A short memo on the dead.

We the living have one thing we always must do. Not only to remind ourselves of our short time living. We have to remember the ones that lived before us and tell their tales. We got to collectively strive to learn and understand the past. Just so we can know where we are today.

It isn’t easy… reading about the dead and listening stories about the dead. No, it can be stressing, tiring and boring too. However, their sacrifices, lives and legacies needs to remembered. Not only the big-men, but mere civilians and people surrounding us day-to-day.

We need to remember them and what they did. We need to remember the dead. The deceased and the ones whose no longer among us. They are gone, but their stories are not. We can decide to remember them and tell them to others. The forefathers and generations before us cannot talk anymore. That’s why we got to do it on their behalf.

The dead cannot talk, but we the living can. That is the gist of things. Just a friendly reminder as we read about massacres, famine, murder and assassinations. We need to remember to tell tales of our loved ones. The ones who stood before us and was among us. Just so we can’t forget where we came from and the battles they fought for us.

That is something we need to do. As humanity, as people and as civilians who cares. So, that their stories don’t get lost and becomes forgotten tales of old. They deserved better and hopefully one day when I am no longer living. Someone might tell about this weird blogger and how he resided while he wrote his stories. Peace.

Opinion: Our leaders need to answer for the dead

The deaths that is occurring because of the COVID-19 or Corona Virus spread has to answered too. Even if this old mistakes, forgotten pet-projects and even mismanaged straight to hell. The leadership, the administration and the governments of our current has to answer for that. This lack of investment, security and stockpiles of needed proportions has to answered for. There are to many casualties and deceased not too.

Yes, not all leaders are equal, neither is all to blame. However, the ones who is in office, who represent a constituency and who has the vote on the allocation of funds. They are all indebted to this. They could all have ensured legal framework, budget forecast and also sometimes even listen to forewarning of possible pandemics. Not like that is a new phenomenon. It hasn’t only been the plague and the Spanish Flue. There is no a big SARS family and COVID-19 is the last brother of this one together with Swine-Flu, MERS and SARS itself. They are all inter-connected, but still a variation of the same “gene-pool”. Therefore, the authorities, the Ministries of Health and the Heads of State should have invested more into this. That is if they cared or wanted to be more prepared in-case something like this occur. However, that they didn’t do.

We will in the future discuss, show the timelines and the lost time in every Nation and Republic. Where we can pin-point, who did where and what. How come there was lack of production and sales of PPE, why was there not enough ventilators and why not enough gloves, masks and whatnot for the nurses and doctors. Why where there no plan of execution and securing this as the state got hit with virus? Why where there no direct national guidelines or instruction to how to move, talk and ensure public safety. Since, this is not the first time the world has been hit with this, but this is a new breed still.

That is why the leadership has to blamed for all the lives that is lost. Every single soul is as much worth as the other. Even if some isn’t creating headlines or causing as much fuzz as the other ones. Still, in the eyes of God, they are equal and they need to be justified. These people are our neighbours, our grandparents and our siblings. These people are the loved ones lost, because we don’t have a cure and we don’t have enough medical expertise to even salvage their hurt. That is all on the leadership and the ones in-charge.

The ones dead now is as a result of losing control, losing the battle against a contagious virus, which we don’t have a cure too and doesn’t have the ammunition to beat in an open assault. However, the state, the leaders could have achieved more, if they listen to experts and if they prepared guidebooks, playbooks and protocol on how to act when these appear. What to do and what to say, what to order and what leverage you have to ensure more people lives get saved. However, that has been thrown out of the bus, or left and forgotten in some God forsaken archive, where no-one enters, unless its an lonely intern doing research to prove the boss of the faculty that his the next genius to get hired.

That is why we need to look to our leadership, the ones who lead and the ones who delegate. The ones who build systems, the ones who funds and the ones who uses the taxpayers money to make the health care system function. They are the ones we have representing us and who represented the deceased. The ones we shall not forget. They are maybe now lost for us, but their memory will live on.

With that in mind, their sacrifice and their hardships shall not be forgotten. That they took the bullet and ended their lives. Because of that, we the living has to battle this and continue to pursuit the truth and the vaccine. However, also have the clear-mind and spirit. Wanting the truth and the end-game of it all. Where we can beg to question, why didn’t you do more and what gives?

Why should I accept this massive amount of death-toll, when you could have contained it or used more powers in office? Why should I accept that you didn’t use the State of Emergency and acts to procure more equipments for the hospitals? Why didn’t you stockpile more in the sunny days and only started to buy umbrellas when it rains? Why didn’t you ensure more people where insured or was covered by the state to get treatment? Why didn’t you take the early advice and even the ones forewarning of this years ahead? Why, Why didn’t you?

How can you on a stack of bibles and in front of the Holy Father answer for you negligence and lack of due diligence?

Because, that is what you have to do. You didn’t play your part, but you ate the stake and drank the champagne. However, you did not secure the lives of the ones you represented. You let them die and that was on your watch. These people trusted you, but they shouldn’t have. Peace.

My letter to our predecessors: “I am so sorry for the world we left behind”

Aleppo, Syria

20^th May, Oslo.

Dear deceased and no longer living!

I am sorry for the world that befallen on you. That we the current living beings are not taking care of the world you left behind. That we in our egoistic and narrow minded spirit is continuing warfare, killings, looting and starving each other.

I am really sorry, that none of our leaders has learned from the past, which you try to teach us better. That the history and lessons we had by you, didn’t bear fruits. That we didn’t learn from the theories and the books of wisdom you left behind. I am so sorry, that your labor and dedication for a better future is dwindling away in rot and destruction.

I am sorry, that the world is a dangerous place, even as you tried to make it peaceful, that you tried within your means, to put forward mechanisms and organizations to keep us safe. That your negotiations and agreements, was made to secure borders and secure rights for all human beings. Instead we are ignorant of these facts and instead building drones to kill civilians. I am so sorry for that. We should have known better.

I am sorry that we have given all this powers to the corporations, made them legal bodies that operates in fashions and ways, that resemble slavery and also creates opportunities to extort nations. These corporations we have given power, to settle tax-scores and agreements that benefit the businesses, but not the governments nor the work-force, especially not the consumer in the long-run. We are accepting this theft for cheap products, but don’t think of the material cost nor the price of the labor of these fellow brothers and sisters. Which is countering the fight the previous generations did to secure a fair-pay and rights as workers in the industries and wherever you work. I am sorry, that we let this happen.

I am sorry, that we are not taking care of our planet, that we are filling it with plastic or any sort of garbage. We are floating it in the sea and we are destroying our forests, jungles, fjords and our soil in general. We are destroying our earth, we are worsening the climate change, the glaciers are melting, while we are drilling for more oil and gas. We are securing more coal and more uranium, while we are not sure of securing the damage after nuclear disasters, we already have had.

I am sorry for the next generation after us, that has to take care of this earth, that has to live in this environment, that has these political challenges, that has to rebuild these nations and republics. That has to find solutions to the trouble we left behind. I am sorry to you as well.

We should have known better, but we didn’t, I am sorry, we should have used the knowledge and wisdom of our predecessors, we should have used their time and opened our ears. Instead of piling up guns, drilling after oil and hoping that tomorrow never comes. That is how it seems. We didn’t think, we just let it go and never questioned the powers and the ones in top positions. So they could do something to stop conflict and stop the deaths of innocent civilians. We should have known better, but we continue like nothing.

I am sorry, we should have been better with what you left behind, but we didn’t, I hope when we meet again. That you forgive us and see that we should have taken your knowledge to heart and changed our ways. Not thinking about the next news-cycle, the next week, but been thinking about what leaves a mark for the next generation.

Sincerely yours…

The Writer of Minbane

Opinion: What use has a bulletproof coffin?

“Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger.” – Ben Okri

I just have to ask, I know it is a foolish question, but ever since hearing that former Kenyan Minister Nicholas Biwott recently buried in a bulletproof coffin, what is the value of it? The person is beneath six-feet deep and cannot be touched. Unless, someone dig up the remains and start grave digging, which is not really respecting the dead. Alas, here we are at a situation where a former dignitary had it in his will. Just take a look!

“Former Powerful Minister, Nicholas Biwott, will be buried in a gold bullet proof coffin to protect him from enemies. In a will, Biwott said even in death enemies would be all over him. He therefore demanded that he be buried inside a bullet proof coffin so as to scare away people aimed at him. He also told his beloved ones to bury him in a golden coffin, to symbolize his social status. The tycoon’s coffin has been ordered from USA after it was established that a casket of this nature could not be found in Kenya. Anytime this week the coffin will arrive in the country under maximum security. Biwott was a man who constantly feared everyone and anyone. He was afraid of death. A secretive man, the former Minister never allowed any person near his compound unless it was a close family member. Even in death, it was his wish to be protected” (KenyaBytes, 16.07.2017).

He should have written in his will a nuclear safe bunker or a big tunnel inside a mountain, because who will shoot bullets into dirt and hope to hit a skeleton. Unless, he where he be buried with a fortune of bobs and get swarms of people digging for cash. However, that is not the case; apparently, he is buried with a bulletproof casket. A special design and kind, it amaze me.

Since he has already left for the afterlife. Not like he ghosts or the spirits cannot pass through a special made coffin. They can penetrate or reside wherever they like and that is within their power. Not as if the soul on its journey through the afterlife can decide its fortune, that is all up-to the almighty. If he grants salvation or whatnot. The bullets of the past, which is something a person has to answer for in eternity and it, is not changed by the special burial ground.

Clearly, either I have misunderstood something, the value or grandeur effect of such an investment, such a buy for eternity. That someone would go that far and order, fix and import such an artifact. Still, it boggles me, the misuse of resources mixed with the fear the person must have. Certainly, also the wealth and the stature as he can afford while living to buy such a thing.

If it was a bulletproof hat, a bulletproof car, bulletproof vest or bulletproof windows at someone’s station, as an executive, president and higher official, I can understand that to certain degree. That is while still breathing. Breathing and living, while avoid being killed. However, when you are already dead, these measures seems rather used up and has no meaning. Like you can have the nicest palace and biggest bank account. That will not be a part of your casket, but will be part of your legacy. That is what you leave behind to the next generation.

That is just me though, the simple-minded man I am, what about you?

Opinion: A 93 year old, apparently doesn’t need succession!

The President of Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe, the man who is in the psalms, who was written to stay as a leader and even be voted on after death, that is if Grace Mugabe, the first lady gets her wish. The Zanu-PF which was created by him as he mended to parties together when he got rid of a rival; so many forgets the past history of how ZANU became Zanu-PF. The Patriotic Front was sucked into the merger for the political ambition of President Mugabe, as he swallowed and got rid of Joshua Nkomo. Nkomo also lost his party as it became one party Zanu-PF.

Therefore listening to the President and leader of decades upon decades Mugabe had to say this on his 93^rd birthday:

“PRESIDENT Mugabe has warned ambitious lieutenants in his party who are angling to succeed him to stop fanning divisions, saying he will not be pressured into appointing his successor” (…) “He slammed succession-driven factional divisions in Zanu-PF, called for unity in the ruling party, and reaffirmed his position that whoever would succeed him was going to be chosen by the people through an election” (Gono, Mukarati & Tshuma, 2017).

The man who will run and continue to be the kingpin, the grand master of Zimbabwe, President Mugabe will not leave the republic and the reign before his last breath. The lasting regime and the will to stay is not only for his benefit, but for his closest allies and elite. The ones who drives flash cars in Harare, who owns the banks and export resources to abroad, also the ones who sells special-made cakes, lays chips and all sort of imported goods. That is who keeps breathing air into the Zanu-PF regime and Mugabe’s continues reign.

The ones who thinks this isn’t eating he system, isn’t costing the republics coffers, the possibility for good governance and accountability are not there with a man who rules and give the rules, without following any common-sense himself. A man has used any trick possible in the book and use all sort force to gain his will.

Are now imposing him and continuing his ill-will reign with the force of his army and sometimes like in the past mercenaries or paid forces from North Korea even. Because Mugabe doesn’t believe in democracy, but in his power to reign by all means!

Also, so his family can benefit and earns wealth on his reign. The Mugabe clan must surely have become rich from all of these years. If not why would he not step down and give way for somebody else? That is because he knows that all that is created around him and his family de facto disappears the day he leaves. However, the Mugabe name will tarnish history of a liberator turned Orwellian master. Nobody foresaw the transformation, but over time he has showed more and more traits of a scrupulous leader who use any means to stay and to forge the power around him. Therefore, the ones near him and the first lady are loyal fellows with no spine. If they had spine they would be beaten by the Police in protest, getting produced in courts or starving, even lacking civil service salaries. That is the means of lacking of governance and institutions as it all is and has been all Mugabe.

So there is no surprise, that the future casket President and the one ruling into death. So why be subtle about it. That is not the need of the Mugabe regime now. They are beating civilians, detaining civilian activists and silencing the opposition. Therefore, they feel invisible to anyone who thinks they can bring down President Mugabe. Peace.

Reference:

Gono, Vincent, Mukarati, Levi & Tshuma Nduduzo – ‘NO PRESSURE ON SUCCESSOR: President speaks on party divisions, bond notes’ (26.02.2017) link: http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/no-pressure-on-successor-president-speaks-on-party-divisions-bond-notes/

Super-President Mugabe will reign in the votes even after his death!

“Even when Mugabe dies, we will vote for his corpse and it will win an election” – Grace Mugabe, 17.02.17, 2:06pm” (Patson Dzmara, 17.02.2017).

Well, for me this isn’t surprising, as the Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and others has claimed that President Robert Mugabe is biblical and has to rule for eternity. That eternity is damn long, its decades upon decade, which makes the Lancaster House agreement of 1980s seems like small fry and the Ian Smith regime like a token of misjudgement. Since President Mugabe will now extend his rule beyond the grave.

The citizens of Zimbabwe will pay their respects with giving him the votes when he has even caught his last breath and eaten his last meal. When his body is so deep into dirt and vanishing inch by inch six feet under, the public will still drop ballots in his honour. The power of Mugabe is so strong that his earthly remains will not stop the Zimbabweans from showing their political will and to stand behind his Zanu-PF banner.

President Mugabe, the former freedom fighter will control his people beyond his grave and with the codes of elections through the same electorate. This is wishes of his beloved wife Grace Mugabe, which the power beholden to Mugabe is now so strong and powerful that it will sway people to vote for him even when the heartbeat of the brother has stopped.

So even if the President Mugabe pump isn’t working, he has no pulse, no breath or even walking; he will still have the ability to get the Zimbabweans to show loyalty and his party. The Zanu-PF must be rudderless and be without a proper head if the man they have as leader will be dead and gone. Mugabe should be a memory and legacy of the Zimbabwean nation. Not a figure, not a man who would extend his reign beyond his life.

Zimbabwe must have one brother or sister who is able to sway voters after the demise and last breath of President Mugabe. There are certainly somebody else who has the ability to gain the popularity and the righteous reign after the Zanu-PF head-honcho of decades upon decades should leave a new leader behind. That is certainly something the First Lady of Zimbabwe doesn’t believe in.

That Zanu-PF leadership, the Zanu-PF Youth League and all the other political leaders must feel left behind, when the corpse and the legacy of the long-serving president Mugabe can win and run elections from his place in graveyard. So politically Grace Mugabe must see the Zanu-PF as a total dead party. With that meaning that nobody else should run than a dead man. That means the internal or primary elections are pointless, as no matter who would run for being flag-bearer is not necessary since the man is already handpicked.

So who need democracy and elections when the dead is still ruling, Grace must fear for herself and her riches, when she depends on the Presidents executive position; that must be most important reason for her will to belief that the citizens still will elect her husband after his demise. Certainly, there should be others who could pick his mantle and continue where he left off?

I feel sorry for the other who are in the party of President Mugabe; they can’t even compete with the biblical and have the ability to roam the nation. The future leaders and the ones coming after must feel passed over. The youth and the ones in Zanu-PF must feel like they are walked over. Certainly, it must hurt that they are double-crossed by a deceased, not a loyalist to Mugabe even. They will not match up to the dead man. Mugabe, even in death surpasses the living in skill, expertise and the vision to give anyone else the possibility to run. So with this in mind, the President and Mugabe will by all means not rest in peace. He will reign in turbulence and let his soul roam the nation, even after his passing. Peace.