Protests, Demos and Stayaways
Do they work in Zimbabwe?
General Justification
- Harsh Economic conditions
- Chronic unemployment
- Hyperinflation
- Poor Service Delivery
- Harsh Political Conditions
- Chronic poverty and perpetual retrogression
Constitutional and Legal Position
- Yes, the Constitution in theory provides space for peaceful protests
- However, peaceful protests are a phenomenon of mature democracies; Countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Britain etc have the space and conditions for effective protests
- Zimbabwe’s democratic institutions are either very weak or broken and protests can easily be overtaken by unintended consequences
Underlying Root Causes for Zimbabwe Challenges
The harsh realities of today’s socio-economic and political environment are broadly a result of the underlying root causes below.
- Endemic corruption and Bad Stewardship
- Weak or Broken Institutions
- Poor Leadership/ management and or people skills particularly in the area of public service and nation building
- Lack of a shared vision and a shared socio-economic and political system
- Cultural identity Crisis for most native Zimbabweans
Strategic Options for Sustainable Solutions
- Without effective or mature democracy, which is the case for Zimbabwe; Protests, demos or stayaways are arguably more self-destructive and unproductive
- An inclusive dialogue and reconciliatory approach is much more suitable for this political environment.
- Prayers and advocacy promoting national peace and national integration are very critical
- Zimbabwe’s ongoing challenges mostly stem from the above underlying root causes none of which can be resolved by protests.