WE MUST CREATE A NATION OUT OF LOVE AND NOT OUT OF MONEY

BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA

The great mindset to have as a youth is focusing on what you can contribute to your country or community, rather than what you can gain from it.

The powerful way to build strong relationships and achieve common goals is to lay your life down for your country and your party.

As a country, we must create a youth that knows how to contribute to their party and country. The youth must be covered in the envelope of Volunteering: Offering their time and skills to help with events, campaigns, or other initiatives to develop their area and their country.

As youth, we must develop ways of Supporting others not by giving a selected few some money, but lifting fellow countrymen and party members or community members, whether through mentorship, advocacy, or simply being a supportive presence.

Every person is unique in their own way. So it is very patriotic for the youth to contribute by Sharing their expertise: Contributing your knowledge and experience to help inform party decisions or initiatives.

The culture of attending party functions because there is money to be given destroys development and kills the sense of sacrifice. Giving people money is not the way to go.

We must learn to give people fishing rods.

Building bridges and creating connections for the youth is a self-sustainable way that will enhance the future of the youth.

Helping to build connections and foster dialogue between different groups or individuals within the party or community gives a future that will benefit the youth.

By focusing on what you can do for your party, you can help build a stronger, more collaborative community that benefits everyone involved.It will be a great failure if we build a nation on paying for loyalty.

True loyalty is built on trust, respect, and shared values, not just financial gain. When loyalty is bought, it can be fleeting and transactional, rather than genuine and long-lasting.-Key aspects of genuine loyalty: must be principle-based.

Loyalty rooted in shared values and principles will live forever. There must be a clear Mutual respect: Respect and trust between individuals or groups.

We should have time to implement Commitment: A genuine commitment to a cause and to our country.

Buying loyalty to a party or country can have several disadvantages, including Corruption: Financial incentives can lead to corruption and undermine the integrity of individuals and institutions.

Zimbabwe has come a long way in being monetarily attached. The youth we have now and the people we have now lack genuine support.

Loyalty bought with money may not be genuine, leading to superficial support and potential betrayal when it’s convenient.

Undermining trust is the most evil that can be done by any country.

Buying loyalty can erode trust in institutions and leaders, as people may perceive that loyalty is being manipulated or coerced.

Short-term gains have no continuity and normally divorce people from their genuine love. Bought loyalty will not last in the long term, as individuals may switch allegiance when more lucrative opportunities arise.

Stifling dissent will explode one day.

Buying loyalty can silence critical voices and stifle constructive debate, leading to poor decision-making and potential stagnation.In the context of Zimbabwe, buying loyalty could have significant implications for the country’s development and stability.

Consequences of bought loyalty are severe, and allegiance must never come in monetary terms. What is being created by flashing money is Transactional relationships: Relationships based on financial gain rather than genuine connection.

We are creating a nation with a Lack of trust. When loyalty is bought, trust can be eroded.

Short-term gains are a danger to the long-term sacrifice.

Bought loyalty will not last in the long term.

Genuine loyalty is more valuable and sustainable than loyalty bought with money.

When money is used to buy loyalty, people may prioritize their personal gain over the greater good, leading to Self-interest: Individuals may follow the money giver rather than the cause or the country’s interests.

-Lack of genuine commitment: Loyalty becomes transactional, rather than driven by a sense of duty, values, or patriotism.

-Opportunism: People may switch allegiance when a better offer comes along, rather than standing by their commitments.

This can undermine the integrity and effectiveness of institutions, parties, and governments, ultimately harming the country and its people.

When people pay for loyalty, it can create a culture of patronage, where Money talks and the giver talks louder.

Financial influence outweighs merit, talent, or hard work.

-Self-serving interests: Individuals prioritize personal gain over the greater good.

– Lack of accountability: Those in power may feel beholden to their patrons rather than the people they serve. This can lead to an imbalance of power, corruption, and poor governance.

In such systems, loyalty is often rewarded over competence, integrity, and dedication.

Patriotism and love for one’s country should indeed transcend material wealth.

When people prioritize their country’s well-being over personal gain, it will foster National unity: Shared values and a sense of purpose can bring people together.

Citizens may be more willing to make sacrifices for the greater good and not for selfish reasons. – Integrity: Leaders and citizens are more likely to act with integrity, prioritizing the country’s interests over personal gain when money is not in play.

This kind of patriotism can lead to a more cohesive, resilient, and prosperous society.

We must teach our people that it is not money that builds relations.