The Sunday Mail
Gabriel Togarepi —
There is a North African proverb that says, “He who has guts to swallow bones is not afraid of having a bloody behind.”
This is a figurative deciphering that whenever a man takes action, he is ready to face the consequences of the said action. There are, however, circumstances where after swallowing the bones and experiencing excruciating pain, a man bows down and regrets.
Fear of what the piercing bones will do to the intestines will certainly force one to nip their artificial confidence and seek aid from the doctor.
And surely, it will be inconsiderate and ruthless for the doctor to refuse to render aid simply because the patient was stupid enough to do such a thing in the first place.
The same setting applies in our revolutionary party, Zanu-PF, where people of different traits and ages are brought together, patriotism being the common denominator.
Speaking of backgrounds, I am one example of a Zanu-PF progeny whose union with the party is a relationship and not an affair.
In an affair, like boyfriend and girlfriend, any one of the parties involved can chose to end things and that will be that.
In a relationship, like father and son, differences of any magnitude can never nullify the relationship.
Whilst I acknowledge and fully subscribe to the concept of discipline in our politics, I also think it is only but prudent to accept that mistakes and off-sides are bound to be encountered, and that the expulsion of individuals is not always the healthiest way to go.
When I was born in 1990, the calendar read February 21, and I hear my father was so euphoric that it did not take him any effort to think of a name for me.
He named me Gabriel, and I need not explain why.
As I grew up celebrating my birthday on the same day as President Mugabe, I could see the hope on my father’s face; hope that by God’s kindness I could clone at least some of the great man’s characteristics.
I am not qualified to judge whether I show, as yet, any of the great man’s characteristics as it is up to the people around me to pronounce, though I doubt I do.
Growing up and interacting with people from different backgrounds in the political field, mistakes and offsides were bound to come my way.
My youthfulness did not help in any way as I went on to affiliate my physical being to company that I, up to date, regret with a bleeding heart.
I mention only my physical being for the genuine reason that my mind and sense of position was never part of the political offsides that I made.
It was only in the physical.
As I sat in the couch at my father’s home and listened to the radio as my name was being read amongst the expelled Zanu-PF youths, I felt something heavy and blunt skidding down my throat.
I had just lost the only two families that regarded me as a true relative: Zanu-PF and my biological family.
The actions of my physical being had brewed trouble for not just my father, who was a political appointee, but also for my political future.
I started feeling like a step-citizen in my own country, a step-son in my own father’s home, and what happened next was that the inner me took over and I rendered my apology to the party and my President.
Enough of my personal feelings and series of unfortunate events; let me get to the core of my contribution.
Today, I stand expelled from the ruling party at the tender age of 27.
As much as I acknowledge my culpability, I also ask myself (without any disrespect for the relevant bureau that made the decision) if really the meted sentence was what a then 25-year-old remorseful party youth deserved.
I ask myself whether indeed expulsion, after my explanations and admission of guilt, was the best way of whipping me. The behaviour of a 20-year-old cannot be expected to tally with that of a 50-year-old.
The shortcomings of a fellow comrade should not always be met with harsh action that amounts to “kucheka hukama”.
After looking at all the circumstances surrounding my dismissal and also watching as many others were expelled and suspended from the party, I eventually sought solace in what my father used to tell me that Zanu-PF is an entity greater than any individual and a true member would never put their personal interests before those of the party.
He said that is called principle.
Principle is what gave me the nerve to pen this article, expressing myself and assuring my fellow citizens that Zanu-PF is undoubtedly the victor in next year’s general elections.
Politics is voluntary and being expelled from the party does not mean one is not allowed to preach its good gospel and vote for it come election day.
My blood bears Zanu-PF genes and yes, like I mentioned earlier, it’s a matter of a relationship and not an affair.
I could have been pronounced a prodigal son, but surely I continue to be called by my totem, “Shava”.
My party is my treasure; my President is God’s gift to Africa and I am bonded to the party in many inerasable ways.
The temporary differences and cosmetic problems that have been lingering around our party are indeed now coming to an end as the party is now driving towards cementing unity for the good of its people.
The effects of the wise leadership of President Mugabe are now beginning to show as the party moves to exorcise the demon of divisions and engaging the campaign gear.
Any mediums of the evil spirit of division who might have enjoyed a grip on the long rope of self-declared immunity will surely face the necessary ritual of exorcism and, ultimately, President Mugabe will wave the magic wand and drive the party to another victorious election.
Factional practitioners are not healthy for the party, and the Women’s League is on the right track in denouncing factionalism and pledging loyalty to their leader, Amai Grace Mugabe.
Through her leadership, the Women’s League has transformed tremendously, and she has managed to instil the spirit of hard work; driving women empowerment projects to ensure the attainment of Zim-Asset targets.
As a youth, I feel the party needs to re-look some of the punishments meted out on youths who erred.
Most of them are pregnant with remorse, as exhibited by their silence and continuous attendance of party events.
A few have chosen to take the unfortunate route of fighting the party through the media and other forums. The party leadership should adopt the “good doctor” attitude.
Yes, some of the expelled comrades swallowed bones out of immaturity and peer pressure, but is this not the right time to treat them with a dose of reprimand and re-admit them into the family?
Aluta continua!
