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IT is said patience is not just the ability to wait, but how one behaves while waiting, this adage holds true for the two people who were touted as contenders to succeed President Mugabe, immediate past secretary for legal affairs Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa and the fallen vice president Dr Joice Teurai Ropa Mujuru.

At the 2004 Zanu-PF Elective Congress, Cde Mnangagwa looked set to land the vice presidency of the party and country, what with the support of six provinces to Cde Joice Mujuru’s four.

More so as secretary for administration then, Cde Mnangagwa appeared to have one foot in the presidium compared to Mujuru who — as secretary for education — appeared distant from the party’s top hierarchy.

The Women’s League, which was then led by Dr Mujuru, mobilised and demanded one of their own in the presidency, the slot was thus reserved for a female candidate, the result was Dr Mujuru making it to the vice presidency with Cde Mnangagwa who was implicated in the so-called Tsholotsho declaration falling from secretary for administration to secretary for legal affairs.

In Government, Cde Mnangagwa was assigned the Ministry of Rural Housing and Social Amenities but he remained unfazed.

He took it all on the chin, and his refrain was legendary often quipping, “VaMugabe vakatuma jinda ravo guru kumaruwa” (the President deployed his trusted lieutenant to address problems in the countryside).

At the time Cde Mnangagwa accepted his fate and his brief in Government, the woman who had benefited at his expense, Joice Mujuru was busy scheming on how she could depose her benefactor to land the presidency yet Mnangagwa, who could have had reason to be bitter, had taken it all in his stride and remained loyal to his President and Commander-in-Chief.

The result is there for all to see; good things come to those who wait because today he occupies the seat Mujuru abused over the past decade.

Joice Mujuru is now a card-carrying party member, without honour even in her own home district of Mt Darwin, finding succour on the pages of hostile tabloids that find even political nonentities like MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai politically sexy.

But our lady appeared unfazed, at least until yesterday when her bubble burst. She needs to re-check her bearings and learn from the fate that befell the unrepentant Rugare Gumbo who, after being suspended from Zanu-PF for five years, continued badmouthing the party and its leadership forcing the Central Committee to expel him completely.

Cde Mnangagwa’s story offers great lessons for all in leadership. You serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and your commitment and dedication will not go unnoticed.

Patience is a virtue and it is not just about waiting but remaining steadfast while waiting.

One can never cheat oneself to leadership let alone demand respect, all these are earned as Joice Mujuru discovered at great cost.

To this end we join progressive people in congratulating Cdes Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and Cde Phelekezela Mphoko for landing the posts of party and Zimbabwe Vice Presidents.

Comrades, you are the authors of your own beautiful stories.