Zimbabwe, a county of no change - changing
Home to breathtaking Victoria Falls and spectacular Safaris, Zimbabwe is an exotic country. It has incredible landscapes brimming with indigenous and unrestrained wildlife. Eastern Highlands, the Zambezi Valley, Hwange, and Matobo Hills stand representative of this nation. Its cosmopolitan cities, Harare, Bulawayo and Chitungwitza are home to wholehearted, hospitable people.
But regrettably, Zimbabwe’s reputation often precedes itself: it has been repeatedly highlighted in the media as a country that faced macroeconomic instability which led to unsustainable rates of inflation and ensuing famine that ravaged it, all while dictator Robert Mugabe exerted a tyrannical rampage.
Now, it is starting to emerge as a progressive, structured society that is certain to contribute to the quality of life of its people and the global community.
According to the US State Department’s website, the country’s political, social and economic situations are still unpredictable and could veer erratically. Its travel security warnings were in place for years, but have recently been dropped. The residents and travelers urge everyone to travel to Zimbabwe to experience the real African warmth and generosity, and assure that safety and security are among the highest in the region.
Its situation plunged from being Africa’s fastest growing economy in 1997 and supplying provisions for most of southern part of the continent, as well as having the continent’s highest literacy rate. Once known as the “Jewel of Africa”, a cradle of ferrule land and mineral deposits, it turned into a state that has for over a decade now been known in the international circle as an anarchistic demoralized nation.
In power since 1980, President Robert Mugabe was part of Rhodesia’s black resistance movement in the 60s. Leading the black guerrillas in the 70s, the movement forced 250,000 whites to surrender in a simulated peace accord. They forged democracy as he became the president, where he still remains, recognized as one of longest-reigning dictators in the history of the continent.
The neighboring South Africa’s apartheid altered its course and this once cooperative multiracial nation plundered into Mugabe’s greed for power and control. After suffering a defeat at a 2000 referendum, Mugabe lead a widespread occupation and expulsion of white farmers who did not offer their vote or show support. Regrettably, these land reforms lead to agricultural collapse and, consequently, drastic food shortages, scarcity and famine.
The resulting recession triggered widespread unemployment and exorbitant food prices. Wage earners found that the gains they had made in the early years of independence were soon eroded. In 2008, the humanitarian crisis as a result of Mugabe’s unrelenting grip in the office gave rise to riotous protests and resulted in a political and economic turmoil that damaged its already feeble social structure. Hyperinflation, along with the depreciation of the Zimbabwean dollar, bore the country to a new low.
In fact, there is no loose change in circulation here. The lowest accepted denomination of currency is one dollar, solidifying its eagerness for big changes. It has subsequently adopted the US dollar as its official market currency, as well as accepting the South African Rand due to popularity and trade, thus overcoming a roller coaster of its own currency devaluations. This step has made foreign investment and support easier.
Certainly, it will take time for the country to develop new infrastructure and upgrade the existing deteriorated facilities but the changes that are gradually re-shaping Zimbabwean society are valuable and long-term.
Where the real change is evident is in the people. The drive, however, is coming from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai whose efforts have been acknowledged by the international community. Consequently, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. His accomplishments in social reconciliation, relative appeasement of a notoriously difficult Mugabe, and constraint on hyperinflation, have brought on fresh potentials and more financial aid.
Its real wealth lies in the fortuitous environmental sustainability due to the lack of tourism during in the past decade, and in particular, mass tourism.
Tour agencies and organizations operate Safaris that offer opportunities to observe and explore diverse and exotic wildlife in their native and undisturbed reserves. The people have realized the potential of their nation’s resources and their capacity, not only in making profit from their tourist offer, but revitalizing that offer to build its reputation and establish a standard by taking pride and respecting their environment and their territory’s assets and attributes.
On the whole, it has been observed that the country is more organized, and the people more optimistic and purposive. The re-establishment of social order has prompted the public to be more observant and adherent to laws and regulations. A restored regard and respect for a constructive and efficient social order and promising future generated new collective and individual ambitions.
Following that socio-political upheaval, the country faced a brief state of economic sanctions and national moratorium, which may have been a wake-up call as it has emerged stronger and refreshed. The newly shaped visions of the future have resurrected not only the country’s prospects but people’s inherent optimism, and that significantly reflects in their culture and cultural flair.
Like the country and its people, the cultural scene here exhibits an eclectic fusion and influence from many different artistic spheres and genres. What makes it unique is the resistance to mainstream, keeping to its authentic medium and an ability to call it all their own.
The Mbira and Shona music are a true Zimbabwean voice that engages traditional aboriginal instruments and tones. When Zimbabweans play it and hear it they feel a connection with their past. Their popularity extends past the region, in particular the fusion styles that incorporate it with Western pop and South African mbaquan’a, such as the sounds of singer/songwriter Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi.
The music scene reflects a time-honored folk roots that people feel ties them to their heritage and spirituality. They tend to celebrate and reinforce their beliefs through communal connections that the music strengthens. Unfortunately, throughout the past decade of turmoil, artists and entire artistic pools of talent have been belittled - lost to emigration, change and resignation. But new optimism and resurrected potentials have brought back some promising talent.
Even renowned artists and performers like Chiwoniso Maraire were hushed by the government in their attempts to fight against oppression and many resettled due to difficulties they faced in their daily lives and art in pursuit of social progress. By their fans they were not seen as runaways or quitters, having simply realized that politico-economic frameworks need restructuring and strengthening before the socio-cultural forces can come into play.
Some of them have realized that in order to be able to produce music and contribute to the culture they need to temporarily relocate in order to obtain new vigor and a fresh outlook on life, and so they have returned with new energy, new compositions but still with their inimitable modern spirit and ancient soul intact.
They returned because they realized that they can bring something more to the community and their return has contributed to the reestablishment of culture. Many western travelers will appreciate the free spirit of Zimbabweans and their street scene where the warmth of people and the spirit of the community will be felt through music - its ability to unify and pacify people and create a positive attitude.
The lyrics and the tone of their music, although not political or radical, convey an important message of support and hope for people who have faced many misfortunes including violence, poverty and AIDS that have helped the public through a decade of hardship. It is an important element of native African music scene.
Ethnic tensions and racial inequality caused many woes during Mugabe’s regime, but the differences are patching up as the nation realizes that it must overcome its internal troubles in this age of the global village. Its wounds are healing, reunited in a collective hope and loyalty to a joint future.
But regrettably, Zimbabwe’s reputation often precedes itself: it has been repeatedly highlighted in the media as a country that faced macroeconomic instability which led to unsustainable rates of inflation and ensuing famine that ravaged it, all while dictator Robert Mugabe exerted a tyrannical rampage.
Now, it is starting to emerge as a progressive, structured society that is certain to contribute to the quality of life of its people and the global community.
According to the US State Department’s website, the country’s political, social and economic situations are still unpredictable and could veer erratically. Its travel security warnings were in place for years, but have recently been dropped. The residents and travelers urge everyone to travel to Zimbabwe to experience the real African warmth and generosity, and assure that safety and security are among the highest in the region.
Its situation plunged from being Africa’s fastest growing economy in 1997 and supplying provisions for most of southern part of the continent, as well as having the continent’s highest literacy rate. Once known as the “Jewel of Africa”, a cradle of ferrule land and mineral deposits, it turned into a state that has for over a decade now been known in the international circle as an anarchistic demoralized nation.
In power since 1980, President Robert Mugabe was part of Rhodesia’s black resistance movement in the 60s. Leading the black guerrillas in the 70s, the movement forced 250,000 whites to surrender in a simulated peace accord. They forged democracy as he became the president, where he still remains, recognized as one of longest-reigning dictators in the history of the continent.
The neighboring South Africa’s apartheid altered its course and this once cooperative multiracial nation plundered into Mugabe’s greed for power and control. After suffering a defeat at a 2000 referendum, Mugabe lead a widespread occupation and expulsion of white farmers who did not offer their vote or show support. Regrettably, these land reforms lead to agricultural collapse and, consequently, drastic food shortages, scarcity and famine.
The resulting recession triggered widespread unemployment and exorbitant food prices. Wage earners found that the gains they had made in the early years of independence were soon eroded. In 2008, the humanitarian crisis as a result of Mugabe’s unrelenting grip in the office gave rise to riotous protests and resulted in a political and economic turmoil that damaged its already feeble social structure. Hyperinflation, along with the depreciation of the Zimbabwean dollar, bore the country to a new low.
In fact, there is no loose change in circulation here. The lowest accepted denomination of currency is one dollar, solidifying its eagerness for big changes. It has subsequently adopted the US dollar as its official market currency, as well as accepting the South African Rand due to popularity and trade, thus overcoming a roller coaster of its own currency devaluations. This step has made foreign investment and support easier.
Certainly, it will take time for the country to develop new infrastructure and upgrade the existing deteriorated facilities but the changes that are gradually re-shaping Zimbabwean society are valuable and long-term.
Where the real change is evident is in the people. The drive, however, is coming from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai whose efforts have been acknowledged by the international community. Consequently, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. His accomplishments in social reconciliation, relative appeasement of a notoriously difficult Mugabe, and constraint on hyperinflation, have brought on fresh potentials and more financial aid.
Its real wealth lies in the fortuitous environmental sustainability due to the lack of tourism during in the past decade, and in particular, mass tourism.
Tour agencies and organizations operate Safaris that offer opportunities to observe and explore diverse and exotic wildlife in their native and undisturbed reserves. The people have realized the potential of their nation’s resources and their capacity, not only in making profit from their tourist offer, but revitalizing that offer to build its reputation and establish a standard by taking pride and respecting their environment and their territory’s assets and attributes.
On the whole, it has been observed that the country is more organized, and the people more optimistic and purposive. The re-establishment of social order has prompted the public to be more observant and adherent to laws and regulations. A restored regard and respect for a constructive and efficient social order and promising future generated new collective and individual ambitions.
Following that socio-political upheaval, the country faced a brief state of economic sanctions and national moratorium, which may have been a wake-up call as it has emerged stronger and refreshed. The newly shaped visions of the future have resurrected not only the country’s prospects but people’s inherent optimism, and that significantly reflects in their culture and cultural flair.
Like the country and its people, the cultural scene here exhibits an eclectic fusion and influence from many different artistic spheres and genres. What makes it unique is the resistance to mainstream, keeping to its authentic medium and an ability to call it all their own.
The Mbira and Shona music are a true Zimbabwean voice that engages traditional aboriginal instruments and tones. When Zimbabweans play it and hear it they feel a connection with their past. Their popularity extends past the region, in particular the fusion styles that incorporate it with Western pop and South African mbaquan’a, such as the sounds of singer/songwriter Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi.
The music scene reflects a time-honored folk roots that people feel ties them to their heritage and spirituality. They tend to celebrate and reinforce their beliefs through communal connections that the music strengthens. Unfortunately, throughout the past decade of turmoil, artists and entire artistic pools of talent have been belittled - lost to emigration, change and resignation. But new optimism and resurrected potentials have brought back some promising talent.
Even renowned artists and performers like Chiwoniso Maraire were hushed by the government in their attempts to fight against oppression and many resettled due to difficulties they faced in their daily lives and art in pursuit of social progress. By their fans they were not seen as runaways or quitters, having simply realized that politico-economic frameworks need restructuring and strengthening before the socio-cultural forces can come into play.
Some of them have realized that in order to be able to produce music and contribute to the culture they need to temporarily relocate in order to obtain new vigor and a fresh outlook on life, and so they have returned with new energy, new compositions but still with their inimitable modern spirit and ancient soul intact.
They returned because they realized that they can bring something more to the community and their return has contributed to the reestablishment of culture. Many western travelers will appreciate the free spirit of Zimbabweans and their street scene where the warmth of people and the spirit of the community will be felt through music - its ability to unify and pacify people and create a positive attitude.
The lyrics and the tone of their music, although not political or radical, convey an important message of support and hope for people who have faced many misfortunes including violence, poverty and AIDS that have helped the public through a decade of hardship. It is an important element of native African music scene.
Ethnic tensions and racial inequality caused many woes during Mugabe’s regime, but the differences are patching up as the nation realizes that it must overcome its internal troubles in this age of the global village. Its wounds are healing, reunited in a collective hope and loyalty to a joint future.
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