Embrace Your Uniqueness – Daily Star

As winter approaches and the first orange aloes bloom, a brisk wind rustles the banners hanging along our town’s highways.

Yet, it’s not merely the chill of winter that sends shivers down our spine this May 2026; these banners announce the ruling party’s proposed changes to the Constitution.

Read:

Zimbabwe: Echoes of birds, frogs, and men with whips

The fish, the crumbs, and the politicians

90 days to halt the coup on Zimbabwe’s constitution

These banners do not advocate for: Protect our Constitution, Protect one man one vote, Protect democracy, or Protect referendums. Instead, they exclaim: ‘Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3. Putting development ahead of politics’.

‘Development ahead of politics’ they claim, conveniently ignoring their intention to extend presidential terms to seven years and to strip 16 million citizens of their right to vote for a president in favor of 300 MPs and senators in parliament.

‘Development ahead of politics’ they assert, while we wonder, what about prioritizing people over politics?

What about prioritizing nurses, who presently earn less than $390 a month and face chronic staffing shortages, yielding nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:20, or even 1:30 in some wards? The recommended ratio is one nurse for every five patients.

‘Development ahead of politics’ they profess, while we ask, what about prioritizing teachers, who earn between $320 and $480 monthly?

Teachers who can’t afford public transport to get to work. Teachers grappling with a teacher-to-pupil ratio of 1:45, when the recommended ratio is 1:25.

‘Development ahead of politics’ they maintain, while we question, what about putting ordinary people first; those still residing in dusty villages devoid of water or electricity, 46 years post-independence, reliant on donkeys and ox carts for transport?

Read:

Rule of law or rule of men?

Helping hands, and hands that just keep taking in Zimbabwe

Both urban and rural communities are facing financial struggles as they gear up to pay school fees in just a week.

This week, a father shared a heartrending story. His son, having shown exceptional promise as school captain, now needed a new uniform: new colored trousers and shirt, a new blazer—before even considering the school fees.

“I am so proud of my firstborn,” he shared with tears in his eyes, “but I don’t know how I will manage to pay for it.”

The deadline for feedback on the proposed Constitutional Amendment is 15 May.

The government asserts there is no need for a referendum, yet it erects banners and employs arrests, beatings, intimidation, and threats against those who dare to speak out.

Please keep Zimbabwe and its ordinary citizens in your thoughts. Don’t forget the nurse caring for 20 patients, the teacher managing a classroom of 45 students, and the father glowing with pride for his firstborn son.

© Cathy Buckle