SHAPING, DEFINING, AND DELIVERING AN INCLUSIVE FORWARD-LEANING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING CAN-DO PERSONALITY OF AFRICA THAT IS POSSIBLE.

Introduction:

In the Battle of Ideas campaign promoted and provoked by members of the Africa Heritage Society (AHS), a member-based registered not-for-profit in terms of the laws of South Africa, whose theme is TOWARDS SHAPING AND DEFINING THE AFRICA WE WANT, the issue of land reform and the associated sanctions narrative based on the kith and kin idea and ideology that sanctions were imposed on Zimbabwe in 2001 principally because of the land reform and its direct impact on white “stolen” land rights, and the new issues surrounding the proposal to compensate the victims of the land reform on racial grounds; diverse and often conflicting viewpoints continue to be shared in Africa with the consequence that the causal link between the rule of law and prosperity is obscured, distorted and trivialized.

Against this backdrop, the ongoing discourse surrounding land reform in Zimbabwe, especially in the context of a Telegraph article by Peta Thornycroft, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/06/white-farmers-zimbabwe-toxic-legacy-mugabe-land-grab/ whose content and context provoke, ignite, and inspire the ventilation and rebellion of ideas not only about the land reform program as it was prosecuted in Zimbabwe but on broader legal, public policy, constitutional, rule of law, ethical, and ideological issues that need to be understood using a holistic, forward-leaning, inclusive, and problem-solving approach based on a sober analysis of the promise and challenges of building an Africa that works for all.

The piece sheds light on the enduring impact of what Peta describes as Robert Mugabe’s land grab on white farmers, such as Philip Rankin, and their struggles with the broken promises of compensation. However, beyond individual narratives, the conversation expands to encompass broader themes of nuance, inclusivity, and the imperative role of active citizenship.

Summary of Telegraph Article:

Peta Thornycroft’s article, published by the UK-based Telegraph, delves into the challenges faced by one of the Zimbabwean tribes that she identifies as white farmers in Zimbabwe post-Mugabe’s farm invasions, although Mugabe’s exaggerated grip of public power was embarrassingly exposed by the way the bloodless coup of November 17, 2017, was successfully prosecuted with public support.

The article underscores the plight of individuals like Philip Rankin, symbolizing the thousands grappling with the consequences of land seizures.

The piece navigates through historical nuances, skepticism surrounding compensation agreements, and the prevailing struggles of dispossessed farmers.

Response from Dr. Daniel Shumba and JLI-AI AFRICA:

In response to Thornycroft’s narrative, Dr. Daniel Shumba and the JLI-AI AFRICA initiative advocate for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to Zimbabwe’s land reform.

They emphasize active citizenship, organized through initiatives like BANKING ON AFRICA’S FUTURE (BOAF) in collaboration with JLI-AI AFRICA, to shape media excellence.

The focus is on promoting the rule of law based on constitutional principles rather than racial considerations.

Mr. Jerry Mashamba, a member of JLI-AI SOUTH AFRICA, contributes to the conversation by cautioning against the use of racial lenses in judging the validity and legality of conduct and laws.

He draws from historical experiences in South Africa, highlighting the importance of avoiding racial bias in legal and ethical frameworks.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this article aligns with Dr. Daniel Shumba and JLI-AI AFRICA’s call for a more nuanced, inclusive, and actively engaged approach to Zimbabwe’s land reform.

It transcends individual narratives, advocating for a deeper understanding of challenges and potential solutions.

The goal is to pave the way for building a diverse, open, transparent, accountable governance system based on laws and conduct that is not contrary to public policy and constitutional principles, values, and the supremacy of the constitution as the law that binds all persons irrespective of race, political persuasion, and class, informed by responsible and responsive media, as the fourth state of constitutional democratic order and dispensation naturally guided by informed and fact-based active citizenship and independent and impartial media excellence.

The JLI-AI MEDIA EXCELLENCE initiative seeks to shape and define a new bank of knowledge that adds and not subtracts needed perspectives and paradigms to provoke, inspire, and ignite active change based on ideas and actions that speak to the human spirit.