Opinion / Columnist
Is there any hope for a resolution to the Zim problems
28 Jun 2012 at 17:00hrs | Views
The hypocrisy that prevails among the ruling coalition political parties in Zimbabwe is beyond belief. Currently there are political elites in the form of the three/four principals and their negotiators who have been with SADC mediated negotiations for over three years. To any thinking person or even optimists three years of reliance on outsiders to resolve our country's problems is sufficient evidence that this political triumvirate is not competent to deal with all the challenges that face Zimbabwe today. President Zuma's facilitation exercise has become a circus with no end to it. The masses may be forgiven in concluding that the exercise serves to maintain the political elite in power to the exclusion of other opposition political parties and civic society. The time has come for the ordinary suffering people of Zimbabwe to put pressure on the coalition to put the interests of the nation above partisan politics. The game playing still goes on whilst the citizens of Zimbabwe are helpless spectators.
I have no doubt that even SADC is fed up of the Zimbabwe political impasse which is damaging to the whole of the southern region.
In September 2008 the former ruling party Zanu-PF and the two former opposition MDC formations signed a Global Political Agreement (GPA). It may have been a marriage of convenience, nevertheless, in February 2009 the Government of National Unit (GNU) came to being. This gave the ordinary person hope that things could only get better in an inclusive government. There was high expectation that the coalition would act maturely and work together to usher in a new dawn of responsible governance and improve the nation's confidence in politicians. Indeed the GPA prevented the political and economic situation from collapsing completely so some credit is due to the creators of the GNU.
However there is another side to the coin. Some people strongly feel that stopping the situation from complete collapse was a mistake because it gave those who had brought the country to its knees a life line and prevented a fresh beginning. The reality now is that there are three parties in this coalition and if there are in it together they are collectively accountable to the citizens of Zimbabwe. Blaming each other and posturing is not good enough for the suffering ordinary Zimbabweans.
The MDC formations had been for years preaching good governance, transparency and accountability before they got into government. Their credibility has been tarnished by allegations that they have joined the gravy train, failed to cut wastage in government and have been involved in acquiring luxury cars for ministers and legislators. Both Zanu-PF and the MDC formations have spent millions in foreign travels, which are said to have cost more than the nation's schools budget. There does not appear to be a framework to guide restraints from indulgence in spending. The government administration is unnecessarily bloated with deputies which reflect the power struggles within the coalition, but are of no benefit to the grassroots. The country's debts are increasing and not shrinking. Millions have been lost through the Constituency Development Fund. Both Zanu-PF and the MDC formations have been allegedly involved.
There is now a public perception, particularly among young people and women, that politics is not about addressing people's problems and aspirations, rather all politicians are regarded as hypocritical and interested only in enriching themselves.
The people were promised a new people-driven constitution and a referendum on the draft constitution. COPAC was created by the inclusive government to gather people's views. After squandering a substantial amount of donor funds on the constitution-making process the ruling elite are still wrangling over the draft. It is now doubtful whether a new constitution can be ready for the next general election in view of the current constitutional time constraints. One wonders whether this has been a planned agenda all along to scupper the people driven constitution.
What need to change?
There is a mistaken belief that changing the seating positions of the current ruling elite is the answer. This is totally wrong. Changing the positions of personalities within the ruling elites whilst maintaining centralised power in Harare will not resolve the fundamental problems even if the elections were declared free and fair. We need a different system of government in Zimbabwe, a system that will restructure the power base. We need to devolve power from the centre to elected regional or provincial assemblies to give power to the people. Unofficial statements are leaking, supposedly, from the negotiators, that agreement has been reached on devolution of power to provinces. People have become used to contradictory statements from this coalition so that everything is taking with a pitch of salt. People therefore need to see the official statement and study the details before jumping to joy.
ZAPU was among the first political parties to come up with this model of governance which resonates well with the people as demonstrated by the results of the COPAC constitution consultation process. In six out of ten provinces the majority of people who took part in the consultation were in favour of devolution. Initially ZAPU was accused of speaking for Matebeleland region only and of fermenting secession. Now this model is proving to be popular and other political parties who see this as a vote catcher at elections have modified their constitutions to incorporate it. Civic organisations such as WOZA have embraced it and they should be commended for their bravery for agitating for transformation on the ground.
However there is still confusion about what devolution of power to the regions entails. Those who fear losing control without the aid of centralised power in their hands define it as creating divisions among the people of Zimbabwe. Some define it as decentralisation of government administration with political power remaining in the centre, allowing those in the centre to continue abusing their positions unchecked. Meaningful devolution of political power should mean having elected provincial assemblies who will have power to devise policies that are relevant to meeting the needs of their regions and having legislators who are accountable to the people in their provinces.
Devolution of power will enhance the participation and representation of women and young people who have given up on politics. Research shows that women all over the world are the backbone of community development. They are committed to settle differences and mobilise crucial resources and focusing on the common good of their communities. It is therefore shameful that in Zimbabwe male dominated, confrontational politics is putting off women who see no value in participation. Equally the young people have lost confidence in the politics of the older generations and a system that is very remote to them. They see no hope for a better future in Zimbabwe. They need to feel valued in their own communities and be involved in decision-making processes at local level.
Zimbabwe now needs a political party that is committed to empower the masses to participate in their own local resource developments, delivery of services and be able to seek explanations without being told they have to wait for an answer or directive from the chefs in Harare. A party that will develop policies that cut through the marginalisation of some regions is long overdue. Elected regional assemblies will be more accountable and responsive to local people. Lets hope that this ruling coalition has finally resolved to do the right thing.
The obvious challenge to ZAPU now is to clearly articulate this idea of transferring the seat of power in Zimbabwe from the small clique at the centre to the people in the provinces. It needs to create a machinery for taking their vision to the masses and to access potential sympathisers the world over.
They also need to develop relationships with those political parties and organisations which support the idea of meaningful devolution of power.
---------------
Sakhile Sibanda is a political analyst and can be contacted on lekhisa@blueyonder.co.uk
I have no doubt that even SADC is fed up of the Zimbabwe political impasse which is damaging to the whole of the southern region.
In September 2008 the former ruling party Zanu-PF and the two former opposition MDC formations signed a Global Political Agreement (GPA). It may have been a marriage of convenience, nevertheless, in February 2009 the Government of National Unit (GNU) came to being. This gave the ordinary person hope that things could only get better in an inclusive government. There was high expectation that the coalition would act maturely and work together to usher in a new dawn of responsible governance and improve the nation's confidence in politicians. Indeed the GPA prevented the political and economic situation from collapsing completely so some credit is due to the creators of the GNU.
However there is another side to the coin. Some people strongly feel that stopping the situation from complete collapse was a mistake because it gave those who had brought the country to its knees a life line and prevented a fresh beginning. The reality now is that there are three parties in this coalition and if there are in it together they are collectively accountable to the citizens of Zimbabwe. Blaming each other and posturing is not good enough for the suffering ordinary Zimbabweans.
The MDC formations had been for years preaching good governance, transparency and accountability before they got into government. Their credibility has been tarnished by allegations that they have joined the gravy train, failed to cut wastage in government and have been involved in acquiring luxury cars for ministers and legislators. Both Zanu-PF and the MDC formations have spent millions in foreign travels, which are said to have cost more than the nation's schools budget. There does not appear to be a framework to guide restraints from indulgence in spending. The government administration is unnecessarily bloated with deputies which reflect the power struggles within the coalition, but are of no benefit to the grassroots. The country's debts are increasing and not shrinking. Millions have been lost through the Constituency Development Fund. Both Zanu-PF and the MDC formations have been allegedly involved.
There is now a public perception, particularly among young people and women, that politics is not about addressing people's problems and aspirations, rather all politicians are regarded as hypocritical and interested only in enriching themselves.
The people were promised a new people-driven constitution and a referendum on the draft constitution. COPAC was created by the inclusive government to gather people's views. After squandering a substantial amount of donor funds on the constitution-making process the ruling elite are still wrangling over the draft. It is now doubtful whether a new constitution can be ready for the next general election in view of the current constitutional time constraints. One wonders whether this has been a planned agenda all along to scupper the people driven constitution.
What need to change?
There is a mistaken belief that changing the seating positions of the current ruling elite is the answer. This is totally wrong. Changing the positions of personalities within the ruling elites whilst maintaining centralised power in Harare will not resolve the fundamental problems even if the elections were declared free and fair. We need a different system of government in Zimbabwe, a system that will restructure the power base. We need to devolve power from the centre to elected regional or provincial assemblies to give power to the people. Unofficial statements are leaking, supposedly, from the negotiators, that agreement has been reached on devolution of power to provinces. People have become used to contradictory statements from this coalition so that everything is taking with a pitch of salt. People therefore need to see the official statement and study the details before jumping to joy.
ZAPU was among the first political parties to come up with this model of governance which resonates well with the people as demonstrated by the results of the COPAC constitution consultation process. In six out of ten provinces the majority of people who took part in the consultation were in favour of devolution. Initially ZAPU was accused of speaking for Matebeleland region only and of fermenting secession. Now this model is proving to be popular and other political parties who see this as a vote catcher at elections have modified their constitutions to incorporate it. Civic organisations such as WOZA have embraced it and they should be commended for their bravery for agitating for transformation on the ground.
However there is still confusion about what devolution of power to the regions entails. Those who fear losing control without the aid of centralised power in their hands define it as creating divisions among the people of Zimbabwe. Some define it as decentralisation of government administration with political power remaining in the centre, allowing those in the centre to continue abusing their positions unchecked. Meaningful devolution of political power should mean having elected provincial assemblies who will have power to devise policies that are relevant to meeting the needs of their regions and having legislators who are accountable to the people in their provinces.
Devolution of power will enhance the participation and representation of women and young people who have given up on politics. Research shows that women all over the world are the backbone of community development. They are committed to settle differences and mobilise crucial resources and focusing on the common good of their communities. It is therefore shameful that in Zimbabwe male dominated, confrontational politics is putting off women who see no value in participation. Equally the young people have lost confidence in the politics of the older generations and a system that is very remote to them. They see no hope for a better future in Zimbabwe. They need to feel valued in their own communities and be involved in decision-making processes at local level.
Zimbabwe now needs a political party that is committed to empower the masses to participate in their own local resource developments, delivery of services and be able to seek explanations without being told they have to wait for an answer or directive from the chefs in Harare. A party that will develop policies that cut through the marginalisation of some regions is long overdue. Elected regional assemblies will be more accountable and responsive to local people. Lets hope that this ruling coalition has finally resolved to do the right thing.
The obvious challenge to ZAPU now is to clearly articulate this idea of transferring the seat of power in Zimbabwe from the small clique at the centre to the people in the provinces. It needs to create a machinery for taking their vision to the masses and to access potential sympathisers the world over.
They also need to develop relationships with those political parties and organisations which support the idea of meaningful devolution of power.
---------------
Sakhile Sibanda is a political analyst and can be contacted on lekhisa@blueyonder.co.uk
Source - Sakhile Sibanda
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