mnangagwa’s public approval ratings dropped dramatically by 38% (in itself , not a particularly impressive figure) shortly after the November 2017 military coup that catapulted him to power – after toppling longtime tyrant Robert Gabriel Mugabe – at 30% today .
With such terrible numbers, who wouldn’t be in panic mode?
In fact, based on the same Afrobarometer stats, the main opposition has absolutely no reason to beat their chests or rest on their laurels – since they’re not doing particularly well themselves.
Nevertheless, I am convinced that the idea of losing power is more traumatic and terrifying, compared to those in the opposition who fail to take power.
Why shouldn’t there not be so much disenchantment and disappointment with the ruling establishment – when the sole concern of our leaders seems to be the large-scale plunder of our national resources, while putting implementing inconsistent and illogical economic policies – instead of carefully addressing the most pressing issue of raising the living standards of suffering and impoverished citizens?
No wonder those in power are in such alarm and horror!
Nevertheless, like the husband who could not keep his pants on and was caught in the act of adultery by his wife, who is now seeking an immediate divorce – the ruling establishment must now attend to religious organizations which, if all had been normal, they would never have set foot there and might be on the front lines of despising their members and their religious beliefs.
Yet now that these entities carry with them hundreds of thousands of followers, we now have the indignity of seeing our own leaders having to wear these long white robes (and, recently, some in green, red and other colors), forced to a facade of humility (walking comically in slow motion, arms crossed) and pretending to be prayerful and biblical.
Even as I write this, I can’t help but burst out laughing!
Let me offer some sound advice to our dear leaders – please, life would be much easier if you just did what is expected of you in government.
Stop the corruption, looting and looting of our national treasures.
To use our abundant resources primarily for the upliftment of the country’s citizens – giving workers their living wages, stabilizing and strengthening the local currency, providing affordable and adequate health care in our public institutions, empowering the younger generation with a vibrant education system and a strong functional economy, and allow local authorities to operate freely, with sufficient capacity to provide appropriate services.
Once that’s accomplished – let’s see if you’ll be driven by desperation and desperation to hop from church to church, don those robes, and coyly solicit their leaders for votes.
– Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice activist, writer, researcher and social commentator. Do not hesitate to contact him on WhatsApp / Call: +263715667700 / +263782283975, or Calls only: +263788897936, or by email: [email protected]
