WHY change a winning team or formula?

The months preceding the July 31 2013 elections, the people's revolutionary party ran its successful campaign as TEAM ZANU PF. After the elections it was difficult to disband the team because it had all the attributes of a champion.

Just over a year after romping to a thunderous victory in the July 31 2013 harmonised elections, the media is awash with stories that TEAM ZANU PF is on fire, because of the pending elective congress. As per the ZANU PF constitution the congress that comes after every five years affords ZANU PF members opportunity to democratically elect the leaders of the great revolutionary organisation.

Interestingly, the elective congress comes at a time ZANU PF leadership has acquitted itself well in restoring the party to its rightful position as the ruling party. The question now is SHOULD WE CHANGE A WINNING TEAM?

My honest advice is you can't change a winning team. Like in well renowned organisations you cannot change a winning team, in order to avoid potential pitfalls, and continue to get the best from your team's star players.

This winning team should not be changed because they've been there long enough to know exactly how the organization works. They are highly competent at what they do, efficient, organized and with excellent soft skills. They know who to talk to in other departments and countries to solve major problems. As such, the current TEAM ZANU PF leadership led by President Robert Mugabe, are the "go to people" whenever things get difficult.

It is not a secret that when you have got these kind of people around, our team will achieve more - not only through their direct contribution, but because they have set the standard in attitude, behaviour and results for everyone else. Tangible evidence of their contribution and foresightedness is seen in ZIM-ASSET  and the empowerment programmes they have put in place for the country. Equally true to their exceptional performance, they have managed to maintain peace and tranquillity in the country.

As a party, we really want to keep these valued players happy, so that our team and country continue to benefit from their exceptional performance. We should not change this winning team, lest we promote people driven by personal ambition and greed, if claims of vote buying are true. Some of the aspirants for the top positions are known for making statements which border on tribalism and/or regionalism. These will definitely erode the gains that the revolutionary party has made to date.

Zimbabwe is going through a phase which requires continuity and consistency in leadership. Changing leadership now would result mitigate against the general theme or style of leadership permeating through the team. The team may find it difficult to gel or to work in rhythm with each other after the changes.

However, it is imperative that TEAM ZANU PF should serious look at some of the people who over the years had  been seen and considered as team players, yet they are weevils, seeking to destroy the party from within. ZANU PF has for years been renowned for the discipline and cadreship of its membership. Unfortunately, this has of late been thrown out of the window by some of those interested in the leadership positions and those that claim to be the kingmakers. Such recklessness, is cause of great concern among the general membership and questions are asked on the genuineness of these aspirants to serve the people. Their desire to land these coveted positions through hook and crook, is not in the best interest of the party and country. Hence the people should not be hoodwinked by money and other freebies, because leadership is not bought.

In some cases aspirants have stuck to the old cliché of 'I am the most senior member of the party". This seniority was attained by virtue of getting to the warfront earlier than others. That history is recognised and appreciated. Another question to ask is what is the cut off point of this seniority, and when will it end?  We can't be stuck in the past for ever. What the country needs now are leaders who have the experience and credentials of running a party and country. ZANU PF membership should be wary of these aspirants and critically look at the recent success or failure thereof of such aspirants, lest we entrust our party into the hands of weevils, tribalists or regionalists.

The leadership of TEAM ZANU PF brought us victory and the subsequent demise of MDC into obscurity. That is a winning team by its very definition. Why change a winning team few months after it brought the much needed victory. You cannot change this winning TEAM ZANU PF. What TEAM ZANU PF needs now is to be strengthened by promoting those in the party who have consistently and effectively shown the attributes of complimenting the efforts of the party and country in reviving the economy.

The forthcoming congress should be about strengthening the current leadership than changing it. Let the people be the charge of those who qualify and this does not warrant the current discourse in the party. Let us not change a winning team, but rather strengthen it with credible and able servant leaders.