Who Is Telling Zimbabwe's Story?

African Narratives: Who Is Telling Zimbabwe's Story?

In this first 'proper' narrative blog, I'm asking, 'Who is telling Zimbabwe's story?' Because stories matter. Both your story and mine. For through storytelling, narratives are formed. Narratives shape perception, influence behaviour, decisions, and attitudes towards, for example, people. Ultimately, narratives decide how the world perceives us and our position in it.

This week I stumbled upon President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa's speech as he addressed a gathering, praising Zimbabwe for the remarkable development happening in the country. During the praise-laden speech, Ramaphosa used the word 'gobsmacked' to capture his genuine surprise at seeing the progress Zimbabwe has made on its side of the Beitbridge border. What struck me was Ramaphosa's shock at seeing how far Zimbabwe has come. I couldn't help but wonder: if Ramaphosa, someone so close to Zimbabwe, a neighbour, would be taken aback, realising the progress Zimbabwe has made, what does that say about the global perception of Zimbabwe? How many people around the world are still walking around with a picture of Zimbabwe that belongs in 2008?

Despite the incredible advancements in infrastructure, investment, and economic activity, many still associate Zimbabwe with the dark days of 2008. Yet, we are no longer frozen in time. This is 2026, and the country has changed.

Zimbabwe, with all its challenges, is on a path of rebuilding and repositioning itself. While we acknowledge the obstacles, we must also recognise the significant changes taking place. It’s essential to differentiate between recognising challenges and claiming nothing has improved.

So, Who Is REALLY Telling Zimbabwe's Story?

I've noticed that the progress in Zimbabwe is often met with cognitive dissonance. People remember stories more than facts. They remember images. The narratives from 2008 have left a lasting impression: empty shelves and hyperinflation. For those who hold on to that image, reconciling the new developments can be difficult. To make sense of the change, some attribute it to external influences, like Ibrahim Traore or South African support, but this overlooks Zimbabwe’s unique journey.

Fine, let's acknowledge the contribution of others, but we must ensure Zimbabwe remains at the centre of its narrative. We cannot allow the story of Zimbabwe to be defined by external factors - where are the voices of the Zimbabwean people, their businesses, institutions, workers, farmers, investors, resilience and innovation in this narrative? If we do not capture the narrative, Zimbabwe disappears from its own story.

This realisation has led me to an uncomfortable truth: we're not amplifying our story loudly enough. If we do not tell our story, we create a knowledge vacuum, and vacuums do not stay vacuums forever. Someone will fill that vacuum. History has taught us that many stories are often told from the storyteller's perspective, and not all narratives capture the truth. Narratives, once they take hold, are difficult to retract, if not futile.

This is a pivotal time for Zimbabwe. We're witnessing history being made. And we owe it to the soil to capture our history. It's time for Zimbabweans to reclaim their story and share their journey with the world. The good. The not-so-good. The setbacks. The comebacks. Whatever it is, just tell the damn story!