By Trevor Makonyonga
There has always been a demarcation between the haves and the have nots in many societies. The demarcation often is visible in the places people hang out, where they live, where their children learn and the amount of power they wield. Usually, social stratification is affected by wealth. Then there is a different form of social strata where people generally earn the same, live in the same areas, have basically the same resources at their disposal and their children are friends. This is where the high table comes to play.
The high table is a symbol of power, yet the power exists only in the air. It is a pseudo social class that has cast many brilliant-minded individuals into snobs and know-it-all who condescend their peers. In case there is any doubt on what the high table is, here is the explanation: there is an obsession of setting high tables for community leaders and office bearers which sets a tone of separation between those being represented and those who should serve. In any case, the scenario must be in reverse, the servants should always be on the lower ground whilst the majority should be on the higher table.
It is almost like working in an army or a police force where one has a higher rank but earns almost the same as the subordinates but decides on the fate of everyone else. It becomes insincere when people meant to serve begin to treat their source of power as servants. This is witnessed when basic development information is sat on at council offices or the MP’s office, yet the real beneficiaries of that information are left behind. When, for instance, there are budget consultative meetings, it is absurd that the technocrats come up with the agenda with most of the councillors just nodding to everything in the background and hide behind the high table in the full view of everyone while they bull-crap through figures. The majority is way led into choreographed schemes and statements thoroughly rehearsed for the day.
It’s almost like it is in churches where the pastors have the carpets and stuffed up comfortable chairs when the congregate sit on rough butt piercing benches. The same is true in the political setup. Just this Saturday, the MDC Alliance youth wing had a meeting, and the high table was also set. Of course, there will be arguments that there must be order at meetings and speakers should be in the front, but it is the mentality of those who are seated at the top that must change. High table mentality has meant that people leading have all the knowledge yet in most cases they are divorced from the realities on the ground.
Care, World Vision, and other such aid organizations have more information on the realities faced by the people down of the table than any political party. That is why in rural areas most politicians thrive on the existence of these NGOs because their effort is so rife and effective that it can’t be matched. They have enumerator who are on the ground, yet political parties are busy politicking. Whenever they have a chance to talk to the people, they do not give the people a chance to speak nor air their views.
Going into 2023, the high table social class must be dismantled and involve everyone without any form condescending. Just like the NGOs, Zimbabwean leaders must be on the ground facing the actual realities on the ground not creating an array of fantasies by merely tweeting hash tags and holding useless meetings which will not change the course of the country. There must be a sincere motive to change the trajectory of circumstances facing many Zimbabweans not using the people’s frustrations to amass power. That has been the scenario for long. To capture the people’s attention, especially the ne new voters, much convincing must be done and serious vetting of candidates is also important.
It is never those who are on the high table that matter, it is those who put them there who ultimately matter. There should never be any confusion.
