Opinion / Columnist
Zanu-PF bigger than individuals
05 Mar 2016 at 08:02hrs | Views
Politics has never been so exciting in Zimbabwe and like a soap opera the intriguing twists and turns have left many Zimbabweans wandering what the next day has in store for them. When former premier Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC invaded Zimbabwe's political space it was with a bang, it was newsworthy and it brought a new dimension to Zimbabwe's political practice the highlight being the inclusive government which ceased to exist in 2013.
After independence there has not been another opposition party that almost threatened to wrestle power from the ruling ZANU PF like the MDC outfit did but as painful as it may sound, almost is never good enough because as we all are aware the revolutionary party is still calling the shots.
Such was MDC's threat to the status quo that apart from hostile nations like Britain, America and a host of other European Union countries who have always agitated for the demise of revolutionary parties in Africa, even some in ZANU PF began to believe that it was now the end of the road for the revolutionary party. Some cadres even crossed sides while some sat on the fence just in case.
Others continued in the revolutionary party but with compromised allegiance which would result in them initiating and maintaining contact with the opposition and Western diplomats in the hope of appearing as the sensible and moderate ones. This was to ensure that once ZANU PF capitulated they would still be accommodated by the new Government and then work against their former comrades but these were just dreams.
Its one thing to dream and it's another to manage that dream into reality. For many it became a case of so near and yet so far. They did not vote for MDC because of its good record, no, because for the record it had no record to talk about. So why did it get so much support with no record of achievements to back it? The answer is simple-people were hungry, angry and protesting against the government of the day and holding it accountable for their suffering and for them the only solution to their problems was to get rid of the ruling party at any cost and at any cost meant it did not matter what good ZANU PF had achieved over the years while it also did not matter who made up the opposition MDC and what it stood for.
Quality was not an issue; values were of secondary importance and ideological bankruptcy counted for nothing. They did not see the big picture because they were hungry and just like the children of Israel in the wilderness who began to crave for life back in Egypt, some gullible and misinformed Zimbabweans began to crave for apartheid Rhodesia citing the 'good life and abundance of food and everything else'.
Even some men of cloth joined in scandalizing and demonizing government forgetting that the crisis the country was and is still going through is a collective responsibility because if the church was really playing its role then we could have gotten guidance from the Almighty on what to do. Some even 'prophesied' and others still do, the death of President Mugabe, contrary to what the Bible teaches about the Church praying for those in authority so that they can execute their duties properly.
Who dies when, where, how and why is God's exclusive domain and to prove this on Saturday the President was joined by thousands of Zimbabweans to celebrate his 92nd birthday and he is still going strong much to the chagrin of those who find him a stumbling block to their nefarious activities.
Some were actually anti-celebrations because according to their reasoning, the country cannot afford such extravagance given the biting economic crisis but what they forget is that the money and other resources for the event are not coming fromTreasury and moreover in this same economy some Zimbabweans are still hosting extraordinary weddings and parties, building elegant mansions while others are driving in the latest models of top of the range vehicles so why should it be an issue when the people celebrate with the President.
Enough of that. After the MDC faltered in several elections including the 2013 one, ZANU PF surprisingly instead of savoring this victory by embarking on fulfilling electoral promises has found itself fighting itself or is there any enemy we don't see ourselves in the party. While I don't have misgivings about the fall of the former VP and her group, it is the latest upheavals within the party that are worrying.
While conflicts and disagreements are healthy for the survival of any organization it becomes worrisome when these conflicts have become personal, selfish and unmerited.Cadres must be reminded that the welfare of Zimbabweans is more important than any title, political party ,qualification, religion or tribe. When political conflict is ignited and sustained at the expense of service delivery and accountability then it defeats the whole idea of having liberated ourselves.
We did not liberate ourselves to further abuse ourselves and the nation cannot remain silent just because this time the abuse is from a fellow black man�?it's even worse. ZANU PF stands for black emancipation, black dignity and identity, black empowerment, unity, justice quality and pride and these values are both biblical and Godly and those in the party must be seen to champion them because any other agendas are not acceptable.
People who are pursuing personal, selfish, partisan and tribalistic goals in the name of the party are dangerous. Cadres need to be reminded that ZANU PF and its noble values will never collapse but those with other ideas contrary to national development and welfare will find them falling by the wayside. God is interested in the ZANU PF institution and anyone working against its founding principles inside or outside will never succeed. In this dispensation we are in, in case you did not know there is no place for deception, double standards, self-aggrandizement and any other unbecoming maneuvers.
The shaking within the ruling party does not signify its collapse but a reality check, pretenders and imposters will be exposed and ashamed while the party retraces it's footsteps to its core values and this ZANU PF cannot do without holding in high esteem our selfless cadres, the war veterans. We can never prosper without acknowledging the true sons of the soil in word and deed and the war veterans themselves must respect each other and set a good example for the young generation.
True politics is not about using each other but empowering and supporting one another. Zimbabweans are watching, they are yearning, and they are looking up to you for a better life. We can't live a life of excuses for ever, together we can make it!
-----
SHAME ISAKI is a preacher, businessman, and a socio-political commentator. he can be contacted on +26377301662.
After independence there has not been another opposition party that almost threatened to wrestle power from the ruling ZANU PF like the MDC outfit did but as painful as it may sound, almost is never good enough because as we all are aware the revolutionary party is still calling the shots.
Such was MDC's threat to the status quo that apart from hostile nations like Britain, America and a host of other European Union countries who have always agitated for the demise of revolutionary parties in Africa, even some in ZANU PF began to believe that it was now the end of the road for the revolutionary party. Some cadres even crossed sides while some sat on the fence just in case.
Others continued in the revolutionary party but with compromised allegiance which would result in them initiating and maintaining contact with the opposition and Western diplomats in the hope of appearing as the sensible and moderate ones. This was to ensure that once ZANU PF capitulated they would still be accommodated by the new Government and then work against their former comrades but these were just dreams.
Its one thing to dream and it's another to manage that dream into reality. For many it became a case of so near and yet so far. They did not vote for MDC because of its good record, no, because for the record it had no record to talk about. So why did it get so much support with no record of achievements to back it? The answer is simple-people were hungry, angry and protesting against the government of the day and holding it accountable for their suffering and for them the only solution to their problems was to get rid of the ruling party at any cost and at any cost meant it did not matter what good ZANU PF had achieved over the years while it also did not matter who made up the opposition MDC and what it stood for.
Quality was not an issue; values were of secondary importance and ideological bankruptcy counted for nothing. They did not see the big picture because they were hungry and just like the children of Israel in the wilderness who began to crave for life back in Egypt, some gullible and misinformed Zimbabweans began to crave for apartheid Rhodesia citing the 'good life and abundance of food and everything else'.
Even some men of cloth joined in scandalizing and demonizing government forgetting that the crisis the country was and is still going through is a collective responsibility because if the church was really playing its role then we could have gotten guidance from the Almighty on what to do. Some even 'prophesied' and others still do, the death of President Mugabe, contrary to what the Bible teaches about the Church praying for those in authority so that they can execute their duties properly.
Who dies when, where, how and why is God's exclusive domain and to prove this on Saturday the President was joined by thousands of Zimbabweans to celebrate his 92nd birthday and he is still going strong much to the chagrin of those who find him a stumbling block to their nefarious activities.
Enough of that. After the MDC faltered in several elections including the 2013 one, ZANU PF surprisingly instead of savoring this victory by embarking on fulfilling electoral promises has found itself fighting itself or is there any enemy we don't see ourselves in the party. While I don't have misgivings about the fall of the former VP and her group, it is the latest upheavals within the party that are worrying.
While conflicts and disagreements are healthy for the survival of any organization it becomes worrisome when these conflicts have become personal, selfish and unmerited.Cadres must be reminded that the welfare of Zimbabweans is more important than any title, political party ,qualification, religion or tribe. When political conflict is ignited and sustained at the expense of service delivery and accountability then it defeats the whole idea of having liberated ourselves.
We did not liberate ourselves to further abuse ourselves and the nation cannot remain silent just because this time the abuse is from a fellow black man�?it's even worse. ZANU PF stands for black emancipation, black dignity and identity, black empowerment, unity, justice quality and pride and these values are both biblical and Godly and those in the party must be seen to champion them because any other agendas are not acceptable.
People who are pursuing personal, selfish, partisan and tribalistic goals in the name of the party are dangerous. Cadres need to be reminded that ZANU PF and its noble values will never collapse but those with other ideas contrary to national development and welfare will find them falling by the wayside. God is interested in the ZANU PF institution and anyone working against its founding principles inside or outside will never succeed. In this dispensation we are in, in case you did not know there is no place for deception, double standards, self-aggrandizement and any other unbecoming maneuvers.
The shaking within the ruling party does not signify its collapse but a reality check, pretenders and imposters will be exposed and ashamed while the party retraces it's footsteps to its core values and this ZANU PF cannot do without holding in high esteem our selfless cadres, the war veterans. We can never prosper without acknowledging the true sons of the soil in word and deed and the war veterans themselves must respect each other and set a good example for the young generation.
True politics is not about using each other but empowering and supporting one another. Zimbabweans are watching, they are yearning, and they are looking up to you for a better life. We can't live a life of excuses for ever, together we can make it!
-----
SHAME ISAKI is a preacher, businessman, and a socio-political commentator. he can be contacted on +26377301662.
Source - manicapost
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