In the past 10 years Zimbabweans have given the power to a few people to decide on the destiny of their country. A few names have been implicated in the circles of those deciding the fate and destination of Zimbabwe. These names include R.G. Mugabe, M. Tsvangirai, Thabo Mbeki, G Bush, T Blair, and most recently G Brown. Some have been entrusted to represent our views and solve our problems, they might have failed on their own, and at some point, we have clearly failed them by abandoning their policies, which could have been important and beneficial to us. To them, representing people's interests has turned out to be a political game, as everything is now about showing each other a political muscle at the expense of the same people. When was the last time these politicians consulted the citizens to know and address their needs.
It is now time for Zimbabweans express what they want. Democracy: We vote for people into power so that they save our interests. Which interests? How times have they actually saved our interests, all they worry about are their egos and filling their pockets. It's time we start telling them what we want for Zimbabwe and how we should achieve our goal.
Here is a platform where you can express your views and concerns. It will be debated by others and forwarded to those relevant authorities to be debated further. "Democratizing democracy"
To bring peace, political stability, economic stability, and respect to human rights and prosperity to Zimbabwe through an open debate on the way forward.Our aim is to find common ground and make sure every contribution is head and is taken into account on the path to rebuild Zimbabwe.
To involve all interested individuals to help in solving Zimbabwe’s woes and democratize Zimbabwe’s democracy as well as reminding Zimbabweans that Zimbabwe is our responsibility. "Democratizing democracy".
1850 |
First British explorers arrive |
1888 |
A treaty is signed to allow the explorers (Rhodes) to mine gold (founder of British South Africa Company) |
1893 |
Ndebeles and the settlers are at war and Ndebele are defeated and Rhodesia is establish named after Cecil John Rhodes |
1922–3 |
Rhodesia becomes a self-governing British colony |
1930 |
The Land act is passed and Native Africans are stripped of there rights to land and are driven to reserves and the white settlers occupy fertile land |
1934 |
Labour law prevents black people from skilled trades and they are forced to work on farms. More laws are passed which oppress blacks |
1957 |
Joshua Nkomo is voted president of African Nationalist Congress (ANC) local Branch (resistance black group) |
1960 |
The National Democratic Party (NDP) is formed by Joshua Nkomo after ANC has been banned |
1961 |
NDP is banned and Nkomo forms Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) A new constitution that allows limited black representation and supports white dominancy is passed as a result of mounting political pressure. Ian Smith forms the Rhodesia Front (RF) |
1962 |
Only whites are allowed to vote and RF wins elections. Ian Smith becomes Deputy Prime Minister |
1963 |
1963Ndabanigi Sithole and R.G. Mugabe break away from ZAPU and form Zimbabwe African National Union ZANU |
1964 |
Ian Smith becomes Prime Minister and orders the arrest of all Africa leaders (Joshua Nkomo, Mugabe and others). |
1965 |
Sithole is arrested.
Ian Smith declares independence from Britain |
1966 |
ZANU and ZAPU engage in guerilla warfare against Ian Smith |
1968 |
Britain impose economic sanctions on Smith’s government. Economy continues to thrive |
1974 |
After spending 10 years in prison, African leaders are released and they return to their respective parties |
1976 |
ZANU and ZAPU grow politically stronger after the return of their leaders. The, even become stronger as Nkomo and Mugabe join their forces (ZANLA and ZIPRA) to form the Patriotic Front. |
1978 |
-Guerilla warfare intensifies; Ian Smith approaches Abel Muzorewa (a moderate African leader) and agrees on having a black president on condition that the whites retain all the privileges (land, control of the army, control of the parliament and other things) - Elections are held under an internal settlement and Abel Muzorewa becomes prime minister. ZANU and ZAPU are barred from the election. Guerrilla warfare continues. |
1979 |
- Ian smith agrees to talks with Mugabe and Nkomo in London (USA is there as the mediator) - Lancaster house consultation is Drafted. Land and other issues are discussed, Britain agrees to provide funds to compensate White farms. It agrees to provide £75m and USA hints it will provide $200m. Rhodesia is now under British control until the elections |
1980 |
April 18, Elections are held, Mugabe emerges the winner. Rhodesia is declared independent and named Zimbabwe. |
1982 |
Mugabe accuses Nkomo of plotting a coup d’état and he is removed from cabinet |
1983 |
A conflict between ZANU and ZAPU erupts and continues until 1987 |
1987 |
Unity accord is signed between Mugabe and Nkomo. |
1988 |
Britain stops funding the Land reform, there is accusation of land being given to government officials only |
1991 |
Zimbabwe implements Economic Structural Adjustment Program ESAP after being advised by IMF and World Bank |
1991–6 |
ESAP leads to unemployment and economic hardships |
1996 |
- ZCTU becomes more active under Tsvangirai’s leadership
- Zimbabwe fails to meet IMF and World Bank requirements to get funds for economic support. |
1997 |
- Zimbabwe goes to assist in the DRC war, which stresses the economy even further - Land issue re-surfaces, as war veterans and unemployed people put pressure on government. Britain (Tony Blair New PM) refuses to meet the compensation agreement of 1979 |
1997–9 |
The country is hit by a series of stay aways orchestrated by the ZCTU in protest of hard economic conditions and the increasing unemployment rate. |
1999 |
Tsvangirai forms the MDC and wins the workers’ support |
2000 |
Land grabbing begins and violence erupts. There is a mass exodus of white people leaving the country. The MDC participates in its first parliamentary election. |
2002 |
A disputed Presidential election is held between Mugabe and Tsvangirai. Cash crisis, food shortages and fuel shortages become the order of the day. Corruption, inflation and black market take the toll, leading to a mass exodus as blacks leave for the UK, SA and other countries. |
2005 |
Government carries out operation "Murambatsvina" leaving people homeless; a lot of people flee to the rural areas. Parliamentary elections are held. |
2007 |
Government announces price slash, sinking Zimbabwe into a deeper economic and political crisis |
2008 |
Elections marked by wide spread violence, Tsvangirai pulls out. Mugabe wins another five-year term in office. ZANU PF and MDC engage in talks to end a long ravaging political and economic crisis. |
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