New ideologies and paradigms for Zim and Africa essential

DEAR EDITOR―Whilst in the most recent past we have witnessed pervasive political flunkeyism within some quarters to the point of nullifying any semblance of independent thought and existence, we remain hopeful for the commitment shown in the historic document for a new path.

Not until we learn to solve ideological problems as they relate to us, and shape solutions to our conditions, can we even postulate about an African Renaissance of which we all have an integral part to play.

We must concede that our historically disenfranchised and unfortunate position is like no other people’s in the world and none can get us out of it except ourselves. No one is going to do it for us because no one can, and until we do, our renaissance and regeneration will remain but figments of our imaginations and the New Economic Partnership for African Development(s) (NEPAD) perhaps condemned to the graveyard to lie alongside the ill-advised and ill-conceived Structural Adjustment Programmes, et al.

To continue a posture of dependency upon the analyses and ideological perspectives of others as a cut and paste panacea for our problems will be absolutely suicidal at this point in time. This is a time to conduct ourselves with open minds to new ideas.

This is a time for structured partnerships and cooperation, social and economic innovation, creative and responsible enterprise with “equinomics”.

If ideology is a comprehensive definition of a status quo that takes into account both the history and future of that status quo and serves as the social glue that holds a people together and through which a people relate to the world, and other groups of people in the world, then a new ideology that defines a new path of common endeavor for real progress is fundamental.

Zimbabwe needs a firm foundation, built on a relevant ideology that opens up the path to the future, and a future to which we will have to provide new economic and social imperatives to fit a programme of just and due transformation. Conditions dictate that impulses towards cooperation must now prevail over impulses towards disagreement.

Now is the time to start laying that foundation.

Africa expects and Zimbabweans demand no less!

Miles Mudzviti―Opinion

Yorkshire, England