Zanu-PF: From factionalism to opportunity

ZANU PF HQ
Keith N. Guzah Correspondent

The goings on in the revolutionary Zanu-PF party, which took an interesting and decisive turn in the factional struggles between its members, provide a typical case of cost and opportunity. It is as clear as day that the discord in the party has heavily taxed it as an institution that has a revolutionary image to protect and project.

Lately, the same image has been dragged into the mud by personalities and interests that run counter to the vanguard party’s ideals and values — which this article will seek to demonstrate.

In the not so distant past, the ruling party almost lost control of the country because some comrades had decided to seek rent in neo-imperial designs.
Even more damaging is the treasonous news that some comrades have been seeking to assassinate the President of the country for the sake of power.

The latest, and hopefully last, round of intra-party discord, while confirming a present and continuing danger of treachery, throws light on the calibre of leadership that has been undeservedly allowed to take root in the party.

If one were to just look at the trend of the suspension of provincial chairpersons and other executives, their common denominator has been one of dishonesty, corruption, opportunism and lack of patriotism.

The likes of Ray Kaukonde quickly come to mind as embodiments of selfishness, trickery, treachery and even criminality.
Kaukonde’s alleged knack for seeking sexual favours from Zanu-PF female aspiring candidates make fundamental character flaws that should ordinarily have embarrassed, and indeed repulsed the revolutionary Zanu-PF party that boasts of the sobriety and leadership in President Mugabe.
It may be hoped that this episode has come up with its lessons which will be heeded in the future.

A focused leadership
One of the obvious upshots of the negative energy of factionalism and revelations of treachery and deceit are that the need for a new, patriotic and focused leadership that supports the vision of President Mugabe has been made necessary. Already, the structures across the country have been rid, and continue to as we speak, of all bad apples in the provinces, in the Women’s League, Youth League and war veteran ranks.
The obvious parameters for a patriotic leadership, apart from the aforementioned commitment to the vision of President Mugabe, that is, the unwavering quest for self-determination of the indigenous Zimbabwean, are not hard to come by.

The leadership must be forthright and straightforward; honest, diligent and above all, patriotic.
A leader that is scheming and plotting to the point of treason cannot be relied on for the sustenance of peace, stability, prosperity and enjoyment of good political life in the country.

This is why the country has already seen the backs of the bad apples and it can be guessed, and indeed hoped, that more will follow, especially at the forthcoming 6th Zanu-PF National Congress.

That said, and in keeping with the observation made at the beginning of this piece, Zanu-PF stands to benefit from the regeneration of new leadership occasioned by the recent upheavals.

Zim-Asset
A Zanu-PF that has a united, focused and forthright leadership is not only good for itself but also for the country.
It can be stated without fear or equivocation that one of the casualties of the current contradictions within Zanu-PF has been its economic blueprint, the year-old Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset).

Zim-Asset has been enough of a national song already as it derives from the winning manifesto of the revolutionary party anchored on indigenisation, empowerment, development and creation of employment.

The implementation of this noble policy, and indeed its touting, has lately taken the back seek as the focus has been trained on internecine fights.
The continued fratricidal contests can only relegate Zim-Asset and the constitutional and electoral mandate of Zanu-PF to the back burner.
Conversely, the bedding of factionalism once and for all will mean that the country is back on the developmental rails once again.
Thank goodness, President Mugabe promised that factionalism will be rooted out come December.

He has already made enough statement of intent.

Whither indigenisation?
One of the pillars of the Zanu-PF manifesto that won last year’s election is indigenisation, which naturally goes with economic empowerment.
One year into Government, what has it shown by way of delivering on and operationalising this critical pillar?
Nothing.

The discourse on indigenisation has been relegated to fleeting references and no national programme has been undertaken.

Why is this so?
The answer lies squarely at the helm of the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment which has not only shown to be inept and incompetent but prefers to hide, and duck and dive from this critical national question.

It is annoying to imagine that this critical and life-changing ministry has been championing absolutely nothing about indigenous majority ownership; nothing about key sectors; nothing about the indigenous procurement policy! Nothing!

The last time that any meaningful indigenisation and empowerment issues were at the forefront was during Minister Saviour Kasukuwere’s tenure as he led this ministry from the battleground, championing this national cause. The pledges given by the various mining houses in the country towards Community Share Ownership Trusts have been largely ignored by the ministry.

Unfortunately this mild, middle of the park attitude should be understood in the larger political context of some people who, in seeking to be seen as moderate and therefore acceptable to foreign interests, seek to derail a whole programme that benefits the majority. It is this kind of leadership that Zanu-PF will do well to change, especially when it has to deliver on its programmes such as Zim-Asset.

The party cannot indicate right and turn left. All those that have not been enthusiastic enough with Zanu-PF’s winning programmes have no business to be pretending to be administering the same.

This is a critical task that Zanu-PF, after the current troubles, must commit itself to. There is a world of opportunities, which the revolutionary party should give us as an early Christmas present.

Dr Keith Guzah, DBA is the president of the National Business Council of Zimbabwe. He is the Zanu-PF Mashonaland West Provincial Secretary for Indigenisation and Empowerment and also the publisher of Empowerment Today Magazine

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