a tribute to Morgan Richard Tsvangirai
In all ages and circles of power there’s a constant battle between good and evil, righteousness and wickedness, justice and injustice. And throughout the ages the only requirement for evil to prevail over good has been for good men to do nothing.
The greatest threat to justice lies not in the cruelty of wicked men but in the fear and timidity that cripples good men. Any nation where evil prevails is one where the voice of justice and righteousness (in the hearts of good men) has been silenced by the deafening noise of fear and cowardice.
One of the biggest socio-political challenges of our time in Africa and world over is the detachment and general lack of interest that our generation has in active politics and citizen action. We know more about footballers and musicians than we do about our elected and appointed public service officials -while the former does a great job of keeping the masses entertained, the latter makes important decisions that govern our lives and those of our future generations.
This lack of interest is not because young people do not have an opinion in what they want their future to look like but because they’re afraid of the rebuke and persecution that has often accompanied those that speak out against legalized systematic injustices. However a new generation is rising, one that is confronting and conquering its fears realising that there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Almost 20 years ago the Former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and main Opposition party leader, Morgan Tsvangirai refused to allow the noise of fear to silence the inward cry for freedom & justice. His rebellion against the crippling power of fear saw him enter into several brushes against a wicked and selfish regime that kills its own children and then complains about being childless. Yet after each brush he seemed to emerge being bolder and more driven.
He was one of the very first to courageously say, MUGABE MUST GO, at a time when uttering such a statement was equivalent to committing suicide. His was a voice of justice sponsored by courage, a force for good that refused to be silenced by the noise of fear. His words became a mantra then a prophecy and eventually a reality witnessed by all including him.
As an African who aspires for freedom & justice, I’m deeply saddened by the passing on of this 21st century revolutionary of the people. You will forever be remembered as the father of the democracy movement in Zimbabwe and one of the most committed to ever play the political game. Rest in peace SAVE. #RIPMorganTsvangirai
“I learnt that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers fear!” – Nelson Mandela
