The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
ZANU-PF’s call for unity is absolutely essential and though most politicians cannot trust each other, intra-party conflicts must respect the democratic decisions and programmatic vision of the party.
Though participatory intra-party democracy implies that individual members should voice their views and that conflicts may occur time and again over differences in perceptions, personal rivalries for positions and influence, these should not blur President Mugabe’s vision for unity and economic recovery set at the just ended 16th Annual National People’s Conference in Masvingo.
Air of confrontation and competition defined the run up to the ZANU PF Conference that rumours were awash with many not expecting the good to come out of Nazareth. Yes differences existed, and emotions were high as to whether the Vice Presidents of the party should be elected or appointed.
President Mugabe set the tone for a party that always gets its direction from him and left no one with any illusion that ZANU-PF was there to stay, in its united form, irrespective of differences that erupt from time to time, and merely represent passing phases known to visit any tried, tested and trusted party.
Political analyst Ishe Donald Kamba Makoni said in emphasising unity of the party, President Mugabe was clear that the party had the necessary internal remedies to uphold interests as well as address concerns and anxieties.
He added that it was important for members of the party to resolve their differences amicably, and that members needed to consult their structures to this end.
“What was positive about the conference is that members of the party appreciated the need to regroup, re-strategize, refocus in order to prepare for the 2018 plebiscite with one voice, and thus scuttle chances for the opposition to pose a threat to the ruling administration.
“As a way forward there is need to tackle regionalism and factionalism, desist from imposition of leaders, and maintain vigilance at all times. In addition, it behoves the party to increase, and improve on the existing levels of discipline, and avoid emotional and damaging utterances against each other. As the President aptly put it, juniors had a duty to respect their leaders in the same way as leaders had to respect their juniors,” said Mr Makoni.
Mr Makoni said the social media can either build or destroy the party.
“In the circumstances, the social media is here to stay, and, must be used to criticise, within reasonable bounds, with a view to exposing shortcomings and inadequacies of the party, while suggesting possible, and plausible remedies to identified areas needing address or redress.,” said Mr Makoni.
The call for one voice and heart culture is noble because only a united ZANU-PF can be assured of a first place in the business of politics of the country.
In a big organisation like ZANU-PF, conflicts are inevitable and legitimate, but must be argued out in a correct and responsible manner. Dissent and bickering which exceed legal, constitutional and moral limits should not be tolerated.
It might, therefore, also be a sign of strength when a party accepts the differences in opinions and does not choke them off due to the popular call for unity.
As much as intra-party debates and controversies can be a demonstration of a vibrant party life, as election campaigns approach, the party should either solve or postpone its intra-party conflicts and present itself with a unified profile.
Unity is the way forward for a house divide within itself cannot stand.
Without unity of purpose, possible political and economic successes, as promised by the party in Masvingo, will evade the nation.
Thus, unity is an absolute necessity.
Nothing should hinder the national harmony.
Unity promotes co-operation and opens opportunity to excellence.
National unity is crucial to lead the nation towards its progress and prosperity. It promotes peace and love in a nation. Where people are united, they can put efforts in elimination of vices like corruption.
ZANU-PF secretary for youth affairs Cde Kudzi Chipanga said youths will shield President Mugabe and the party against dirty and divisive politics propagated by rogue elements within its rank and file.
“While people are free to express their views, they are nevertheless required to be circumspect in their utterances. Focus should be of uniting the party, recruiting new members and retaining existing ones,” said Cde Chipanga.
Cde Chipanga said though, that open confrontation of differences in opinion and conflicts is at times a sign of strength and thriving internal democracy.
“If we are to ever resolve the major problems in the country, particularly the economy, ZANU-PF as the ruling party, must start working together towards the collective good.
This kind of cohesion and cooperation must exist for us to spearhead the economic recovery as agreed in Masvingo,” said Cde Chipanga.
ZANU-PF Central Committee member and Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Mandi Chimene argued that energies of the politicians and internal arguments should not be allowed to interfere with the programmatic vision of the party.
“What was agreed in Masvingo should be implemented on the ground. We should prove that the conference was not a mere talk show by coming together and put party interests ahead of individual interests. Those with ambitions should set them aside to avoid dividing the party. ZANU-PF has no option other than coming together and deliver on the promises it made in Masvingo,” said Cde Chimene.
“The way forward is unity and discipline. Those who think they have their own way of doing things will find themselves on the wrong side of things. We should not slacken,” said Cde Chimene.
The party’s Manicaland deputy chairperson Cde Joseph Mujati said the Masvingo conference gave them an opportunity introspect and refocus on the aspirations of the majority.
Cde Mujati said the past mistakes have taught the party a lesson that a house divided within itself cannot stand.
“It (conference) allowed constructive self-criticism, self-correction as members tackled uncomfortable challenges affecting the party and nation as a whole. It ended on a high note with an absolute call for unity within the party’s rank and file. The lesson going forward is that party should strive and redirect its energies and investments towards building our stockpiles of unity and prosperity for its people,” said Cde Mujati.
The party should come up with economic policies that ensure that even relatively poor people will no longer need to worry about food, employment, clothing, basic medical care, housing and their children’s education.
Youths, women and those with disabilities living at the bottom of the poverty datum line must benefit from Government’s poverty alleviation measures.
