By Kennedy Kaitano- t was with profound shock and sadness that I learnt of the death of our Mother, Amai Alice Chamisa who, from what has been reported, collapsed while doing one of things she loved doing most – working in her garden.
I felt devastated on such a sudden loss of life. Her pictures shown after her passing on depicted a loving mother, who was full of energy, full of life. It reminded me of the song “Munhu akanaka”, done many years by musical legend Zex Manatsa.
In the song Manatsa shared the message that the good people do not last long, but the murders and witches will live longer (Munhu akanaka haararame. Kunosara mhondi nevaroi – kunosara varoi……..).
It was a god thing that Dr. Thokozani Khupe, Professor Madhuku and others who have not been seeing eye to eye with Advocate Chamisa, son of the Amai Chamisa, took time to mourn and pay their last respects to Amai Chamisa.
As Advocate Chamisa told the crowd, there are times when we have to put our political differences aside, especially in instances where human lives are lost.
That is the Ubuntu spirit which we must all embrace. Barring others from paying their respects to the deceased is a primitive practice which should be abhorred. A big thank you to Dr. Khupe and Professor Madhuku and all others opposed to Advocate Chamisa who participated in the send-off event for our beloved Amai, and of cause all those who are not opposed to Advocate Chamisa.
A big thatnk you also to Advocate Chamisa for standing your ground against the security which initially barred Dr. Khupe from participating. It helped to prove the fact that you do not incite violence and hatred as some of those opposed to you have said.
I am glad that Shakespeare Mukoyi absolved you for the damaging allegations by your detractors that you instructed the youths to attack Dr. Khupe at the funeral of the late MDC founding President, an allegation those who wanted to ruin your political prospects.
I have reported before of a discussion I had with a member of the Dr. Khupe faction in which I proved to him that the culture of attacking opponents within the party is something that has existed since many years ago, narrating to my discussant my interaction with youths who assaulted Honourable Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga.
Those that I spoke to made it clear they acted on their own instinct, and want to protect the party from those they think are selling out. I recounted to my discussant the late Trudy Stevenson assault, and the Elton Mangoma assault, and the assault on Dr. Khupe in Bulawayo, until they accepted that the original MDC leadership failed to curb violent behaviour.
At least I managed to convince my discussant that Advocate Chamisa had nothing to do with violent behaviour in the MDC. However, the real problem of the anger that is simmering across the country is not the original MDC leadership.
The real problem is Zanu PF which has caused the simmering anger that is sweeping across the entire country. I said before that these young people have suffered under Zanu PF, some of them have been brutally assaulted and tortured by Zanu PF and Government agents.
Their hope to defeat Zanu PF has been the MDC since its formation, and as divisions arise within the MDC, they see as if there are some people who are derailing the struggle for freedom from Zanu PF, and they will not hesitate to attack once they suspect someone for working with Zanu PF or willingly being manipulated by Zanu PF to derail the struggle.
People may want to argue otherwise, but I have done research over the years, and have concluded that that is the position. Other researchers may want to do alternative research on the subject to prove me wrong if they wish to, but I am confident the findings will not be very different.
Of course there may be some political actors who may take advantage of the restive youth and sponsor them to attack their opponents, which is unfortunate, but I can echo Shakespeare Mukoyi to vouch for Advocate Chamisa’s innocence.
It is very unfortunate that Mr. Khaliphami Phugeni selected to call reality MDC-A hooligans. They are not MDC-A hooligans Mr. Phugeni, they are angry Zimbabweans who are yearning for change, but think that they are some who are being willingly abused by Zanu PF to derail the fight for freedom for personal benefit.
For anyone who has been labelled, rightly or wrongly, as a Zanu PF project, the only way to absolve yourself is to join the July 31 2020 demonstration which is believed by many has the potential to bring down the illegitimate Zanu PF regime.
Think carefully about this piece of free advice if you are genuinely against Zanu PF. Go out into the streets as is being planned. Let it happen everywhere, both in urban and rural areas. The regime will not have the capacity to control it if it happens all over the country.
Opposition politicians who spend time trying to portray Advocate Chamisa as causer of violence know that they are engaging in cheap politicking as part of a futile blame game to tarnish the image of the MDC Alliance leader. Advice ignored is trouble invited.