Kwinjeh ridiculed Africans

Kwinjeh ridiculed Africans

KWINJEH

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Grace Kwinjeh's Independence Day article 'Happy birthday to an unfinished revolution' has attracted several comments from our readers. Kuthula Matshazi accuses her of distortion

By Kuthula Matshazi
April 19, 2005
GRACE Kwinjeh did a good job of ridiculing Africans. She is so smart that she filled her story with examples that indeed happened, however, like everyone else who is attempting to justify her point she skirts on mentioning the dynamics inherent in the African situation.

African struggles are not that simple that one can just outline in one article. She trivialises our struggles through a deliberate strategy of glossing over the many issues that play a part in our African lives - including her current hosts. But I understand, she has been too long in Brussels, the supposed house of European democratic institutions but where Africa and other Third World countries's woes are schemed and in collaboration with the murderous US, implemented.

Yes, Grace, African democracy is different from the one demanded by the Brussels league. They messed us up in the first place. They made a good job of modernising some of us (it is those European guys who came up with the concept of modernisation (1960s) and US Prez. Truman (1949) who started the "development" nonsense) that have been the source of our neo-colonisation and neo-imperialism (all that you choose to very conveniently throw out of the window). This was done to enable your hosts to be able to shape the world in their own order and see the world through their glasses. That is a very strong reason that they convinced us to adopt and believe in. Until we can get over that belief we shall forever remain in turmoil.

"What Zimbabweans don't want is money from Brussels and other colonialist capitals soiling our politics"

KUTHULA MATSHAZI

But of course I would be naive to think that we could easily get over the idea of modernisation or development. Are they not the ones that enable us to lose reality and disregard everything else for unsustainable and illusive "sustained economic growths" (environment is finite and how can we sustain this modernisation that we are being dragged into), drive Mercs, live in apartments, wear skimpy clothes and expose our bodies and embrace the messy concept of democracy - which even the so-called masters have spectacularly failed to master?

Continue fighting for modernisation but I hope you would do so in a decent manner with acknowledgement of our African exeriences and struggles put in proper perspective.

Also, Grace can be able to engage in political competition in Zimbabwe without necessarily having to distort issues. There are great opportunities for political space in Zimbabwe for those who understand the issues in Zimbabwe and strategise wisely.

What Zimbabweans do not want is money from Brussels and other capitals of colonisers soiling our politics. What do they expect in return of their money? Why would they give us their monies when their people are suffering and social investments have been drastically reduced leaving more and more of their people struggling? Are they good people, who despite being a fifth in the world control 80 pecent of the world resources and let the rest of the 80 percent starve while competiting for 20 percent of the resources?

We all, as Blacks want to live happily, peacefully and in "prosperity" like our brothers and sister in Brussels.
Matshazi is a Zimbabwean journalist and writes from Canada. He is a regular contributor to Zimbabwean internet bloggs
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