My Core Values as a Zimbabwean
Written by Gillian Dube
(Article first published in DUNIA print magazine, Summer 2018 Edition)
When I was invited to write about what it means to be Zimbabwean I was not only honoured but excited as well. You see, I have had the unique privilege of being born Ndebele (proudly Ndebele, the minority tribe in Zimbabwe) and yet having exposure to Shona culture. As such, I have experienced two of the main cultures that make up the majority of Zimbabwe and I get to be their voice on this occasion. Hopefully, this qualifies me to make a balanced assessment of my values as a Zimbabwean.
First and most important is our faith, though I believe this is across Africa in general rather than just in Zimbabwe. As a nation we have experienced some tough times – from a failing economy and being ruled by a dictator, you name it. One thing that has kept the country and the people together is prayer and our faith. This was most evident not too long ago when the multitude came out in prayer to support Pastor Evan of the ‘This Flag’ movement, who had been illegally arrested for voicing his opinion against the corrupt government and demanding change from those God has placed to oversee our beautiful nation. Never have I seen so many people gathered outside the courtrooms and streets, from dawn to dusk, not to protest but to pray to God for a man’s freedom, with 100 lawyers showing up volunteering to represent him. Coupled with this is so much positivity, despite the circumstances – oh my!
This brings me to the next closely linked core values of resilience and national pride. Zimbabweans are scattered all over the world now more than ever, having fled the country to seek better employment opportunities in foreign lands. Having said that though, I have never met a people prouder of their nationality than Zimbabweans. No matter where they are under the sun they will make it known that they are Zimbo and wear their flags and ‘I am Zimbo’ tees with so much pride, despite everything. A friend from another country teased me the other day. He mentioned how he will likely settle overseas permanently. When he asked me my plans I mentioned that I would most certainly be returning home at some point – his reaction was a surprised smile and said every Zimbabwean he had ever met both in South Africa (his home country) and here (UK) professes their continual love for Zimbabwe and intends on going back home one day. I’ve been to a few countries (lovely countries by the way) and being an expat myself, I still can’t truly imagine ever
calling another place home.
Family, unity and relationships within the community probably rank second after our faith. The concept of extended family is real. We never refer to cousins and step/half siblings – you are my brother or sister and that’s it. I consider all my Dad’s brothers to equally be my Dads too. Funny, I know, but if ever anything happened to my father culturally my uncles would default to be the parties ultimately responsible for my wellbeing. Speaking of community, there is even a song that sings ‘Kugara nevamwe zvakanaka muraini’ (Shona). Translated it means ‘living well with others in the neighbourhood’. I remember all my mother’s friends from the hood somehow having an unofficial licence to discipline me as they saw fit if they ever saw me misbehaving. Similarly, they all had rights to send me around and task me with chores as they desired without consulting whether I had prior arrangements. Basically, I was everyone’s child and similarly my mother’s friends’ children were her children too. Yes, I considered those lovely ladies my extra moms that God gifted me with. I remember my parents being away and then I fell ill, I called Mum’s best friend to take me to hospital as I was still underage to visit the doctor on my own (I was 16 years). They say it takes a whole village to raise a child and that is so true in many aspects.
More than anything else we are a happy and loving people. We love socialising and the spirit of ‘ubuntu’ (I am because we are) resonates in the heart of each one of us. Every opportunity we get to meet up and relax, we will snap up. We love our food and not just any food, braai and boerwors, plus our all-time favourite, sadza (pap in SA, ugali in Uganda, isitshwala in Ndebele) will bring us out for the best get together where we will share laughs all afternoon long. That’s how I know I’m home. These are just some of my values as a Zimbabwean. I look forward to sharing more with you.
- Read | DUNIA Print Magazine – Summer 2018 Edition
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