Succession: The Mugabe's word is final

IN his traditional annual television interview with ZBCtv to commemorate his birthday, President Robert Mugabe reiterated that he was determined to complete the mandate bestowed on him by the people of Zimbabwe who voted overwhelmingly to hand him a five-year term in 2013. He castigated those within his ruling Zanu-PF party angling to take over from him and urged them to put their ambitions on hold as he was still fit to lead Zimbabwe.

The President also poured cold water on reports that he was grooming his wife, First Lady Grace Mugabe, to eventually take over from him dismissing such speculation as far fetched. Mugabe spoke as jostling reached fever pitch within Zanu-PF with factions positioning themselves to succeed the President. The First Lady, who has held a series of Meet the People rallies around the country, has also dismissed reports alleging that she was angling to succeed her husband, saying she is content with her position as Women's League leader.

On Tuesday, Mugabe reiterated his earlier position and told Japanese journalists in Tokyo that health permitting, he would stand as the Zanu-PF presidential candidate in 2018 if the people decided so. Asked if he was fit for the Presidency at the moment and in 2018, President Mugabe said: "At the moment I'm the President that's why (I'm here). Do you see me as not fit? Why not contest two years later?

"Two years later is no time but only God knows what will happen in two years' time, 2018, I don't know, it will depend. If I'm fit enough yes but if I'm not fit enough I will not. My people will want me to be a candidate and they have already nominated me as a candidate for 2018."

The President also spoke about the calibre of leader Zimbabweans deserved, saying his successor should have certain qualities. "He (successor) must be a good leader all the time, a leader who is people oriented," said President Mugabe,

"A leader who listens to the voices of the people, who takes care of the people, who thinks of the people before he thinks of himself. He should be a leader who is really directed and governed by the wishes of the people. This is what I have tried to be. This is what our government has tried to be."

President Mugabe added: "When we waged the struggle it was a people struggle for the freedom of our people and that should remain the objective of the leaders in the future. (He needs) to be people oriented to push that the people remain as free as possible and defend and protect them against any outsider." We concur with the President that Zimbabwe deserves a selfless leader who is not corrupt and power- hungry.

The highest office in the land is a straitjacket which should be occupied by someone with a strong nationalist ethos and whose politics is steeped in the ideals of the liberation struggle. We feel Zimbabwe should be led by a person who will defend the country at all costs and ensure that the gains of independence are safeguarded.

Zanu-PF officials with ambitions to someday lead this country should be asking themselves whether they embody the values espoused by the President. Instead of spending day and night scheming to outmanoeuvre each other, they should be serving the people and helping the President deliver on the promises the party made in 2013.

They should be asking themselves whether they are people-oriented and ready to defend this country from latter-day neo-colonialism.

Are they prepared to sacrifice everything for the defence of the motherland? Are they willing to be vilified and demonised daily in the West because of their willingness to stand on principle and not sacrifice the territorial integrity and sovereignty of this country?

President Mugabe embodies these values hence the fixation by the West to topple him and install a pliant leadership. His selfless leadership qualities have endeared him to the people of Zimbabwe hence the successive mandates they have given him since independence. We urge Zimbabweans, particularly those in the ruling party, to emulate Mugabe's qualities and work to ensure that they serve the nation diligently.

Unbridled ambition to ascend to the Presidency prematurely might be calamitous and curtail the careers of some. On the issue of succession, we feel the President has pronounced himself clearly on the matter and his word is final. There is no vacancy at State House and people should desist from jostling for a position with an incumbent.

Examples abound of cadres who cut short their promising careers by seeking to usurp the President's throne before their time. The political scrap yard is full of the likes of Joice Mujuru who now wallow on the lunatic fringe of the game.