I guess there is never a right time for anything, especially when emotions are still high. I know there will be arguments for and against, justifications, and false accusations. But I believe that now is the time for a debate. The clash of different views contributes to greater understanding and, therefore, more effective action.
First of all, I have the utmost respect for all those who disregarded the threats and arrogant demonstration of firepower and came out to demonstrate. That requires courage, which most of us do not seem to possess. Yes, we lack the courage of those who are outside, and we need to ask ourselves why.
1. Why did CHADEMA call for a demonstration, a maandamano, to be precise? Because people are being abducted with impunity, and despite a few protestations to the contrary, there is no sign of any action being taken to find the perpetrators and release those abducted, even when it was revealed that one of them had been in a police cell for 29 days!
Impunity breeds ever-more violent deeds. Did the demonstration further the cause of demands for action against abduction, or are we now just talking about the maandamano?
2. The maandamano was not a sudden event, i.e., a spontaneous outburst of anger from the people. The government was given time to show that they were taking action to prevent the cause of the maandamano, but instead, they concentrated on taking massive action to block the maandamano.
Why did the police spend millions on showing off their power instead of using that power to find the abductors and set the abductees free?
3. Did the issue of maandamano then overshadow our concern that the wave of abductions cease and our fellow Tanzanians are released to continue their lives? And is it still overshadowing our concern for the abductees and their loved ones?
Now, on the one hand, the defenders of the status quo argue that the demonstration was a failure, while the defenders of the maandamano say it really exposed the government for what it is—nationally and internationally. Have we forgotten the abductees?
4. Given the past history of maandamano, was that the best way to raise the issue? What strikes me is that these maandamano are like pitting a flyweight against a heavyweight. Ni mashindano ya ubabe when one side has all the power of ubabe.
On the one hand, this has helped to show just how ubabe-ish one side is. Heaven knows, or sorry, the government must know too, how many millions of shillings were squandered in the show of force to silence those who were and are concerned about these abductions.
So, people didn’t come out and join the maandamano, but have their concerns, frustration, anger, and pain been addressed? Of course not. They have probably just gone up another ten notches.
So, if anyone is sitting back and praising himself or herself for stopping the maandamano without dealing with the pain and anger that promoted it, they are fooling themselves.
5. Why did more people not come out to demonstrate? Is it because they are not concerned about the issue, or is it because they no longer see the value of announcing to the chief of wababe, “Okay, you guys, you can start to hit us from this point up to that point? We are letting you know exactly where we will be, so bring your forces to stop us right there.”
Is that the best way of making your point—apart from alerting people to the power of ubabe being used? I think it is unfair to blame people, saying all they think about is Yanga and Simba. They look at the situation, they remember what happened in the past, and they decide that putting their heads in the line of police batons is not the best way to make a point.
6. Therefore, is there no other way of making your point? Of raising the issue? Is maandamano the only way to do something? For example, this was also supposed to be a mourning for those who have died. How do people mourn?
Could we not have multiple candlelight vigils? This is just an example, and I am not saying this should have been done, but I think the time has come to be more creative in expressing our views.
7. In this light, it is interesting that some of the successful expressions of alternative opinions have followed a different path. The Maasai did not announce they were going to block the road. We just woke up and found them blocking the road.
It also raised public awareness inside and outside the country; all the tourists went home to tell others about it. The government also made statements that services would be restored.
Similarly, the traders did not come out on the streets but rather went on strike. They just closed their shops, and despite threats, they maintained that strike until concessions were made. Recently, there was also an article about how long-distance bus drivers are continually agitating for their rights—often effectively.
8. It is clear that the government and the opposition have all been influenced by what happened with our neighbours, the Gen Z factor. But I think we are all looking in the wrong direction.
Like the students in Soweto in 1976, Gen Z operated outside the political party structures. Although the ANC and PAC did some underground organising in South Africa, they were completely caught off guard by the students’ massive demonstrations, which changed the course of South African history.
Similarly, in Kenya, the political parties were busy with other issues until Gen Z gave them a huge wake-up call.
9. Which brings me to my final point. I think political parties have been bamboozled by the old Mrema phrase of biashara ya kwenda Ikulu. I said that 20 years ago, and I think it is just as relevant today.
Of course, that might be the goal if you really have an alternative ideology, an alternative view of how the country should be run, but it can only start at the grassroots level.
Are parties listening to the people or blaming them? Do parties know their views and struggles at the local level, as well as their ways of not just surviving but also resisting on a day-to-day basis? Have parties joined with them when they are fighting for their issues?
Otherwise, we are trying to put a roof where there are no walls!
Richard Mabala is an educator, poet, and author. He is available at rmabala@yahoo.com or on X as @MabalaMakengeza. These are the writer’s own opinions, and they do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of The Chanzo. Do you want to publish in this space? Contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com for further inquiries.
