Bravo to VP Mnangagwa!

via Bravo to VP Mnangagwa! – The Zimbabwean 6.8.2015

It is commendable and rather surprising that someone in authority has admitted that Zimbabwe is at least 20 years behind.

I think 35 years, if not more, is a better estimate, but that’s beside the point. The fact of the matter is that Zimbabwe has regressed under the watch of the likes of our VP and his boss Robert Mugabe.
It is clear therefore that, regardless of the cause of this failure, we need to change the approach to our economic development policies as a country.
It is a pity the VP saw it fit to blame sanctions, but what could he really say – otherwise he would be in trouble for admitting that it’s really all about a leadership crisis, legitimacy, corruption and the lack of  an inclusive solid vision for our nation since independence.
That having been said, I doubt the Zanu (PF) leadership is ignorant on what our fundamental problems are. They have to pretend and sing the sanctions-imperialist line according to the hymn book they have been given by their master – for he will brook no dissent. It’s a sad spectacle of grown men who must continually blame the West or the past as if they had nothing to do with it. I pity their fate.

Obama’s statement
Obama made a clear statement; leaders who complain and make excuses that if they leave things will fall apart have in fact failed to lead. It is a clear admission of failure therefore, to say that without a particular leader our country would fall apart. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Secondly analyst Ken Yamatomo also has some lessons for us; a new Zimbabwe cannot be created by those who are rooted in the activist paradigm of the 70’s. It needs fresh brains, high energy levels and busy hands to create the Zimbabwe we want.
This is what I have been saying all the time that the problems faced by Zimbabwe can never be solved at the same level of thinking and by the very people who created them. ZANU (PF) is therefore not the solution to our problems, they created them.
We are still carrying too much baggage from the past, and the fallacy that only those involved in the struggle are entitled to lead will continue to arrest our potential while excluding many who have the skills and competence to take us forward. Zimbabweans of all shapes and sizes certainly have the ability and competencies to transform our country into a modern democratic state with a vibrant economy – if only we could embrace a new paradigm of inclusive politics.

Everything to lose
This of course is not about to happen because predatory regimes always hold onto power. They do so, not because they truly believe that they are the best, but because they need to protect their vested economic interests – nothing else. Any change is seen as a threat that is likely to disempower them. They will fight to the death for political power because they have everything to lose.
In fact, as I said last week, they are the worst cowards who will even resort to violence and the use of state resources and the infamous security agents if necessary to protect their turf.
Unfortunately the looting machine created over years of patronage and corruption will not be dismantled by free and fair elections. Unless the predatory class has something to gain from change, they will always resist that change. Our challenge is to find the best route forward – and our options are quite limited.

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