The Fall of an elected dictator

RUNAWAY TRAIN

I can safely say this country was like a runaway train. Yes Zimbabwe, with Robert Mugabe in charge, was a train that had suddenly gone loose. No controls, no one in charge. 

We were on a runaway train until the palace coup.The interface rallies were like adding fuel to a runaway train. Something had to give!! The soldiers brought the runaway train to a screeching halt.

THE COUP AND THE CRIMINALS

The criminals around the former president of Zimbabwe were the target of the so-called palace coup. The criminals were the gang that had been elected and mandated to represent the people of Zimbabwe in parliament.

 These criminals had assumed superpowers. They were literally unstoppable and rude. The ruling party had been hijacked. Ethics and principles were thrown out of the window.


IT IS A ZANU THING

I will always take the coup (which technical was not a coup) as a political manoeuvre. It was a process of reinventing ZANU-PF as a revolutionary party. The executive arm of government had to rearrange and recall the party leadership in order assert and reinforce the founding principles of Chimurenga. The principles and ideology had been hijacked by a cabal of wayward individuals within the ruling party. It was the brave and bold move by people in the rank and file of Zanupf.

REASONS FOR THE CELEBRATION 

The people were celebrating the ouster of Robert Mugabe for very different reasons. The reasons for the coup was lost in the noise and colour of the crowds. Some were celebrating for a return to Rhodesia, some were celebrating the fall of Grace, some were celebrating the fall of an elected dictator and some just wanted to shake the hands of the soldiers. It was a crazy crowd.

The army reassured the sober people in the crowd that the purpose of the palace coup was to restore the liberation struggle legacy. The reason for the coup was to bring order to the ruling party and nothing else!!

ZANU PF ON THE ROLL 

The coup has not only given ZANU-PF a new leadership, it has given the party a new impetus. The opposition is afraid of losing the next elections. The coup did not work in favour of the opposition. The opposition and the Rhodesian settlers elements had anticipated chaos in ZANU-PF after the unceremonious departure of Robert Mugabe. It did not happen, this has not gone down well with the opposition.

We have people churning out the tribal card on Gukurahundi. We have people in the opposition going to the USA and EU calling for an extension of sanctions against Zimbabwe. We have people labelling and denigrating a sitting president. It is the usual election rhetoric, which does not win elections and the respect of the people of Zimbabwe. for the opposition.

The people of Zimbabwe are tired of the rhetoric from the opposition, can the opposition concentrate on winning elections. Can it stop complaining and start campaigning? The people have had enough over the years.

Asante sane!!!

Who was Robert Mugabe?

                                                                                 Education

Robert Mugabe's education policies have produced accountants, magistrates, pharmacists, lawyers and engineers. Black Zimbabweans with skills are in demand all over the world and credit should be given to Robert Mugabe for creating and nurturing a robust education system.

A point to note is that Zimbabwe had one university at independence and it now has over a dozen universities. 

                                                                          Land Reform Programme
The Rhodesian settlers have called Robert Mugabe Land Reform program chaotic and violent. It is a fact that the land was allocated and distributed according to the laws of Zimbabwe. The land reform was not a failure as portrayed in the western media. Various researchers have proved that though not a huge success the land reform was not a failure.

 Previously disadvantaged Zimbabweans now have land. Zimbabweans had waited for up to 20 years after independence for land.

Britain the former colonial ruler of Zimbabwe to refused to support land redistribution, throwing peace-loving Zimbabweans into an ugly race row, going on to tarnish the image of the country contributing to an economic meltdown from the year 2000 to the present day.  


                                                                Peace
Despite attempts by apartheid South Africa and some Rhodesians to sponsor rebel armed groups just after independence contributing to the Gukurahundi disturbances, Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe has been hugely a safe and peaceful country, contributing to ending wars in Mozambique, DRC and other African countries. Zimbabwe boasts of a well-trained security sector which has contributed to peace in the country despite years of sanctions-induced hardships.

                                                                                    Liberation struggle
Robert Mugabe was imprisoned for 11 years in Ian Smith's jails fighting for the rights of all people.Robert Mugabe took over the leadership of ZANU in 1975. He changed ZANU into a well-administered fighting machine and his leadership culminated in the surrendering of the Rhodesian settlers. 

                                                                                             
                                                                                            Time to go 

While we all agree that it is time for Mugabe to leave, it is paramount and imperative for us Zimbabweans to recognize him as an icon, a great statesman and the founding father of this great nation.

The Coup and The Sanctions Call

THE COUP

The coup (which to me was never a coup) latent strategic objectives was to stabilise the economy and to woo back the international community and allow for internal cohesion. The patent objective was to protect our national interests and to remove undesirable elements in the legislative arm of government. It was a coup carried out by the Executive arm of government with the sole aim of bringing order in the ruling party Zanu Pf.

RHODESIAN CELEBRATES

The white supremacists and their fellow kitchen niggers in the diaspora and at home anxiously anticipated that Mnangagwa incorporates Morgan Tsvangirai in his government. The white faces in that infamous march to the State House were a true show of the hatred that the Rhodesians have of Robert Mugabe. President Munangagwa made the right decision to exclude the white supremacists sponsored MDC alliance.It would have been a  political disaster to bring the sellout party into government.

 SANCTIONS EXTENDED

It is important to note that the subsequent visit and invitation to the USA Senate of the likes of Tendai Biti, Nelson Chamisa, Dewa Mavhinga and the die-hard Rhodesian Godwin is a repeat of what was done in the year 2000. The USA imposed crippling economic sanctions against Zimbabwe.

The sanctions brought about massive economic meltdown for the period 2000 to 2017. The MDC alliance has stupidly pointed out the economic meltdown as a result of Robert Mugabe of misrule.

THE PEOPLE RALLYING POINT

The people of  Zimbabwe have despite the economic meltdown remained united as a nation.

It is important that the extension of sanctions will not bring Zimbabwe to its knees as the MDC alliance wishes. The sanctions are a rallying point for Zimbabweans as seen by the reaction of people on social media.The ideas of freedom, economic progress, justice and equality have kept Zimbabweans united. Let the MDC alliance know, Zimbabweans are incredibly resilient, they will soldier on, despite the extension of the sanctions.

MDC  SCORES OWN GOAL

 It is a fact that a resurgent Zanu-PF, cannot fix the economy alone. ZANU Pf as the ruling party now needs to engage the international community. The MDC alliance is aware that they do not stand a chance come next general election, so the sanctions are a weapon against ZANU Pf and a direct act of blackmail against the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe. The sanctions are the barrier between Zimbabwe and the international community, we can not have economic progress.

The move to call for the extension of the economic sanction by MDC is an own goal!!!

THE CROCODILE AS A RISING STAR

Mr Mnangagwa who had successfully sold himself to the international community, as an uncompromising reformer given the audacious vision he pronounced during his inauguration. The vision included reigning on fiscal indiscipline, stamping out corruption and nepotism, arresting criminals and immediately revamping the economy. The MDC alliance sends their envoys to the USA because they know that ZANU Pf has outsmarted them this time around. The MDC alliance stands no chance against Zanu Pf without the sanctions blackmail.

Zimbabwe let us say no to sanctions.

God bless Zimbabwe.

Robert Mugabe The Legacy

The Legacy of a Great Statesman
Robert Mugabe legacy is his belief in his people. He believed that the Zimbabweans are capable of running their country. He believed Zimbabwean should own their national resources. He believed they are the best people to exploit and benefit from the natural resources of this country.

The economist in Robert Mugabe believed that if Zimbabweans were empowered through education first they will be masters of their economy.

Education And Health
The early years of independence Robert Mugabe's government thrust was to invest in education and health. The results were immediate and were reflected in the drastic falls in child mortality rates and a sharp increase in literacy rates.

The success of these policies is a legacy that will continuously benefit our nation for many generations in our future.We have the basis to develop world-class educational and health facilities.

Land Reform
Robert Mugabe approach on land reform policy was unorthodox to say it mildly. Nowhere in modern history has an indigenous group of people taken land legally from colonial settlers.

 It could not be done in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland, Wales or the USA. It was so radical but politically correct, that the United Nations could not sanction Robert Mugabe on the land reform programme.

 It was left to the nations that still had settlers on indigenous lands to impose racist sanctions on Robert Mugabe the person and on Zimbabwe as a nation. Land reform is one of Mugabe's lasting legacy.

Indigenisation
The belief that Robert Mugabe has in the abilities of the indigenous people of Zimbabwe manifested itself as the indigenisation policy. This was a deliberate move to empower black Zimbabweans and make them the masters of their country resources.
The indigenisation policy is one of Robert Mugabe's legacy, it is up to us as Zimbabwean. Robert has incalculated the enterprise spirit into each and every Zimbabwean.

Peace And Security

Zimbabwe has been under security threat since 1980, especially from the former South African apartheid regime and the disempowered Rhodesian settlers. There was a deliberate move to create strong security institutions to protect our sovereignity and territorial intergrity.
It is these security institutions that have contributed to peace and security in the country.

Of Bedroom , Palace and Executive Coups

I will not say, I told you so. I am just a social commentator and I am not a prophet. The people who follow this blog have asked me to give an overview of the current situation in the country. I will assure you (especially my friends in the diaspora) we are in very safe hands of the Government of Zimbabwe. The situation is stable and calm.

I will like to tell you what led us to where we are. It started a long time ago

The Bedroom Coup

Jabulani Sibanda got fired for telling the nation that a certain woman was meddling in the affairs of the country. This was well before the youth interface rallies project.

These youth rallies had the sinister and selfish objective of pushing the agenda of individuals and character assassination of certain individuals.The youth interface rallies were the medium of transforming the bedroom coup to a palace coup. Jabulani Sibanda had the last laugh!!

 The patent objective of these rallies was for the President to meet with youths and bond with them, but the latent objective was to push the First Lady into the Presidium of ZANU Pf and subsequently smuggle her into government.It was a good scheme for the individuals but a disaster for the Nation.

 The Palace Coup

ZANU Pf support base was becoming a ball tossed between the so-called factions. Party committees would be unilateral be suspended at the whim of individuals. Parallel structures within the party were created to destroy and kill the party's procedures and due processes.

These acts were being done live at the interface rallies. Insubordination and indiscipline had become the order of the day. Direct insults were being hurled at party members at the interface rallies and subsequently be broadcasted on public media unedited.

Members of the Presidium were not spared of the insults and threats, and this resulted in the dismissal of one of them. It was a palace coup!! The interface rallies triggered the palace coup and Zimbabweans were left wondering what was happening.

The Executive Coup

It is dangerous in government for one of the three arms to interfere in the running of another. In our case as Zimbabwean, the Legislature via the so-called factions was direct interfering with the duties of the Executive.

We had a permanent secretary tossed and insulted at a youth interface rally. We had some people openly inviting the generals to shoot them! We even had babies threatening permanent secretaries of ministries and government departments!! Something had to give in!!

 Something had to be done, and the only permanent arm of Government, that is the Executive has the power to stop all this chicanery in order to protect our national interest, dignity and sovereignty. It is the Executive mandate and duty!!

God bless Zimbabwe!

The Traditional leaders And White Supremacists

The government recent statutory gesture of giving motor vehicles to traditional leaders have received negative publicity. The opposition and the so-called independent media have been at the forefront of painting this gesture in negative colours. I wish to highlight the source of the negativity.

History and Traditional Leaders

Is it about the Chiefs' motor vehicles only?

Traditional leadership was the first African institution to be attacked by the colonialist.  Traditional leaders like Kaguvi, Nehanda and Chingaira were killed in order to pave way for the colonial rule.

 The direct attack on these institutions was to weaken the indigenous belief in their traditions and leadership. The attack on the Chiefs and spirit mediums was to destroy the original systems of belief and governance and the fabric that made up the pre-colonial Zimbabwe.

The likes of Chingaira and other chiefs rebelled against the colonial settlers because the fabric of their society,  religion, land and traditions were under external threats.

It is the crushing the African spirit

External Threats

The threats to our nations today is not internal it is external,  sponsored by the very people who colonised Zimbabwe. The threats of our time are the sanctions, where proceeds of international trade of Zimbabwean companies are being ceased by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the USA. 

The threats are in the form of cutting lines of credit from international financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The threats are the continual barrage of misinformation from the white supremacists' media propaganda from the likes of Voice of America, British Broadcasting Corporation and local sponsored tabloids.

 
The recent outcry from the media on the provision of motor vehicles to the Chiefs in these media is a knee-jerk response by the external sponsored opposition. The opposition is parroting the colonial narrative and degrading the institutions of our Chiefs.

Uprising Reloaded

It is an invasion of African space

The opposition is not only attacking the Chiefs, but they are also attacking all our traditional institutions. The attack is also aimed at the rural voters. This rhetoric has in the past caused the opposition to lose the rural votes.

The rural voters will not take the attack on their traditional leaders lightly. They will remember the opposition in the voting booth.

It will be another Chimurenga. It will be another uprise against the people who have no respect for their traditional institutes and culture.

The Ceremonial Role and Thought Leadership of Chiefs

Chiefs are not only ceremonial heads of the rural space, but they are thought leaders as well. The Chiefs just like the Queen of England has a lot of political and economic say over the welfare of their subject.

Chiefs are alpha and omega in all traditional rites, from the birth to death the rural person life has milestones that are tied to the chieftainship of the place of his existence.

It is this spiritual hold on the rural population that chiefs that the white supremacists led opposition are afraid of. The hostility was echoed at rallies by Morgan Tsvangirai in the 2013 elections campaign where he threatened to "deal" with Chiefs who supported ZANU Pf. It was a stupid thing to say at a rally, and as a result, he lost those elections.

The Land Issue and Traditional Leaders

It is about land ownership

Traditional leadership stance on the land reform program is another reason why Chiefs are receiving a lot of flack from the pro-white supremacists' settlers media. 

The land is held in trust by Chiefs on behalf of the community. Land which was reclaimed from the Settlers is now directly or indirectly controlled by the Chiefs. It is this very act that the white settlers and their sponsored supporters are not happy with.

Respect the Chiefs

The cry in the opposition camp about the Chiefs' motor vehicles is all about people who are undermining our Chiefs authority and dignity. The cry is from people who have no respect for our culture and traditions.

I am begging all citizens of Zimbabwe to respect the civic and traditional role of the Chiefs. It is our civic duty!!

The Reason for Coalition Failures

There is a great danger that the so-called grand coalition of opposition parties is not going to happen anytime soon. The coalition time is running out. The reason for the failure of the coalition are many but I have decided to highlights a few.




The Dummy Parties and Coalition

There are parties that form the opposition that are are dummies. These are parties that are like shelf companies or briefcase companies. They come into the light once an election is announced. They are set up specifically for donor money and donor sympathy.

A dummy party can only survive where there is money it does not need supporters. It might not even need a leader. Its lifespan begins when elections are announced and ends on polling day. These are parties like Mawambo or the very recently formed APA Zimbabwe created by Dr Nkosana Moyo.

We will be seeing a lot of these dummy parties in the following months.These parties add no value to the opposition cause even if they join a coalition.

The White Supremacists Money and the Coalition

The Rhodesians are still around, remember that they said, Rhodesia is forever. You will not see them directly in our elections, but their money will be in play.It was Rhodesian money that set up the original MDC in 1999. It is the Rhodesian white supremacist monies that have brought back the likes of Biti and Ncube back to the original MDC.

When the like of Joice Mujuru went to London, it was to beg for money from the white supremacists.She promised on  BBC to give them back the land, that is if she wins. She visited Chatham House to brief the white supremacists.

Here the white supremacists are confused as on whom to fund. The white supremacists usual bet Morgan Tsvangirai is sick and dying but is holding on to the MDC leadership. Joice Mujuru because of her revolutionary background, her former role in government and her character does not make her the former white settlers favourite to bet their monies on. She makes the white supremacists nervous and very uncomfortable.

The white Rhodesian supremacists' money for the coalition is definitely not coming easily this time

The Coalition of Joice Mujuru and the MDCs

This coalition of Joice Mujuru and the MDC was bound to suffer a stillbirth. The coalition is like mixing oil and water.

 The difference lies in the history of founders and foundation of the two parties. MDC was formed as a direct reaction by white supremacists settlers to Mugabe's land reform programme. Joice Mujuru's party was formed when she was expelled from the Zimbabwe People First, not ZANU pf, as some would say.

The differences go further.Joice Mujuru is a Chimurenga war veteran, while Tsvangirayi was imposed on MDC by the Rhodesians to cross-dress as a labour leader and a champion of the Rhodesian anti-land reform programme.

We will not have Tsvangirai and Mujuru sleeping in the same bed, not in this election!



The Brand name Parties and Coalition

Brand politics leads to brand tied parties.Let us start with a party called MDC-T. This a party that Morgan Tsvangirayi lead is going to die as soon as Tsvangirayi leaves it. It can not have a life after its leader quits politics.

These parties like dummy parties have very few but loyal supporters. Parties that are led by the likes of Hosea Chipanga, Egypty Munhenzva and others, can not form a coalition because they are afraid to be associated with ideologies that differ from theirs.

These parties are also afraid of being diluted and disempowered in a coalition. It is a fear that makes almost every opposition party hate to be members of a coalition.

Do we as Zimbabweans really need a coalition if we have credible opposition parties?