Opinion / Columnist
How ED's equity can defy odds
04 Dec 2017 at 19:01hrs | Views
Firstly, as public reaction to ED's cabinet choices point to high dissonance, it should be appreciated that such an overwhelming outcry apparently challenges the so-called 'dotards' to rise and defy odds. They owe their principal (ED), a justification of their selection, and placement ahead of other equally deserving compatriots. They will work to prove everyone wrong.
Secondly, the advent of this ‘free-speech ED era' has ushered in a semblance of freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is a nation-building asset that most contemporary democracies have invested resources to attain. Without diverging opinions this nation had to endure 37 years of one-way policy-making - unchecked decision-making. Dropping the Minister of Education in tandem with a massive public outcry; pruning the bloated cabinet; inviting the opposition to participate in the inauguration of the new leader; and so forth are apparent depictions of a new ear at the helm. If sustained, this accommodation of constructive ideas will culminate in a better Zimbabwe.
Thirdly, the perennial cabinet under-performers are now sandwiched between an action-oriented captain and sizzling-hot patriotic military establishment that has shown an unprecedented propensity to jump in when the stakes so demand. The military now depicts a new pressure determinant – a push-to-shove element, if not a duress factor dawning at the right time. It's a different era altogether. That era of clap-trap sloganeering, fustian rhetoric, pretentious behaviour and grandiosity has frittered away.
Meanwhile, the blending of technocrats into a cabinet may not necessarily result in positive outcomes. Mugabe was privileged, at one point, to lead a team of top-notch technocrats, academics and strategists. There was Dr Nkosana Moyo, Dr Simba Makoni, Dr Made, Dr Swithium Mombeshora,Dr Herbet Murerwa, Dr Chombo, Dr David Parirenyatwa, Dr Olivia Muchena, and Drs Simba and Samuel Mumbengegwi , among others. It turned out to be the worst ever pack of luminaries. Why so? Simple - their hands and brains were tied. For starters, Makoni was grilled to The Hague at every turn. Minister Made would shed cat-tears trying to convince the Master. That pack hardly returned positive results, at all. So whether we have brilliant minds or not, corrupt or clean, it all starts with the leadership style at the top. The best teams are not necessarily champions, and the best coaches are not necessarily winners. It's the bonding between the leader and his charges that perfectly define their attainments. If Mnangagwa finds old wine palatable, and effective vis-à-vis the positive outturns, then Zimbabweans should give it to him. In fact, let's give him a chance, and engage him constructively as we have started doing, of late. Indications are that he is listening attentively.
Lastly, with the shrewdness, and the dexterity that this novel crocodile caught its unsuspecting prey – and feat that left the universe shell-shocked to the extent of coining a simple but un-used term in political science circles - 'soft coup' – a lot is set to happen. With that, it's not far-fetched to dream of another surprise, a surprise from this so-called 'dead wooden cabinet'. There are clear indicators that ED is a man of surprises, if not miracles. Nobody could have this skill to thrill friends and foes alike, with yesteryear adversaries now smiling on him on the radar. The West could not hide their joy- some even jostling to brand themselves as Zimbabwe's ‘oldest' allies. All this opens avenues for broader support from all spectrums.
From the unprecedented deafening silence in the midst of some rude battering by the former first-lady, to the melodramatic escapade into a calculated exile retreat, and the final clasp! So while most of our politicians are schemers, analysts and armchair critics, it seems ED is all that, plus a practitioner. As he sings jobs, jobs, and jobs, it's what all of us are living to experience.
It would be interesting to take stock after his first 100 days at the apex.
Munyaradzi Mhaka, PhD researcher on Zim socio-economic issues: Cell 0771900 993
Secondly, the advent of this ‘free-speech ED era' has ushered in a semblance of freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is a nation-building asset that most contemporary democracies have invested resources to attain. Without diverging opinions this nation had to endure 37 years of one-way policy-making - unchecked decision-making. Dropping the Minister of Education in tandem with a massive public outcry; pruning the bloated cabinet; inviting the opposition to participate in the inauguration of the new leader; and so forth are apparent depictions of a new ear at the helm. If sustained, this accommodation of constructive ideas will culminate in a better Zimbabwe.
Thirdly, the perennial cabinet under-performers are now sandwiched between an action-oriented captain and sizzling-hot patriotic military establishment that has shown an unprecedented propensity to jump in when the stakes so demand. The military now depicts a new pressure determinant – a push-to-shove element, if not a duress factor dawning at the right time. It's a different era altogether. That era of clap-trap sloganeering, fustian rhetoric, pretentious behaviour and grandiosity has frittered away.
Meanwhile, the blending of technocrats into a cabinet may not necessarily result in positive outcomes. Mugabe was privileged, at one point, to lead a team of top-notch technocrats, academics and strategists. There was Dr Nkosana Moyo, Dr Simba Makoni, Dr Made, Dr Swithium Mombeshora,Dr Herbet Murerwa, Dr Chombo, Dr David Parirenyatwa, Dr Olivia Muchena, and Drs Simba and Samuel Mumbengegwi , among others. It turned out to be the worst ever pack of luminaries. Why so? Simple - their hands and brains were tied. For starters, Makoni was grilled to The Hague at every turn. Minister Made would shed cat-tears trying to convince the Master. That pack hardly returned positive results, at all. So whether we have brilliant minds or not, corrupt or clean, it all starts with the leadership style at the top. The best teams are not necessarily champions, and the best coaches are not necessarily winners. It's the bonding between the leader and his charges that perfectly define their attainments. If Mnangagwa finds old wine palatable, and effective vis-à-vis the positive outturns, then Zimbabweans should give it to him. In fact, let's give him a chance, and engage him constructively as we have started doing, of late. Indications are that he is listening attentively.
From the unprecedented deafening silence in the midst of some rude battering by the former first-lady, to the melodramatic escapade into a calculated exile retreat, and the final clasp! So while most of our politicians are schemers, analysts and armchair critics, it seems ED is all that, plus a practitioner. As he sings jobs, jobs, and jobs, it's what all of us are living to experience.
It would be interesting to take stock after his first 100 days at the apex.
Munyaradzi Mhaka, PhD researcher on Zim socio-economic issues: Cell 0771900 993
Source - Munyaradzi Mhaka
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