DR ABIGALE MUPAMBI URGES ZIMBABWEANS TO REMAIN OBJECTIVE OVER SPEAKER MUDENDA’S ‘PORRIDGE’ REMARKS
I have listened to the debate around Speaker of parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda’s porridge remarks. I don’t think his statement should be stripped of its full context. Context and objectivity matters in such instances.
Yes, he talked about porridge. But he did not present it as the ultimate solution to the El Niño-induced drought ahead.
In my view, as a highly informed official sitting in a better position to know the magnitude of what is coming and its consequences at household level, the Speaker wanted to ignite consciousness – and he has already achieved that – and possibly inculcate a mentality of saving the little that may be available.
He appreciates the limitations of the national budget to fully mitigate the crisis, and sought to bring the public to the same level of reality using a pragmatic, relatable example near home.
We as citizens are fast developing a dangerous culture: brushing off serious issues, blaming, politicizing everything, and turning even livelihood matters into jokes.
Fellow citizens , let us sober up.
El Niño-induced drought is predicted ahead of us. That is a fact. Government has confirmed it and is mobilizing a US$500 million defence fund.
The question is not about porridge. The question is: what proactive propositions can we, as communities, put forward to survive the situation ahead?
This is the time to engage, collaborate, and meet Government halfway. All stakeholders must join hands. Objectivity must lead.
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