IT seems to be a too obvious phenomenon when we talk about the good of working together. We see it working at home, school, work and definitely it can also work for our nation of Zimbabwe.
When we work together towards achieving common goals as a family, friends, neighbours and colleagues we always see the better good which comes from it. Working together doesn’t only help you achieve your objectives, but it also brings you together, strengthens your relationships and promotes peace and harmony amongst the groups. There is absolute power in synergy.
When we come together, and work together towards achieving a common goal; we can do great things. Henry Ford once said that, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” United we stand and divided we fall. Zimbabwe, we are only stronger together.
Every country has a share of problems unique to itself. We have our own challenges unique to us as a nation. These challenges are easily and effectively solved when we come and work together as a team. Shortages have become a chronic Zimbabwean problem for about a year now.
We have unabated electricity, fuel and water problems to grapple with. We have been going for months with extended power cuts. These power cuts are mainly caused by the severe reduction of water levels at Kariba dam, low coal output and obsolete machinery at Hwange Power Station, Harare and Munyati Power Station. These persistent power challenges have a negative effect on the overall performance of the economy. They increase the cost of doing business and most companies are failing to cope with the alternative power costs.
More than two million people are living without access to clean water in both Harare and Bulawayo metropolitan cities. Fuel queues have become the order of the day, consuming most of our productive time. We have high levels of unemployment and underemployment that has caused many to live under the poverty datum line.
The previous year’s drought has left many Zimbabweans in need of food assistance. There is low productivity in the industries with some companies ceasing operations and many operating below capacity. The inflationary pressure has left many failing to afford basic commodities. The healthcare facilities are not as they used to be, and prolonged doctors’ strikes are taking their toll. These challenges affect you and me beyond any political and tribal divide. They are an impediment to the country’s sustainable economic and social development.
Despite all these challenges we are facing as a nation, we can still rise from all adversity, we can have our economy up and running again and be prosperous. Our closed industries can reopen and operate to full capacity, we can attract the much-needed direct foreign investments, we can have our people gainfully employed, we can have economic stability and we can once again become a great nation. We have what it takes to make Zimbabwe the breadbasket of Africa again. We already have the perfect conditions – vast deposits of different minerals, human capital and good soils for agriculture. What we only need is to find each other and work towards developing our nation. With the right policies, right attitude, inclusive strategies, innovative solutions and focus on execution, Zimbabwe can still rise.
We have but only one nation, and one Zimbabwe. We should all do our best to make it great. There is incredible power in working collectively together as a team to achieve a common goal; to rebuild our country again. Despite our political and other social differences, when we work together as a team we cultivate a diversity of thought, creativity, perspectives, opportunities, and problem-solving approaches.
Before politics and any other social differences, we are Zimbabweans first, that is our pride and we should work towards making it a better place for us and those to come after us. We are one people, “brothers and sisters” and we should never let anything divide us, be it politics, tribal or any social differences.
If we differ in views and ideologies, we are not enemies but brothers and sisters with a different perspective. We are only stronger together. When we unite, we promote peace, tolerance, respect, forgiveness and understanding which are what we need in building up our nation. It takes everyone’s effort to make sure that what needs to be done economically, socially and politically to move our country forward is done.
As we speak, many Zimbabweans both young and old are looking for opportunities elsewhere in the world. We have about three million Zimbabweans living in the diaspora and more are leaving for different reasons, the major being in search of greener pastures. These Zimbabweans in the diaspora have skills and different resources which are useful in rebuilding our nation; we need to create a sustainable, solid and stable environment for them to come back.
I believe that out of national interest and nation building, we can solve our challenges without necessarily having partisan point-scoring. We can come together to discuss and develop national goals, work together to bring about progress and innovation in the common interests of our nation. We should harness our diversity to creating a nation we want without the polarisation and political gridlock that has paralyzed our development.
I would love to end with a quote from a passage of scripture from the Bible in Luke 11:17: “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste and a house divided cannot stand.” There is great wisdom in the words of our lord Jesus Christ. As long as we remain divided, polarised, and unable to work together as a team we will find it hard to stand. It’s our country, we need to proffer solutions to the problems we have on our own. There’s none besides ourselves, together we can overcome any challenge.
We need to come together, have a common goal and vision to build our country and let us work hard towards achieving those goals. Our only fight right now must be against poverty, inflation, diseases, malnutrition, and climate change among other different challenges. Our health care system, energy challenges, water challenges, unemployment, and all other social problems require all hands on the deck. With all hands on the deck, we can achieve even better results. We are one nation, one people. Let’s unite, for we are stronger together.
Rambanani Baloyi is an author, motivational speaker, and life coach. Twitter: @RambyBaloyi or WhatsApp at: +263778509207. YouTube channel: RambyBaloyi
