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Dr Obert Mpofu
Correspondent
As the nation reflects on Operation Restore Legacy, which happened in November 2017, it is incumbent upon the revolutionary and nationalist movement to introspect to guarantee the perpetuity of its victories.
From a party perspective, the landmark success of Operation Restore Legacy was its ability to invigorate the ruling Zanu-PF, especially after the destabilising effect of factional feuds.
It must be acknowledged that the New Dispensation was born out of factional contradictions.
The history of infiltration and radical polemics permeating into nationalist movements dates back to the 1960s.
In all those trying political situations, ideological rationality has always triumphed.
Factional and opportunistic attempts to capture the party were not pioneered by the former First Lady, Grace Mugabe.
These have always been there.
However, contradictions, which were a product of detractor machinations, have always been resolved through recourse to the founding principles of the party.
In November 2017, this reality manifested through the intervention of the “People’s Voice”, which essentially represents the “Voice of God”.
The November civil-military-aided transition effectively disentangled the factional feuds.
The harmony of our people and the armed forces in 2017 was reflective of the relationship between the institution of national security and the aspirations of ordinary civilians.
This relationship is reminiscent of relations that existed during the liberation struggle.
In November 2017, that social contract was revived.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), war veterans, war collaborators and political detainees organised the masses towards political transformation.
Side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder, the New Dispensation was born, and Zanu-PF was born again.
The Party: A nerve of posterity
There is no doubt that the rise of Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa as Zanu-PF leader and founding father of the “New Dispensation” represents the rejuvenation of a national memory underpinned by longstanding aspirations of the masses.
His leadership is symbolic of the regeneration of a legacy.
In essence, the party has taken a robust position to revive the ideological genesis of our unity against colonialism.
Two years down the line, Zanu-PF is still fortified by memory and principles.
Two years later, G40 longs to see Zanu-PF’s demise.
They continue to contrive illusions of tensions in the national leadership, but the Presidium is in one accord.
A transient cause
Political power is transitory.
It is never stagnant.
Political space is a site for perpetual succession.
The mass-line motivation to the political transition from the First to the Second Republic substantiates the unfailing perpetual reality of succession.
As such, it is fulfilling to be part of this cause.
I have loyally subscribed to it since my teenage days.
Two years on and the struggle continues.
Protagonists and antagonists will be born out of this memory of the future.
As one of the long-serving insiders of Zimbabwe’s political space, it is the strongest of my wishes to see our future generations benefiting from the ethos which informed the cause of our armed struggle.
Zanu-PF, therefore, is a baptismal institution of an enduring political consciousness.
Now that Operation Restore Legacy is an appendage of the revolutionary creed which Zanu-PF represents, how must history remember today’s Zanu-PF?
First, the Second Republic, as a product of a civil-military-aided political transformation, must be benchmarked by pedagogical (teaching) nationalism.
This cardinal point to this nationalism should be one that transcends regionalism, patronage, corruption and lethargy.
This justifies the existence of independent commissions whose terms of reference are an intrinsic ingredient for national healing.
Further, nation-building requires recognition of our dissimilarities and the need to approach these as resources of being united in our diversity.
In his inauguration speech, His Excellency President Mnangagwa affirmed this standpoint:
“Here at home, we must, however, appreciate the fact that over the years, our domestic politics had become poisoned, rancorous and polarising.
“My goal is to preside over a polity and run an administration that recognise strength in our diversity as a people, hoping that this position and well-meant stance will be reciprocated and radiated to cover all our groups, organisation and communities.
“We dare not squander the moment. At the end of the day, whatever we do or choose not to do must be intended to benefit all our people.”
This position reveals a deep-rooted acknowledgement of the Second Republic as a product of the people’s goodwill.
The thrust of this national consciousness is guided by the national interest.
Therefore, statecraft should be informed by the need to preserve these national aspirations.
Going forward, the Second Republic must strive to eliminate bureaucratic bourgeois tendencies of abusing the State for self-aggrandisement.
Cronyism must fall and corruption must die a natural death.
Inclusive democratic and judicial tools must be deployed in our systems of public administration to weed out these unwanted elements.
This is the only way we can create generational collateral for national interest.
Economic policy-making must remain dedicated to delivering on the key sectors of national development.
Ideology and history are critical in eliminating policies that are disconnected from the people’s aspirations.
Our economic policy culture must and will continue to be predetermined by the philosophies of freedom which unite us.
Our policies must be remembered for creating equal opportunities for all and crushing poverty in all its forms.
Dr Obert Mpofu is Zanu-PF’s secretary for Administration. He is also a member of the Politburo.
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