The Public Diplomacy section of the US Embassy, under the US State Department, plans to launch an open competition for a Rural Reading Program.
This program aims to enhance English language skills, literacy, communication capabilities, and critical thinking among its participants. It will utilize books written by US authors focusing on themes such as leadership, equality, and women’s empowerment.
The Public Diplomacy section has invited organizations to implement the reading program, specifically targeting secondary school girls in rural schools within Matabeleland North Province.
There are concerns that the US is attempting to exploit the education system to gain political influence in rural areas, furthering its cultural imperialism agenda. Recognizing the rural electorate’s unwavering support for ZANU PF, the US aims to target young school girls who are impressionable and naive. By doing so, they hope to shape the political views of this demographic, aware that they will be first-time voters in the upcoming 2028 Harmonised General Elections in Zimbabwe.
Additionally, there is a belief that the competition will promote Western values, subtly indoctrinating young minds with carefully selected books by American authors. This is seen as a deliberate attempt to instill specific values, ethics, and ethos in vulnerable minds.
There has been a concerted effort by America to impose certain cultural norms on Africans, with compliant countries receiving financial support and those resisting facing sanctions. Africans must be vigilant and protect our cultural heritage from the dangers of cultural imperialism, which threatens to erase our values and traditions.
The government should thoroughly vet the books selected for this program to ensure they are not harmful or toxic. If the stated objectives are genuine, the same goals can be achieved by using books written by local authors, thereby promoting homegrown talent and preserving our cultural identity.
The choice of Matabeleland North province raises suspicions, given the US’s history of perpetuating marginalization and Gukurahundi narratives. This program appears designed to reinforce these narratives, particularly in light of the upcoming Gukurahundi public hearings aimed at addressing post-independence conflicts. This timing suggests a deliberate attempt to revive and perpetuate harmful narratives.
As we say in Shona, ‘akanyangira yaona’—we have seen through the US’s hidden agenda. This program is a public relations stunt aimed at winning over the populace, creating a false impression that the US has removed sanctions and is now working with Zimbabweans. However, this propaganda will not succeed until all forms of sanctions are lifted, and the yoke of sanctions is removed from our President’s shoulders. Until then, we remain burdened by US sanctions.
The US need not bother attempting to enhance Zimbabweans’ literacy and communication skills, as we excel in this area. Zimbabwe boasts a remarkable literacy rate, ranking fifth in Africa, and our education system is among the continent’s best, according to the World Economic Forum.
Instead, the US should focus on other areas of assistance, such as food relief, which would be most welcome. The most effective way the US can support Zimbabwe is by lifting sanctions entirely.
