By Ashley Kondo
The concept of patriotism in Zimbabwe is under threat from politics of grandstanding and intolerance which seems to be dividing citizens and even causing a loss of identity for some.
Simply put, patriotism is the love and support that one feels for their country. It is born out of a national identity and desire for one’s country to succeed and strive for excellence in all aspects.
It is prudent for citizens to love their country.
Patriotism or lack of it can be seen in various ways. For instance, the world over, people who have made huge sacrifices for their countries are famed patriotic.
Locally, our war veterans, both the living and fallen, celebrated for the sacrifices they made during the war of liberation, are no doubt one group of people that qualify to be called patriots.
Similarly, some names in sports who have raised the country’s flag to greater heights through dedication, hard work and commitment may also be called patriots.
However, it is ironic that some of Zimbabwe’s politicians who aspire to lead the country one day can go on a rampage of verbal attacks and insults of their own country, all in the name of their toxic opposition politics.
The latest babble by MDC Presidential Spokesperson, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda, shared through his Twitter handle, is a classic example of lack of patriotism owing to political polarisation and intolerance.
In an apparent response to American singer and artists, Anita Baker and Steve Harvey, respectively, who had just indicated their excitement about visiting the majestic Victoria Falls, Dr Sibanda painted a picture of a gloomy Zimbabwe.
Dr Sibanda wrote, “Please bring your own fuel reserves, prices will change overnight - so inflate your budget by 20% cumulatively and daily. Also you be careful to be viewed as a political threat by @edmnangagwa stay in specific areas”.
Following Dr Sibanda’s tweet and an outburst by some hostile netizens, Harvey went on to delete his earlier tweet.
It boggles the mind to note that while international icons like Baker can appreciate Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls as “One of the 7 Wonders, of The World. MAGNIFICENT!!” some of our own politicians choose to be blinded by political interests.
In fact for the MDC, it appears that the party finds opportunity for political mileage in smear politics.
However, such dirty tactics are divisive and retrogressive to the national development agenda.
The same applies to the party’s position on the issue of sanctions imposed on the country, where it believes that sanctions should remain in place.
Moreover, the MDC has made calls for additional sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Analysts have criticised, Dr Sibanda’s sentiments describing the former as uncouth and childish.
Commenting on Dr Sibanda’s utterances Setfree Mafukidze, “This comment was in my view not necessary at all especially coming from a Spokesman of an opposition party, such statements bring a lot of questions on whose interests one is serving, our tourism employs our sisters & brothers you are diraring Jecha for an industry feeding families”
Tendai Manyange questioned the logic behind discouraging tourists from visiting one’s own motherland and how a tourist can suddenly be viewed as a political threat to a nation by a whole Head of State of a given country.
He argued, “How exactly are these visitors going to be viewed as political threats by the president? Who in their right senses discourages visitors from visiting their motherland? These African Americans have seen worse in their own backyards. You taking your toxic politics too far bro...”
True to Manyange’s argument, there is no record of tourists becoming political threats in Zimbabwe over-night.
It is high time the country should introduce compulsory national programs intended to inspire patriotism.
United States President, Donald Trump, in his 2017 inaugural speech championed patriotism and echoed French politician, Marine Le Pen’s claim that ‘patriotism is the policy of the future’.
Benefits of a patriotic citizenry include a reduction in social conflict, increased cooperation and strive towards social justice, and fostering of a committed and engaged citizenry, all of which are key for development to take place.
