Zimbabwe runs through my veins!!

I had a whole other post prepared for today, but with the AMAZING moments that unfolded yesterday, I did a 180. I was completely moved to capture my thoughts and feelings and share them with you guys.

Many of you should know that I am 100% Zimbabwean with a dilution of Cape Town in my veins.

A few months ago we had the privilege of taking a family trip to my home town and sharing my life with my family. I wrote about it here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and finally – here.

There was a thought that I had written down while I was there, that I didn’t share because I felt it was a real downer. The jist of it was basically that I was so saddened by the general demeanour of the, normally happy and hopeful, average Zimbabwean. There was such oppression and sadness over them that I felt like lifting everyones heads and say it’s going to be ok.

Yes, it’s rock bottom – but the only way is up. But honestly, it would have been very insensitive of me to do that because I’m the one that had my bags packed and flying back to Cape Town. I don’t really understand what it’s like to be living there. I don’t really understand how disheartening it is to have my hard earned money snatched away from me and controlled to line the pockets of the leadership or oppressive Police force. I just didn’t understand it.

Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my home, what it has taught me, what it carries and holds dear. So when the ‘Bloodless Correction’ happened last week – I could not help but jump for joy. To feel the sense of relief that ‘hope’ was being handed back to the Zimbabwean people living there. Something they so desperately needed.

The sense last week, was very much – ‘is this really happening?’ ‘is it even possible?’ ‘we’ve been so disappointed before!’ BUT it was like someone had poured water over a seedling that had gone dormant. LIFE was awakened! Hope sprouted and it was so electric, that as a Zimbabwean living out of the country – there was a sense of ‘unity’ and ‘oneness’ that washed over me, that was indescribable.

Facebook lit up! Every friend I could scroll to find was sensing the same thing and just as excited as I was. Then there was movement and more talk. Then the marches happened!! I have never been so bummed that I was stuck at home with my kids because my hubby was away. Watching as my friends and families got to show their solidarity in being able to FINALLY have a say towards Mr Mugabe’s oppression without risking their lives to do it.

What a day that was. To see Zimbabwe covered in people with the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen. To see people across the world stand as a Zimbabwean and have their physical say and support the move to remove Mugabe at last. After seeing that many people stand together – black, white, brown, young, old, of all religious groups – TOGETHER! PEACEFULLY! without harming property, without looting, without becoming physically irresponsible – for me, it shows that there is a way to have your say and not have to throw an adult tantrum about it.

Well done Zimbabwe! Well done!! you showed the world that it can be done without violence. You showed the world that patience may be hard, but it is so well worth it. You have also showed the world that skin colour, religion and age do not matter when UNITY is the call of the day.

So after a weekend of missing out on all of the awesome action, Monday rolled up and what a fizzle out that was. We were almost had! BUT we silently knew, that intelligence runs deep and that chess isn’t played by idiots. the moves were made and we all held out breath. Our glasses were charged and ready to toast but it was held back. Funniest moments on Facebook, I must admit. Hope was alive and there was nothing that would stop it.

Then this happened!

I was sitting watching my girls gymnastics practice and my mom messaged me the screen shot she had taken from her television! I couldn’t believe it! I wanted to jump up and down but there was no body there that would understand. I was alone! my eyes welled up and I just sniffed at the relief I felt. I couldn’t wait to get home to my wifi!

When I did, I Watched the videos of parliament and wept. My hubby didn’t quite get it. But guys, this man was in power for longer than I have been alive! LONGER THAN I HAVE BEEN ALIVE!!! That is LONG!!

Every video, my home town, parliament, the streets of Harare – everywhere. Facebook, youtube were lit up with the song of Freedom lighting up Zimbabwe! Freedom Day has a new meaning for me. This National Anthem that I learned when I was a kid rings true now. It isn’t a hopeless song. It isn’t a song with just words, but the words to a prayer that has been answered! Finally!

Take a moment and have a listen to these two songs and if you are not moved, it’s ok – but understand it rings through the veins of every Zimbo you know! ask them what it means to them and you’ll hear the same thing. Go ahead, ask.