The Sunday Mail
Rumbidzayi Caroline Kahari
ZIMBABAWE enters its fifth week of the national lockdown amidst muted celebrations of the country’s milestone 40th anniversary.
In the background is fearmongering, fuelled by predictions of massive Covid-19 deaths in Africa and stories of unsanctioned impending vaccine trials.
Such doomsday information is sending cold shivers down the spines of most of us. We are gripped with anxiety, especially as we have come to realise that Covid-19 has no sacred cows.
The developed and rich world has suffered tremendous casualties despite the resources at their disposal. One may ask: What chances do Africans have of overcoming the coronavirus?
In the past week there was an uproar over proposed vaccines and we had the African Diaspora sounding the alarm, warning us about this and thankfully the World Health Organisation (WHO) set the record straight.
Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, came out guns blazing, warning that Africa would not be a vaccine testing ground.
The question arises as to why there was such an outcry from all corners of Africa. As Zimbabweans we are cognisant of the long history of suffering perpetuated by global injustices since colonial days, especially now as we are celebrating 40 years of independence.
We have become weary of the Western world’s intentions towards us, no matter how honourable these might seem.
We need a unity of purpose in fighting this virus.
Despite, Zimbabwe and Africa having invested so much in education since independence, where are the African scientists to shed light for us and to allay any fears we may have pertaining to the proposed remedies? Look at India, their doctors came up with several remedies.
Political leaders are naturally carrying out their roles and implementing the various interventions the way they know how. But there seems to be mistrust between governments and other organisations on remedial options such as the proposed vaccine.
This leaves the general populace in a quandary.
This is where African scientists and other experts have been found wanting.
Covid-19 is after all not Africa’s first rodeo with deadly viruses.
Our continent has had a long history of fighting seen and unseen foes and has still prevailed.
Our continent remains the most devastated by HIV/Aids and some parts of Africa have dealt with Ebola, which was successfully brought under control.
As we face this threat which has devastated the globe, it is important that we move with confidence and faith that we shall overcome, as we move as one Africa, one people.
2 Samuel 24:14 says: “And David said unto God, I am in great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the Lord, for his mercies are great.”
The key for us is not to be driven by fear in fighting this threat, but to learn from others, remain cautious and most importantly draw our strengths from our past achievements as a people. Our governments, scientists, engineers, health experts, religious leaders and the people, must move together with a common goal of beating this virus. ur continent is after all the cradle of humanity and it is this generation’s role to ensure that it remains so for eternity. Stay safe, stay healthy!
Rumbidzayi Caroline Kahari is a writer and communications expert.
