Opinion By Clive Thabo Dube
As Zimbabwe marked its 45th Independence Day this year, the celebrations were overshadowed by a pressing question: Has the nation truly broken free from the shackles of its colonial and post-colonial struggles, or does systemic repression persist under a new guise?
A Legacy of Repression?
Critics argue that Zimbabwe’s journey since 1980 has been marred by authoritarian governance, economic mismanagement, and the entrenchment of elite interests. The ruling ZANU-PF party, which spearheaded the liberation struggle against colonial rule, now faces accusations of betraying its founding ideals. Once hailed as champions of equality, its leaders stand accused of shielding a privileged “clan” while ordinary citizens grapple with poverty, unemployment, and a collapsing public sector.
The Lancaster House Agreement of 1979, which paved the way for black-majority rule, was envisioned as a dawn of prosperity. Yet, 45 years later, many Zimbabweans—including surviving liberation war veterans—describe independence celebrations as a form of “psychological torture.” The promises of equitable education, healthcare, and economic opportunity remain unfulfilled for millions.
Power, Greed, and a Crippled Economy
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration continues to face scrutiny over its handling of the economy. Despite state media touting growth in mining and agriculture, hyperinflation, currency instability, and chronic unemployment plague daily life. Over 90% of the workforce remains in the informal sector, while a recent government report claiming 1,726 new jobs in Gokwe North has been dismissed as a drop in the ocean.
Meanwhile, corruption thrives.
High-profile cases of graft, such as the alleged gifting of luxury cars to political elites, contrast starkly with hospitals lacking basic painkillers and schools without textbooks.
Critics accuse the government of weaponizing legislation to silence dissent, with opposition figures, activists, and journalists routinely arrested, exiled, or harassed.
The 2030 Conundrum
The 2025 Independence Day theme, “Devolve and Develop Together Towards Vision 2030,” has sparked skepticism. Analysts suggest the slogan masks a deeper power struggle within ZANU-PF, as factions jostle to control the narrative ahead of the 2030 elections.
Mnangagwa’s allies dismiss such claims, insisting the focus is on decentralizing governance to empower rural communities.
Yet, the mass exodus of Zimbabweans fleeing economic collapse—over 4 million have left since 2000—raises urgent questions.
“A father worries when his children flee hunger at home to beg at a neighbor’s table,” said Harare-based economist Tendai Moyo.
“This government’s failures are written in the desperation of our youth.”
A Recurring Cycle
ZANU-PF’s defenders blame Western sanctions and the legacy of Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule for the crisis. However, as many of today’s leaders were key players in Mugabe’s regime, critics argue this excuse rings hollow.
“The same faces that created the crisis now promise to fix it,” said former opposition MP Fadzayi Mahere. “It’s a tragic farce.”
Ngoma Ndiyo Ndiyo?
As Zimbabwe reflects on 45 years of independence, the phrase “Ngoma ndiyo ndiyo” resonates bitterly.
For many, true liberation—where democracy, accountability, and shared prosperity replace repression and cronyism—remains elusive. Whether the nation can rewrite its story before 2030 depends on dismantling the very systems its liberators once vowed to destroy.
Zim GBC News©2025