ZESA, Wicknell, and Zimbabwe’s Austerity-Induced Blackout
Harare – The revolutionary mantra “Building Zimbabwe brick by brick” is a testament to our resilience as a nation.
It should never be misinterpreted as an admission that we are immune to challenges, no, it’s simply a poetic nod to the deliberate pace of progress, no matter how imperceptible or backward it may seem at times.
True patriots understand that sanctions, and not rampant corruption or poor governance, are the real villains in Zimbabwe’s prolonged economic struggles.
If the road to recovery appears to stretch endlessly before us, it is because the weight of external forces has unfairly slowed ZANU-PF’s march toward a brighter future.
Thus, the “brick by brick” mantra should be interpreted as a revolutionary reminder that ZANU-PF must not be rushed into fixing the crises it has so thoughtfully cultivated.
Take, for example, the past week, when the nation has endured power outages of up to 16-18 hours daily.
Our beloved, state-owned ZESA has nobly stepped up to shoulder the blame, citing “technical faults” at Hwange and Kariba Power Stations. Surely, no one would dare link these faults to systemic neglect, mismanagement, or chronic underinvestment.
Perish the thought!
Instead, let us view these blackouts as part of the broader austerity measures imposed on us by Western sanctions.
Forget the insinuations of poor governance; this narrative of technical faults must be embraced with unwavering faith.
ZANU-PF is not responsible for these “technical challenges,” just as gravity isn’t to blame for Zimbabwean planes failing to take off.
Yet, some unpatriotic citizens,those self proclaimed “progressive forces” have the audacity to question this narrative.
They point to the much publicized but evidently non-functional US$172.8 million, 100-megawatt Gwanda solar project, awarded to the tenderpreneur extraordinaire and ex-convict Wicknell Chivayo.
To these detractors, the neglected 262-hectare plot, with its overgrown bushes, termite-infested wooden structures, and lone solar panel for security lighting, is an indictment of corruption and inefficiency.
A foolish thought in the eyes of True Patriots.
We true patriots know better, this, too, is the result of Western sanctions.
The bushes, sanctions, the missing roof tiles, sanctions and termites, probably CIA operatives in disguise!
Calls to hold ZESA, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), or Chivayo’s Intratrek Zimbabwe accountable are not only unpatriotic but also an affront to divine providence.
Chivayo’s untouchable status is a revelation, a cosmic truth that mere mortals must accept given his reputable position of a holy apostolic sect.
Instead of demanding accountability, citizens should focus on real issues like climate change, which is clearly to blame for Lake Kariba’s low water levels, not the decades of mismanagement.
Lest we forget, The Herald, our beloved state-controlled newspaper, confidently declared on November 17, 2015, that Zimbabwe would be a net exporter of electricity by 2018.
According to their sweet symphony of propaganda, we were to produce over 4,000 megawatts, against a local demand of just 2,100MW.
The fact that we are now grappling with crippling power shortages should not undermine our faith in their optimistic projections.
Surely, these delays are just minor setbacks on the path to greatness.
Indeed, as our Second Republic continues to sign “mega deals” to boost economic prospects, the blackouts are nothing more than growing pains, and a thorn in the flesh of progress.
The road ahead may be dark (literally), but do not despair, comrades.
Our state controlled media will ensure you are soothed with beautifully tailored propaganda promising better days.
Patriotic citizens must embrace these austerity measures as necessary sacrifices.
After all, what is a little darkness compared to the privilege of watching multimillion-dollar tenders awarded to the well-connected, despite the glaring lack of results?
Let us endure in silence, for the bricks of our future are being laid one unlit night at a time.
