In Zimbabwe, The Fight for a Democracy That Does Not Yet Exist

Does hope for a new Zimbabwe still exist?

It is increasingly seen as a fact that American democracy itself is at risk. The toppling of long-standing norms and the degradation of public institutions, coupled with unprecedented polarization amongst citizens and politicians alike have resulted in a distrust of our government, and the system of democracy itself. Structural challenges, like the increasing influence of money in politics, and a fragmentation of our body politic through gerrymandering, only magnify the challenge of our times.

Despite this plethora of challenges, there still seems to be a general understanding that change in this country is possible. Even if it is challenging, even if structural and entrenched oppression hold the proverbial arc of change back, it still can bend towards justice. Despite the prevailing cynicism of our current times, the unprecedented number of young people and women running for office, and the pervasiveness of social movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter demonstrate a hunger for citizen reform and a re-investment in civic life that does provide hope for a more just and equitable democracy ahead.

I often talk about the founding of Generation Citizen occurring because of the power I saw in citizens organizing for emerging democracies abroad. The same rings true for seeing democracy’s fragility. And the potential hope, even if it’s fleeing, in this country for a better democracy does not necessarily ring true everywhere. Last month, presidential elections in Zimbabwe showcased a population hungry for change, but increasingly unconvinced that change will ever come. The democratic spirit, and individual desire to participate in self-governance, seems universal. As is the disappointment when change does not ultimately come.

My parents lived in Zimbabwe for four years when I was in college, and the country has always been a special place for me. I’ve visited multiple times, including a trip with one of my best friends Colin in the summer of 2008, in the middle of competitive run-off elections. Colin and I had the opportunity meet with opposition activists and political leaders, all of whom dreamed of a better Zimbabwe, and vowed to do everything in their power to achieve change.

After all, former freedom fighter turned oppressive dictator Robert Mugabe had been in power since 1980, stifling the opposition, and decimating the economy through a series of badly implemented land reform policies that had resulted in unprecedented inflation (my parents have a trillion dollar Zim dollar bill framed at their house- it is, and was, worth nothing).

This election, though, seemed different. Mugabe had been topped in a coup in November, 2017, when the army seized control from Mugabe, largely supported by citizens throughout. With Mugabe out of power, the July 31st election seemingly provided an opportunity for a real, democratic election, in which the people’s voice would finally be heard. Nelson Chamisa, a charismatic 40-year former lawyer, activist, and pastor, gave hope to the opposition, running against the man who took over after the coup for Mugabe — Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was previously part of Mugabe’s own Zanu-PF party.

Election Day itself was peaceful: over 70% of the population came out to vote, and hope was in the air. In the days that followed, however, resulted in a long wait for the official returns. The long wait led to unrest. The Zimbabwean military quashed opposition protesters in the capital of Harare, killing six civilians. And after widespread allegations of rigging, days after the election, incumbent Mnangagwa was declared the victor, with 50.8% of the vote (he needed more than 50% to avoid a run-off). After a court challenge by the opposition, Mnangagwa was again declared victorious. The new Zimbabwe turned out to be a lot like the old Zimbabwe.

I know many Zimbabweans — activists, opposition leaders, students. They are crushed. They feel that there is nothing they can do to have a voice and a spot at the table. They feel that democracy itself is not at risk, but rather, it does not exist. I do not mean to imply that a Western-style democracy is needed in Zimbabwe. But rather that the fundamental human yearning for voice, and power, is ubiquitous and universal.

My friend, Themba Mzingwane, a Zimbabwean who fled to South Africa years ago to find work, described to me his sentiments after the election. His words demonstrate the desire for power, and the reality that not all people have it. His words are worth listening to:

Zimbabwe’s first election post Mugabe era has come and gone. But the familiar tale of Zanu PF subverting the people’s will persists.

This was another sham of an election, and now the main opposition are rightly disputing. Nelson Chamisa claims he has compelling evidence that shows Zanu PF rigging on a massive scale. That Zanu PF has kept itself in power through violence, intimidation and rigging, has never been in dispute. The issue has always been about presenting the evidence to prove those claims.

So here we are as Zimbabweans, hopeless after an election that we thought actually provided a chance to free ourselves from the Zanu PF bondage. Instead, the aftermath of the election has left us with an all too familiar feeling of utter resignation, powerlessness and hopelessness.

Now, it’s another 5 years of mass unemployment, dilapidated hospitals and long queues for a few useless bond-notes. It is another 5 years of being made to feel less of a human being in foreign lands. It is another 5 years of witnessing Zanu PF break every grand promise it made during election season.

Through its terrible political and economic policies, the ruling party completely ruined lives of my generation. Now they are after our children’s future. Their appetite for our suffering knows no bounds.

And the worst feeling in all of this is the realisation of our powerlessness to fight the system. The system looks stronger now than it was during Mugabe’s reign. The military element to it has made it virtually unchallengeable.

Zimbabweans have not known peace for 38 years. We have not known justice for 38 years. We have not known freedom for 38 years. In the last 38 years, we have all been turned into vendors. Some of us forced to spent most of our adult lives stuck in hostile foreign cities scavenging for a livelihood. It is frightening to think we are doomed to endure 5 more years of this.