In Search of the Elusive Zimbabwean Dream (Volume 1)
By Professor Arthur Mutambara
Published by Staging Post (2017)
ISBN: 978-0-9947079-2-5

THE attainment of independence by Mozambique on June 25 1975 proved fortuitous for the revolutionary movement fighting the colonial Rhodesian regime.
Independence in Mozambique resulted in the opening of military bases and refugee camps in that country by ZANLA.
As a result, there was an influx of people crossing the border to join in the fight.
Theirs was a common cause: Fight the brutal Ian Smith regime and free the indigenes.
Their dream was to see an independent Zimbabwe.
This war, in which young men and women participated, has defined Zimbabwe and its people.
As such, we cannot talk about our personal or country’s history without mentioning the liberation struggle.
It is the story of the liberation struggle that opens up the book In Search of the Elusive Zimbabwean Dream: An Autobiography of Thought Leadership (Volume 1) by Professor Arthur Mutambara.
The book deals with the author’s formative years and early professional career during his sojourn in the big wide world.
In 1983, Prof Mutambara wrote an essay for the National Ecumenical Arts Workshop’s creative writing competition titled: A day in the life of a freedom fighter.
Having not taken part in the fighting itself, the essay was drawn from narratives about the liberation struggle he had heard.
“My AK-47 was dangling at my side as I lay flat as a pancaked lizard in a crack,” reads part of the essay.
“I felt it was a toy.
“It was useless in contrast to the jet bombers above.
“These enemy planes started to lay live chicks with big balloon-like wings.
“These started to dangle with deadly weaponry in their wings.
“They meant to finish off the remaining bits of life forms.”
Through his narrative, the writer brings out how disadvantaged freedom fighters were in terms of machinery compared to their opponent.
Freedom fighters were not backing down.
They soldiered on
Their dream of a free Zimbabwe had to be realised.
“My blood was steaming,” writes Prof Mutambara in the essay.
“I had to take revenge.”
Indeed, in 1980, the dream of the thousands of gallant sons and daughters became a reality.
Independence was won.
New dreams were birthed.
With political independence attained, next was economic independence.
It is this dream Prof Mutambara suggests is ‘elusive.’
Are locals not landowners as opposed to having the white minority owning major pieces of land?
Prof Mutambara says ‘youths are the drivers of change’ and as such they should be given space to take a leading role.
“I believe the future lies in the hands of the youths of the world and serve notice that the new youthful wave will change the conservatism of the older generation,” he writes.
Indeed youths play a pivotal role in shaping the future.
History shows youths have been accorded equal opportunities in political, economic and social issues.
Youths played a part in the liberation struggle.
What is important to note is that youths take their cue from the older generation.
They cannot go it alone.
They need the guidance of the older generation.
Lessons are drawn from achievements and mistakes by older generations.
If the older generation was not a vital cog, as Prof Mutambara subtly suggests, there would be no need for people like him to publish his books which he hopes to inspire youths to formulate their own ideas.
“My ideas are beginning to form and take shape, with my recognition that the problems of young people are often social, and not always political, in nature,” writes Prof Mutambara.
The writer raises important issues on the need for Africans to shape their own future.
How ironic, coming from a man who represented MDC — a party whose major financiers were the West during the Government of National Unity in 2008.
“Already formed, or developing, at this stage in my life, are beliefs in social justice, equality and the need for Africans to take charge of their own future,” writes Prof Mutambara.
His party’s policies went against the grain with reference to giving locals a leading role in shaping their future.
MDC’s major handlers, Britain and her allies, were not too pleased by the Land Reform Programme which empowered blacks.
Prof Mutambara raises issues that opposition parties should draw lessons from.
“The other reason most opposition parties do not succeed is that, on paper, Mugabe is closer to the peasants and workers,” he writes.
“A Zimbabwean opposition party cannot win elections in Zimbabwe if it is to the right of ZANU-PF.
“The have-nots, consisting of peasants and workers are the majority of our people.”
The opposition parties have proved to have nothing to offer to ordinary Zimbabweans.
Neither do they have anything to offer their Western handlers.
Instead they hope to reverse the gains of independence and empowerment programmes that have been implemented by Government.
“Do you think the British and French like each other?” questions Prof Mutambara.
“They don’t like each other, but they are coming together to form a powerhouse, the European Union, that competes against Japan, the United States and Asia.
“Do you think the United States loves China with its billion people?
“It does not, but a geographical area with a billion people means a huge potential market for US goods and corporate.
“It is not love but sheer economics.”
Prof Mutambara urges political leaders to be wary of Western countries.
“The United States does not have permanent friends, only permanent interests,” writes Prof Mutambara.
“So when you find the United States giving China ‘most favoured nation’ status, it is because of the potential market that is envisioned out of a billion people.”
This comes as advice to political parties that have faith in Western countries and view them as their saviours.
Just as Zimbabweans fulfilled their dream of political independence without the West, the dream of attaining full economic independence will be realised following the same route.