Some Words Come Back to Haunt Us II

Today, I'm not going to comment on Zim and events around the electoral run-off that has left Robert Mugabe unopposed. So, I reflected on some more words that can come back to haunt us.

This morning, just outside my house, builders who are constructing a drainage channel were listening to a transistor radio as they worked. Of the many songs that played while I was getting set to come to work, there were two that hit me, both are by Bob Marley. One was "Redemption Song" and the other was "Africa Unite". Oh....how so pertinent considering the back-and-forth from different African countries and leaders on the situation in Zim that has dominated headlines all over the world this week.

Then I remembered that Bob Marley composed the hit "Zimbabwe" and performed it for the celebration of their independence from Britain in 1980. Robert Mugabe is there plus many, many then hopeful and enthusiastic Zimbabweans. It got wondering whether Uncle Bob still listens to that song by Prophet Bob?

Natty Dread it in-a (Zimbabwe);
Set it up in (Zimbabwe);
Mash it up-a in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate (Zimbabwe), yeah.

We come together to overcome the little trouble.
Soon we'll find out who is the real revolutionary,
'Cause I don't want my people to be contrary

I was wondering if Uganda can descend to the state of Zim as NRM holds on to power even when they lose the elections in 2011. How is it to live in Zim as an ordinary citizen? Morgan can run off to the Dutch Embassy when the going gets tough but a person like me, 34 year old male with two sons below 5 and a fiancee? As Morgan sleeps in a comfortable bed as he is sure that a Dutch breakfast will on the table when he wakes, sure that he will surf the Net and send e-mails all over the world....a person like me down who hoped for a saviour in the shape of Morgan might suffer insomnia 'scratching his head' on how to feed his family and give them hope that the future will be better! Yeah, Uncle Bob is also comfortable...what about his supporters, are they in a similar situation like the many others?

Oh...I digress. I wanted to talk about Uganda and the statements of a government minister:

“Our motto remains no change. We either win or they lose” Gen. Otafiire, a bush war hero said adding that the NRM fought for power and would not relinquish it to the opposition. “We are still here, we are going nowhere,” the he said. Gen. Otafiire, a one-time patron of the Pan-African Movement in Uganda said the opposition was not prepared to lead. While some low level NRM enthusiasts can make such remarks without causing alarm, Gen. Otafiire is a member of Cabinet and his remarks in public are expected to reflect the government thinking.

So now you know why I wrote a lot on Zim before this part of the entry today. Will these words boomerang to haunt the General in the years ahead?