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Zimbabwe: The Rebirth of a 'New Zanu PF
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The Zimbabwe Guardian (London)
OPINION
5 May 2008
Posted to the web 5 May 2008
Lloyd Msipa
THE shenanigans of the last few weeks by the MDC-T faction as they criss-crossed the globe in an attempt to unseat the Zanu PF government through a combination of media blitz, claims of having won the presidential elections and downright wayward diplomatic efforts left most of us sitting on the edges of our seats as we marvelled at this animal which, a few weeks before, had claimed not to be participating in the elections.
The release of the Presidential results final deflated this over-inflated animal to the chagrin of many who where supporting its cause. This includes the United States diplomat Jendayi Frazer who is now calling for a government of national unity (GNU) to salvage any dignity that remains from her previous stance when she declared Morgan Tsvangirai the winner of the presidential election.
The election outcome in the presidential race must be a lesson to Zanu PF.
In the history of opposition politics in Zimbabwe, dating as far back as Sithole's Zanu Ndonga, Tekere's ZUM and Dumbutshena's Forum party, none have caused as much despondency in Zanu PF as has the current MDC-T.
Of course there are many reasons that explain the partial successes in the elections by MDC-T, but of major concern is the fact that Zanu PF, as a party, was almost caught sleeping on the job. This last election was a close shave for Zanu PF and the events leading or manifesting themselves in this scenario should never be allowed to happen if Zanu PF is to remain strong.
It is in this light that Zanu PF as a political animal needs to re-invent itself in response to the changing global political challenges in order to survive.
The current politics of Zanu PF are deeply embedded in the principles espoused during Chimurenga One and Chimurenga Two. Chimurenga One was led by the spirit Mediums, Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi. They where both instrumental in organising the nationwide resistance to colonial rule during the period 1896-1897.Their contribution to Chimurenga One was even recognised as afar a field by Lobengula, making them the pioneers of this legacy we seek to defend today--the land.
Like the Zanu PF party in 1980 through the reconciliation extended to our former colonisers, Mbuya Nehanda initially welcomed the occupation pioneers and counselled her followers to welcome them. "Do not be afraid of them," she said "as they are only traders. Take a black cow to them and say this is the meat with which we greet you."
As colonialism began to take its toll on Zimbabweans the collective effort to rid Zimbabwe of these unwelcome visitors between 1896-7 came to be called the first Chimurenga. The rebellion was initiated in Matabeleland by Mukwati and Sekuru Kaguvi and Mbuya Nehanda leading the Mashonaland Chapter of the Revolution. The hand of friendship extended by Mbuya Nehanda came to haunt them later as they were executed by the same people they attempted to befriend.
The complacence exhibited by Zanu PF leaders in the last election could have cost Zimbabweans the legacy which our ancestors fought so hard for.
A revolution spurning 140 years could have disappeared at the stroke of a pen. It is in this light I revisit my initial proposition that Zanu PF urgently needs to reinvent itself in order to remain relevant. The bottleneck currently existing in Zanu PF is largely responsible for the shortcomings the party is currently experiencing.
There is need for movement to take place at the top, hence allowing the bottom to move to the upper echelons--allowing fresh bodies and minds to flow in. The large numbers of university graduates have found it almost impossible to play a pivotal role in Zanu PF as a result of this bottleneck.
The frustrations of the bottleneck in the Zanu PF party have manifested themselves in the likes of the Tsholotsho debacle and more recently the Makoni breakaway.
All these events do not help the party at all. In fact the mediocre showing by Zanu PF in the March 29th election is largely a result of this--more than it is the popularity of the MDC.
Failure to address these anomalies in Zanu PF may result in the party self-destructing or becoming vulnerable as evidenced by UNIP in Zambia as an example of the former and the infiltration of the ANC by COSATU as an example of the latter.
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Zanu PF needs to come out of its slumber as the world of today demands it and indeed the demands of Chimurenga Three require younger global thinkers who are able to take on the worlds institutions at a diplomatic level and hence beat them at their own game.
How can anyone support what must surely be the most corrupt political party in all of Africa: Zanu-PF. This party needs to be dismantled for once and for all. It simply cannot be reformed or saved. The economy of Zimbabwe has been totally destroyed. When will Zanu-PF accept responsibility for this utter failure, and fade away?
Zanu-pf is the most corrupt political party in all of Africa. Whaw, you have been to all of African countries (54) and analyzed all political parties!!! That is the most stupid, dumb comment from a white anglo man. Zimbabwe to you is the whole Africa, because it has some of those foolish racists anglos. Your hyperbolic, typical anglo comments makes no sense and Zimbabweans or Africans are never moved by such rubbish and hyperbolic comments. You make so many meaningless allegation that nobody in their right minds take you serious. Idiotic comments like that cement the idea that Zimbabwe is... [Read Full Text]
It's always anglo, anglo, anglo with you hey Phiri. You're as bad as an apartheid boer.
What? I don't think you understand the multiparty political system. When one party is so terrible that people will vote against it even when they know they risk their lives in doing so, the that party should be annihilated. If there was anything good in it, then those can be implemented in a new party built from the ground up. Zanu PF's Mugabe is reminiscent of Mobutu Seseseko' rule in Congo. Sure, he may have done some good at the beginning, but should have stepped down years ago. Zimbabwe can only take so... [Read Full Text]
This is a new kind of voting. Beat and kill voters if they don't vote for your party. This is not freedom, this is dictatorship. Why even hold elections if the winner does not take office?
It seems amazing that the writer of this article attributes no blame on the demise of Zanu PF to the failed polies of the Zanu PF. Mainly the failed economy, agricultural policy and the human rights abuses inflicted by Zanu PF supporters. Surely these failures would be the biggest factors for support for alternative government. I also find it discraceful calling an oposition leader an animal. The british used to call you animals and that offended you and now you call your own people animals. The mdc leader has called for a dignified exit of Mugabe, would animal act like... [Read Full Text]
What bunkum you guys are. This is considered an editorial or Zanu PF propaganda? If someone doesn't tow your line, you think they are colonialists or American hegemonists. Start believing in positive criticism and God. Don't have such hubris that you will self destruct.
I agree with the essence of this article, in that ZanuPF is an ailing dinosaur which needs radical change if it is to survive in the globalised world. 'Liberationist' discourses are no longer relevant in modern Africa, which needs to familiarise itself with the hard fact that in order to become a key player in the globalised 21st Century you need to be able to trade. For this you need a)democracy b)transparency of economic processes and c)the right to private ownership of goods and commodities (including land if it is sold) to be guaranteed. These are the watchwords for successful... [Read Full Text]
Well everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and perception but the fact is that we can not disqualify it because it is their right as individuals.Media and all other transports of information have become so unbalanced so much that instead of supplying people with stories which people can make their judgements,they tend to serve us with stories that are already judgemental.It is this conclusion that does not belong to us that makes us differ so much.The question that is most important for people to ask themselves is, how do they know what they know and is there anything they know... [Read Full Text]
MDC,please wake up.People are being killed in your name.Where are you?Children are being opharned where is Tsvangirai,where is Biti,Wher is Chamisa,where are you?If you can,t stand this game of politics please resign and let Mugabe rule till donkeys grow horns.Don,t you think you have enough support worldewide that you can form village defends units to protect rural villages.Please,please MDC the support that you have even the west can equip you with helicopters.Mugabe will never ever leave office even if Tsvangirai wins 99%of the vote.Chamisa,the respected Mr Elias Mudzuri please we need Guns in rural areas.We are ready to form Defends... [Read Full Text]
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