ANC looks to the future while Zanu PF anchored in the past

By Moses Chamboko

The only similarity between ZANU PF and ANC’s conferences both held in the month of December 2012 is that they were held in historic locations. Gweru is as significant to ZANU PF as Mangaung is to the ANC.

Beyond that, the conferences were the diametric opposite of each other in terms of outcomes. ZANU PF would argue that because it is only congress that elects new leaders.

Should that be the case, why did we hear of provinces falling over each other in endorsing Gushungo as the sole presidential candidate prior to the conference? Mai Mujuru, John Nkomo and Simon Khaya Moyo were also assured of their seats at the highest table though one of the four was reportedly fighting for his life or recovering at home according to various online media.

Even though he ended up not getting enough votes to win the presidency, Kgalema Motlanthe by any measure, demonstrated that ANC has amadoda sibili (brave men) who can put their hands up for the top job. Though he did so hesitantly, at the end of the day, he challenged Zuma and predictably lost.

The contest for the deputy presidency was even more interesting as we saw very strong candidates in Cyril Ramaphosa, Mathew Phosa and Tokyo Sexwale fighting for their life. Except for the vice secretary general, every other position was contested and the most popular candidate won. Now, that’s democracy.

The Gweru fiasco held in what is now called the Hall of Shame was just a high profile rally for party bigwigs, it would appear. When shall we see Joice Mujuru, Sydney Sekeramai, Emmerson Mnangangwa or any other candidate openly putting up their hand for the top job? Of course not in the near future. The reason? Nothing but fear.

Given that Cyril Ramaphosa has finally bounced back, there is no doubt as to who will be the next president after Jacob Zuma just as it was very clear that Mbeki would take over from Madiba. This is what they call succession planning in successful and strategic organisations.

Since 1977, ZANU has been stuck with one leader who has also been national leader for 32 long years. No matter how good or revered the leader might be, there is certainly no justification for this overdue service. There comes a time when a nation must just move on.

Paradoxically, ZANU PF prayed for Zuma to lose the presidency despite the fact that he has only been at the helm for less than 10 years. Now that he has won convincingly, Zimbabweans are waiting to see how the nutty professor and the muppet who hides under the pseudonym Nathaniel Manheru will respond. If anything, ANC has demonstrated that while their democracy is 14 years younger than ours, they have moved thousands of miles ahead of us. This must be cause for concern.

To further demonstrate that ANC means business, nationalisation of the mining sector was totally ruled out at the conference; instead, resources rent tax was mulled. This is what progressive nations do; let those with capital invest but tax them big time at the same time supporting indigenous entrepreneurs to get into affordable ventures and enable them to grow progressively.

A radical approach such as 51% stake is not only unsustainable but disastrous. Some of the beneficiaries of this extortionist policy have dismally failed for many seasons to produce a tonne of maize from acres of very fertile soils that used to feed the entire nation, large-scale mining is even harder.

A very frank African diplomat this writer met a couple months ago had this to “You Zimbabweans can do anything, you have constructed most buildings and roads in South Africa, you have professionals making significant contribution across the globe, you are hardworking, highly skilled and well educated, but what is it about politics that you find so difficulty?” Let 2013 provide the answer.

Lastly, like most Zimbabweans at home and across the world, this writer is deeply saddened by the Ndlovu tragedy which happened so close to the time when the world prepares to celebrate the birth of our spiritual saviour.

May the humble family be consoled and strengthened by the belief that it is only through death that we complete our journey to the heavenly kingdom. This is a very heartbreaking moment for our nation especially for the soccer fraternity which must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency by wolves in sheep skin.

RIP Adamski.

Moses Chamboko writes in his personal capacity and can be contacted at [email protected]