admin
The Herald, January 5, 1989
MATABELELAND South Provincial Governor Mark Dube yesterday called for increased political education of the masses in order to give more meaning to the unity between Zanu (PF) and PF-Zapu.
Cde Dube said in an interview that although people were enthusiastic about unity, there was a need for a thorough political drive by the party leadership on the purpose of unity and what it meant to the ordinary people.
“Joining a party is a conviction and the people must fully understand and appreciate why they are joining a new united party,” he said.
Cde Dube, who recently toured parts of the province with the finance sub-committee to assess progress of the unity exercise said, while the people appreciated the peace and development brought about by unity, there were still some misunderstandings in some areas which needed to be cleared up.
“Before the Accord, there was a lot of negative propaganda against the exercise and in some areas, branch and district task forces lack political muscle to convincingly explain issues concerning unity that the people question,” he said.
Cde Dube said he was pleased with the progress made so far in Plumtree, Gwanda and Beitbridge where he noted a substantial membership.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Knowledge is power. It is important for political parties to educate members — old and new on fundamentals of party processes and governance that are in tandem with the Constitution. This is a responsibility that should not be relegated to NGOs. The latter are there to complement on technical issues.
Zimbabweans from all walks of life welcomed the 1987 unity agreement between Zanu (PF) and PF-Zapu, and still do. They and said they would do their best to make it work in practice.
The agreement was reality that people should accept and throw weight behind.
For unity to work and result in development, people need to change their attitudes of suspicion, distrust and even hatred, built up over a long period of time.
Online Reporter