In the city of Harare, in the beautiful country of Zimbabwe lives a preacher man. He lives with his beautiful wife and adorable daughters. He’s name is Evan, Evan Mawarire. They call him Pastor Evan and he’s also affectionately known as Pastor E.
There’s a verse in the bible in which God asks Moses ‘what is in your hand?’ So poignant is this for this preacher man, for in his hand was a smartphone and a flag, a Zimbabwean flag.
Zimbabwe is a country that has been going through trying times. It is fraught with an economy that is increasingly unstable due to high levels of unemployment, cash shortages, a failing health care system, and water and electricity shortages.
One evening in the month of April, the preacher man with his flag around his neck using a smart phone poured his heart out regarding the current situation in Zimbabwe. Declaring his love and loyalty to Zimbabwe hurting at the state of his country and it’s impact on his life, he poured his heart out regarding this flag.
With that was born a movement, a movement with the hashtag #Thisflag. His video went viral and now the movement stands with a mission and a message that says no to corruption, no to injustice and no to poverty. #Thisflag has grown into a citizen’s movement that has given Zimbabwean people a voice again, calling for change through peaceful actions.
Following an arranged stay away that took place on the 6th of July, Pastor Evan was arrested. Firstly, being charged with inciting violence and this being changed to subverting constitutional government, a charge shy of treason. On July the13th he was taken to court where these charges were dismissed because the prosecutor could not bring new charges without respect to the constitution.
The day in itself was like none other, certainly one for the history books. Thousands of people let their voices be heard in support of Pastor Evan by descending at the courthouse whilst the hashtag #freepastorevan flooded social media. Those that were at the court prayed, danced and sung in one accord. With one voice. People from all walks of life young old, black and white, stood as one as they demanded the release of Pastor Evan.
So what have I learnt from all of this so far? Being a mum of 3, I can often be found telling my oldest two to speak up and speak clearly. I do not do it to patronise them quite the opposite actually, I do it to empower them. I want them to grow up knowing that they have a voice and it’s important that they learn to use it so that they be heard.
Everyone has a voice and it comes in different forms. Mine comes out when I write. I speak when I write, I can be vulnerable and I have the ability to dig into my authentic self to speak my truth.
The big lesson for me is we must let our voices be heard. There is a lot of injustice in the world, a lot of ideas to be birthed, a lot of creativity to be seen. But this can only happen when we harness our voices and are bold enough to speak. We should try by all means to not be intimidated.
Second lesson is, there is power in numbers. When people stand together beautiful emerges and that which seems impossible becomes possible. When we join together we become a force that is not easily moved.
Thirdly, our children watching. We owe it to the next generation to speak up at injustice or to speak our truth. Martin Luther King.Jr said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter “. Our legacy is the next generation and it is our responsibility to shape it into something meaningful.
The forth lesson is, never under estimate the power of your voice. When ordinary people decide to serve others they do extraordinary feats.
And finally, just as God asked Moses in the bible what was in his hand it is important we recognise that we already have something in our hands to use to walk our purpose.
A hashtag and a flag might seem small and insignificant but there is no denying the power they exemplify now as they have brought about an awakening to a nation by giving the people a voice.
I am a black Zimbabwean woman and I have written this piece because I too am tired of being afraid. Afraid to speak my truth and stand by what I believe. I have written it because I have a voice and my voice is important. I want my children to grow up knowing that intimidation is really so uncool and know that they too can stand in their truth and use their voice.
#Thisflag
