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The union of mainly white farmers now accepts the irreversibility of the land reform and that the empowerment programmes initiated by Zanu-PF will be there for posterity.
CFU vice president Mr Peter Steyl yesterday indicated that his organisation, which opposed the fast track land reform since its inception in 1999, was changing its stance after realising that it was irreversible and that many newly resettled farmers were doing well on their farms.
University of Zimbabwe chairperson of the Department of Politics and Administration Dr Charity Manyeruke, said the latest move was a realisation of the failure of the regime change agenda sponsored by the West through the MDC-T and its allies in the NGO sector.
“These farmers have just realised that they have been unsuccessful in sponsoring regime change and that the people of Zimbabwe cannot be forced to have a government which they do not like so this is why they have this change of heart.
“They have realised that they have beeninfluenced by the British into regime change and it has not worked and they now realise that they have to work with Zanu-PF and the people of Zimbabwe. They, however, have to be sincere in their realisation because there is not going to be a regime change in Zimbabwe because the people of Zimbabwe will guard jealously their land and resources,” she said.
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Dr Manyeruke said the admission by the CFU was also an indication that they would not go anywhere with their stance.
“They have realised that they will not go anywhere by opposing the aspirations of Zimbabweans and its a sign of defeat of regime change. It is also an admission that the people of Zimbabwe are the rightful owners of their resources and anyone willing to benefit from them has to do so with their express authority,” Dr Manyeruke.
Another analyst Mr Goodwine Mureriwa said the white farmers had seen that the West could not do anything to assist their cause to remove Zanu-PF from power.
“They could have realised that the MDC-T is not going anywhere and that it would be folly on their part to think that regime change will be a panacea to their problems.
“It is also interesting to note that they have been supporting the MDC-T since its formation so now they could have realised that the party given its waning fortunes will not win an election,” he said.
Mr Mureriwa said the white farmers admission could also have been a realisation that they risked losing out on the rich mineral resources in the country.
“If you look at the bigger picture you will realise that most of these farmers also controlled the industry and were into mining so they now fear that they will lose out all together from benefiting from the country’s resources.
“Zimbabwe is a mineral rich country and and is the richest in the world in terms of mineral per capita so there is no way any right thinking businessman would want to be excluded from that.
“They have to realise that Britain and the EU will not do anything for them and the only way is to work with the people of Zimbabwe who are now asserting their authority over their resources,” he added.
The white farmers have since 1999 been opposed to land reform and poured a lot of money into the MDC-T in the vain hope the programme would be reversed if the party come into power. A number of them also took their cases to the courts in attempts to regain their acquired land while others have also approached South African courts but have failed to stop the programme.
Mr Mureriwa said the adoption of the new constitution in which the irreversibility of the land reform programme was upheld could also have influenced the farmers into changing their thinking.
Analyst Mr Gabriel Chaibva welcomed the move by the CFU saying the realisation that their confrontational behaviour would not work was commendable.
“If you look at the history of the MDC – T you will realise that the white farmers were some of the major financiers of the party and Mr Tsvangirai. That party has ,however, failed to appeal to the hearts and souls of Zimbabweans because of its stance on ownership of resources which explains why the have continued to lose the elections.
“Their support of the regime change agenda and the illegal sanctions have failed to yield anything and one hopes that they are sincere in wanting to work with others as
Zimbabweans. The land reform programme is irreversible and only those willing to work with us as Zimbabweans will be welcome,” Mr Chaibva said.
Mr Chaibva said developments by new farmers could also have made the CFU realise that the land reform would not be reversed.
“Most new farmers are using their land productively and the detractors have been shamed because they wanted the whole programme to be a failure. As Zimbabweans we will continue to take control of our own resources and those who want to benefit from them should be willing to work with us,” Mr Chaibva said.
Online Reporter