It is a saying many of us have heard from the time we were children. It is one of those simple truisms that hold fast throughout the generations.
In much the same way, politicians love the sound of their own voices.
That is something that will never change. And we cannot deride politicians for getting titillated by the noises they make.
Talking is their stock in trade. The tongue is their primary tool of trade. Sound bites are their core trade output.
Some talk brilliantly.
They know how to weave a tapestry of words that can capture a nation’s imagination. They know how to mould language so that it drives a people to greater heights. They cajole, they inspire, they encourage, they shape national character, they reprimand, they guide, they lead.
That is the power of words.
On Friday, President Mugabe — as he has often done and as attested to by his South African colleague Cde Jacob Zuma as reported elsewhere in this publication — once again spoke like the master statesman he is.
Our President set about bringing back order to the chaos that has characterised the national politics of the ruling party since the tweeting frenzy, vainglorious verbosity, boisterous Press conferences and flurry of dubious suspensions started chipping away at the edifice of our nationhood.
We have called on politicians to focus on the important business: fixing the economy and improving people’s standards of living.
And that was the crux of the President’s message last Friday: The language of unity and peace are in the national interest of our collective development.
Indeed words can also have a very powerful negative effect.
And it is unfortunate that for weeks now many Zimbabwean politicians have indulged in this dangerous rhetoric that does nothing to further the national interest.
They prefer the kind of words that firstly sow the ugly seeds of division and discourage economic activity.
Edna St Vincent Millay, in the poem “A Few Figs From Thistles”, captures this myopic fascination with self-destruction thus:
“My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends — It gives a lovely light!”
Some of our politicians have been burning the candle from both ends.
Both the politicians and the spectators who indulge them are thrilled by the light it is giving off. But it will not last the night.
The horrible way in which people have been going about positioning themselves for power while totally ignoring the economy is an exercise in burning the candle from both ends.
The ruling party is being weakened, the State is being afflicted, the economy is being punished.
In 2013 Zanu-PF was given the opportunity, after the nadir of 2008, to set this country back on the road to prosperity.
The party was given five years to do this and the pronouncement of Zim-Asset gave the nation hope. Already, half of that five-year term has been wasted on successionist talk.
About six months ago, President Mugabe enunciated the 10-Point Economic Growth Plan. We may be wrong, but we haven’t heard any politician utter a single syllable related to that in recent weeks.
Instead they burn the candle from both ends.
It is the duty of every Zimbabwean to remind these warring politicians that if they have no constructive words, they should shut up and listen to the voice of the people.
They need to be told the truth. And they must be made to listen.
President Mugabe set the train back on track on Friday.
Let us all keep it chugging in the right direction.
COMMENT: Burning the candle from both ends
The Sunday Mail
Asses love the sound of their own braying.
It is a saying many of us have heard from the time we were children. It is one of those simple truisms that hold fast throughout the generations.
In much the same way, politicians love the sound of their own voices.
That is something that will never change. And we cannot deride politicians for getting titillated by the noises they make.
Talking is their stock in trade. The tongue is their primary tool of trade. Sound bites are their core trade output.
Some talk brilliantly.
They know how to weave a tapestry of words that can capture a nation’s imagination. They know how to mould language so that it drives a people to greater heights. They cajole, they inspire, they encourage, they shape national character, they reprimand, they guide, they lead.
That is the power of words.
On Friday, President Mugabe — as he has often done and as attested to by his South African colleague Cde Jacob Zuma as reported elsewhere in this publication — once again spoke like the master statesman he is.
Our President set about bringing back order to the chaos that has characterised the national politics of the ruling party since the tweeting frenzy, vainglorious verbosity, boisterous Press conferences and flurry of dubious suspensions started chipping away at the edifice of our nationhood.
We have called on politicians to focus on the important business: fixing the economy and improving people’s standards of living.
And that was the crux of the President’s message last Friday: The language of unity and peace are in the national interest of our collective development.
Indeed words can also have a very powerful negative effect.
And it is unfortunate that for weeks now many Zimbabwean politicians have indulged in this dangerous rhetoric that does nothing to further the national interest.
They prefer the kind of words that firstly sow the ugly seeds of division and discourage economic activity.
Edna St Vincent Millay, in the poem “A Few Figs From Thistles”, captures this myopic fascination with self-destruction thus:
“My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends — It gives a lovely light!”
Some of our politicians have been burning the candle from both ends.
Both the politicians and the spectators who indulge them are thrilled by the light it is giving off. But it will not last the night.
The horrible way in which people have been going about positioning themselves for power while totally ignoring the economy is an exercise in burning the candle from both ends.
The ruling party is being weakened, the State is being afflicted, the economy is being punished.
In 2013 Zanu-PF was given the opportunity, after the nadir of 2008, to set this country back on the road to prosperity.
The party was given five years to do this and the pronouncement of Zim-Asset gave the nation hope. Already, half of that five-year term has been wasted on successionist talk.
About six months ago, President Mugabe enunciated the 10-Point Economic Growth Plan. We may be wrong, but we haven’t heard any politician utter a single syllable related to that in recent weeks.
Instead they burn the candle from both ends.
It is the duty of every Zimbabwean to remind these warring politicians that if they have no constructive words, they should shut up and listen to the voice of the people.
They need to be told the truth. And they must be made to listen.
President Mugabe set the train back on track on Friday.
Let us all keep it chugging in the right direction.
CARTOON
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