News / Local
G40 discounts Mphoko in Mugabe succession race
27 Nov 2015 at 02:47hrs | Views
Informed Zanu-PF insiders say Grace Mugabe and her allies, branded as the Generation 40 (G40) group, are pulling out all the stops to block Mnangagwa and at some point considered Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko who has strong liberation war credentials and experience to take over as the group hunts for a heavyweight candidate to challenge Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, widely seen as the leading contender.
He was however was discounted on the grounds that he has no political following, having lived outside the country for a long time. His own personal approach to politics was also seen as unhelpful, the official said.
"Besides, it's unfortunate in Zimbabwe one's region of origin and ethnicity still play a major role in politics. So Mphoko, being Ndebele, was considered a risky candidate, which is sad, although it's also more of his inaptness than his ethnicity which matters," the official added. "The same applies to Jonathan Moyo, who is a brilliant political thinker and strategist, but a polarising personality to be a leader."
Zanu-PF's fault lines are along regional and ethnic dimensions; hence the G40 is mainly Zezurus and Ndebeles, while Mnangagwa is backed by his fellow Karanga tribesmen. Although other main tribal blocs are also divided, Manyikas are said to be more split between the two factions.
Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere was also in the frame, but his young age, lack of liberation war credentials and experience ruled him out.
"After a critical examination of the qualities of each of the key people in the group, they then looked at who else was available, and Sekeramayi was suggested," another official also said.
Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi is reportedly back in President Robert Mugabe's succession race.
Sekeramayi, alongside Mugabe and Mnangagwa, are the only three survivors of the 1977 Zanu post-congress leadership currently in the party. Mugabe assumed the leadership of Zanu at the Chimoio congress. Sekeramayi has also served as a cabinet minister since 1980.
Besides personalities and secret manoeuvres, the Zanu-PF and state constitutions will be critical in determining who succeeds Mugabe. Efforts to get comment from Sekeramayi were fruitless.
He was however was discounted on the grounds that he has no political following, having lived outside the country for a long time. His own personal approach to politics was also seen as unhelpful, the official said.
"Besides, it's unfortunate in Zimbabwe one's region of origin and ethnicity still play a major role in politics. So Mphoko, being Ndebele, was considered a risky candidate, which is sad, although it's also more of his inaptness than his ethnicity which matters," the official added. "The same applies to Jonathan Moyo, who is a brilliant political thinker and strategist, but a polarising personality to be a leader."
Zanu-PF's fault lines are along regional and ethnic dimensions; hence the G40 is mainly Zezurus and Ndebeles, while Mnangagwa is backed by his fellow Karanga tribesmen. Although other main tribal blocs are also divided, Manyikas are said to be more split between the two factions.
"After a critical examination of the qualities of each of the key people in the group, they then looked at who else was available, and Sekeramayi was suggested," another official also said.
Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi is reportedly back in President Robert Mugabe's succession race.
Sekeramayi, alongside Mugabe and Mnangagwa, are the only three survivors of the 1977 Zanu post-congress leadership currently in the party. Mugabe assumed the leadership of Zanu at the Chimoio congress. Sekeramayi has also served as a cabinet minister since 1980.
Besides personalities and secret manoeuvres, the Zanu-PF and state constitutions will be critical in determining who succeeds Mugabe. Efforts to get comment from Sekeramayi were fruitless.
Source - the independent
