Zanu PF members will decide who to lead the party during the congress

Jostling for positions in the revolutionary party, ZANU PF,  a few months before the elective congress to be held in December has reached fever pitch. The media frenzy has gone in  overdrive in their pursuit to give coverage to what they have continuously characterised as ZANU PF factional fights.

ZANU PF is a revolutionary party which has consistently held conferences and congresses as stipulated in the party's constitution. It abides to the dictates of the tenets of democracy. Processes and procedures followed before and during an elective congress are adhered to, and allow the kind of political discourse that is currently obtaining in the party. However, checks and balances need to be put in place, as per norm in any process, to ensure that opportunists are not given an opportunity to use the processes and procedures in destroying the party from within.

The stakes during this year's elective congress are high. The President of ZANU PF has made it clear that all elected positions will be up for grabs, but of paramount importance is that the people will have the final say. People have seen credible leadership in ZANU PF. They know the kind of leadership from the party they want to take the country and party forward. They will not be blinded with freebies which might be thrown left right and centre by the aspirants.

Both aspirants and the electoral college should be reminded of the legacy left by the late Father Zimbabwe Joshua Nkomo, Cde. Joseph Musika, and Cde. Simon Muzenda, who once held some of the positions up for grabs during the congress. Their shoes are too big to fill. It is for this reason that aspirants should serious look into the mirror and see if they can fill in the shoes.

Cde. Joshua Nkomo as PF ZAPU leader together with the ZANU PF leader Cde. President Mugabe put aside their interests and signed the historic Unity Accord in December 1987. This united all Zimbabweans regardless of race, colour, tribe, religion or language. Cde. Nkomo stressed the importance of unity by stating that; ‘It is our duty as Zimbabweans to build the country for the benefit of the future generation.' His love for the people and his sacrifice for unity and peace ensured that he remained a leader for the people and of the people without discriminating anyone on the basis of language, tribe, colour, region or colour. It is for this reason that he earned a befitting  title of  Father Zimbabwe. The elective congress is going to usher in leaders capable of emulating Cde. Joshua Nkomo, hence aspirants should look into the mirror and take stock of themselves.

Cde. Joseph Msika, a former ZANU PF National Chairman and Vice President, was renowned for being a fearless disciplinarian who never traded principle for friendship and self aggrandisement. He believed in the dignity of his people and castigated those who sought political office for personal gain. He was a leader who was determined in upholding the ideals of the liberation principles and the servant subservient leadership. He could not brook any nonsense at the expense of the people, party and country. Such kind of leadership is what people are looking for to build the country for the future generation.

It is my hope that during the congress, the leadership that is going to emerge is driven by their desire to serve the people and build the country for the future. Whilst seniority in the party is of paramount importance, the electorate should look critically on the abilities and capabilities of the aspirants and pushing the party and country's agenda in restoring socio-economic stability in the country. The party and country need able leadership capable of sustaining the current unity and peace prevailing in the country.
The period leading up to the elective congress will sift real leaders from chaff. What ZANU PF and the country need are leaders who can fill in the shoes left by their predecessors. The current aspirants should not just campaign to hold high offices just because of their seniority in the party. Whilst recognising their seniority in the party and contributions thereof, they should be honest to own up to those things they cannot do for the betterment of Zimbabwe and the party for future generations. Our party ZANU PF and country Zimbabwe need an astute, pragmatic and foresighted leadership that will support the effort and drive of our leader and President Cde. Robert Mugabe, to build the country for the benefit of the future.
 It is my fervent and humble hope that aspirants will once again look into the mirror and make sound decisions which will recognise that  the people are more important than personal ambition. After all leaders are for the people from the people and come the 2014 December congress, the people shall speak.

(The above has been written expressing my  personal opinion)