Princess Eugene Majuru says Zimbabweans must examine the politics, language and historical implications behind Brett MuVet’s new Varanda Ve Zimbabwe movement
By News of the South
The emergence of a new political movement calling itself Varanda Ve Zimbabwe — Servants of Zimbabwe — has opened another important conversation about who should determine Zimbabwe’s political future and, perhaps more importantly, what kind of future Zimbabweans actually want.
The movement, associated with Zimbabwean political activist Brett MuVet, has been launched from outside the country and has been accompanied by proposals for what MuVet describes as a “Government in Exile.” His stated concerns include poor public services, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure and the gap between political leaders and ordinary citizens.
Those problems are real subjects for serious political debate.
But Princess Eugene Majuru, Princess of Harare and Sovereign Custodian of the Mbari clan, believes Zimbabweans must not allow legitimate frustration with the current political system to make them careless about who they hand their political future to.
“I want Zimbabweans to stop and think,” Princess Eugene said.
“Just because people are angry with the current government does not mean that every alternative being presented to us is automatically good for Zimbabwe.
“We must ask questions.
“Who is proposing this?
“What exactly are they proposing?
“Who is behind them?
“Who is funding them?
“What is their understanding of Zimbabwean sovereignty?
“And what kind of Zimbabwe would exist if they achieved political power?”
What Does ‘Varanda Ve Zimbabwe’ Really Mean?
The name itself deserves examination.
Varanda Ve Zimbabwe translates broadly as “Servants of Zimbabwe.”
On the surface, Princess Eugene said, the language of service is attractive.
“Every political leader should be a servant of the people,” she said.
“But Zimbabweans must look beyond a name. Calling yourself a servant does not automatically make you a servant.
“Leadership must be demonstrated through accountability, constitutional legitimacy, policy, transparency and respect for the people.”
She argues that Zimbabweans have heard beautiful political slogans before.
“We have seen movements arrive with powerful slogans and promises of a better Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabweans must therefore judge political movements by what they propose, how they intend to implement it and whose interests ultimately benefit.”
Zimbabwe Does Not Need a Government in Exile
Princess Eugene says the proposal for a Government in Exile raises particularly serious questions.
“If you are going to govern Zimbabwe, the first question is: where is the Zimbabwean people in that process?
“Zimbabwe is not a company whose management can simply be appointed from another country.
“It is a sovereign nation.
“Zimbabweans inside Zimbabwe, together with Zimbabweans in the diaspora, must determine the country’s future through legitimate constitutional and democratic processes.”
She said the diaspora has an important role to play, but that role should be one of participation rather than political substitution.
“Zimbabweans living outside the country can contribute enormously. They bring skills, investment, ideas and international experience.
“But there is a difference between supporting Zimbabwe and positioning yourself to govern Zimbabwe from outside Zimbabwe.”
The Colonial Question Cannot Simply Be Ignored
For Princess Eugene, the historical context makes the debate particularly sensitive.
Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle was fought against a colonial system in which political and economic power was concentrated in the hands of a minority settler population.
“That history cannot simply be switched off because somebody has launched a new political party,” she said.
“I am not saying that every white Zimbabwean is a colonialist, nor am I saying that a person’s race automatically determines their political beliefs.
“That would be simplistic.
“But history matters.
“If your political project is entering a country whose people fought a liberation struggle against colonial domination, you have an additional responsibility to demonstrate that your project is completely rooted in Zimbabwean sovereignty and the interests of Zimbabweans.”
She said Zimbabweans should be particularly careful of any political message that appears to suggest that the country’s problems can be solved by returning to systems, values or power structures associated with colonial rule.
“We have not finished the work of decolonisation,” she said.
“We are still dealing with the consequences of colonial land dispossession, distorted historical narratives, economic structures and the disruption of indigenous institutions.
“So when somebody comes forward with a political project, Zimbabweans have every right to ask: are we genuinely moving forward, or are we being asked to reopen a door that our ancestors fought to close?”
Do Not Confuse White With Better
Princess Eugene warned Zimbabweans against what she described as a dangerous psychological trap: believing that anything associated with whiteness or the West must automatically be superior.
“There are Zimbabweans who have been conditioned to believe that if something comes from a white person, Britain, America or Europe, it must automatically be better.
“That mentality is dangerous.
“Competence has no colour.
“Integrity has no colour.
“Corruption has no colour.
“Good leadership has no colour.
“Bad leadership has no colour.”
She said Zimbabweans should therefore neither reject nor embrace a political movement simply because of the race of its leader.
“Judge the politics.
“Judge the policies.
“Judge the history.
“Judge the interests.
“Judge the people surrounding the project.
“And most importantly, ask whether Zimbabwe remains firmly in the hands of Zimbabweans.”
‘Zimbabwe Is Not Looking for New Masters’
Princess Eugene said Zimbabweans should remember that independence was not achieved simply to replace one political elite with another.
“Our ancestors did not die so that Zimbabwe could eventually become a country where another group of people comes and tells Zimbabweans how they should be governed.
“They died for sovereignty.
“They died for land.
“They died for dignity.
“They died for the right of Zimbabweans to determine their own destiny.”
She said this is why Zimbabweans must be careful about political projects that arrive during periods of economic frustration.
“When people are suffering, they become vulnerable to anyone who promises a solution.
“That is when we must think most carefully.
“Desperation must never become an invitation for somebody else to take control of our political destiny.”
‘Hands Off Zimbabwe’ Is a Message About Sovereignty
Princess Eugene said her message to MuVet is not a rejection of political participation, but a warning against any attempt to undermine Zimbabwean sovereignty.
“To Brett MuVet I say this: if you genuinely want to serve Zimbabwe, then respect Zimbabwe.
“Respect its people.
“Respect its sovereignty.
“Respect its history.
“Respect the liberation struggle.
“Respect the traditional institutions that existed long before colonialism.
“And do not assume that Zimbabweans are so desperate that they will surrender their country to anyone who presents themselves as the solution.”
She added:
“Zimbabwe is not looking for new masters. Zimbabwe is looking for accountable leadership.”
Zimbabwe’s Political Future Must Be Zimbabwean
As a descendant of sovereign African kings and Sovereign Custodian of the Mbari clan, Princess Eugene said her concerns extend beyond party politics.
“Zimbabwe is not merely a geographical territory.
“It is a spiritual land.
“It carries the history of generations.
“It carries the blood of our ancestors.
“It carries kingdoms, chiefs, clans, sacred places, traditions and memories that survived colonialism.
“That history cannot be reduced to a political party logo.”
She said Zimbabweans should therefore resist the temptation to abandon their own identity in pursuit of imported political solutions.
“We should learn from other countries.
“We should work with other countries.
“We should welcome investment and ideas.
“But we must never outsource our sovereignty.”
‘Think Before You Follow’
Princess Eugene’s message to Zimbabweans considering joining V.V.Z is simple: do not follow a political movement because it is new, fashionable or popular on social media.
“Ask the difficult questions before you join.
“Ask who funds it.
“Ask what its constitutional programme is.
“Ask what its position is on land.
“Ask what its position is on Zimbabwean sovereignty.
“Ask what its position is on traditional leadership and indigenous heritage.
“Ask who will control the economy.
“Ask who will control strategic national resources.
“Ask what role Zimbabweans inside the country will have.
“And ask what role foreign interests will have.”
She said Zimbabweans have a responsibility to future generations.
“We must not allow frustration with today’s politicians to make us careless about tomorrow’s Zimbabwe.
“ZANU-PF does not own Zimbabwe.
“MDC or any other opposition movement does not own Zimbabwe.
“And neither does Varanda Ve Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe belongs to Zimbabweans.”
For Princess Eugene, the emergence of V.V.Z should therefore be treated not with hysteria, but with serious scrutiny.
“Let us debate.
“Let us question.
“Let us examine every political project.
“Let us demand evidence.
“Let us demand transparency.
“And let us never forget what our ancestors fought for.
“Zimbabweans must guard their country — not because we fear new ideas, but because we understand the value of sovereignty.
“We have already experienced colonialism.
“We know what it cost us.
“We should never be so desperate that we allow history to repeat itself under a different name.”
Zimbabwe does not need new masters. It needs Zimbabweans who understand that sovereignty is not something to be handed away when times become difficult.
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