THE shenanigans of the last few weeks by the MDC-T faction as they criss-crossed the globe in an attempt to unseat the Zanu PF government through a combination of media blitz, claims of having won the presidential elections and downright wayward diplomatic efforts left most of us sitting on the edges of our seats as we marvelled at this animal which, a few weeks before, had claimed not to be participating in the elections.
The release of the Presidential results final deflated this over-inflated animal to the chagrin of many who where supporting its cause. This includes the United States diplomat Jendayi Frazer who is now calling for a government of national unity (GNU) to salvage any dignity that remains from her previous stance when she declared Morgan Tsvangirai the winner of the presidential election.
The election outcome in the presidential race must be a lesson to Zanu PF.
In the history of opposition politics in Zimbabwe, dating as far back as Sithole’s Zanu Ndonga, Tekere’s ZUM and Dumbutshena’s Forum party, none have caused as much despondency in Zanu PF as has the current MDC-T.
Of course there are many reasons that explain the partial successes in the elections by MDC-T, but of major concern is the fact that Zanu PF, as a party, was almost caught sleeping on the job. This last election was a close shave for Zanu PF and the events leading or manifesting themselves in this scenario should never be allowed to happen if Zanu PF is to remain strong.
It is in this light that Zanu PF as a political animal needs to re-invent itself in response to the changing global political challenges in order to survive.
The current politics of Zanu PF are deeply embedded in the principles espoused during Chimurenga One and Chimurenga Two. Chimurenga One was led by the spirit Mediums, Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi. They where both instrumental in organising the nationwide resistance to colonial rule during the period 1896-1897.Their contribution to Chimurenga One was even recognised as afar a field by Lobengula, making them the pioneers of this legacy we seek to defend today—the land.
Like the Zanu PF party in 1980 through the reconciliation extended to our former colonisers, Mbuya Nehanda initially welcomed the occupation pioneers and counselled her followers to welcome them. “Do not be afraid of them,” she said “as they are only traders. Take a black cow to them and say this is the meat with which we greet you.”
As colonialism began to take its toll on Zimbabweans the collective effort to rid Zimbabwe of these unwelcome visitors between 1896-7 came to be called the first Chimurenga. The rebellion was initiated in Matabeleland by Mukwati and Sekuru Kaguvi and Mbuya Nehanda leading the Mashonaland Chapter of the Revolution. The hand of friendship extended by Mbuya Nehanda came to haunt them later as they were executed by the same people they attempted to befriend.
The complacence exhibited by Zanu PF leaders in the last election could have cost Zimbabweans the legacy which our ancestors fought so hard for.
A revolution spurning 140 years could have disappeared at the stroke of a pen. It is in this light I revisit my initial proposition that Zanu PF urgently needs to reinvent itself in order to remain relevant. The bottleneck currently existing in Zanu PF is largely responsible for the shortcomings the party is currently experiencing.
There is need for movement to take place at the top, hence allowing the bottom to move to the upper echelons—allowing fresh bodies and minds to flow in. The large numbers of university graduates have found it almost impossible to play a pivotal role in Zanu PF as a result of this bottleneck.
The frustrations of the bottleneck in the Zanu PF party have manifested themselves in the likes of the Tsholotsho debacle and more recently the Makoni breakaway.
All these events do not help the party at all. In fact the mediocre showing by Zanu PF in the March 29th election is largely a result of this—more than it is the popularity of the MDC.
Failure to address these anomalies in Zanu PF may result in the party self-destructing or becoming vulnerable as evidenced by UNIP in Zambia as an example of the former and the infiltration of the ANC by COSATU as an example of the latter.
Zanu PF needs to come out of its slumber as the world of today demands it and indeed the demands of Chimurenga Three require younger global thinkers who are able to take on the worlds institutions at a diplomatic level and hence beat them at their own game.
solo • solo@yahoo.com Subject: GUYS ZANU PF HAS FAILED Mon, 05 May 2008 17:19:21 • Loyd, Zimbabwe doesnot belong to Zanu Pf or Mugabe. It seems as if by removing the white minority rule we thought we had democracy and independence but look now a black man is now oppressing another black man. Lets agree that ZANU PF has failed and the people spoke though their votes but zanu pf is not ready to conceed defeat. where in the whole world have you had results taking 4 to 5 weeks to be published. Lets agree that ZEC belongs to ZANU PF, why i say that, why did ZANU PF say that there was going to be a run off before results were announced. I wish you would understand the level of poverty and misery caused by ZANU Pf. Is it the MDC that caused the food shortages and cash shortages.
Guys lets be frank to each other, look the civil servants have been reduced to destitudes, there is no medicine in hospital, the health proffesions have left. You are enjoying the honey and milk there in the UK. We need a new leadership.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Arthur Gwagwa • arthurgwagwa@yahoo.com Subject: Wee writtn Lloyd Mon, 05 May 2008 11:15:42 • Yes, when the pace of change outside an organisation is faster than the pace of change within, then the end is near for that organisation. ZANU's survival by a whisker must be a wake up call to clean the house and regroup so as to keep up with the global changes.
Tonderai Mutimukuru • n/a Subject: Why sit? Mon, 05 May 2008 10:44:58 • Am I wrong to suggest that all those who support Zanu PF are vioctimised in the diaspora? There should be meetings here in the UK for Zanu PF. Lloyd you are right that Zanu PF was slightly complacent.But did you ever see the pressure that was put by the MDC to get the concessions they got. This should never be allowed to happen if those same people abuse those concessions. If it's true that their election agents were falsifying ballot papers, why should Zanu sit and watch their vote go?
Nyasha Maunze • n/a Subject: Let's get down to business Mon, 05 May 2008 10:34:14 • Well said Mr. Msipa. Let's all get down to business. We have allowed these people to take over our country for too long now.
wamambo • secondround@gmail.com Subject: you are right but they are in denial Mon, 05 May 2008 05:57:33 • you are assuming that the zanu audience is one that will listen to what anyone else says, did you see that they said they do not believe the results reflect the will of the people and for a better understanding of the kind of denial they are in look at the saturday herald's nathaniel manheru article. everyone else is to blame for the crisis, they as leaders do not take responsibility for anything that goes wrong...that would be the british, chematama, western stooges. further to this they are not in touch with the people anymore, the percentage of voters who truly understand what the 1st and 2nd chimurenga mean to them is small, i think, and they are more worried about the impact of the economy on their families, and the various operations on their ability to survive, e.g murambatsvina, reduce prices
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