adminMuchadura Dube
I REMEMBER authoring an article which had an apt title of ‘‘Amai Mugabe — a tried and tested cadre’’. That was before Amai started her Meet the People tour where she has already added value in ways immeasurable. Some sceptics did not take the contents of that article seriously, facts which have now come to pass.
A summation of that article would be that Amai Mugabe is a political gemstone which would revolutionise the political landscape in ways which would solidify the revolutionary party’s stranglehold on the political terrain. One needed to be at Sakubva Stadium to hear this daughter of the soil giving seasoned and novice political pundits a free lecture on the elusive subject of politicking and consolidation of the revolutionary gains which the party has initiated this far.
That she is blessed with eloquence and clarity of ideas which can only be exuded by a veteran is in no doubt, but what puzzled all and sundry was her subtle and mature way of elucidating issues which kept the packed stadium on its toes as they nourished every moment of the First Lady’s address.
The reception was awesome, stuff made for the immortals. Those who heard Amai speaking so passionately about the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF, acknowledged her inborn oratory traits which will enhance debate in the political discourse.
The confidence and aura of perfection which characterised her address is a testimony of the great political skills which she has in abundance. The motherly touch which Amai Mugabe has brought to the party and national politics is refreshing given her approach which is full of honesty and dignity; virtues which the ordinary, common and opportunistic politician are devoid of.
There is one area which Amai Mugabe dwelt on among a host of other issues which she touched on which needs the serious attention of Members of Parliament; the issue of proper representation.
The First Lady challenged Members of Parliament to adequately represent their constituents by availing tangible projects that uplift the living standards of the ordinary people and ultimately extricate them from poverty.
Certainly, visiting a constituency and gathering communities to explain to them the meaning of the contents of the economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) is not enough. In fact, as the First Lady pointed out, it amounts to mockery to end it at that level. Zimbabwe is the most literate nation in Africa, which is a prestigious accolade which recognises the ability of Zimbabweans in the academic genre.
So just merely explaining to them is demeaning to them for the majority can read that document with ease on their own. What is needed and expected from these honourable members is to initiate projects whose collectivity can bring a new lease of life to the populace.
In Amai Mugabe’s words ‘‘people need projects, not the endless explanations which do not bring food on the table’’.
The First Lady was spot on. Her assertion reminded me of some honourable members who on being elected went on to tell the electorate that their duty was to help the populace in the constituency with ‘‘ideas’’. Surely what a bizarre way of beginning their reign!
As much as ideas are important, the honourable members need to be reminded that ideas alone which are not converted to tangible projects are meaningless.
Ideas need to be buttressed with financial and technical resources for them to be meaningful; they have to bring significant and positive transformation to the livelihoods of communities.
In essence that transformation from one state to another one, in a way which positively impacts upon humanity, is ordinarily termed development. There is no need to complicate the phenomenon of development for it is real and can be practically felt.
The ordinary men and women in the village will only appreciate sentiments espoused by politicians when they begin to lessen their burden of raising families, an onerous responsibility given the harsh economic environment which was unleashed as a result of the heinous economic sanctions which manacle the economy to this day.
The message by the First Lady for honourable members to deliver the promises which they made to their respective constituencies should be a wake-up call to them.
How days move so fast, and the possibility of some of these inept legislators being retired by the electorate at the primary elections preceding the 2018 becoming a reality!
It should always be remembered that the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF, has a pool of capable cadres who remain ready to serve the nation in the event of others exhibiting lethargy in their conduct.
It should always ring loud in the mind of current Zanu-PF legislators that they owe it to the departed gallant cadres of the revolution, to the present generation and indeed posterity, to safeguard the revolutionary spirit by ensuring that they toil day and night to fulfil the wishes of the masses. It is indeed a convent which no man shall ever be capable of destructing.
It is only servant leadership which takes the nation to the next level of economic development. Zimbabwe is an economic giant in the reawakening mode; hence it needs an innovative and practical leadership.
With a people’s party such as Zanu-PF, whose roots are in the people and whose ideology is people centred, the honourable members’ task should therefore be a light burden. The only viable option for the people’s representative is to take heed of Amai Mugabe’s words of wisdom.
Muchadura Dube is a Nyanga-based farmer and political analyst.
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