The Sunday Mail
Cleophas Pedzisa
After being asked by a diplomat what her hopes for this year were, the UK’s Mother spoke neither about her own well being nor that of her family. She did not even reference the impending royal wedding.
Instead she spoke of her wish that “Zimbabwe will one day return to the Commonwealth”.
So reported the Daily Mail.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s work ethic and transformation drive fits well into the Commonwealth’s general principles of good governance, economic growth and respect for human rights.
Zimbabwe was asked to attend last week’s summit in London and that is a most welcome development.
All pointers are that we will once again be a full member soon and this would be a plus to world politics.
The indisputable fact is that President Mnangagwa is a game changer.
The Commonwealth is an association of friends – an NGO, mainly at inter-governmental level – brought together by a common history of being former colonies of Great Britain.
On its own this sounds bad. But when one thinks of the realities of post-colonial geo-politics and how the previous regime badly responded to these realities, one realises that much good can come out of being in the Commonwealth.
Britain’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Catriona Laing has given positive signals to the re-engagement and Zimbabwe’s foreign policy establishment has been clear about its intentions.
There is much hope for out relations with the West.
Zimbabwe has been in isolation for such a long time that it was easy to start thinking that it was normal to be fighting the world.
But two things are more than apparent.
Firstly, no nation exists in isolation. Secondly, international relations play a significant role in the development of any country.
That Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth had a stormy relationship culminating in a sensational and acrimonious divorce in 2003 is well-documented.
The dramatic statement “This is unacceptable. This is it – it’s quits, and quits it will be” captured the high emotions of the time.
The history of Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth is long and storied.
In World War II, a great number of the then Southern Rhodesians served under the United Kingdom against Hitler and his allies.
In total, 10 107 service personnel, including 7 730 pilots were also trained in this country.
Zimbabwe had the opportunity to host the 12th meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations at Elephant Hills Resort from 16 to 19 October in 1991.
The meeting concluded with the Harare Declaration setting out the core principles, values and membership criteria, among others.
In the Harare Declaration, heads of government committed themselves to affirmation of commitment to equal rights; equal opportunities for all races, regardless of colour, creed or political belief; and equality for women.
The imperatives of Zimbabwe’s return to the Commonwealth are overwhelming.
The chorus of rejoining is growing louder by the day.
Apart from the high-powered meetings, there are activities of the aptly named “unofficial Commonwealth”, a multitude of organisations that foster ties under different disciplines and professions, sport, literature, arts, culture and many others.
There is the Commonwealth Youth Programme which looks specifically at “jobs for the youth”.
There is the Commonwealth Foundation, which shapes the livelihoods of millions of disadvantaged people.
There are the Commonwealth scholarships and fellowships from which our bright students can benefit.
There is even the Commonwealth for Kids, whose mantra is “we are all different, but we work together”.
Zimbabwe will be able to fully participate in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which promotes, develops and supports legislators and parliamentary staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and to nurture democracy.
Harare and London should be able to differ in pragmatic fashion, knowing that there is no need for sanctions and isolation.
Looking forward, the Commonwealth Games Federation has selected Birmingham, England as the host city for the XXII Commonwealth Games in 2022.
We are four-and-a-half years from these games, but all preparations and all arrangements are set.
Who does not want to be associated with such enduring sportsmanship?
