BULAWAYO Govenor Cain Mathema, Vice President John Nkomo and more recently Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu have been giving their thoughts on the contentious subject of the marginalisation of Matabeleland.

Whatever our view of the three men’s arguments, we must thankful that they are having this debate at all. But I cannot escape the feeling that these distinguished gentlemen are pitching their debate at a most inappropriate level as far as the real issues facing the region are concerned, and are therefore arriving at the wrong conclusion.

I will focus specifically on Zanu PF politburo member Naison Ndlovu who told the Chronicle newspaper that people from the region were some kind of cry babies or otitisi (small puppies) who are always making noise while the big dogs are the ones that really do the hunting.

Ndlovu is further quoted criticising the people from the region for their perceived arrogance in not taking up opportunities when they arise, while people from other regions take their opportunities. The publication quotes him simply urging people to take their kids to school.

The other notable and named contributors to the debate have more or less been quoted pursuing the exact same line of argument. However, it is my view that to focus on this particular level of debate is to miss the bigger picture altogether, this particular aspect these gentlemen are harping on is but a small part of the bigger puzzle that is Matabeleland.

The bigger picture to Matabeleland pertains to national issues rather than these matters of a largely consumptive nature in this instance obviously implying the fact that we miss opportunities for tenders and deals. The bigger issues facing Matabeleland have a lot more to do with the relative neglect of the region as far as infrastructural development and the broader issue of self determination are concerned.

The relative underdevelopment of the region's water, transport, telecommunications and education infrastructure; the denial of justice as far as the 1980s atrocities are concerned, apparent political powerlessness, the denial of the opportunity to foster and preserve minority languages and culture is what irks the people from the region and this has little to do with individuals running around at 4AM to catch the earliest worm at the market. People chase deals in an enabling environment.

Indeed, as a people, we may have slumbered into a state of lethargy and apathy, I will not deny that, but I think part of our problem lies in the fact that many of our leaders instead of inspiring us and giving us hope and addressing these issues of national importance are instead telling us to get into the scrap and simply take our kids to school. What exactly is the point of a Sotho speaking parent in Zezani taking his kid to school to be taught Ndebele by a Shona-speaking teacher?

What exactly is the point of putting your CV out for a job at the Elephant Hills Hotel when you know very well that already the large majority of recent recruits at that establishment are from other regions and that if you complain about it you may end up in court charged with hate crimes?

What is the point of going to the industrial areas in Belmont to look for a job when companies are closing down due to lack of water? These are the issues that speak directly to self determination and yet our leaders seem to miss this point completely. I think this is the real opportunity we are missing out on.