Primaries as Prologue: What have learned?

In all the backstabbing, accusations and denunciations that have characterised the MDC primary process, it is interesting to contrast and compare this with what is happening in the aftermath of the Zanu PF primaries.

Although there have also been some disputes in the Zanu PF primaries, they are being dealt with in a peaceful manner and are moving ahead in a unified manner.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Zanu PF Commissariat Department is holding a healing and reconciliation workshop, addressed by President Mnangagwa, to unite all candidates who participated in the party's primary elections for the Senate and National Assembly.

The workshop is aimed at uniting those who participated in the party's primary elections, importantly both winners and losers. Those behind the initiative said what was important was for the party to unite and move forward as both the losing and winning candidates belonged to one family.

What is even more impressive is that apparently all winning and losing candidates will attend in an astonishing show of unity.

Mashonaland Central chairperson Cde Kazembe Kazembesaid that in these primaries "there is no loser or winner because we belong to one party."

In a couple of months, we will have free, fair and harmonised national elections. If we can extrapolate the sentiments of the primaries of the two major parties into the aftermath of the elections, it is clear to see whose success will be better for the party.

On the MDC side, we are already witnessing wild intimidation, mutual acrimony and several major splits in the party. Neither side wants to give an inch to the other, and many are placing themselves above the sake of the party.

The leader, Nelson Chamisa, is clearly playing candidate against candidate and ensuring that his preferred members win.

On the Zanu PF side, almost all losing candidates have accepted the results and are now moving forward towards peace, unity and reconciliation, which starts at the very top. Many big names have lost in their party primaries, but they are staying loyal to the party. They believe very strongly in that which is bigger than themselves.

This is the party which puts the individual second and the vision and the greater good first.
This might not be the Zanu PF you know, but this is the new Zanu PF under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Since he assumed office, he has only spoken words or peace and unity. He has not attacked his opponents, he has welcomed them. He has not shunned them, he has stretched out his hand to them in a warm embrace.

ED knows that we can not afford to tear ourselves apart, not within his party and certainly not as a nation. There is a need for healing in our great nation, but it has to come from the very top.

The language and approach have to set the tone for the people, and ED is doing this every day, as opposed to some of his opponents who create strife, chaos and division around them.

This is what Zimbabwe needs to move forward. Peace, unity and reconciliation.

The two parties have shown in their primaries which is devoted to this vision and which isn't.