Don’t let South Africa become the next Zimbabwe

Tendai Ruben Mbofana urged South Africans not to be blinded by politicians telling them they fought for democracy while they steal the country dry.

Mbofana is a Zimbabwean social justice advocate, writer, journalist, speaker, and trainer, and the co-founder of the Zimbabwe Network for Social Justice.

He has written extensively on human rights, anti-corruption, governance, and climate justice, publishing hundreds of articles locally and internationally.

He is also a member of The George Ayittey Society, a network of African reformists advocating liberty and economic freedom.

Speaking to Biznews, Mbofana said Zimbabwe is heading towards a disaster, with the unemployment rate exceeding 90% and widespread poverty.

Roughly 80% of the population lives below the poverty line, with nearly 50% in extreme poverty, unable to afford basic food or schooling for their children.

He noted that his suburb has had no running water for five years, and that the schools he once took pride in are now destroyed and dysfunctional.

The country faces constant electricity outages and the near-total destruction of the national rail system.

This is unnecessary, as Zimbabwe is blessed with natural resources such as gold, lithium, and diamonds. However, the leadership destroyed the country.

He described politicians flaunting obscene wealth, like buying the latest Lamborghinis and Bugattis, while public infrastructure collapses.

Mbofana said that Zimbabwe has never had a constitutional, democratic transfer of power since 1980 and claims that elections are neither free nor fair.

Although the current flock of leaders tells the world that Zimbabwe is open for business, he is skeptical.

He said the current leadership attracts only crooks and investors willing to pay bribes, rather than honest businesspeople.

Lesson for South Africa

Mbofana urged South Africa not to let the narrative of having fought for democracy and independence blind them to the looting and mismanagement by those in power.

“That’s the excuse that they always fall back on. They make you feel indebted to them, and it makes them feel entitled to everything,” he said.

“They see that we died, we sacrificed, we were thrown in prisons for this country. So, for them, it’s now their property. They can do whatever they want with it.”

He argued that people in liberation movements, such as the ANC, see their countries as their personal property.

This includes taxpayers’ money, which should be used to develop schools, roads, and hospitals. “They see the state’s money as their personal property,” he said.

He added that people gave liberation fighters immense power by treating them like heroes and allowing them to reach this stage.

“We worshiped the ground these people walked on. So, we gave them that power. We created a monster,” he said.

He urged South Africans not to see the ANC as liberators who should be honoured for what they did decades ago.

Instead, they should demand that the ANC serve the people’s needs. If they do not do that, they should be voted out.

He also stated the narrative that the DA will bring back apartheid. “Apartheid is gone. It is not coming back,” he said.

“Focus on your country and the future. Don’t let these people destroy your lives and your children’s future. Hold them accountable.”

“Don’t be shy to kick them out of office. Do not feel guilty about kicking them out of office. If they don’t perform, get them out.”