The inescapable truth, which many in that part of the world are failing to grasp is that South Africa is treading on shaky ground in so far as implementing the aspirations of the struggle is concerned; and that as things stand, there is so much that they can learn from ZANU PF.
This view is informed by the tragic notion that seems to have gripped some within the ANC that South Africa is immune to the challenges that every country is facing, especially in Africa, and the misplaced belief that the majority in that country will draw satisfaction from supposedly ‘enjoying’ an economy that is still sadly in the hands of the minority.
South Africa is supposed to be taking lessons from Zimbabwe on how to empower its citizens not behaving like the ‘headmaster’ of the region as some members of the recent ANC delegation which visited the country seem to believe.
Zimbabwe does not owe South Africa anything, if anything it is the latter that should pay gratitude to Zimbabwe for the unconditional support that it gave them during the dark days of apartheid whose remnants have spilt over to create what should now rank as the most unequal nation in the world.
This is why the time to tell each other the truth without fear or favour has come.
And thus comes our point of view.
Despite the agreement that there would certain channels that would be followed to the letter and spirit of the dialogue that took place at ZANU PF headquarters last week, members of the ANC delegation like Ace Magashule and Lindiwe Zulu have gone on to show brazen disregard of diplomacy through the reckless statements they have been uttering to the media in recent times.
Magashule has gained notoriety for characterising Zimbabwe as a ‘province’.
“The meeting is not arranged by ZANU PF. So, those other political parties, we are going to meet them so that we are able to bring together the people of Zimbabwe recognising that they are coming from recent elections and we need peace and stability in that province,” Magashule told the South African media soon after arriving from Zimbabwe on Thursday last week.
It is this kind disrespect that anyone in Government, ZANU PF and Zimbabwe must not tolerate.
Zimbabwe is a sovereign state that has gone through the mill in its quest to empower its people and the results are there for all to see.
The country is currently revelling in the success of revelations that it will harvest nine months’ supply of wheat, in the process saving US$60 million from imports.
With weather forecasts predicting a good rainfall season, intensive preparations have been made for the forthcoming agricultural farming season with the pfumvudza initiative gaining traction among farmers across the country.
While all this is happening, the Zim dollar has for the second successive week firmed against the United States dollar, while prices of goods have remained stable for more than six weeks and in some instances going down.
Across the country, several infrastructural development projects are gaining momentum with Zimbabwe firmly on track to developing its economy by 2021.
This as one would expect, is a message that has eluded Cde Magashule and the motor mouth Zulu who want to see what they say is a ‘crisis’ in Zimbabwe because a few social media activists have said so.
There is an onslaught against liberation movements by Western superpowers and the sooner that message reaches Pretoria the better for us all.
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki was on point when he said, during a SADC Summit in Dar es Salaam in March 2007, that:
“The fight against Zimbabwe is a fight against us all.
“Today it is Zimbabwe, tomorrow it will be South Africa, it will be Mozambique, it will be Angola, it will be any other African country.
“And any government that is perceived to be strong and to be resistant to imperialists would be made a target and would be undermined.
“So tell us not to allow any point of weakness in the solidarity of SADC, because that weakness will also be transferred to the rest of Africa.”
This is why it is equally important to listen to the messages that have been coming from ZANU PF on the conduct of the said ANC officials.
We begin with ZANU PF acting Secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Patrick Chinamasa who reminded Magashule and Zulu on Friday last week that Zimbabwe is not a province of South Africa:
“In the contest of international relations, South Africa is not a big brother to Zimbabwe. It has no overseer role to play in Zimbabwe or in the region. It has no mediatory role to play in South Africa, in Zimbabwe or in other countries and not being a province of South Africa, it follows that there is no interventionist approach to the way that South Africa would relay to us.
“The challenges that the region is facing do not need any outside interference, what Zimbabwe needs is access to capital, which because of sanctions we are unable to have, Zimbabwe has only one option, to lift itself up by way, which we have been doing for the past 20 years.”
Then came ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu who also reminded South Africa that it cannot force its way to Zimbabwe to meet rogue elements in the opposition, the diplomatic community and the so-called civil society.
Said Dr Mpofu:
“The post inter-party dialogue feedback by the ANC affirms the genuine outcome of our dialogue. In light of the expressed revolutionary collegiality underscored in the ANC statement, as ZANU PF we take it upon ourselves to honour the resolutions of our bilateral talks.
As a liberation party we find more comfort in strengthened cordial links with revolutionary sister-establishments in the SADC.
“This further dovetails with our political dialogue standpoint outlined as a cardinal preamble of the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement principle.
The major diplomatic score of our September 9 party-to-party dialogue reinforces Afro-centred designs of political mediation.
“In the process, we are grateful that the attempts to decimate ZANU PF’s heartfelt allegiance to the aspirations of the people have been arrested by the solidarity which the ANC has rendered.”