The First Lady best-suited to lead Zimbabwe

It is crystal clear that our nation is facing its gravest economic and leadership crisis since independence. Leadership crisis goes as far as to the opposition as well as other key organoisations.  Our country is bogged down in factional conflicts both in the ruling party and opposition. Yet unemployment has reached alarming levels. The standard of living for most Zimbabweans, which had been largely reasonable during the 1980s and 1990s, has fallen during the past decade despite the existence of government and the biggest opposition. The collapsing economy has completely eroded the life savings of many Zimbabweans leaving them exposed to serious and dangerous suffering. This has also resulted in closure of industry and massive loss of jobs.
 
And thanks to the national leaders and administration that has arrogantly chosen to go their own way and employ various tactics to win factional fights rather than accomplish government duties of building and developing the economy. These leaders have alienated many of our longstanding socio-economic challenges. Change of leadership is needed – badly both in and outside government. As for the governing Party, since 1980I, there has never been a greater, clear need for leadership, for a president who can pull a deeply divided party together, someone who can help restore your esteem  within  and help repair  tattered reputation country wide  and abroad. ZUNU PF Women League leader and First Lady is indeed better equipped than any of the usual suspects to meet this challenge.
 
Having worked with the president for years, the first lady has developed key skills needed to comprehend the complexities of the times and the ability to articulate her positions clearly and eloquently. The first lady understands both performers and none performers in government. The first lady can inspire, and we believe she will be able to bring out the best in the Zimbabwean people at a time when our best regardless of political affiliation or tribe will be needed. She  also offers the best hope for building coalitions with others  and winning back the support of our friends abroad, which she recognizes is critical, not only to help win the war against unemployment  but to restore order in the economy.
 
Many other contenders within ZANU burned too many bridges to lead their party or in the national arena. Their abrasiveness, history, debates on key national issues such as devolution and electoral reform in parliament and rallies, their barrage of attack to other national and opposition, civil society leaders have been in sharp contrast to the respectful presidential manner of the first lady. Recent rallies have without doubt portrayed the first lady as an agent of change within ZANU PF.

On the handling of national responsibility and working for the electorate, the first lady has spoken clearly. For the first time, the first lady has taken responsibility of the challenges and suffering of our people in cities such as Harare, Bulawayo etc. She has joined ZUPA and strongly condemned the harassment of vendors by the Police. Whoever emerges as a winner of the presidential leadership within ZANU, will certainly not work alone because Fiscal realities will likely force the winner to work with other stake holders, and we believe the best person for this is the first lady. She has a potential to work with others in a collaborative manner for the best interest of our country. Of great necessity, will be the focus on how to manage the transition and the quickly deteriorating social situation in our country and how best to nurse the economy back to health and regulate business operations.

Key considerations that make us very much tilt toward the First lady between now and 2018 is that, as per the constitution, it is ZANU leadership and its members who will decide regarding the succession within and in government. The president can only come from the same governing political party. Dramatic change is badly needed and this can only be accomplished with the assistance of the first lady. The factional fights that have a risk of preventing the government from taking decisive action on unemployment, electoral reform, implementation of devolution and other issues can't be allowed to slow measures needed to put the nation back on course.

We strongly believe that within ZANU PF, the first lady is the right woman for these difficult times. She is young and charismatic and confident enough to feel comfortable surrounding herself with new bright advisers representing different points of view. The first lady appears to be keenly aware of how badly this nation needs to chart a new course - one that is respectful and value its citizens and other nations. She is committed to rebuilding a strong economy, creating jobs and protecting the poor and vendors in all our cities and towns making the country the beacon for prosperity and justice once again.