MDC-T must leave Zinasu alone: Mkono

By Pride Mkono

Over the past few weeks tensions have been running high between the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T).

Accusations against the MDC-t of which we have proof of are that the Party has been meddling deeply into our politics ahead of the historic ninth Congress of ZINASU pencilled for November 2013.

It is important that these accusations against the MDC-T be dissected for what they are and the threat that they pose for the independence of Zinasu and its autonomous discharge of duties. It is however sufficient to state unequivocally that any form of interference in Zinasu internal processes by any outside political or otherwise is not welcome!

Zinasu the Past and the Dream

The idea of Zinasu dates back to the eighties and has its roots from the likes of Selby Hwacha and the Mutambara Chikweche (Gwisai) era.

This history is reflective of fundamental national and historical changes that were taking place as the independent nation-state of Zimbabwe was taking shape and the realities of independence were sinking in.

Students being the voice of the voiceless and natural vanguards of social justice observed a post-colonial state increasingly becoming authoritarian, corrupt and breeding crony capitalism.

Scandals and excesses of the State such as the Willowgate scandal and the arrest and abuse of student leaders which ranged from suspensions, imprisonment and torture ignited a new spirit among the budding academia of the time which saw them come face to face with the dictatorship of the post-colonial state.

The first response of the student leaders of that time, many of whom had fresh memories of the Marxist ideology preached by the revolutionary movements before independence, was to organise students at the University of Zimbabwe to demonstrate against the government. However given the national extent of the challenges of the time, a national platform to mobilise students was critical hence the birth of the idea ZINASU.

It was against this backdrop that Student Leaders from across Teachers Colleges, Polytechnics and Agricultural Colleges on 17 October 1997 at the University of Zimbabwe shaped and modelled the dream of Zinasu. The dream premised on an independent national Union that exist to defend and promote academic freedom while being the vanguard of social justice and democracy.

Of those who reap where they did not sow

Along comes the formation of the Movement of Democratic Change (without suffixes) as broad political movement with students, the church the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) and many other social movements. This early political formation was based on shared values and respect of organisational autonomy as defined by the core values and principles of the All Peoples Convention of 1999.

It was not long before the capitalists and opportunists, famous for reaping where they did not sow, hijacked the movement and began at once to interfere with founder organisations’ internal processes. It is at this point that some members of the MDC began to meddle in Zinasu internal processes and attempting to reduce the Union into an extension of its youth wing. This interference was fought and resisted fiercely by the ideologically mounted leaders and activists of the various generations of Zinasu.

However, as is always the case, there were weaklings who sought the easy way out and sold out to politicians for material comfort, for political power. Thus the current attempts by the MDC-T Organising Secretary, Chamisa, are age old tactics that he has perfected over time to try and subdue the Student Union’s autonomy for selfish reasons.

The Thread that hold the movement

As argued above the corner stone of Zinasu is defence of academic freedom and the interests of students: students of all creed, opinion, colour, race and tribe. It is this defence which is the driving force of the student movement and the bidding moral contract with its core student constituency.

Zinasu never was, is not and can never be reduced to a puppet of a political party if it is to continually stand as the non-partisan voice of student issues and the vanguard of social justice. Thus I repeat to say NO to interference!

Therefore Chamisa and his band of mercenaries must know better and show maturity and let the institution be. The idea of remaining a student leader to the grave is the most insolent and ridiculous of all tyrannies which must be dismissed with the contempt that it deserves.

Chamisa and his orchestra must concentrate on strengthening their political party (MDC-t) which is faced with a mammoth existential question which may see them relegated to the annals of political history and reduce its existence to text books and newspaper cuttings.

Chamisa and his band thus must always bear in their minds that the timeless thread of academic freedom will always be the struggle that is our birth right. This is the struggle that shall forever, like the biblical blood of Jesus, hold together the Union against any external invasion by political ghosts and goblins.

When Donkeys have a Right to Kick Hyenas 

Thus is it is sufficient to warn Chamisa and any one from any political party who may think like him to stay out of student issues. Interfering in the issues of students is like a hyena attacking donkeys. It is the right of every donkey to kick a hyena when it’s attacked. Those hyenas that do not want to be kicked must forever stay out of attempting to attack donkeys.

Aluta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pride Mkono is the president of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)