Recent statistics indicate that nearly 1 in 8 people worldwide live with a mental disorder, affecting more than 1 billion individuals. This highlights the widespread nature of mental health issues, with anxiety and depression being the most common conditions. Despite the expectation that effective prevention and treatment options should be readily available in our modern world, many individuals still do not receive the care they need.
This situation underscores the urgent need to improve mental health services. Additionally, there is a concerning possibility that those who provide support may also require treatment themselves. The statistics may have been derived only from individuals who have visited mental health institutions, which may not fully represent the reality on the ground.
Furthermore, recent reliable estimates indicate that the global suicide rate is around 9 per 100,000 people, although the exact figure may vary slightly depending on the source and the specific metric used. There may be more individuals struggling with mental health issues who have yet to seek help, which contributes to the unpredictable nature of suicides that continue to leave families bewildered. Taking part in warfare can also be seen as another clear sign of instability caused by insanity.
It can be particularly challenging for sane individuals to coexist with those who are mentally ill. Sanity should be defined as the ability to distinguish between what is normal and what is abnormal. When people confuse the two, even the most stable individuals can fall into madness, making the issue of insanity the most urgent matter that requires attention. No liberation struggle can rectify a condition of mental illness characterized by such a level of insanity.
The world is divided into right and wrong, yet people struggle to understand what should be deemed acceptable and what should not. What is wrong is expected to be seen as abnormal, while what is right is expected to be accepted as normal. Imagine a nation where those who stand up for the truth are deemed traitors and deserve incarceration. Can there be any worse condition than one in which a person who blatantly tells falsehoods is labeled a patriot and generously rewarded by the state?
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks” (Isaiah 5:20–22 NIV).
Imagine a scenario where highly promising college students are marginalized while underperformers are elevated for political reasons. This includes known criminals who are granted freedom and protection from the authorities. After embezzling government funds, these individuals are celebrated as successful entrepreneurs. In a corrupt society, acquiring large sums of unaccountable money is not considered a crime. Those who struggle to make money in such an environment are viewed as unwise.
In this misguided view, the best time to generate wealth is seen as when criminality is allowed to flourish unchecked. The person reporting a crime to law enforcement may find themselves incarcerated, while the actual criminal walks free. Under such circumstances, living in a criminal environment is deemed beneficial and is perceived as a pathway to independence.
In this society, traditional gender roles are completely upended; men are treated like women, and women like men, all in the name of independence. Everything is reversed—what is supposed to be white is made black, and what is black is transformed into white.
I remember how unusual it was to see a driver overtaking from the left side of the road in the early eighties. What began as a practice among reckless Combi drivers has since become normalized in Zimbabwe, leading ordinary drivers to adopt these improper driving habits as if they were perfectly acceptable.
In Zimbabwe, traffic police seem less focused on maintaining order and more on collecting bribes from offenders. A friend of mine, retrenched in early 2000, bought a Combi to start a commuter business but gave up within three months. He described the abnormal road conditions, with police favoring unethical operators over honest ones.
Ethical drivers are often looked down upon, while unlicensed vehicles and drivers receive protection in exchange for bribes. Whether this corruption is endorsed by higher authorities remains uncertain. In the end, no one truly benefits; those involved may appear to live well, but their actions reveal a deeper form of madness.
The superficial happiness in this environment resembles the fleeting contentment found in a mental hospital. Normalizing the abnormal is evident throughout Zimbabwe, similar to the ongoing political violence. Many citizens feel helpless, hoping for intervention from other nations. However, this situation reveals a collective insanity affecting the general populace. Even minor irregularities can escalate into significant catastrophes.
There is a well-known analogy involving a frog placed in a container of water connected to a heat source. If the frog is thrown into hot water, it instinctively jumps out to save itself. However, if it remains in gradually heating water, it becomes oblivious to the rising temperature and ultimately dies without realizing the danger.
This metaphor illustrates how an entire society can be affected when criminality is allowed to become normalized. What may start as small, seemingly insignificant violations can snowball into widespread lawlessness and anarchy. Zimbabwe has evidently reached a point where the law courts have become ineffective. A person can commit murder but may be released from custody simply by paying a bribe. The Bible describes such conditions of transgression against the law as the most degraded state of sinfulness.
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him” (1 John 3:2–6 NIV).
The effects of lawlessness in Zimbabwe are frightening and create unpredictable conditions for ordinary people. No one feels secure in a country where individuals are allowed to take the law into their own hands, influenced by political machinations. We have reached a point where staying silent under these circumstances should be considered criminal. By allowing lawlessness to prevail, one becomes complicit in it.
Another armed struggle looms in Zimbabwe, and it seems a sacrificial effort may be necessary. The pressing question is what people can do to secure their freedoms. Three options are worth considering. The first is to remain peaceful and vote wisely in the next general elections. However, this seems unworkable given the current lawlessness in the country. Pessimists often give up in despair when reflecting on past electoral experiences.
Campaigning and presenting manifestos are essential for elections to genuinely reflect the wishes of the people. Yet, due to documented incidents of violence in recent years, peaceful elections cannot be guaranteed amid the prevailing lawlessness. The unchecked violence that claimed many lives in 2008 remains unresolved, which is deeply concerning. Personally, I would not advocate participating in the electoral process under such conditions.
The second option is to seek international intervention, such as that from SADC or the United Nations. However, I find this approach unworkable given the shortcomings of the 2009 Government of National Unity (GNU). Relying on foreign assistance can lead to unnecessary propaganda, where the opposition is labeled a puppet of Western interests. This can also allow potential foreign adversaries to set the pace for change, rather than allowing Zimbabweans to determine their own course.
Additionally, without an escalation of violence, appealing for international help is likely not persuasive. It is essential to encourage Zimbabweans to recognize that the current situation is the result of a failure to take responsibility. The third option is to consider an armed struggle, which some people view as the only language that oppressive regimes understand. This option might become relevant only after all other avenues for resolving the crisis have been exhausted.
However, it resembles the risk of participating in elections where individuals may face violence. Resorting to armed struggle can ultimately be the worst option, as history shows that violence begets more violence. Fighting against one another in the pursuit of peace is as morally reprehensible as maintaining the status quo after every election period. An armed struggle is barbaric and could perpetuate the existing chaos.
The final approach, which seems to be the most viable, is to confront the system and demand electoral reforms. The first step is to exhaust all legal channels necessary to resolve these issues amicably. This may involve keeping the Minister of Justice occupied around the clock until all concerns are addressed. There is no need to feel apologetic for pursuing this matter relentlessly. It is crucial to remain civil while addressing issues of survival.
Communicating, whether one-on-one with those in power or through social media, is also essential, while not relenting in pursuing legal processes. It takes ordinary individuals to address the issues of insanity in their environment. The efforts of people like Professor Maduku and others in the legal field should be highly commended. If you observe inappropriate behavior by a neighbor, why let it go unchecked? Any positive communication, whether posted on Facebook or shared through other media channels, can make a difference.
The most disturbing trend is the assumption that apathy promotes peace. This reflects the behavior of those who may be in desperate need of mental support. True, normal individuals understand that communication is vital, as long as it reaches others. This can begin with engaging close relatives and then extend to a broader audience on social media.
Promoting reason in one’s environment can be the most effective contribution a person can ever make. It is crucial to recognize that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. Christians, in particular, are called to promote peace and reconciliation within their communities. Focusing solely on our own circles while ignoring the behavior of others is not only un-Christian but also morally wrong, as all problems are nurtured by that mindset. One cannot truly embody the Christian spirit if they fail to promote peace.
Positively impacting others, no matter how small the actions should be, is what fulfills our purpose in this world. Communication can be incredibly effective, especially when material resources are not always accessible. Engaging in conversation can change someone’s life. Sometimes, even disagreements are better than silence, though active listening is encouraged. Engaging in communication is one of the most effective ways to promote peace in our environment.
However, it is important to avoid propagandists, whom I consider among the most dangerous people in the world. Ordinary people should be wary of media channels, as they often misquote individuals. Mainstream media tends to fuel an already chaotic environment through propaganda. They approach innocent individuals with an agenda, manipulating their statements to suit their own goals. It must be noted that there are some people who make a living out of chaos.
Such people’s aim is often to promote propaganda or to receive huge sums of money to discredit the other party. The safest form of communication is with friends and family. One can persuade their brother or sister regarding what they believe to be right or wrong, especially since it can affect our collective survival. For example, those in the Diaspora could use their communication channels to encourage thoughtful discourse among their relatives in Zimbabwe. This does not necessarily imply taking a partisan stance; what is good transcends partisanship.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8–9 NIV).
Causing discord is not solely the fault of others; it also includes those who choose to distance themselves from others. Insanity cannot be effectively addressed through a partisan approach. It requires us to remain calm and focus on recognizing what is truthful and beneficial for everyone, consistently striving to do what is right. Each individual must understand that they carry the responsibility to be an agent of peace, regardless of where they are.
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth” (Psalms 34:14–16 NIV).
An insane environment can be chaotic, making it difficult for anyone to feel comfortable. As long as you are capable of making your bed in the morning, you are probably someone who can start communicating with others effectively. It takes a person who understands order to create a sense of order in a chaotic setting. If you have friends or relatives who struggle to make their beds in the morning, it is important to remind them of the importance of small tasks like this.
Each of us has a responsibility to make things work even in challenging environments. Zimbabwe is our only country, and we are the only ones responsible for its functionality. Let us collectively address falsehoods, even going to court against those who spread misinformation. While our system may be flawed, we can still take action with the limited resources available to us. The question is: what can we achieve with the resources we have?
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:8–12 NIV).
Being angry with another person is irrational, just as causing harm to someone else is. Instead of harboring anger, one should seek to resolve problems by helping others understand the situation, even when they may be resistant to reason. Anger itself should be understood as a route toward insanity, and should not be allowed to control behavior.
Zimbabwe is experiencing significant economic turmoil and has lacked peace for an extended period since independence. Conditions appear to be worsening, especially with some influential individuals reportedly promoting drugs to unsuspecting youth. Among the population, there are those who recognize what normalcy should look like.
We should be grateful that, despite the path of violence taken by some since the armed struggle, there has not been a cycle of retaliation. While it is essential to maintain peace, it is even more crucial to speak out against wrongdoing and advocate for goodness. Every responsible citizen should strive to leave behind a commendable legacy.
The current economic chaos in our country can only be resolved through the actions of peace-loving individuals. Blaming others for our problems is not a belief that comes from God; rather, it is a deceit from Satan, who wants to suggest that God made a mistake in creating humanity.
The most unbelievable yet truthful realization is that those who are truly insane are not to blame; rather, it is those who can distinguish right from wrong but choose to do nothing about it. Jesus, the only one who recognized what was wrong over two thousand years ago, took it upon Himself to die for humanity. As Christians, we are called to do the same. If we do not, the purpose of human existence becomes unjustifiable.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, which lays out standards for lifting Zimbabwe out of its current economic depression and into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, offering relief to those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99