We, the people of Zimbabwe (and Africa) have for the better part of the last century been under the subjugation of external tyrannical influences, physically and mentally. This state of affairs continues in various forms after the Chimurenga war of liberation. The war liberated us from direct physical oppression but did not adequately address the mental enslavement perpetuated by the same oppressors. Symbols of this enslavement persist and are disgustingly present on display in our esteemed institutions of state.

Today, we have remnants of colonialism that needlessly tower over us as a people, from the English language we speak and petition in, to the way some of our most esteemed institutions are adorned and traditioned. In order to be truly free, we need to begin chipping away at these self-oppressive symbolisms, one vestige at a time.

Today we gather here to demand a change in the Supreme Court's official regalia, which is an affirmation and distasteful celebration of a bygone era of oppression and disdain for our norms and traditions. It is an affront to all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to indirectly celebrate the symbolisms of colonialism in a “liberated” Zimbabwe.

As a very public and important institution in Zimbabwe, the symbolism of the regalia serves to perpetuate the disdainful façade of old. These silly robes and atrocious wigs adorned by those that tormented our fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers have no place in the judiciary system of a Zimbabwe that aspires to be just and fair. This travesty cannot continue from a court duly constituted on the 18th of April 1980 of all days. All ceremonial rituals and facades inherited from an unjust system serve to undermine the freedom gained and subconsciously subvert any sense of accomplishment. These colonial symbols must be done away with. We the people of Zimbabwe choose to chart a new path, free from all the symbolism of the oppressor.

Our cultural narrative was stolen from us by slavery and colonialism, robbing us of our identity and sense of self. Today the vast majority of us are culturally confused, with our institutions of note providing no inspiration or showing the inherent excellence and inventiveness of our people. All we get from institutions like the Judiciary, Parliament (with a disturbing taste for colonial rituals), Traditional Chieftainships (colonial regalia caricatures) and Council Alderman, are these bewildering and nauseating vestiges of a colonial culture which once swore to hold us in servitude for a thousand years, dressed and presiding over us like the former.

We, the people of Zimbabwe, fund these institutions through our taxes and appoint these Justices to the bench through our elected representatives. We therefore have every right to demand that these caricatures of colonialism be replaced by symbolisms of our HUNHU / UBUNTU. We further demand the right to a new process to create apparel that taps into our own creativity and speaks to our aspirations as sons and daughters of the soil.

Today, the apparel of Justices  will not make a difference to the families struggling to feed their children due to poverty, it will not bring comfort to those who have lost loved ones to the pandemics of our time (may their souls rest in peace), it will not undo the whole era of colonialism. However, we are bound together by our quest for real liberation and emancipation. We owe it to those that have been, those that are and those that will be, to build upon the works of the Chimurenga war. Our greater days are up ahead, stay the course and stay focused for victory is certain!

This is a journey and today we take a very small step towards emancipating ourselves from the remnants of colonialism and opening our eyes to the immense possibilities of bettering ourselves as a free and innovative Zimbabwe. We have no excuse for hanging onto to any colonial ritual and symbols, we can regain control of our own nation’s narrative

Zimbabwe, I need your support in getting this message to the President so He may do what is necessary to get rid of these retrogressive symbols.