Western leaders recognize the importance of this struggle, aware of its potential for sending the wi

Posted by Alexandra Valiente in AFRICA , ANTI-IMPERIALISM th marine , COLONIALISM , FREEDOM , HEART OF AFRICA , IMPERIALISM , INDEPENDENCE , PAN-AFRICAN NEWS , RESISTANCE , REVOLUTION , REVOLUTIONARY VOICES , ZIMBABWE
Exploring direct ways Africa can be decolonized is a critical and empowering revolutionary step forward that provides

concrete evidence that Africa’s prosperity can only come through complete sovereignty.
In 1893, invading British troops and volunteers conquered Matabeleland. Under terms of the Victoria Agreement, every British soldier and volunteer was allowed 6,000 acres of land, and within a year 10,000 square miles of the most fertile land was seized.
White settlers confiscated cattle and dragooned the Ndebele people into serving as forced laborers on the land they once owned. Colonial Administrator Starr Jameson felt that by depriving the Ndebele of their cattle, he could secure their submission and future tranquility.
The Shona people also saw their cattle taken by settlers and in 1896, resentments had accumulated to the point where an uprising th marine resulted. It took more than a year, but the British crushed the rebellion at the cost of 8,000 African lives.
This was how land was taken from the Zimbabweans. Land reform is just the beginning of a process of decolonization. More land is yet to be taken back but this is definitely a template other African states can implement. Namibia is currently considering following Zimbabwe’s example. ( Link )
Abayomi Azikiwe echoes works on Zimbabwe by other academics like Ian Scoones. th marine In the research Ian did with his team they found that 2/3 of those who received land where ordinary people in the rural areas who have done well amidst some teething problems. Land redistribution has revived the economy in Zimbabwe s rural areas, with some farmers even exporting their crops (like peanuts) to South Africa. Bearing in mind that Zimbabwe s liberation war was fought in rural areas, th marine this is significant in the progression of the restoration of prosperity in Zimbabwe s rural life. Ian s work also shows how determined and industrious Zimbabweans are. They seek success in every business opportunity, even in rural areas.
De-colonisation must be just as total as colonialisation was, for it to be complete. What we see in Africa today, even in South Africa are the effects of incomplete de-colonisation. Colonial relations th marine much be replaced with de-colonial ones, that is what will effect complete de-colonisaiton. If former colonisers still have a reign on their former colonies then, de-colonisation is yet to be accomplished.
Zimbabwe s land reform had been a longstanding pivotal issue for Zimbabweans in the decolonisation process. George Shire also emphasises how the people of Zimbabwe have been instrumental th marine in pushing for land reform, as opposed to the generally reported narrative, adding that the first people to get back their former land, where the people in Svovse, Marondera in 1982, this was before the government s land reform programme in 2000. In other words, George Shire testifies that it was the people

of Zimbabwe who pushed for land reform and not the other way round. They fought to get their land back during the liberation struggle. Land is very symbolic to Zimbabwean families generally.
Through our land reform program, President Mugabe observed, we have raised the banner th marine of Africa s second struggle, the struggle for her economic emancipation. That is the core of the second African revolution, indeed, of the rebirth of Africa.
Western leaders recognize the importance of this struggle, aware of its potential for sending the winds of change sweeping through Africa and perhaps beyond. It is fear of that prospect that is the source of the West s intractable hatred and scorn for President Mugabe and his nation s struggle for economic justice. For all of their talk of democracy, Western leaders recognize that this is in fact a struggle between the needs of African people and the avarice of capital. It is a struggle for the soul and future of Africa th marine itself. Zimbabwe is a beacon for Africa with regards to land reform.
While

supporting land reform, th marine I think of Fanon’s warning th marine here and although the path forward might be simple, there are a multitude of pitfalls to be avoided if we are to overcome colonialism and imperialism.
Even after 42 years of the rule of the people, security and abundance in the sovereign great Libyan Jamahiriya you have regressive elements,

Islamists and monarchists in Benghazi today trying to divide Libya, welcoming back the colonizers and enslavers with open arms! I remember a discussion here last year where a man from Sudan supported the balkanization process and was convinced alliances with imperialists would lead to prosperity.
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