via RadioVop Zimbabwe – Grace Rallies Send Shivers In Zanu (PF)
First lady Grace Mugabe’s rallies have sent tongues wagging in Zanu PF with analysts saying they were part of a strategy to clear the path for her further political rise as the ruling party’s succession politics heat up.
The Zanu PF politburo recently banned election campaigns until polling guidelines have been approved ahead of the December congress.
Grace, who was recently nominated Zanu PF women’s League boss, on Friday addressed a rally at Chinhoyi stadium which she said officially marked the beginning of her political career.
She was expected to address more rallies in different provinces. In her speeches, Grace appears to claim that her entry into politics was an answer to the Zanu PF’s succession fights which have divided the party along factional lines.
But some Zanu PF officials were baffled as to why Grace was going ahead with her rallies while others suggested she may be preparing ground for a possible future bid for vice-presidency or even the coveted post of President currently held by her husband, 90-year-old Robert Mugabe“She is testing the waters. Who knows, perhaps you will hear some women at these rallies urging her to aim for higher offices even if it means challenging Vice-President [Joice] Mujuru,” said one Zanu PF official.
Outgoing Zanu PF women’s league boss Oppah Muchinguri, who is moving around with Grace, was on Saturday said to be attending a long meeting.
Already, Gokwe Nembudziya legislator, Justice Mayor Wadyajena and outgoing Zanu PF deputy secretary for youth, Eddison Chakanyuka have tipped her for the party presidium.
Asked if Grace was not violating the Politburo decision, Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo was not sure if the First lady was holding campaign rallies.
“My understanding is that the First Lady’s rallies are not campaign rallies,” Gumbo said. “I am not sure what the programme is all about, but I think it is about her Women’s League position.”
Political analysts yesterday said although there could be a hidden game plan behind Grace’s rallies, the First Lady was on an image boosting campaign to ascertain herself as a politician of clout who does not necessarily have to rely on her husband for political muscle.
Political analyst Takura Zhangazha said her intention to hold rallies might be to ascertain her role as a stand-alone politician, but not the view being peddled by many that she was trying to dismantle Mujuru from her position as VP.
“She is now facing people on her own without Mugabe. As a person who has just entered politics, she wants to prove to her supporters that she is able to mobilise crowds to her rallies, and this will give her proper legitimacy in Zanu PF structures,” he said.
Another political analyst, Brian Raftopoulos was quoted in the media saying Grace’s political ambitions at this late stage of her husband’s life were “symptomatic of the state of insecurity inside Zanu PF”.
Zhangazha said although some people had been whispering that Grace was plotting to compete with Mujuru, it did not make sense because her rallies sought to garner support from all Zanu PF factions for her candidature as Zanu PF women’s league boss and not necessarily the Presidency.
Alexander Rusero, another political analyst, said Grace’s rallies were meant to demonstrate her political prowess and leadership skills.
“As the succession dynamics have heated up, there is fear of the unknown — even that she may spring surprises to become the second Vice-President, but it is politically wrong,” he said. “I do not see President Mugabe making his wife his Vice-President. What I see is that leading the Women’s League is too big a task for her and all these crusades are meant to endorse her entry into politics.”
Wellington Gadzikwa another political analyst said Grace’s game plan during the rallies was to garner support for her new political role.
“There were other people within Zanu PF who opposed her candidature as Women’s League boss, and now she merely wants to strengthen her political position,” he said.
“Grace said she was the President’s chief advisor and she now wants people to know she is a very capable person. When she was offered the position of Women’s League boss, the First Lady said she was going to think about it. What she is doing now is to show people that she has thought about it and accepted the post and is capable of performing without her husband, the President.”
Gadzikwa said the fact that Grace was donating agricultural inputs during her rallies was to make a statement that she was ready to deliver as a leader, especially if her game plan was to ultimately land a post in the Presidium.
COMMENTS
Truth is, given the general stupidity of Zanu PF mob coupled with Mugabe’s penchant for the unthinkable, and often selfish and idiotic moves, it is rather too simplistic for any honest analyst to rule out anything – and I mean ANYTHING.
In short, like it or not, a possibility exists that Mugabe can, of course with the aide of the mostly brainless zanu pf mob, give any post ( and I mean ANY POST) in Zanu PF, or government for that matter, to dear wife. So, lets not full ourselves – anything is possible with Uncle Jongwe Bob. After all, everyone else in zanu Pf is just a hen; and there is only one cock that runs the show, which happens to be uncle B himself. So, the issue of whether there a few hens within that may be against the Madam’s meteoric rise is neither here nor there. At the end of it all the buck stops with the man of the house; and that is none other than Uncle B.
Mark my words; and check this space.
Actually, the failure by Uncle B to groom any obvious successor over the years as many had anticipated could just be he has been grooming one behind the scenes.
Meanwhile Grace is preOccupied by taking over from the husband to safeguard their loot. Mnangagwa attends the Midlands and Masvingo rallies whereas Mutasa attends the Manicaland rallies. Mai Mujuru is quiet as a mouse. Grace is talking about taking power and not addressing the economic challenges like 96% unemployment, Electric Power Massive shortages, Poor health delivering system…poor remuneration for the few that are employed. Yes You Can Not Rig The Economy!!!!
I think circumstances have overtaken the Mugabe family. They are now seeing shadows around every corner. It must be quite scary to be in that position. It is not by chance that all these splits are happening. That the old fox kept people in line by patronage is no secret. What we don’t know is the promises that were made to those close to him. We have seen the succession gossip sway from person to person. Do not be surprised that he made many promises to many people. The dreaded CIO is in disarray. Chihuru and his Police gangsters don’t know whether they are coming or going. The civil service is in tatters. Patrick Chinamasa keeps on going of script. This smells of an institution that is about to shatter into many little fragments. Grace is almost certain to be in the middle of the explosion. What confirms this situation is that for the time being they seem to have momently taken their eyes off the opposition and planted them firmly on each other.It is about to turn very ugly.
It appears that the First Lady does not have to follow any party regulations because she is not an ordinary member. If the truth be told, ZANU of is not a mass organisation but a private organisation which is owned and controlled by Mugabe. That is the honest truth, gone are the days before independence that the party used to have members who had beards on their chins and hairs on their chests. These days no one and I mean no one can challenge Mugabe in that organisation including those who claim to be heroes of the chimurenga that forced Smith to the negotiation table. Unless people stand up to Mugabe’s bullying this will continue after Mugabe steps down, Grace will take over then Bona and his husband, Robert Jr then Chatunga. Then we will wait for the Gushungo offsprings to be born and continue with the dynasty.
Alert, Alert!
This entire conversation is
academic, because if Zimbabweans
EVER allow ZANU-PF, the Military
Coup-planners or that Trashy Typist,
win a UN, USA, UK, EU, Cuba, Venezuala,
DRV, ANC and AU monitored Election –
we deserve to ‘Die in Shame’.
The results, machinations, theft, illegality
of 2013 should be a lesson well learned.
* No NEW VERIFIED Voters Roll – no Election
* No Constitutional Adherence – no Election.
* No International Monitoring – no Election
* No NEW ZEC, void of Military – no Election
* No Freedom to Gather and March – no Election.
* No Freedom from Harassment – no Election.
40 years is Enough, you ba*stards!
End of the Line dis-Grace, Mugarbage and ZANU!
Remember Ben Ali and his wife in Senegal. The wife had carved out a large section of the capital for her family whilst the husband took the rest. Watch this space.
Once again we are spending precious time trying to second guess what the scam bags of the world will do and not regrouping and working out what we must do to clean the scam out of our system. The scam bags will do what scams bags do, and they will continue on that trajectory until we are bold enough to take care of our own interest, and spend more time discussing our future and how best to tackle it, rather than talking about these scam bags.
Scumbags
For a family dynasty to become established in a nation, it is necessary that the first family member to be national leader must be a huge popular success.
For example, Nehru, then his daughter Indira Ghandi, and then her son, Rajiv, and his wife Sonia.
Or the Kennedy clan in USA.
However dynasties cannot be founded on failure and unpopularity.
That is why there never was a President Amai Idi Amin, or Empress Amai Bokassa.
Grace and Robert would do well to consider these issues and his dismal track record in their bid to establish a Mugabe family dynasty.
kalulu You need to dump that defeatist attitude. These are people that are pissing off their own people. If you believe it will happen. The time is almost there. Ask yourself? Why is Mugabe silent whilst his wife goes crazy? Dementia? Dementia is a word used to describe a group of symptoms including memory loss, confusion, mood changes and difficulty with day-to-day tasks. I have said he does a lot of U turns. If I COULD MAKE A DIAGNOSIS( a statement or conclusion that describes the reason for a problem) I would say that those around him know that he is on the edge of being Senile( having or showing the weaknesses or diseases of old age, especially a loss of mental faculties)
Thank you for the comment point taken its not really a deafitist attitude because I believe that is what those around Mugabe think but it will not happen because the time of reckoning will surely come to pass like you correctly diagnosed the problem.
Kalulu it’s people like you that keep this momentum going. What you say make us debate. I hope I’m right. In fact I am almost sure I am right. I would not have said it had you not given your opinion. That is the reason why I have so much respect for you guys.You just keep on keeping on. Sorry about that defeatist jibe. In fact thank you.
Aung San Suu Kyi once said
Human beings want to be free and however long they may agree to stay locked up, to stay oppressed, there will come a time when they say ‘That’s it.’ Suddenly they find themselves doing something that they never would have thought they would be doing, simply because of the human instinct that makes them turn their face towards freedom.
Doc respect but why all these quotes?
Read her story. Just a short extract for you.
Burma’s military rulers have wised up since 1990. After Aung San Suu Kyi was elected in a landslide victory the military rulers quickly discovered that Democracy threatened control over their self-interests. They promptly placed Suu Kyi under house arrest and returned to their business as usual. Prior to Suu Kyi’s release in 2010 Burma’s dictatorship announced its new Constitution.
The recent “reforms” rolled out in 2012 by a former general, President Thein Sien, was touted as amazing progress by governments, institutions and people across the globe itching to get their hands on a piece of Burma’s vast resources and access to its low wage manufacturing workforce.
In the early days of reforms even U.S. President Barack Obama took his entourage to Burma gleefully visiting Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein. Burma is slowly and chaotically adapting to the economic newness of, well, everything. Though due to a countless number of reasons, Burma has a long way to go before rising just slightly on the list of least developed nations. For example the Burmese military leaders’ recent admission of using child soldiers led them to “pledge” an end to the practice in a few months time rather than immediately. Read – not really.
Since Suu Kyi and President Thein Sien made worldwide diplomatic tours, received awards and showers of praise, the world’s exuberance over reforms has quieted. Burma’s leaders had their promised time as the ASEAN Chair in exchange for reforms. They are now looking at the 2015 national elections with a sentimental eye on the past and one worried eye on the future.
Remind you of a certain Southern African country?
Miss Mugabish will do the same as Hitler/Mugabish..set them on fire in the middle of the night. Beware all who cross the MAGABISH. FAMILY .HITLER /Mugabe just one big NUT JOBS.GET OUT WHILE YOUCAN…OOOOOPS TO LATE
If Grace has been nominated by the Womens league and seconded by all the other organs of the party and all those who support her elevation. What is she campaigning for?
The Presidium has on several occassions warned party members against campaigning for posts in leadership and wait for people to nominate them. Is she an exception? I subscribe to the thinking that Dr Grace is a pawn unleashed to neutralize Dr Joyce. If Dr Grace succeeds, then what? Can someone honestly see her as a better option? Politics is about taking power and retaining it, by whatever means. The battle is certainly on but I for one do not believe it will end well for Zanu-PF.
Give a cow a long rope it will tie its self. Talking about her will de mystify her political rise. Rather people should just observe allow her to make her righ and wrongs and come election time she would have made so much. Remember last time she once said MY PEOPLE at a certain rally and people did not like it. So let just observe, may be this time she is out to prove her stolen PhD. She thinks she is wiser. My desire though is that people should not be forced to attend these rallies as is common to all ZANU PF rallies. The addressing of these rallies may be its a proof to ZANU PF that law is only respected by the anyone else except Mugabes, since they had agreed no rallies but there she is going addressing them and everyone is trying to figure what she is doing rallies or canversing support for her new role of offered chair of women’s league. Bottom line is that it a rally.
I have read some of her comments from another website and then added some comments from this website with great interest.I am beginning to see the hidden plot in her involvement in active politics.It could be a good idea for her to dislodge these old stooges in the ruling party because the opposition stooges failed to change things.I really liked her stand against the police brutality on the vendors and their attitudes towards the public.Who else can stand against these evil public institutions with impunity?Let her do the softening of these misguided and naive public officers-who knows what the end results can bring to this depressed nation.
You do not need high qualifications to dislodge a well embedded evil system,except common sense and wisdom.Already the heavy weights and the so-called highly educated within the party are showing signs of panicking.Go for it young lady and teach these old people how it is done,since they think the required qualification to rule is to be a war vet only.I like your stand if you can handle the insults and the cruelty involved in our politics.The rest can be resolved afterwards.
Sorry but Grace Mugabe is part of this evil regime. Some of us have long memories and remember all her past shenanigans. This particular leopard will not change it’s spots. It would be like asking a cow to eat meat or a lion to live on grass. If I had no other choice but her and Mujuru my choice would not be her. She lies with a straight face to say her Husband is a poor man. Does she think people are stupid?
I would have thought that she would have influenced her husband years ago about correcting some wrongs that were taking place. Women of Woza being detained for carrying Valentine roses and asking for respect from their Male counterparts. What has she ever done to correct the sanitary towel, scandal. The Police have been harassing vendors for years now. Has she just noticed that now? We will all at some time or the other get to a age where the mind is willing but the body is weak. The Husband is 90 years old. They know a lot that we don’t know. It is clear she wants the top job. It is clear that at some point the President will not be able to carry out his duties properly. Maybe that time has come. If anyone wants to believe that this woman is genuine in trying to use her authority to make life better for anyone then you will be sadly mistaken. This flip flopping that is going on is a clear indication of a family trying to hold on to power at all cost.
Assuming that this leopard was too young and weak to do something until it has grown up,would it be still a bad idea!!! The fact that the old leopards are now timid and panicking gives me something to celebrate about.You have to know the inner workings of opponents to be able to deal with them successfully otherwise you will be eliminated like the weak oppositions which spent time drinking cheap teas on Fridays.
@Mixed Race In actual fact I am over the moon about these developments. That is only because I think that this is not going to end well for Zanu pf as Farai puts it. I have no qualms about Zanu pf. I know exactly what they put my family through. I know exactly what they put people of my community through. We only survive as people of the region through Gods grace. When I see her running her mouth it gives me hope that sooner or later there will be reactions that will change this country like it has never been changed before. When a leopard grows up it will still be a leopard. It can never be a Kudu. The spots will still be there. The opposition is another Matter. They can drink their “cheap tea” and get eliminated, that’s their problem. I on the other hand yearn for the day I can choose my candidate and know that I have not been robbed or forced to do something against my will. I look forward to the day I have the power or right to act, speak, or think as I want. I don’t see that happening under this particular leopard.
The important thing is that the people from the south like me have seen a lot so we can discuss issues rationally.I am very old to expect to see meaningful changes in my life time. I am over 65 years old but I am still alert in many ways as I hear from my bright grandsons, thanks to my Creator.
I was really trying to zero on your rural background,which I now know roughly.I cannot say it here for security reasons and for your protection.Keep a cool head all the time.It is always nice to hear from other Zimbabweans.
But in Zim and in Zanu no non-war vet rules cause ‘zanu, the police etc wont let them’. ‘Not a doc’ disgrace is also no vet. In any case, who needs the fool?
Asekuru bhobho vatova nelose of memory graceb akutotonga