After the banning
of pro-democracy demonstrations in Harare anti-Mugabe activists have
moved to rural areas spreading the campaign to what they call
"communities that are largely uninformed and misinformed".
Going under the
banner #Zimbabwe Yadzoka, #Mayibuye i Zimbabwe the activists carry out
their activities during the night at social gatherings such as funerals,
memorial services and other traditional events.
In an interview
with NewZimbabwe.com coordinator of the campaign, Victor Chimhutu, said
#Zimbabwe Yadzoka, #Mayibuye I Zimbabwe is an independent social
movement with its own structures, strategies and prioritises rural
areas.
"This is an
independent social movement with its own formation, tactics and
preference in areas. However, we work closely with all social movements,
for example, #ThisFlag, #Tajamuka, OAUS among many; whenever these
movements have their activities we always offer them solidarity in urban
centres," said Chimhutu.
"So far, apart from
demanding change #ZimbabweYadzoka fundamentally aims to empower these
rural communities and this you can also see from our materials in
vernacular languages. Currently we have our materials in Shona, Ndebele
and Kalanga, with translations into Venda, Ndau and Tonga underway."
Chimhutu went on to say the majority of people live in rural areas but have largely been left out of national discussions.
"For example, how
many people in rural communities have access to the Internet? So, we are
leaving a huge percentage of our people out of national important
issues hence this project.
"The current
situation is to the advantage of Zanu PF; if you look at voting
patterns, urban centres always vote for change while those in the
periphery are too afraid to express themselves or participate freely in
political processes and national discourse," added Chimhutu.
So far, the campaign has covered rural Mashonaland East in Uzumba, Mutoko, Mrehwa, Macheke, Masvingo's Gutu and Zaka areas.
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