By Renee Brenda Langa
5th January 2025
“Usarega kunyengetera ndidzoke kumba.”
“Jongwe zvorokukuridza mudiwa muka. Ndoringe nzira
ndoyambukira mhiri kwehova, tarira ndokunoenda vamwe, ndokunoenda vamwe. Hongu,
kure kwegava usipo mutsvubvu. Usarega kunyengetera ndidzoke kumba.”
In my view, the song “Ndinouya” by Gwevedzi resonates deeply
with the experiences of Zimbabweans enduring the oppressive realities of life
under the leadership of Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ZANU-PF regime. The crow of
the rooster, traditionally symbolising the start of a new day, becomes a call
for awakening and hope amid hardship. The poignant line “Ndoringe nzira,
ndoyambukira mhiri kwehova” evokes a deep longing and an unrelenting search for
freedom—an echo of the struggles of those in detention, in exile, or simply
striving for better prospects in their homeland.
These evocative lyrics encapsulate the emotional turmoil
felt by many forced to flee Zimbabwe due to political instability, economic
collapse, and systemic human rights abuses. They reflect the painful reality of
activists and families awaiting justice and restoration in a fractured nation.
Under Mnangagwa’s leadership, the hope for progress that
briefly followed Robert Mugabe’s rule has largely faded. The 2018 elections
were marred by allegations of rigging and violence against opposition
supporters, signalling a continuation of oppressive governance. In the years
since, political repression has worsened, with arbitrary arrests, detentions
without trial, and abductions of activists becoming distressingly common. The
disappearance of Itai Dzamara in 2015 remains a harrowing reminder of the
regime’s disregard for dissent and human rights.
Particularly alarming is the plight of the detained. As of
June 2024, 78 opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members remain
imprisoned without bail, accused of participating in an “illegal gathering.”
Their continued detention illustrates the state’s use of the judiciary as a
tool of repression. Amnesty International, ROHR Zimbabwe, and other human
rights organisations have condemned these abuses and urged immediate
investigations into reports of torture, as well as the release of these
political prisoners.
For those driven into exile, the song’s imagery of gazing
across distant horizons symbolises enduring hope for the day they might return
to a free and just Zimbabwe. Their struggle is shared by those still within the
country, living under a government that continues to prioritise power at the
expense of its citizens’ welfare. Under Mnangagwa’s regime, economic
instability has deepened, corruption has worsened, and poverty has become more
widespread, forcing millions to leave in search of safety and opportunity.
In this climate, the rooster’s crow takes on new meaning—not
just as a call to rise, but as a reminder that true change often emerges in the
darkest hour before dawn. It becomes a symbol of resilience and the collective
yearning for justice, accountability, and renewal.
Zimbabwe’s future hinges on both external advocacy and the
courage of its citizens to demand reform. As Christians, we are called to pray
fervently for the nation’s freedom and restoration. This includes praying for
the detained, the displaced, and the persecuted, trusting that God’s justice
will prevail. Yet, prayer must be coupled with action—raising awareness,
lobbying international bodies, and holding leaders accountable for their
actions.
As the rooster crows each morning, it serves as a reminder
of God’s promise to bring light into darkness. For Zimbabweans at home and
abroad, this is a time to press on, to speak out against oppression, and to
hold fast to the hope that one day the chains of injustice will be broken and
freedom will reign in the land.
#FreedomForAll
#TinodaRunyararo
#WeWantPeace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4ogxo5BjzM
About the author
Renee Brenda Langa is a human rights activist based in the United
Kingdom. She is the Deputy Secretary for Information & Publicity for the UK
Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe and Secretary for
Information & Publicity for the Midlands Branch of the UK Chapter of
Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. She can be contacted by
email at reneelanga378@gmail.com OR renee.langa@rohr-zimbabwe.org
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