An Open Letter To Henry Olonga and Andy Flower
zakanaka
Having just returned from spending two weeks in the UK, I feel that I have
to write to let you know about some of the most incredible discoveries along
my journey .... in so, so many ways it was a spiritual experience and having
just read about your "escape" Henry, from being "escorted" back to your
beloved country where you were to stand in the presence of evil itself, I am
compelled and driven to tell you how brightly the light is shining and who
out there amongst our people all over the world is responsible for bringing
Zimbabwe hope in all this darkness.
I was asked to go and give a few talks to Zimbabweans living in London. No
political or organisational affiliations; simply a matter of telling it like
it really is as Zimbabweans are tired of reading the papers and watching the
TV for info on what's going on at home. I have to confess that together with
the other two women with whom I had the honour and pleasure of accompanying;
we were highly stressed before giving our first presentation. We were aware
of ex-farmers (still understandably angry and grieving over their losses)
attending as well as Zimbabweans in their early to late twenties, teachers
and professionals from all walks of life. Expecting an emotionally-charged
audience, we committed body and soul to what we had been asked to do.
Basically, we presented three aspects of life here at home; "The Reality' -
Pauline Makoni gave an excellent synopsis of the awful state of affairs
which constitute our economy. Pauline suggested that our biggest challenge
is to change attitudes on the ground. By concentrating on our families and
our communities and making positive contributions to society in all aspects
of our lives we can assure ourselves that the next generation will be
principle-centred leaders of our country.
Then I talked about "The Community" - how we have rediscovered how to focus
on critical things in life essential for our survival .... such as friends,
family and core values in life. I also spoke about how awesome our education
system still is and what kind of generation we are throwing ourselves into
developing. Personal responsibility in daily events was my mantra and
pushing proactivity in all life events as opposed to reactivity and
passivity!
Then Ingrid Landman finished with "The Opportunities". Ingrid is a general
practitioner here in Harare and her cause and passion is for sustaining and
developing the health and all other important structural sectors through
empowerment of existing professionals. Her ideas are powerful and effective:
she invites professionals in health, education, leadership, economics,
management and community social work who may be visiting, passing through or
returning to Zim to spare an hour or so to share their knowledge with
Zimbabweans working in the same area. All they have to do is contact us
through goodnewsfromzim.com .
She has set up and has already run empowerment sessions from her training
room which can seat 50+ people .... and her work has encompassed everything
from HIV management, stress management for farming communities to lectures
in the latest developments in menopause and HRT.
We concluded our one hour presentation with us playing your song "Our
Zimbabwe" whilst we projected images of our beloved nation above their heads
on a huge screen. Many tears were shed as your words captured the shared
vision of what we all want for Zimbabwe. Afterwards we all mingled and we
were astounded to learn at just how passionate every Zimbabwean still is
about back home. They have formed formidible groups; helping and supporting
each other in the daily grind which constitutes "surviving" in another
culture, and in so doing, they have formed their own Zimbabwean communities.
United in their history and all things familiar to an upbringing under open
skies and in bare-footed tradition, they have thrown themselves into raising
funds, writing articles, looking out for each other and most importantly,
into really and truly believing that they will come home one day and so they
channel all their energy into anything and everything Zimbabwean!
You and Andy have lifted our nation at home and abroad with your courageous
actions. In choosing to lose the battle with silence imposed on so many of
us by fear, you have won the war between what is the truth and what is the
lie. Now that you have captured our hearts and our thoughts with your words,
we are inspired to speak with one voice; one dream. Your principles are our
principles. Your concerns are our concerns. Your passion our passion. Your
patriotism our patriotism. More than ever before, we are walking along the
same road ... the moral high ground. Thank you Henry and Andy for helping us
to remember what it really means to be a proud Zimbabwean again. You showed
the world and reminded us all what virtue there is in refusing to accept
anything less than our collective perfect best. God Bless you both and God
Bless Zimbabwe.
Always,
Debbie Jeans