I am a Web developer (www.byo24.com) I own a web developing and web hosting company called eDuzeNet....
Why Zanu-PF remains a force in Zimbabwe
13 years ago | 9180 Views
As the Zanu-PF conference has just ended in Bulawayo, it is critical that we examine the factors that have led the former liberation movement to continue dominating the political arena and how it has remained relevant. Founded on socialist ideological principles, which among other things emphasised the need for equality among all races, tribes or classes in a typical egalitarian set up, the party has managed to remain relevant in that it has adapted to the dynamics within the social, political and economic frontiers through the enunciation of policies that favour the previously marginalised black majority.
At the formation of both Zapu and later Zanu, nationalist aspirations were dominant while ideology was less defined as the enemy was clearly identifiable as the white minority regime and their black puppets.
The intensification of the armed struggle and the polarisation of forces coupled with a desire to look beyond the horizon, it became necessary to define the parameters within which the struggle was to be prosecuted and prepare the cadres for a post-independence role. Upon the attainment of independence and the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987 between Zanu and Zapu, the two parties affirmed the united party's guiding ideology as socialism.
However, this affirmed brand of socialism does not put emphasis on class struggle as it gives socialism a democratic dimension, which was absent from the bureaucratic despotism, which led to the collapse of a number of Governments and parties in Eastern Europe.
This brand of socialism is also accommodative of both the private and public sector working in sympathy with each other and not in contradiction. The two are partners in development and should not be regarded as antagonistic forces.
The socialism espoused by Zanu-PF is a socio-economic philosophy which guarantees freedom of the Press, expression, association, assembly, independence of the judiciary and the existence and adherence of the rule of law.
The protection, security, development, happiness and the satisfaction of the basic needs of the individual are central to its beliefs. As true adherents of this socio-economic philosophy, Zanu-PF is totally opposed to tribalism, regionalism, ethnic chauvinism, factionalism, racism, nepotism and corruption.
It is this brand of socialism that has continued to be the guiding principle of Zanu-PF and to a greater extent has received tremendous support from the majority of Zimbabweans especially those in rural areas who easily identify with the party as not just home-grown but also has their interests at heart.
But the fact that Zanu-PF embraces a socialistic identity does not answer fully why it has continued to enjoy tremendous support among the majority of Zimbabweans 31 years after independence.
Why have Zimbabweans continued to invest their confidence in this party long denounced by Britain and its allies as undemocratic and a violator of human rights? The gullible lot in MDC would believe that Zanu-PF has continued being popular through unorthodox coercive means. Nothing can be further from the truth. Zanu-PF has continued to dominate the political arena despite demonisation of President Mugabe and his party because its policies have remained focused on mass empowerment as opposed to merely being just "bass boys".
Another undisputable factor that has made Zanu-PF remain popular and more visible is that it is structurally strong given its grassroots support, which manifests itself through cells, branches, districts up to provincial levels. Zanu-PF through its charismatic and revolutionary leader President Mugabe has over the years convinced the electorate that it is the only party capable of fulfilling the aspirations of the liberation struggle. It scored major successes in education, indigenising the judiciary, local governance system and other various other facets of the nation-state.
It has been clear from the electorate's point of view that voting for Zanu-PF will ensure that the country, its wealth, its resources, its land and its sovereignty do not revert back to colonial Britain, white Rhodesians or its black sell-outs in the opposition.
It is also important to highlight that Zanu-PF has remained popular because at independence the party showed the way in espousing national reconciliation, a policy which called for forgiveness among all Zimbabweans. The then Prime Minister Mugabe called for guns to be turned into ploughshares, a policy that ensures that the country remained peaceful and stable.
There are very few African leaders with such kind of visionary leadership like that of President Mugabe.
As a democratic revolutionary party, Zanu-PF is not averse to multi-party politics as exemplified by the emergence and participation of a number of parties including the MDC-T in the governance of the country.
However, the participation of these parties especially the MDC-T does not diminish the fact that they are the brainchild of Western governments with a clear agenda of installing a malleable regime in Zimbabwe.
MDC suffers from ideological bankruptcy as their leader is more focused on job creation instead of mass empowerment. MDC lacks an ideological foundational basis as it is made up of a hotchpotch of individuals with varying interests.
There is also an evident crisis of leadership within MDC-T as its leader Morgan Tsvangirai lacks the aptitude and astuteness to manage not just the affairs of the country but his own personal affairs as shown by the way he has handled his relationship with Locadia Karimatsenga.
MDC has survived to this day through the benevolence of Zanu-PF, which gave it a lifeline through the inclusive government after its leader had boycotted the second round of Presidential elections in 2008.
It is with such a rich history of serving the people that Zanu-PF must emerge from the conference much more invigorated, inspired, solid and raring to govern.
- Lovemore Ranga Mataire
At the formation of both Zapu and later Zanu, nationalist aspirations were dominant while ideology was less defined as the enemy was clearly identifiable as the white minority regime and their black puppets.
The intensification of the armed struggle and the polarisation of forces coupled with a desire to look beyond the horizon, it became necessary to define the parameters within which the struggle was to be prosecuted and prepare the cadres for a post-independence role. Upon the attainment of independence and the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987 between Zanu and Zapu, the two parties affirmed the united party's guiding ideology as socialism.
However, this affirmed brand of socialism does not put emphasis on class struggle as it gives socialism a democratic dimension, which was absent from the bureaucratic despotism, which led to the collapse of a number of Governments and parties in Eastern Europe.
This brand of socialism is also accommodative of both the private and public sector working in sympathy with each other and not in contradiction. The two are partners in development and should not be regarded as antagonistic forces.
The socialism espoused by Zanu-PF is a socio-economic philosophy which guarantees freedom of the Press, expression, association, assembly, independence of the judiciary and the existence and adherence of the rule of law.
The protection, security, development, happiness and the satisfaction of the basic needs of the individual are central to its beliefs. As true adherents of this socio-economic philosophy, Zanu-PF is totally opposed to tribalism, regionalism, ethnic chauvinism, factionalism, racism, nepotism and corruption.
It is this brand of socialism that has continued to be the guiding principle of Zanu-PF and to a greater extent has received tremendous support from the majority of Zimbabweans especially those in rural areas who easily identify with the party as not just home-grown but also has their interests at heart.
But the fact that Zanu-PF embraces a socialistic identity does not answer fully why it has continued to enjoy tremendous support among the majority of Zimbabweans 31 years after independence.
Why have Zimbabweans continued to invest their confidence in this party long denounced by Britain and its allies as undemocratic and a violator of human rights? The gullible lot in MDC would believe that Zanu-PF has continued being popular through unorthodox coercive means. Nothing can be further from the truth. Zanu-PF has continued to dominate the political arena despite demonisation of President Mugabe and his party because its policies have remained focused on mass empowerment as opposed to merely being just "bass boys".
Another undisputable factor that has made Zanu-PF remain popular and more visible is that it is structurally strong given its grassroots support, which manifests itself through cells, branches, districts up to provincial levels. Zanu-PF through its charismatic and revolutionary leader President Mugabe has over the years convinced the electorate that it is the only party capable of fulfilling the aspirations of the liberation struggle. It scored major successes in education, indigenising the judiciary, local governance system and other various other facets of the nation-state.
It has been clear from the electorate's point of view that voting for Zanu-PF will ensure that the country, its wealth, its resources, its land and its sovereignty do not revert back to colonial Britain, white Rhodesians or its black sell-outs in the opposition.
It is also important to highlight that Zanu-PF has remained popular because at independence the party showed the way in espousing national reconciliation, a policy which called for forgiveness among all Zimbabweans. The then Prime Minister Mugabe called for guns to be turned into ploughshares, a policy that ensures that the country remained peaceful and stable.
There are very few African leaders with such kind of visionary leadership like that of President Mugabe.
As a democratic revolutionary party, Zanu-PF is not averse to multi-party politics as exemplified by the emergence and participation of a number of parties including the MDC-T in the governance of the country.
However, the participation of these parties especially the MDC-T does not diminish the fact that they are the brainchild of Western governments with a clear agenda of installing a malleable regime in Zimbabwe.
MDC suffers from ideological bankruptcy as their leader is more focused on job creation instead of mass empowerment. MDC lacks an ideological foundational basis as it is made up of a hotchpotch of individuals with varying interests.
There is also an evident crisis of leadership within MDC-T as its leader Morgan Tsvangirai lacks the aptitude and astuteness to manage not just the affairs of the country but his own personal affairs as shown by the way he has handled his relationship with Locadia Karimatsenga.
MDC has survived to this day through the benevolence of Zanu-PF, which gave it a lifeline through the inclusive government after its leader had boycotted the second round of Presidential elections in 2008.
It is with such a rich history of serving the people that Zanu-PF must emerge from the conference much more invigorated, inspired, solid and raring to govern.
- Lovemore Ranga Mataire
5
Tags:
Comments
Anonymous user 13 years
whilst i appreciate the facts of the 80s,i disagree with the rest,black empowerment should benefit the ordinary men not zanu pf bigwigs,as evidenced by people like Themba mliswa.the policy can remain suspicious when we see new players coming in,in the form of new broadcasters in the mould of Supa mandiwanzira this sucks
Anonymous user 13 years
THIS ATICLE IS CRAP AND THIS WRITER IS EITHER A MEMBER OF THE YOUTH BRIGADES
OR A ZANUPF MILITIA. ZANUPF HAS SURVIVED UP THIS DAY THROUGH VIOENCE TORTURE, MURDER, GENOCIDE,INTOLERANCE AND THE MUDEROUS DICTATORIAL MUGABE WHO HAS MADE IT HIS GOAL TO KILL, TORTURE BEAT UP, JAIL ANYONE WITHOUT TRIAL WHO STANDS IN HIS WAY. HIS HAS MADE NONSENSE OF THE LAW AND TURNED THE ONCE PROSPEROUS COUNTRY OF ZIMBABWE INTO A NATION OF STARVING,.POOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW NO SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND REDUCED OUR PEOPLE TO REFUGEES IN COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD. HE HAS STOLEN ELECTIONS THROUGH RIGGING, VIOLENCE, FRAUD,FORGERY AND MUGABE IS A SHAMELESS DICTATOR AND MURDERER WHOSE RULE OF FEAR WILL COME TO AN END VERY SOON. THE SAME FATE WAITS FOR HIM AND HIS HENCHMAN LIKE THE ONE WHICH MET GADAFFI.THE BLOOD OF OUR RELATIONS IS CRYING OUR FROM THE SOIL . THIS ARTICLE IS A PACK OF GROVELLING SHAMEFUL LIES WRITTEN BY BY A MUGABE ASS LICKING TRASH ON THE SAME MOULDAS THE POLITICAL PROSTITUTE JONATHAN MOYO.
OR A ZANUPF MILITIA. ZANUPF HAS SURVIVED UP THIS DAY THROUGH VIOENCE TORTURE, MURDER, GENOCIDE,INTOLERANCE AND THE MUDEROUS DICTATORIAL MUGABE WHO HAS MADE IT HIS GOAL TO KILL, TORTURE BEAT UP, JAIL ANYONE WITHOUT TRIAL WHO STANDS IN HIS WAY. HIS HAS MADE NONSENSE OF THE LAW AND TURNED THE ONCE PROSPEROUS COUNTRY OF ZIMBABWE INTO A NATION OF STARVING,.POOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW NO SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND REDUCED OUR PEOPLE TO REFUGEES IN COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD. HE HAS STOLEN ELECTIONS THROUGH RIGGING, VIOLENCE, FRAUD,FORGERY AND MUGABE IS A SHAMELESS DICTATOR AND MURDERER WHOSE RULE OF FEAR WILL COME TO AN END VERY SOON. THE SAME FATE WAITS FOR HIM AND HIS HENCHMAN LIKE THE ONE WHICH MET GADAFFI.THE BLOOD OF OUR RELATIONS IS CRYING OUR FROM THE SOIL . THIS ARTICLE IS A PACK OF GROVELLING SHAMEFUL LIES WRITTEN BY BY A MUGABE ASS LICKING TRASH ON THE SAME MOULDAS THE POLITICAL PROSTITUTE JONATHAN MOYO.
Anonymous user 13 years
A rich history of killng and turturing your people is what MUGABE AND HIS PARTY OF THIEVES AND MURDERERS HAS. Where isthe Zimbabwean currency? Whee is Zimbabwean prosperity.They inherited the richest country in Africa fron Ian Smith (DESPITE SANCTIONS).The Rhodeisan dollar was valuable than the British pound. They stole, they looted, they killed their own people to maintain their grip on power. Zimbabwe is now one of the poorest countries in th world with its people scattere as exiles of poverty, torture, persecution, and genocide all ovr the world. What a shameless saliva drooling old murderous filth mugabe is. Lying to all the world that the west is making zimbabwe poor. He conveniently forgets its the British who put him in power, the thieving old mummy. Now he and his concubine Grace have more than 15 farms between them. We all remember how as Sally Mugabe lay dying nextdoor Mugabe was having an affair Grace Marufu, a woman married to an Air force pilot. Mugabe your time is near.Zimbabwe is not your kingdom. we need to live free from fear, from being killed, tortured, stalked, free from hunger, free from lies and free from this burden of poverty and suffering you have foisttered upon. YU ARE NEXT.
Anonymous user 9 years
you one good writer and political analyst Mr. Mataire...i think you need to write more of these articles for our fellow lost Zimbabweans to know what ZANU PF is all about and where it is heading..respect!!
What iBlog
-
Chancellor breaks Grade 7 national record, Only one pupil fails
Posted: 2013 December 22 | 52346 Views -
Political rights in Zimbabwe according to the New Constitution
Posted: 2013 December 22 | 13546 Views -
Bulawayo swears in councillors
Posted: 2013 September 16 | 10947 Views -
Bulawayo remains with 3 out of 5 dams
Posted: 2013 September 11 | 9677 Views -
Tsvangirai qinisa umuzi wakho njenge ndoda
Posted: 2013 August 03 | 34845 Views -
Matabeleland South MDC-T youths lashes out at Mugabe
Posted: 2013 July 26 | 25200 Views -
Ubuntu Edge - Formula One of smartphones
Posted: 2013 July 23 | 11552 Views -
Mujuru's family missed Baba Jukwa's story
Posted: 2013 July 11 | 37599 Views -
Zanu-PF already trying to 'rig polls' according to Baba Jukwa
Posted: 2013 July 10 | 13573 Views -
Prophet Uebert Angel's birthday message to wife!
Posted: 2013 July 06 | 191351 Views -
Has Bob changed the lock again?
Posted: 2013 July 05 | 9276 Views -
Baba Jukwa warns of a 'huge plan to poison' Zim students in SA
Posted: 2013 July 02 | 25366 Views -
Special voting set for July 14 and 15
Posted: 2013 July 02 | 10376 Views -
Microsoft releases Windows 8.1, brings back 'start' button
Posted: 2013 June 27 | 11574 Views -
Africa: Population to double by 2050
Posted: 2013 June 10 | 9496 Views -
Harare man demands sex from mother-in-law
Posted: 2013 June 10 | 24104 Views -
Half of UK will be diagnosed with cancer in 7 yrs time - Charity
Posted: 2013 June 08 | 10577 Views -
Google bans Porn App on Google Glass
Posted: 2013 June 04 | 9523 Views
Categories
Friends
Read Full Discussion