Opinion / Columnist
Robert Mugabe, Zanu PF and the Stockholm syndrome
29 Nov 2011 at 20:30hrs | Views
Breaking the ranks of bondage!
From being called a "Son of God" to being labelled a "madman", the story of Robert Mugabe and his corrupt regime is not about to end – at least according to the Zanu PF Bulawayo province. One of the most underdeveloped provinces in the country, they have chosen to stand and defend the despot President who otherwise is facing possibility of rebellion as his party sets out to elect a leader in December this year. Normally when people are oppressed they tend to find ways of rebelling against the oppressor. What is being demonstrated by the Zanu PF province's reselection of Mugabe as their leader is rather bizarre but not impossible. Is this a case of the Stockholm syndrome?
After years of terrible abuse from Mugabe how do we explain their fantasy and ever loyal love? Stockholm syndrome is defined as a psychological phenomenon wherein hostages express empathy and have positive feelings towards their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them. Based on this definition, I think this might explain their move. What else could be a motivating factor for their support while other provinces of their party have been quiet on the subject? So I think the Zanu PF Bulawayo Province is sick and the citizens of Bulawayo need to cure them of this romance they have with their captor in order for the city to have one voice and move forward with its development.
Changing the game plan – an act of moving away from bondage
The challenge we have at the present moment is how to make sure that we as voters don't make the mistake of electing politicians who have a track record of forgetting their promises. The cancer in Zimbabwean politics, though, is the defence of evil deeds by suggesting that the democratic struggle would be derailed if we challenge corrupt and immoral individuals. I think it is key for people to move beyond this belief and demand complete service delivery and accountability from their political representatives. This idea of waiting for a later more stable time has never worked anywhere else in the world. Many leaders who have been voted in by majorities have mastered the art of riding on the back of our sympathies and later prove to be useless. This could be the same in Zimbabwe. Before we know it we will have had another 20 years of another cancerous regime. By the time we wake up it will be time for another generation to fight on as we will have lost the steam and strength to be reliable in our struggle.
We are lucky in Zimbabwe because we have been presented with an opportunity to analyse the effectiveness of our representatives given that we are ruled by a coalition government. Former opposition leaders are governing alongside the former ruling regime and they enjoy the same luxuries and perks that come with power – and so they should face the same criticism from their constituencies. This partnership in government can help us voters know who is reliable and to make wise choices.
Don't go too far, you have a chance to change!
Put simply, each party must present to us voters a practical guide to how they intend to govern us better. Moreover, at 88 my grandfather would be let to rest and so Zanu PF cannot bring their grandfather to the game of politics. This should be seen as an absolute insult, punishable by total voter rejection. What then is left is for the MDCs to provide appropriate alternatives that face up to reality by rejecting excuses in their manifestos. They must present to the voters a proper alternative that will seek to propel the engines of the country back to full function. This is politics and for it to work, it must be backed by action, not threats and empty words.
"Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking." William Butler Yeats
From being called a "Son of God" to being labelled a "madman", the story of Robert Mugabe and his corrupt regime is not about to end – at least according to the Zanu PF Bulawayo province. One of the most underdeveloped provinces in the country, they have chosen to stand and defend the despot President who otherwise is facing possibility of rebellion as his party sets out to elect a leader in December this year. Normally when people are oppressed they tend to find ways of rebelling against the oppressor. What is being demonstrated by the Zanu PF province's reselection of Mugabe as their leader is rather bizarre but not impossible. Is this a case of the Stockholm syndrome?
After years of terrible abuse from Mugabe how do we explain their fantasy and ever loyal love? Stockholm syndrome is defined as a psychological phenomenon wherein hostages express empathy and have positive feelings towards their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them. Based on this definition, I think this might explain their move. What else could be a motivating factor for their support while other provinces of their party have been quiet on the subject? So I think the Zanu PF Bulawayo Province is sick and the citizens of Bulawayo need to cure them of this romance they have with their captor in order for the city to have one voice and move forward with its development.
Changing the game plan – an act of moving away from bondage
The challenge we have at the present moment is how to make sure that we as voters don't make the mistake of electing politicians who have a track record of forgetting their promises. The cancer in Zimbabwean politics, though, is the defence of evil deeds by suggesting that the democratic struggle would be derailed if we challenge corrupt and immoral individuals. I think it is key for people to move beyond this belief and demand complete service delivery and accountability from their political representatives. This idea of waiting for a later more stable time has never worked anywhere else in the world. Many leaders who have been voted in by majorities have mastered the art of riding on the back of our sympathies and later prove to be useless. This could be the same in Zimbabwe. Before we know it we will have had another 20 years of another cancerous regime. By the time we wake up it will be time for another generation to fight on as we will have lost the steam and strength to be reliable in our struggle.
We are lucky in Zimbabwe because we have been presented with an opportunity to analyse the effectiveness of our representatives given that we are ruled by a coalition government. Former opposition leaders are governing alongside the former ruling regime and they enjoy the same luxuries and perks that come with power – and so they should face the same criticism from their constituencies. This partnership in government can help us voters know who is reliable and to make wise choices.
Don't go too far, you have a chance to change!
Put simply, each party must present to us voters a practical guide to how they intend to govern us better. Moreover, at 88 my grandfather would be let to rest and so Zanu PF cannot bring their grandfather to the game of politics. This should be seen as an absolute insult, punishable by total voter rejection. What then is left is for the MDCs to provide appropriate alternatives that face up to reality by rejecting excuses in their manifestos. They must present to the voters a proper alternative that will seek to propel the engines of the country back to full function. This is politics and for it to work, it must be backed by action, not threats and empty words.
"Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking." William Butler Yeats
Source - hararesunset.wordpress.com
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