I RECENTLY had a very disturbing realisation which was made more disturbing by the fact we are assuming the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
It appears no one is accountable anymore; accountability that is answerability, responsibility and liability has totally disappeared among our people.
From the young to the old, it has become fashionable to cry foul, blame others and exhibit the victim mentality.
It is lack of capital or a shortage of this and that stopping, blocking and inhibiting us from achieving our set goals.
We have since long stopped taking responsibility; it is no longer the I that is ultimately in charge, but everything and everybody else, but us.
Success it is said can only be achieved when people take greater accountability and ownership of processes.
And as a nation we must become accountable, more so as we chair our regional body, many will look up to us for direction.
Instead of admitting our shortfalls and mistakes we have made it has become fashionable to blame our failures and hardships on others and circumstances.
By evading responsibility we will prolong our suffering, and for a longtime remain in the ‘difficult’ situation in which we are.
It has become the norm for people to come up with excuses and explanations when faced with the question why they are not where they are supposed to be as individuals and nation.
We are not naïve and do not underestimate the challenges we are facing but we must own up.
That which we are not in control of is as much as that which we are in control of.
Past generations were accountable.
There was so much that was against the fighters of the First Chimurenga and Second Chimurenga.
Yet they apportioned no blame or felt helpless, they wasted no time playing the victim.
They decided to take action, acted and prevailed.
But our generation, those in their prime that must pick up the gauntlet appear to be contend with whimpering and blaming everyone else, but themselves.
Vasharukwa vedu vorwa zvakare here imi muripo/ limelele abadala ukuthi balwe njalo lina likhona?
If we desire wealth and the good life then we must fight for it, work for it.
It will not be handed to us by the Americans or the British.
We cannot look up to them, we must look at ourselves.
This is one message that must be delivered and understood by our people in the country and the region.
The battles, the difficult ones, have already been fought for us and what is demanded of us is consolidation of our achievements.
No country in SADC is under colonial bondage, all states have gained independence and there are no reasons why they should not thrive.
We feel powerless because we are surviving as victims, but we are not.
Our liberation struggles were successful because everyone was accountable.
The message was clear, iwe neni tine basa/ mina lawe silomsebenzi.
And everyone, at the rear, at the front, in the villages, in the cities, wherever they were, everyone played their part.
And that is what is demanded from everyone in our present situation.
If we are to do away with greed and corruption and be united as a people, serving a single agenda which is the development of our countries, our region and continent, we will thrive.
The day belongs to those that seize it and not those that mourn about the lack of sunshine.