By Mike Bambo
ZANU PF and MDC-T seem like they do not know what to do when faced with a ‘dissent’ followership. The issue at hand is that political parties should know that they have followers and these followers can be divided into four types, namely; alienated, passive, conformist, pragmatic, and exemplary followers.
Alienated followers are basically independent thinkers who do not willingly commit to any leader. They think for themselves whether they should follow a certain leader after looking at his leadership style or not.
Passive followers (which I think ZANU PF and MDC-T leaders like) are those who are informed on what to do and say. These followers do not think, thus leading them not to be active participants.
Conformist followers are more participative than passive followers, but do not provide particular challenge. As the word itself, they tend to conform to what their leader wants or says.
Pragmatic followers are middling in their independence, engagement, and general contribution. Exemplary followers are ideal in any situation as they excel at all tasks, engage with others and providing intelligent yet sensitive support and challenge to the leader.
ZANU PF and MDC-T should know that gone are the days when people would be ordered around like sheep. Followership is an important entity as leadership itself. The treatment that Dr Munyaradzi Kereke is receiving at the hands of ZANU PF cannot go unchallenged.
Now, Kereke has gone to the courts and we await to see what will happen. The treatment that MDC-T is giving its followers is absurd to say the least. In this world and age, how can you order someone to vote for a preferred candidate?
To suspend Gweru mayor, Kombayi just because the preferred candidate did not win boggles the mind. These people are individuals who think, and as such are capable of choosing a leader of their choice.
This reminds me of 2011, when it was clear that some members of ZANU PF had voted for MDC-T for the position of speaker in parliament. ZANU PF went on to ‘fish’ out Tracy Mutinhiri as the main culprit. Shame.
Surprisingly, MDC-T did not complain at all. In all, they were happy. Now that the ‘problem’ has come to ‘haunt them’ they are doing exactly what ZANU PF did. We need leaders that accept to have exemplary followers not passive followers.
Without followers, leaders cannot accomplish anything. Followers are needed, but not followers who just sit there and let the leader transgress their own constitution and sing in ululation. No, leaders must accept followers who challenge them.
Why do most people follow ZANU PF?
It is difficult to answer this question. The basic simple reason is that some, if not most, people follow because of fear. Those closest to the leaders, they fear losing a farm. We hear of Mujuru camp; Mnangagwa camp; the question; why can they not just come out in the open and challenge Mugabe?
Some who have lost parliamentary seats in the past, feared to be left out of cabinet, hence had to follow.
What about MDC-T – why do people follow them?
There are two main reasons I think people follow or used to follow MDC-T.
1. Blind hope. After having suffered at the hands of ZANU PF, the MDC –T emerged as the only hope for a better future. There was no need to ask questions, as long as there was now an alternative to ZANU PF hegemony.
2. Faith in Tsvangirai. People had so much faith and some still do in Tsvangirai as a leader. They had witnessed how he had led the ZCTU, and saw him as n able leader.
But, there is another crop of followers who in Zimbabwe, who I may say are intelligent and have a vision. Some followers, who may be closer to Tsvangirai and Mugabe, would not want to let him go; because they are waiting to strike when they seize an opportunity.
For ZANU PF, some might want to strike when nature calls on Mugabe due to reported ill health and old age. In MDC-T, probably they are beginning to realize that they cannot wait for nature to strike, but are now calling a spade, a spade. Some like Chamisa, I guess, is waiting to strike when he reaches 40 years.
Most people in Zimbabwe are educated, and nowhere in the world would you expect ‘sheep-kind’ followers. We need exemplary followers who are effective in making decisions of their own. We need exemplary followers who are courageous in every respect.
I am glad to say this; Zimbabwe has intelligent, honest, courageous followers. What is lacking are leaders who appreciate these types of followers. Zimbabwe’s leaders want ‘YES-BOSS’ followers, and unfortunately, that time is not in this age. I said before and I will repeat it today; Zimbabwe lacks leadership.
Mike Bambo can be contacted at [email protected]
“A true leader is a person whose influence inspires people to do what is expected of them to do. You cease to be a leader when you manipulate with your egos instead of convincing by your inspirations.” ―Israelmore Ayivor
