Zimbabwe

Say the word Zimbabwe and immediately there is an emotional reaction. From where do we get the name Zimbabwe, and why does it evoke such emotion? The word is derived from the language of the Shona people "dzimba dzemabwe" meaning "houses of stone". This country in recent history has taken an economic beating at the hands of Northern (western) powers similar to what was done to Haiti in 1803, and later Cuba. The reason for these sanctions has been the reluctance of the elected leaders to "obey" the European/American masters. As we look at the results of these non-military interventions into the affairs of sovereign states we must understand why Europeans/Americans are so steadfast in their determination to undermine other governments. First of all nations look out for their nation interest as in the case of Zimbabwe, but the lack of truly independent African states makes it hard for the citizens (fellow Africans) to stand up to the Northern oppressors. The crime that the government of Zimbabwe has committed is to not obey. The incident that brought on this unleashing of Northern economic coercion was the idea of the people of Zimbabwe taking back (some of) their land. In the eyes of Europeans/Americans worldwide, this is considered reckless behavior. The first recorded accounts of our veteran soldiers occupying the land were called an invasion. I asked at that time, how is it possible to invade "your own land?" Later I saw the last dictator of the so-called rodesia, ian smith rallying against the Zimbabwe government. At no time has the Northern powers questioned the validity of our people taking back our lands, because that would leave the door open for reparations. After the tactic of calling our people's reclamation an invasion they changed tactics by now saying that President Mugabe was cruel and brutal to his people. Living in South Africa I have met many people from Zimbabwe and learned of the conditions that they suffer from. But what we are seeing is not what the president has done but the effects of sanctions and undermining of a sovereign African state. Zimbabwe is not alone in withstanding these actions but does stand alone as leader in principal. All African states have sanctions on them; it is only in degree that an overt effort was made to break the will of the people. As with President Mugabe's mentor, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah he will continue to be demonized by the North but loved in the South (Mzansi). What is being played out in front of us is the true nature of the Northern people. All they have ever wanted was everything. I find that the Northern powers are more comfortable spewing clichés about freedom of the press and democracy than justice for Africans. Their concern is always relative to their pocketbooks. It is that all conscious Africans make the effort to support Zimbabwe, Haiti and other African nations who have dared to stand up to White Supremacy.