The elections in Zimbabwe weren’t violent but it does not mean that they were peaceful. People can be silent but it should not be concluded that they are at peace. Just like during the times of the slave trade; the slaves’ singing was always consciously misconstrued by the English parliament to mean that they were rejoicing in their captivity yet they were doing so at the terror of a lash. Peace is a sacred and noble situation, which is intertwined to freedom. Silence is reverenced for a leader only when either he is loved or feared.

In Zimbabwe, our fear is a world secret, which is unfortunately unscrupulously taken to mean love therefore our silence, means peace. The people of Zimbabwe need freedom rather than fear to achieve peace. Peace in Zimbabwe has always been an induced situation to push an agenda of stealing political offices.

The people of Zimbabwe have been telling this story of repression and duress in our country for quite a long time now and it is just unfortunate that the world has now grown weary of empathy. The Prime Minister nailed it last week that the world stance now is shifting to legitimising the illegitimate. With the Chinese already leading the looting of resources from Zimbabwe, the West has felt the pressure to deal with and find ways to legitimise the corruptible kleptocrats for them to join in the looting spree of our heritage. It is hustler politics now, the days of recognising democratic and legitimate governments are fast petering away before they even show their full light in the world political play field. The world is grasping opportunistic politics now, like hustlers, countries are making more money when others are weakening. For media, I understand that capitalism does not allow them to keep on singing the same song of repression in Zimbabwe; even if its the fact on the ground, their viewership will be compromised. For heads of states to do the same like what is happening now with Zimbabwe; I fear that these hustlers will ruin the livelihoods of us the people and our children in this country.

“History repeats itself, it just gets the details wrong” – PvS

From the Economist

The results have left the MDC’s supporters in shock. Some of its leading figures have lost their seats. Yet the party went into the election campaign knowing that the voters’ roll (as well as the broadcast media) would be biased against it. Mr Mugabe had decreed a snap election that left little time for voter registration, analysis of the voters’ list, or a correction of any irregularities. The MDC contested the elections anyway. Even on election day its leaders still seemed confident that disgust with Mr Mugabe’s often violent rule was sufficient to level the playing field.

Did they miscalculate?

More

Are the MDC-T MP’s going to accept their positions or boycott this new government? via Twitter

The worst thing that ever happened to Zim was the GPA? (Duh) via Twitter

Tsvangirai’s decline mainly has to do with the way the MDC-T relaxed when it joined government. Tsvangirai’s team was too pre-occupied with luxuries like cars and houses rather than focusing on issues affecting ordinary people and the need for change. They also became complacent and arrogant. While Mugabe and Zanu PF used the inclusive government to regroup, the MDC relaxed in there. Tsvangirai and MDC-T must take full responsibility for the consequences of their actions in the last four years. They have no one else but themselves to blame. – Blessing Vava in the Zimbabwe Independent

Zimbabwe’s presidential and parliamentary elections were “free, honest and credible” – Olusegun Obasanjo, African Union via BBC

A deep silence has settled
no jubilant cheering crowds
no smiled greetings from vendors at traffic lights/on the streets/in the shops

just a stunned disbelieving quietness
just deep, tired  lines etched on the kind , caring faces around me

today …

and we turn into tomorrow
knowing that we are still here
just where we are meant to be
that ours is not to choose to turn and face the wall
but to keep stepping with grace
over stony ground

that we are here with deep learning
each with a different calling
but with the knowing that our greatest work
is to bring peace
into our families and communities and children

is to stay connected to what is real and beautiful
the happy voice of the young boy named Perfect playing next door
and the wide eyed welcoming smile of my grandson

to keep stepping with grace
over stony ground

Photo: Jamie McLaren