HomeOld_PostsZANU PF Congress: The things we learnt

ZANU PF Congress: The things we learnt

Published on

ANYONE chancing upon the outcome of the ZANU PF 6th National People’s Congress might assume that President Robert Mugabe alone simply marched on over those accused of plotting his ouster through illegal means.
But no, that was not the case, it was the people’s will that prevailed with President Mugabe playing conduit for endorsing the far-reaching decisions made by the people in run-up to the historic gathering last week in Harare.
Many bigwigs fell by the wayside thanks to disillusioned party faithful, so frustrated and aggrieved by this coterie of greedy leaders’ nefarious activities.
Armed with the people’s will, President Mugabe provided the much-needed cutting edge to seal the fates of the rebels.
And the major outcome of the congress was that ZANU PF is back in business.
It was only three months ago that ZANU PF looked headed for a disastrous chapter in its glittering history before the unearthing by First Lady Amai Dr Grace Mugabe of shocking revelations of corruption, manipulation of party structures and assassination attempts.
This was to be a chapter saddled with a corrupt, greedy and anti-people leadership.
There were these understandable fears of such a leadership by the majority.
ZANU PF was doomed, headed towards extinction.
In reality it was to be more of a disoriented stumble: unstable, unconvincing and with almost as many backward steps as forward.
This is what this congress was about, solving and sorting out this mess created by the anti-people leaders in the party.
Despite all these ills afflicting his party, President Mugabe kept his footing and composure.
He led from the front.
There are several things we learnt about ZANU PF during its Congress.
Below are some of the lessons:
1. President Mugabe is the people’s servant
One of the most enduring moment that captured the imagination of many among the over 12 000 delegates who thronged the giant marquee at the Robert Mugabe Square-the venue of the congress, was President Mugabe’s humility and how he draws his strength from the people.
It was when the motion to endorse him as ZANU PF President and First Secretary was about to be moved that he showed his love for his party and its supporters.
In a flash, the strong crowd erupted into song and dance, singing the famous Mbare Chimurenga Choir song ‘Ndimi moga’ with the following lyrics reverberating the main venue.
“Va Mugabe, Va Mugabe, Va Mugabe, ndimi moga baba, ndimi moga baba
“Pakutonga, pakuronga, pakugona, murimukuru mukuru mukuru.”
Humbled, he stood up and acknowledged the crowd by removing his cap and waving to the crowd.
As soon as he got back to his chair, there were chants of ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ made popular by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar Daniel Bryan.
Again President Mugabe stood up and returned the gesture.
During his closing remarks, he made comments that redefined what leadership is all about.
“And the leaders we have, unfortunately many have gone, many are new and the new ones think to be in the party is to be placed in an organisation that will make you rich, no,” he said.
“In fact we want you to bring your own abilities and capacities into the party so the party can fend for your people as a whole.”
“Aiwaka saka musangano ndewegutsaruzhinji hausi wegutsa vaMugabe, hausi wekugutsa Joice Mujuru.”
2. ZANU PF is the people
It has never been in doubt that the power behind President Mugabe’s stay in office is the people and the Congress provided yet another stark reminder to those who have written otherwise that ZANU PF is the people.
When Mashonaland East delegates objected to the Central Committee nominees, President Mugabe duly obliged and directed the province to reconstitute its line-up.
“You are the only province that has raised this concern, but these are the people you gave us,” said President Mugabe.
“We now hear that tadzorera vanhu vaKaukonde (ousted Mashonaland East Provincial chairman).
“If you say they did not come from you, who then elected them?
“We will do as you wish by making sure that new elections are held.”
3. Back to the future for ZANU PF
After suffering the indiscretion of having a crop of people bent on perpetuating their fortunes at the expense of serving the majority, there had to be policy reorientation among the loyal cadres.
And they did not disappoint on this front.
When it started many prophets of doom had predicted it would be what they said a ‘talk show’.
But a perusal of the resolutions made during the congress shows that this was a gathering meant to realign the party ideology, shape the future of the country and forge ahead with programmes meant to uplift the livelihoods of the majority.
That Congress urged ‘Government to facilitate development and implementation of policies that increase and enhance the broad-based inclusive participation of indigenous people in the economy’ shows that far away from the futile attempts to derail the party’s progress, the storm is now over.
It is now back to the future for the ruling party.
As we headed home, one airtime vendor quipped to his colleague: “Party inodiwa nevanhu mhani iyi.”
That is what many feel about ZANU PF.
This will rank as the mother of all congresses.
Let those with ears listen.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest articles

Kariba Municipality commits to President’s service delivery blueprint

By Kundai Marunya IT is rare to find opposition-controlled urban councils throwing their weight on...

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

The contentious issue of race

 By Nthungo YaAfrika AS much as Africans would want to have closure to many of...

More like this

Kariba Municipality commits to President’s service delivery blueprint

By Kundai Marunya IT is rare to find opposition-controlled urban councils throwing their weight on...

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

Discover more from Celebrating Being Zimbabwean

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading