No revolution is devouring its children in Zimbabwe

An attentive analysis of the existing political situation and political landscape seems to suggest that the current young crop of politicians both in the ruling Zanu-PF and in the opposition have failed to match the caliber of President Robert Mugabe who has proved to be a cut above the rest. The old adage which says that age comes with wisdom has proved to be a reality in Zimbabwe. The man has proved to be one of the statesmen in Africa if not the world. It is quite misleading to say that the revolution is devouring its children in Zimbabwe as is being claimed by one local hostile tabloid. In fact Zimbabwe is not a failed state as is being claimed.

We thought the young politicians in the MDC-T would take over power from President Mugabe but the day-dreamers proved to be political novices who lacked the national vision. Gerontocracy, which is rule by the elderly dates back to biblical times when the elderly could be banked on as the custodians of the vast wisdom based on years of existence getting exposure to life experience.

Gerontocracies are political and social systems where power and leadership prowess increase with age, creating a situation where young people cannot leap frog into position of power.  The elderly may not necessarily hold leadership positions but they definitely control the power in their nations. They may act as advisers to public officials or work behind the scenes in more sub tile ways. We can take a quick but shrewd glance at war veterans whom we should not do away with. Certainly, its folly to ignore them as we need their guidance and wisdom.

It is common knowledge that the elders have experience and wisdom, we should respect them. The opposition political parties which denigrated President Mugabe and the people of his age in government have proved to be lacking in the national vision. This is evidenced by their visible political incapacitation; the young Turks have now ceased to have relevance as epitomized by their lack of direction and political immaturity.

The MDC party is now swimming into disarray and it now needs to revamp itself if it has to act meaningfully on the Zimbabwean political landscape. This party has become deeply fractured into different offshoots with different power hungry individuals who all want to taste power. Even the ruling Zanu-PF party has some individuals who have been fired for making machinations to remove President Mugabe from power.

The country is peaceful and stable because it is being led by a man with a vision and a master of tribal arithmetic. The cabinet is well balanced as every region has been represented. Zimbabwe has been demonized worldwide and has been reeling under the illegal sanctions but through the leadership of President Mugabe it has managed to withstand the pressure.

It is misleading to say that the revolution is now devouring its children in Zimbabwe. The traditional philosophy which says that leaders has the power to kill subordinates for them to be feared for purposes of instilling fear and stability within the nation state seems to be right and proper at times. A Machiavellian character believes in that the means justifies the end.

Niccolo Machiavelli the well known Italian Renaissance politician, philosopher and writer who is often referred to as the founder of political science warned rulers that among the dangerous groups of people who were likely to threaten their power were those close to the throne:  who vociferously defended the leader during the day but plotted the emperor's downfall at night. This does not apply in Zimbabwe and particularly in Zanu-PF as the supporters all rally behind the incumbent President Robert Mugabe and believe in the same ideology.

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Stewart Murewa <stewartmurewa@gmail.com