The Sunday Mail
Lovemore Ranga Mataire in Masvingo —
Far from the usual cynicism from detractors to quickly dismiss the 16th Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference here as nothing but a mere feel-good talkshop, the indaba lived up to its billing, tackling critical issues affecting the ruling party and economic turnaround strategies.
Four critical outcomes proved beyond doubt that Zanu-PF is still the only game in town, with capacity to generate tangible economic revival strategies while dealing with internal discord nuanced within factional politics.
First, much to the chagrin of some pundits, Masvingo, which has been depicted as a hotbed of factional politics, presented formidable unity and successfully hosted the conference.
The province also articulated as much through provincial chairman Amasa Nenjana and Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Shuvai Mahofa.
The provincial chair was on point when he highlighted that unity was sacrosanct and a major catalyst to economic development.
His address was in sync with the conference theme: “Moving with Zim-Asset in Peace and Unity”.
Minister Mahofa reinforced this message, highlighting the infrastructural projects that Masvingo has completed. These include Tokwe-Mukosi Dam, which has now been completed and is full to capacity, and the Beitbridge-Harare highway dualisation deal.
Minister Mahofa had delegates in stitches when she recounted how First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe stopped sacked Vice-President Dr Joice Mujuru as she tried to usurp Zanu-PF leadership.
In terms of presenting a solid, united front focused on ensuring Zanu-PF remains the dominant force in Masvingo, Minister Mahofa and her team had detractors eating humble pie as the Armageddon factional politics that had been forecast never materialised.
Second, President Mugabe’s opening address on Friday exemplified the party’s serious intent in dealing with the economy and internal discord.
In his speech, President Mugabe said the conference theme, which was both timely and relevant, made “matters economical the focal point” of the deliberations that lasted three days.
The conference’s pragmatism as a penultimate gathering was epitomised by the President when he urged delegates “to actively debate and proffer solutions for our country’s economic recovery in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and tourism, among others”.
President Mugabe clearly set the tone for serious deliberations when he called for “robust, frank, informed” ministerial and thematic committee presentations.
He urged delegates to generate solutions to the problems confronting the nation.
“We are our own liberators. We have resources galore. . . We must facilitate projects that grow our economy. We have our Zim-Asset, which lays all the parameters for our economic efforts.”
Apart from discussing the economy, the conference looked at the state of the party, with President Mugabe emphasising that the indaba provided a holistic view that must translate into a broad eye for looking at fundamental issues affecting Zanu-PF.
President Mugabe’s concern for unity is informed by the realisation that any internal discohesion fosters lethargic implementation of Government policies as principal players expend energy on settling personal egoistic interests.
It is out of that realisation of the retrogressive effect of disunity that President Mugabe implored delegates to “look at the party from above and from below, sideways, and also from the various provinces, districts and from the vantage of organs and committees”.
Although the President assured delegates that despite the internal contradictions, the ruling party remained a strong and formidable entity by any account, he, nevertheless, expressed grave concern over the proliferation of needless conflicts which have crept into the party.
He decried what he called a new culture of disrespect, contempt and arrogance against leaders or party decisions. The First Secretary and President said controversies could diminish people’s interest in the party, creating serious apathy.
The fact that President Mugabe emphasised how stability rests on the cohesive operation of party organs indicated that some within its ranks had acted out of sync with the traditional hierarchical and structural order as enshrined in the Zanu-PF constitution.
The third outcome that shredded cynical pundits’ predictions of the indaba being a mere feel-good talkshop was shown by Vice-Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko.
Largely touted as belonging to different factional entities, the two struck a similar cord when they both emphasised the need for unity and for members to be disciplined and have respect for the party’s constitution, including using appropriate forums for resolving grievances.
In his vote of thanks and motion to take note of the Keynote address by the President and First Secretary, Vice-President Mnangagwa reminded delegates of the Victoria Falls 15th National People’s Conference, which urged members to “promote unity in the party at all times and at all levels so as to keep the party intact”.
VP Mnangagwa urged delegates to desist from discussing internal matters in public, and to resolve contradictions and concerns within the framework of established party organs and forums.
Just like VP Mphoko, VP Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was not a disparate collection of tribes or ethnic groups, but was made up of citizens that are all equal before the dictates of the national Constitution.
In his address, VP Mnangagwa constantly referred to VP Mphoko as his brother, a sign of affection and historical bond whose origins date back to the liberation struggle.
In VP Mnangagwa’s analysis, the idea of setting leaders against each other is a manifestation of the imperialists’ tactics.
As if the two had compared notes before their addresses, VP Mphoko denounced secessionist machinations, saying Zimbabwe was a unitary State that celebrates its diversity.
VP Mphoko said, “. . .the unity of the people of Zimbabwe that you signed with the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo should keep on reminding us that on his deathbed, Cde Nkomo emphasised the importance of the unity of the people of Zimbabwe under Zanu-PF.”
VP Mphoko said the ruling party’s constitution clearly states that it was Zapu and Zanu, the two revolutionary parties, that liberated Zimbabwe.
He said the secessionist theory undermines unity, which is Zanu-PF’s foundation.
The fourth and final outcome that proved its solidity as an enduring penultimate forum was marked by the presence of South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa who is also the deputy in charge of the African National Congress.
The significance of his presence stems from the fact that while some vile pundits are fond of portraying Zanu-PF as an unattractive entity, the ANC still values the revolutionary party as one that it shares deep seated interests, principles and vision with.
Deputy President Ramaphosa’s presence is indicative of the realisation of the organic nature of Zanu-PF, not only as an enduring political entity.
Interestingly, Ramaphosa highlighted that besides shared historical bonds, Zanu-PF and the ANC are currently being afflicted by similar challenges of factionalism and corruption.
He said the two needed to share ideas on how best they could deal with the shared challenges and how they can improve the livelihoods of their people.
In essence, the Zanu-PF conference lived up to its billing and once again proved doubters wrong in terms of its organisational capacity in holding such a massive event with more than 6 000 delegates.
Conference articulated pertinent issues affecting the party, devised strategies for economic transformation and received the highest endorsement from the ANC, which sent its second in command.
