| #YearOfThePeople #GoreReVanhu #UmnyakaWaBantu As we enter the year 2021, Citizens’ Manifesto declares it #YearOfThePeople #GoreReVanhu #UmnyakaWaBantu as we continue to put citizens at the center of our focus and urge the leaders of our people in the various spheres of our society to do the same. These are not just hashtags. Nor should they be mantras or hollow words. We are all in need of a message of inspiration and vision for 2021 and what 2020 has taught us is that it can only come from us as citizens and communities in solidarity with one another. We are calling on all Zimbabweans to claim this reality and to make 2021 a year that marks the rise and re-invigoration of the citizen, with a focus on constitutionalism, country and community. We are all aware of the global challenges we are facing, which in Zimbabwe are compounded by a multifaceted economic, social, environmental and political crisis with no end in sight. With the COVID-19 public health crisis wreaking havoc on communities and nations across the globe, we continue to see the fault lines of inequality in our societies exposed and needing redress. We will only succeed in meaningfully altering the trajectory of our development as humanity with collective and collaborative responses to the inequalities which have been made starkly visible during this pandemic. As Zimbabwean citizens in pursuit of a better Zimbabwe for all, it is disheartening to witness the roll over from 2020 of State-led intimidation and harassment of ordinary citizens, activists and journalists. It is infuriating and saddening to watch the weaponization of various judiciary, executive and security arms of Government of Zimbabwe against our Constitution and our people. State energy and state resources are being diverted to close the democratic space when this is the very space which will facilitate the collaboration we need to come up with solutions to our challenges and harness the opportunities we have lying in wait. Today, we condemn this unlawful and inflammatory display of political persecution against civic and political activists and public officers in Zimbabwe. We call for the immediate release of the political prisoners in Zimbabwe and an immediate end to this political inquisition. This undemocratic trajectory continues to make a difficult situation in the country worse. To the government of Zimbabwe: We, the citizens, are tired of circling the drain and want a year of tasting the goodness of this country. Respect us. Protect us. Hear us. Serve us. And choose each day to use policy and decision-making processes as opportunities to rebuild trust with us as our public servants. To our fellow citizens and all progressive forces: We learned a lot in 2020 about solidarity and standing together in the midst of devastation. Let’s make 2021 the year we reconverge and build a new consensus on the future we want and fight together in solidarity to get it! #ABetterZimbabweForAllNow. #ItsUsAndItsNow. To our global community: Our societies are under threat and need to be protected from undemocratic rule. Recent events in the US and beyond show how important it is for institutions to be strong and for leaders to be accountable to their citizens – all their citizens. Zimbabweans have been battling for too long in pursuit of a truly participatory democracy as we watch its attrition at the hands of an elite predatory system. Sadly, the world probably understands better our pain today after the US experience in despotism and how disheartening it is to face years of authoritarian impunity. Do not tire of standing in solidarity with the citizens of Zimbabwe as we stand together and build together. We all deserve to participate in an inspired experiment in building whole futures for generations to come. #YearOfThePeople #GoreReVanhu #UmnyakaWaBantu |
| #SununguraZimbabwe!! |