A ZIMBABWEAN IN BAKERSFIELD

Dr. Ken Manungo, Professor of History and Department Chair of the University of Zimbabwe presented a most interesting talk about the current political, economic, and social situation of his country at CSUB last Friday.

It was most refreshing to hear his words delivered with such humbleness. Marked by a clear short overview of the current population; the 1890-1980 British rule; the fifteen years of War of Liberation; the war ending with introduction of a new Constitution and the turbulent civilian conflict between 1980 –1990 finally resulting in an ethnic partnership.

The saddening part of his talk was the present condition of the existing two party political systems. It seems that drawing lines on a map to differentiate constituent areas into cells for voting purposes with the resulting changes to a common vote without any cell boundaries, together with President Robert Mugabe’s privilege to appoint an additional 20 Members of Parliament, suggests a continuing majority to the ruling party.

This demise was carried further into the original apportionment of “better” land to white settlers and rural reserves to Africans. War veterans currently demanding pay and land have been ignored by government officials. Land demonstrations and lack of settlement agreements of apportionment gave rise to present British and USA sanctions.

The healthy realization that a two party democratic system is essential for moral and ethical action of those imbued with power of governance, as well as, the fact that restless youth are “born free’ and are interested in advancing their lives beyond a good education is most encouraging.

The hope for a different political future with the upcoming national elections to be held March 9-10 this year holds little hope for opposition party challenge. The imbalance of rural versus urban voters is not promising for political change.

It was a privilege to shake the hand of a fellow Zimbabwean. The friendly and humorous ethos of this man is something I remembered as a young boy growing up on the farm called Makabusi with the M’kuba family. After thirty-five years of absence I hope to again visit my birthplace in Harare.

Only there will the minority status I have carried all my life, be lifted by standing amongst the huge gray granite boulders, on the carved worn shelves alongside shallow water pools, watching the light reflecting from the slow moving artesian water source - the Makabusi River.

May I extend my grateful thanks and a commendation to Messrs Merryweather & Khe for communicating this opportunity for me to attend.

BY Graham Kaye-Eddie – Master Urban Designer.

Makabusi Inc. – Bakersfield – California

Email – makabusi@pacbell.net

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