Opinion / Columnist
Dabengwa and ZAPU should be celebrated, not demonized
06 Sep 2016 at 09:36hrs | Views
At the just ended ZAPU's 8th Peoples Congress in Bulawayo, a first in African politics was scored when President Dumiso Dabengwa announced to the highest decision making body of the party, his intention to retire from both active politics and ZAPU Presidency. President Dabengwa indicated that he will be eighty years old just a year before ZAPU's next Congress in 2020, and as such, advised the Mother Party to identify cadres to first stand as presidential candidate in 2018 and as party president come 2020 Congress.
As alluded to above, this is a first and only recorded incident of astute and responsible leadership by an African leader and politician. It has never happened anywhere in this continent that a sitting party president, announces their retirement date just hours after being re-elected to the office.
It is not cowardice as one state media publication put it when their headline screamed, "Dabengwa chickens out of 2018". Instead of attacking and insulting President Dabengwa, the Chronicle editorial team should instead revisit the calls of leadership renewal from the days he was still in Zanu-PF which was a result of the Unity Accord of 1987 which itself came as a result of the notorious Gukurahundi Genocide on ZAPU supporters in the Midlands and Matabeleland by Robert Mugabe and his ZANU party.
Dabengwa has lived to his long held dream of seeing responsible leadership that is punctuated by clear programs of leadership renewal wherever he is.
We remember President Dabengwa, when he was Politburo member in Zanu-PF, advising Zanu-PF of the need to renew its leadership after it had become crystal clear that Robert Mugabe as Zanu-PF leader had a challenge being accepted fully by the international community following his brutal rule and economic mismanagement. Also, the locals, who made up the electorate, had shifted allegiance to the MDC, the opposition party at the time.
Dabengwa, in this debate, came up with the solution to the problem Zanu-PF faced and the solution was leadership renewal, especially the presidency. President Dabengwa, in his wisdom, suggested that the party identifies a young leader who would be acceptable across board, both locally and internationally.
Zanu-PF took Dr Dabengwa's wise council and settled for Dr Simba Makoni as their next presidential candidate. Mugabe and Zanu-PF seemed set for the noble move that could have saved the now fragmented party from the successionist politics that currently grips it as numerous factions, from Zvipfukuto, Gamatox, G40 to Lacoste angle themselves to take over from the now old and ailing Mugabe.
Deliberations were made to the effect Makoni was going to be introduced to the country's provinces by selected political leaders in respective regions of Zimbabwe. Dr Dabengwa was to introduce the Zanu-PF new blood in Bulawayo and Matabeleland provinces, with Former army commander Vitals Gava Zvinavashe doing the same in Masvingo and Manicaland areas. Former army commander Solomon Mujuru was to introduce Dr Simba Makoni as the next Zanu-PF presidential candidate in Harare and surrounding provinces in Mashonaland areas.
It looked like a done deal and Zanu-PF was headed for renewal thanks to the visionary and responsible council from Dr Dumiso Dabengwa.
This was before one of Zanu-PF annual conferences, if memory still serves me well, the one at Mutare, and Mugabe and his hangers on were to surprise all and sundry when they chanted, "Mugabe chete-chete", making a sharp u turn from the understanding that the conference was going to elect a presidential candidate for Zanu-PF for the 2008 general election.
. The renewal agenda by the party crumbled and Zanu-PF was stuck with old Robert Mugabe who was unpopular both internally and outside. New ideas were perceived rebellion if not treason and the likes of Dabengwa, Mujuru and Makoni were all of a sudden labeled by party members who benefited and still benefit from elderly Mugabe's continued leadership of the party.
It is in the public domain as to the decision Dr Dabengwa, Dr Makoni took after these embarrassing chain of events. Efforts to have renewal from within Zanu-PF continued up to the point Dr Makoni blundered and announced his presidential candidacy before election time and he was subsequently fired from Zanu-PF.
This led to the birth of Mavambo Kusile Dawn, a spirited effort to give renewed leadership a chance in Zanu-PF.
Dr Dabengwa did not join Mavambo Kusile but assisted in the campaign by Dr Makoni for the 2008 presidential elections where he got over 8% of the total presidential vote, denying the despotic Robert Mugabe and perceived neo-imperialist puppet Morgan Tsvangirai outright victories, forcing a presidential run off-itself becoming a monumental farce. Next after the run off was the GNU which was as a result of disputed results which dented Mugabe's legitimacy.
The above is one of the evident cases to show what kind of a leader ZAPU has in the form of President Dabengwa. He is on record calling for recognition and utilization of young leaders, through his now popular phrase, "sokudingakala amajongosi". True to his call for amajongosi, ZAPU, under his leadership has become the first political party to introduce and implement a youth quota in its top leadership structures across board. Today we have the likes of Future Msebele, Cakes Vundla, Ndodana Moyo, Desmond Ncube, and Iphithule Maphosa as notable youths in Dabengwa led National Executive Council. It has never happened before anywhere in Zimbabwe and Africa. It only takes bold, visionary leadership to pull off such a noble idea of building for the future.
Come to President Dabengwa's announcement of his retirement dates. It has also never happened before and it is a first for Africa. The ZAPU President has lived to his word for constant leadership renewal in the body politic.
Africa and Zimbabwe in general and Zanu-PF in particular should pluck a leaf and take free responsible leadership lessons from ZAPU and Dr Dabengwa. Instead of the state media in Zimbabwe demonizing Dr Dabengwa for his announcement, they should cascade the good news to every Zimbabwean and African citizen and help make our continent a better place where leaders are considerate of the future generations; where leaders serve the people and their needs rather than serving their egos and greed.
Had Zanu-PF followed Dr Dabengwa's advice, the party would not have found itself in the mess it currently is drowning in. Had Robert Mugabe listened to Dr Dabengwa's wisdom, he would be enjoying retirement at his advanced age with his grandson in peace and tranquility, far away from public anger that has resulted in endless protests that sometimes turn violent. Mugabe would be free of the insults that fly in his direction day in and day out.
President Dabengwa has simply displayed how leaders of political parties should handle themselves in respect of constitutions that govern their respective parties.
ZAPU constitution allows for two terms in office as president. Dr Dabengwa is serving his second and final one. At the next Congress in 2020, the President will have turned 80 in 2019 and 80 has always been his target for retirement, hence his decision not to contest the presidency in 2018. Because Dr Dabengwa is conscious of the future and its needs, he suggested the party identifies a presidential candidate for the coming general elections. If anything, this decision should be commended and adopted by all well meaning Zimbabweans, for the country is in deep crisis owing to refusal by Mugabe and Zanu-PF to renew leadership.
We at ZAPU commend the President's decision and we celebrate his display of good responsible leadership. We will forever cherish and follow his wisdom and ability to abide by the party constitution. President Dabengwa has, once again, become umqali wesiziba-as we refer in our isiNdebele to the one who dares the system and does the unthinkable to some African political leaders.
Instead of demonizing him and ZAPU, the world should actually emulate us.
Iphithule Thembani kaMaphosa is ZAPU Deputy National Spokesperson.
Contactable on: iphithule.thembani.kamaphosa@gmail.com
zapuinfor@gmail.com
www.zapu-24.com
As alluded to above, this is a first and only recorded incident of astute and responsible leadership by an African leader and politician. It has never happened anywhere in this continent that a sitting party president, announces their retirement date just hours after being re-elected to the office.
It is not cowardice as one state media publication put it when their headline screamed, "Dabengwa chickens out of 2018". Instead of attacking and insulting President Dabengwa, the Chronicle editorial team should instead revisit the calls of leadership renewal from the days he was still in Zanu-PF which was a result of the Unity Accord of 1987 which itself came as a result of the notorious Gukurahundi Genocide on ZAPU supporters in the Midlands and Matabeleland by Robert Mugabe and his ZANU party.
Dabengwa has lived to his long held dream of seeing responsible leadership that is punctuated by clear programs of leadership renewal wherever he is.
We remember President Dabengwa, when he was Politburo member in Zanu-PF, advising Zanu-PF of the need to renew its leadership after it had become crystal clear that Robert Mugabe as Zanu-PF leader had a challenge being accepted fully by the international community following his brutal rule and economic mismanagement. Also, the locals, who made up the electorate, had shifted allegiance to the MDC, the opposition party at the time.
Dabengwa, in this debate, came up with the solution to the problem Zanu-PF faced and the solution was leadership renewal, especially the presidency. President Dabengwa, in his wisdom, suggested that the party identifies a young leader who would be acceptable across board, both locally and internationally.
Zanu-PF took Dr Dabengwa's wise council and settled for Dr Simba Makoni as their next presidential candidate. Mugabe and Zanu-PF seemed set for the noble move that could have saved the now fragmented party from the successionist politics that currently grips it as numerous factions, from Zvipfukuto, Gamatox, G40 to Lacoste angle themselves to take over from the now old and ailing Mugabe.
Deliberations were made to the effect Makoni was going to be introduced to the country's provinces by selected political leaders in respective regions of Zimbabwe. Dr Dabengwa was to introduce the Zanu-PF new blood in Bulawayo and Matabeleland provinces, with Former army commander Vitals Gava Zvinavashe doing the same in Masvingo and Manicaland areas. Former army commander Solomon Mujuru was to introduce Dr Simba Makoni as the next Zanu-PF presidential candidate in Harare and surrounding provinces in Mashonaland areas.
It looked like a done deal and Zanu-PF was headed for renewal thanks to the visionary and responsible council from Dr Dumiso Dabengwa.
This was before one of Zanu-PF annual conferences, if memory still serves me well, the one at Mutare, and Mugabe and his hangers on were to surprise all and sundry when they chanted, "Mugabe chete-chete", making a sharp u turn from the understanding that the conference was going to elect a presidential candidate for Zanu-PF for the 2008 general election.
. The renewal agenda by the party crumbled and Zanu-PF was stuck with old Robert Mugabe who was unpopular both internally and outside. New ideas were perceived rebellion if not treason and the likes of Dabengwa, Mujuru and Makoni were all of a sudden labeled by party members who benefited and still benefit from elderly Mugabe's continued leadership of the party.
It is in the public domain as to the decision Dr Dabengwa, Dr Makoni took after these embarrassing chain of events. Efforts to have renewal from within Zanu-PF continued up to the point Dr Makoni blundered and announced his presidential candidacy before election time and he was subsequently fired from Zanu-PF.
This led to the birth of Mavambo Kusile Dawn, a spirited effort to give renewed leadership a chance in Zanu-PF.
Dr Dabengwa did not join Mavambo Kusile but assisted in the campaign by Dr Makoni for the 2008 presidential elections where he got over 8% of the total presidential vote, denying the despotic Robert Mugabe and perceived neo-imperialist puppet Morgan Tsvangirai outright victories, forcing a presidential run off-itself becoming a monumental farce. Next after the run off was the GNU which was as a result of disputed results which dented Mugabe's legitimacy.
The above is one of the evident cases to show what kind of a leader ZAPU has in the form of President Dabengwa. He is on record calling for recognition and utilization of young leaders, through his now popular phrase, "sokudingakala amajongosi". True to his call for amajongosi, ZAPU, under his leadership has become the first political party to introduce and implement a youth quota in its top leadership structures across board. Today we have the likes of Future Msebele, Cakes Vundla, Ndodana Moyo, Desmond Ncube, and Iphithule Maphosa as notable youths in Dabengwa led National Executive Council. It has never happened before anywhere in Zimbabwe and Africa. It only takes bold, visionary leadership to pull off such a noble idea of building for the future.
Come to President Dabengwa's announcement of his retirement dates. It has also never happened before and it is a first for Africa. The ZAPU President has lived to his word for constant leadership renewal in the body politic.
Africa and Zimbabwe in general and Zanu-PF in particular should pluck a leaf and take free responsible leadership lessons from ZAPU and Dr Dabengwa. Instead of the state media in Zimbabwe demonizing Dr Dabengwa for his announcement, they should cascade the good news to every Zimbabwean and African citizen and help make our continent a better place where leaders are considerate of the future generations; where leaders serve the people and their needs rather than serving their egos and greed.
Had Zanu-PF followed Dr Dabengwa's advice, the party would not have found itself in the mess it currently is drowning in. Had Robert Mugabe listened to Dr Dabengwa's wisdom, he would be enjoying retirement at his advanced age with his grandson in peace and tranquility, far away from public anger that has resulted in endless protests that sometimes turn violent. Mugabe would be free of the insults that fly in his direction day in and day out.
President Dabengwa has simply displayed how leaders of political parties should handle themselves in respect of constitutions that govern their respective parties.
ZAPU constitution allows for two terms in office as president. Dr Dabengwa is serving his second and final one. At the next Congress in 2020, the President will have turned 80 in 2019 and 80 has always been his target for retirement, hence his decision not to contest the presidency in 2018. Because Dr Dabengwa is conscious of the future and its needs, he suggested the party identifies a presidential candidate for the coming general elections. If anything, this decision should be commended and adopted by all well meaning Zimbabweans, for the country is in deep crisis owing to refusal by Mugabe and Zanu-PF to renew leadership.
We at ZAPU commend the President's decision and we celebrate his display of good responsible leadership. We will forever cherish and follow his wisdom and ability to abide by the party constitution. President Dabengwa has, once again, become umqali wesiziba-as we refer in our isiNdebele to the one who dares the system and does the unthinkable to some African political leaders.
Instead of demonizing him and ZAPU, the world should actually emulate us.
Iphithule Thembani kaMaphosa is ZAPU Deputy National Spokesperson.
Contactable on: iphithule.thembani.kamaphosa@gmail.com
zapuinfor@gmail.com
www.zapu-24.com
Source - Iphithule Thembani kaMaphosa
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