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Only a few of you get my emails from Zimbabwe, but I wanted to fill anyone who was interested in on how we're doing. We've been here 6 weeks, survived a coup, and are teaching amazing and inspiring students how to code. It's been incredible and we're so excited for the future. Here's an email I sent to all of our supporters and donors after the leadership change in Zimbabwe was official. It takes about ten minutes to read, but I wanted to share it with you. Hopefully it'll make for an interesting subway ride... Missing you all and hoping you'll come and visit!

With a serious but calm tone, our host, Ngoni Mukukula, spoke over the phone. It was Tuesday evening and I had just excused myself from the middle of our third SPROUT class of the day to take the call. Ngoni’s War Veterans friends (the once in-favor group of vets who fought for liberation in the 70s and had recently been dismissed and disrespected by President Mugabe) warned that the military was on the move, en route to Harare. He insisted that all was ok, but asked us to wrap up our class early and do our best to drive home before dark.

Admittedly, it was an eerie drive and we must have missed a tank encounter by minutes. We teach in Dzivarasekwa, at the Gillingham Primary school about 20 minutes from Harare. In Dizet, as the locals call it, is where Mugabe’s Presidential Guard has its Inkomo barracks. The military positioned its first tank there. Then they continued on the same road we take, to cordon off Mugabe’s “Blue House” with two tanks, as well as the ZANU PF Headquarters, and the state run media. By late Tuesday night, into early Wednesday morning, a well-executed and thought out plan took place that sent shockwaves throughout Zimbabwe, the south African region, and much of the world. The world’s oldest leader, an often brutal dictator who never shied from violence and ran his country into destitution and poverty over a 37 year reign, had been placed under house arrest; his staunchest supporters arrested.

Robert Mugabe came to power in 1980, at the end of the liberation war, and has ruled ever since. His reign started promising. He won the Nobel Peace prize and was knighted by the Queen. Soon however, talks of reconciliation were replaced by the slaughter of any and all opposition during the Gukurahundi massacres. Land seizures and aggressive redistribution stigmatized the country as a hotbed of racial violence. Corruption and mismanagement led to historic levels of inflation and have left the economy in shambles. Rigged elections and intimidation at the polls made a mockery of the democratic process. Somehow, despite everything, the people of Zimbabwe continued to overflow with peace and happiness - such has been my only experience in four trips to the country. Better to be patient than live through two civil wars, I’ve been told.

Eventually though, enough is enough. Mugabe is 93, at least. His wife, a former secretary in his office, is 40 years his junior and, in the twilight of her husband’s life, has emerged onto the political scene in historic fashion. Long story short, through violence, intimidation and coercion, Grace had cleared the way to succeed her husband as President of Zimbabwe. So a little over a week ago, when Mugabe fired his Vice President - the last remaining impediment to a Mugabe family dynasty- the people and the military had no choice but to spring into action.

The morning after the call and eerie drive home, we awoke to messages from our friends at the embassy: All US citizens were encouraged to stay indoors and shelter in place until the political situation became more clear. That was when we first learned the that President had been detained. We now lived in a military state. The sitting president no longer had authority, the police roadblocks had vanished, and the army patrolled the streets.

Perhaps stubbornly, or adventure seekingly, or maybe even compelled by necessity - we decided we had to drive into the city center that morning to get bathroom tiles. In the back of my mind were Aluna and Eli’s parents - cursing the decision making that led to our arrogant arrest and detention. After all, the country I loved and had encouraged them to come to live and work with me in, from an outsiders perspective had fallen into anarchy. A military with a not unsullied history, overthrows a dictator with an even more violent past; things have gone from bad to worse - look around the world and you’ve seen it happen before, you can guess what happens next. The truth is, after consulting with Ngoni, we decided it would be safe. The nature of the people, and the War Veterans friends told us so.

For the most part, life in the city looked pretty much the same. You could feel tension and uncertainty in the air, but people were still hungry and the streets is where they made their money. The ZANU PF headquarters was empty except for a tank. Driving around, we didn’t have to worry about any $20 fines for inexplicable traffic violations. We bought our tiles, a newspaper, and a 12-pack of Castle and returned home.

There was uncertainty over the next two days, however it was more yours than ours. We could feel the emotion and excitement on the street, speak to the people, touch their hearts and minds. At no fault of your own, you were left victim to the news headlines. That said, SADC - the Southern African Development Committee - and the old man’s infidelity to reality, did cast a ray of doubt over the military’s applauded moves. It is extremely important to the Zimbabwean people that a transition happens constitutionally; SADC was urging the reinstatement of Bob, for fear that the military’s actions could be considered a breach of authority, and that a power vacuum would be filled by chaos and instability.

Which brings us to Saturday, November 18th - perhaps the most incredible day of my life. At least, it’s hard for me to remember a day where I felt closer to the soul of another human. In the time between house arrest and new leadership, pressure was seriously mounting. With the regional leaders encouraging a reinstatement, the military was left to wonder, had they made the wrong decision? On Saturday the people spoke, and their voice was unanimous. A march was organized by the new, hopefully different ZANU PF. Invited were all Zimbabweans. The purpose, to unify and show support for the military. To rally behind Army General Constantino Chiwengo and recently sacked Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The result was a display of hope, love and fearlessness in a place where the former and latter had disappeared long ago.

Remember, in Zimbabwe, disloyalty to the regime is a punishable offense. Three weeks ago, an American was arrested and jailed for tweeting about the President. You either support the leadership or you say nothing at all. It’s not unheard-of for people who speak their mind to disappear. On our walk to the march, at the first intersection - it became instantly clear that this was a new Zimbabwe. Horns were blaring and flags waved heroically from the passing cars. At the red light, men jumped from the cars and began dancing, yelling jubilantly for their beloved country. When we made it to the ZANU PF headquarters, a crowd of thousands of people had gathered. Singing, dancing - waving signs that read: “Mugabe must go!” and “Mnangagwa and Chiwengo Are Our True Liberation Heroes”. November 18th was dubbed the new Zimbabwean Independence Day.

Throughout the course of the day, we walked the city a few times over. It is said that 2 Million Zimbabweans organized around the country to show support for the actions of days past, to celebrate the end of a regime and the chance for a new beginning. Most of those 2 Million were in Harare. At first, we were hesitant to join the celebration, this was not our moment. Not long into the day, though, we were given no choice. In the old Zimbabwe, white people don’t make it much into the city center. And they certainly didn’t get involved in politics. On Saturday, our presence was met with unmatched love and appreciation. People swarmed us, thanking us for being a part of this historic day. They welcomed us back (thinking we had left their city and country for safety reasons - like many had). They kept telling us how this was a new Zimbabwe, where we were all brothers and sisters. A place where we could walk the streets together; share, create, and debate together. The soldiers were heralded as champions of the future. Some posed for pictures and seemed to enjoy the celebrity. We could touch the tanks and combat vehicles that celebrated through the streets. By and large, the students had the grandest presence. They piled into the backs of trucks, sporting their graduation gowns, and sang songs of a new day. Perhaps new leadership would mean a new trajectory for their country and bring new meaning to their often fruitless degrees.

By the end of the day, we had our own Zimbabwean flags to bear. We’d posed for hundreds of pictures, to serve as proof for the photographer that a change had come. A day where the country could join the modern world of diversity. A million plus people, drunk on hope, and in the absence of a single police man or woman, joined together and rallied for peace and prosperity in new Zimbabwe; and they did so without a single moment of violence. This is testament to the heart of Zimbabweans. A people who’ve endured more than most at the hands of a 37 year leadership that has stymied progress and left the masses destitute and unemployed. A people who have long wished simply for a clean slate, a chance at a future of their own.

Tonight - as I finally finish this email - one whose delivery has been prolonged not just by procrastination but by historic and expedient change of circumstance, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President and First Secretary of Zanu PF, Chairman of SADC, African Union Chairman, Chancellor of All State Universities, Life President of Zimbabwe, "Son of Man", Conqueror of the British Empire and Liberator of Farms, Robert Mugabe, has officially resigned. There will be no family dynasty in Zimbabwe. Instead, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa will tomorrow be sworn in to power for the interim. The hope is that an uncorrupted, civilian election will take place in three months time. Regardless of what happens, and we wish that Zimbabweans get what they deserve - the best - change has come. The people have spoken. Patience, love and compassion have finally won. For me, there hasn’t been a greater time to be in Zimbabwe. Everything I felt for this country and its people six years ago has been reaffirmed a thousand times over. I am forever indebted to this beautiful place; thank you for accepting and loving us as family and friends.

A note on SPROUT:

In our first week we trained three incredible Zimbabweans, Norest, Munya and Francisca as our assistant teachers. Together, we teach 60 students per week from Monday-Thursday. The commitment and excitement from our students has been inspiring, and the progress remarkable. Many of our older students have applied to be volunteer teachers. Our goal is to train our teachers to become mentors, and that our older students will fill their role as paid teachers, helping us to expand into more of the communities where Hoops 4 Hope does their amazing work. We are talking now with computer science students and tech companies in Zimbabwe to collaborate to expand the offering we can give to our students, teachers and mentors who show the desire, commitment, and prowess to excel at the next level. This has been an incredible learning process and we’re so thankful for the opportunity. We’ll keep you updated on how SPROUT is evolving and growing, but for now enough is enough. Thank you for all of your support. I’m happy to inform you that we are safe, in love with this country and its people, and proud of the work we’re doing.

All the best to you,

Peter

Photos: Courtesy of Aluna Yacoe