Who is and who is not?  This is the question that divides rather than builds and unites.

Africa's narrative is not complete without reference to the national question.

Colonialism attempted to build a nation within a nation and the experiment failed because it ignored the universality and indivisibility of human rights.

The colonial nation was stratified on racial and class lines putting native Africans outside the project.

All oppressed people were, therefore, accorded inferior rights through an immoral and unjust constitutional order.

The decolonisation of Africa did little to address the politics of identity.

It is not unnatural, therefore, to expect that notwithstanding the viability and strength of integration, Africans remain divided along ethnic and national identities.

The guest of honour at the fund raising dinner held on 28 April, 2012, former President Mbeki, made a profound remark that we cannot and should not as Africans be charitable to ourselves.

This remark was made in response to the call by the organisers of the initiative led by the Deputy Prime Minister ("DPM"), Professor Mutambara, in part to assist in negotiating a change of focus from philanthropy to responsibility.

The fact that the UZ needs financial support like other institutions and individuals in Africa is not news.

At the said dinner, a fund raising handbook in which a proposed investment program was set out was handed out to guests.

The total cost of the program was estimated at US$76.4 million of which US$1.6 million was budgeted for the expansion of the chapel from the current sitting capacity of 120 people to accommodate up to 1,200 patrons.

Contrary to reports that the donation by a consortium led by Mr. Chiyangwa was misdirected and disingenuous, the chapel was indeed an integral part of the investment program for which funding was sought by the UZ.

The need to depoliticize the funding of the University is self evident.

I was one of the people who attended the Launch Dinner on Saturday, 28 April 2012, in support of a campaign led by the Deputy Prime Minister ("DPM") of Zimbabwe; Professor Arthur Mutambara to raise funds for the University of Zimbabwe's ("UZ") aimed at improving the standards at the country's oldest higher institute of learning.

The physical and financial condition of the institution tells its own story.

The journey from 1980 to date calls for doctors and historians to locate the reasons why after 32 years independence it would be deemed fit to use the route chosen by the DPM to not only raise awareness about the challenges faced by the factories of knowledge building but also to expose the fact that a public good now requires the strategic response of private benefactors.

On 23 April 2012, I received an email from the DPM with two attachments and a request to complete and submit a pledge form before the 28 April.  This was followed by a phone call from the DPM requesting me to circulate the email to my circle.  He implored on me to attend.

After 32 years of independence, it must be accepted that commercial and financial literacy can pause a more serious challenge to nation state building than the limitations imposed by the colonial past or the evils of imperialism.

No case demonstrates the challenge of constructing an understanding of what needs to be done to bridge the wealth gap and building an inclusive and cohesive society than the issue of economic empowerment and the role of state intervention in reducing the frontiers of poverty.

In an article entitled: "Zimbabwe - All for minerals, metals and land", Nathaniel Manheru provides a compelling case that links minerals, metals and land to the developmental prospects of Zimbabwe.

It is significant that the role of human beings is relegated to the supremacy of God's creation in advancing the cause of human prosperity.

Time is the only undisputed variable in life for with each minute that is consumed history is made.

Nation states only exist to the extent that human beings allow them to and when a nation celebrates its birth, an opportunity exists to pause and reflect on the journey travelled by the human beings whose experiences during the relevant period define and shape the character of the nation state.

On 18 April, Zimbabwe will turn 32 years old and the question that must be posed is whether the promise of a prosperous and equal life for all its citizens has been delivered.

Some will argue rightly or wrongly that Zimbabwe is better principally for the benevolence of the state and the genius of state actors in defending the country's sovereignty and independence.

Zimbabwe like the majority of African states is well endowed with rich mineral resources to suggest that its current state of development can be meaningfully transformed solely by leveraging on God's creation and gift.

Addressing a seminar hosted by Sapes last week, Deputy Prime Minister ("DPM") Professor Mutambara added his voice to a possible linkage between Zimbabwe's mineral resources, its debt and development prospects by asserting that one good deal could offset the country's sovereign debt of US$9.1 billion.

After 32 years of independence, we are all compelled to join the battle of ideas in the full knowledge that the promise of a better life requires an investment in correct ideas and not criminalizing economic behavior.

April represents a special historical month for South Africa, Africa's largest economy, and Zimbabwe, a celebrity country that is now a global household name perhaps for the wrong reasons but nevertheless an important African address.

Both countries will celebrate 18 and 32 years of democracy and independence, respectively.  They are neighbours separated by a river but share a common history and their future is inextricably linked.

The African National Congress ("ANC"), a party that turned 100 on 8 January 2012, was elected four times to put its representatives in the state.  Its representatives have been in charge of the state for the last 18 years.

The role of citizens commonly described as politicians in delivering the promise of a better and secure life is never understood in its proper legal and constitutional context but what is ironic is that so much is expected from this class of citizens than what is humanly possible to deliver.

The head of party that presides over the state is person who is normally a leader in party, national or international affairs.  The post-colonial African narrative has produced its own diverse characters that have climbed the power ladder to assume the position of first citizen.

As we look back on the journey travelled, we are compelled to invoke in our conversations a discussion on the difference, if any, between a politician and statesman.

In our daily conversations, the term "politician" features prominently often times for the wrong reasons.