No room for unpatriotic acts

Dr Obert Moses Mpofu

UNPATRIOTIC acts have for the longest time been frowned upon. In some jurisdictions, they are even severely punished.
They are tantamount to cutting the same branch that one is sitting on and are thus undesirable. Self- sabotage is how I would aptly describe unpatriotic acts that some in the opposition circles have been heavily involved in.

The business of selling-out one’s country is one that is unprofitable. It is mind boggling how one would choose to castigate, abandon and attack their own nation for whatever reason. There is simply no excuse for being unpatriotic.

What some have failed to fathom and glean from the political atmosphere is how patriotism and love for one’s country leads directly to political success. It is for the simple reason that, those who vote for political parties reside in Zimbabwe.

The epic failures by the opposition time and again are attributable to their blatant lack of patriotism. Zanu-PF has demonstrated its love for this country since the days of the liberation struggle and continues to do so.

Such immense patriotism has meant that people have often associated Zanu-PF with patriotism. This is why many have been attracted to Zanu-PF as it represents what being Zimbabwean truly means.

There can be no separation of Zanu-PF from Zimbabwe. Some have gone as far as coining the adage that “ being Zanu-PF is being Zimbabwean and being Zimbabwean is being Zanu-PF”. This is the way it has been for a considerable time and will continue being so.

Times are changing. As a matter of fact, since the August 2023 elections wherein my Party, Zanu-PF emerged victorious, a lot has changed and more is changing as to how Zimbabwe under the Zanu-PF- led Government is changing and making positive strides. Good times are indeed upon us and it is prudent that such good times and economic successes coincide and co-exist with the right sense of patriotism and belonging.

All facets of our nation, are and will be addressed. No stone will be left unturned as we make our land a better place for all.

As a consequence, the space seems to be narrowing down at an exponential rate for those inclined towards unpatriotic acts.

Patriotism is fashionable once more. After all, we all belong somewhere and nothing beats home. Home is always the best and it can never be substituted for anything else. This is why we have a number of our citizens in the diaspora finding their way back home. There is now a realisation that our country can and will only be built by its own people.

We are now indeed making progress as a nation and we seem to have some cohesion. This is crucial for us to attain our economic aspirations.

We should and we will forge ahead with re-inforcing that deep sense of patriotism. It is one of the crucial elements as we rebuild our Zimbabwe. We should all strive for national pride and have our people reconnect with their motherland, especially those who are in the diaspora. There is a clear yearning to retrace what was lost and find their way back home.

That deep connection with one’s nation can result in wonders and will undoubtedly lead to positive outcomes. There is no denying that all the successful nations of the world have been able to leverage the deep patriotism that their citizenry display to spur their nations forward.

Zimbabwe is now a marvel and everyone wants to come back home. All are welcome. Zanu-PF under the leadership of President Mnangagwa has created such an attractive environment for everyone and all want to be associated with the motherland.

Over the past two decades, Zimbabwe’s political landscape has been dominated by two political parties. What has followed since then is a tale of two political parties. One, (Zanu-PF of course) is ideologically clear while the other is struggling and teetering on the brink of extinction and is evidently lost in the wilderness.

If we are to be completely honest, the opposition is too weak to match Zanu-PF’s prowess. It is unfathomable that they can be at the same level as the colossal people’s movement. They are at crossroads now, clearly. The massive desertions that have been going on within the opposition rank and file will clearly leave a noticeable dent on their weakening movement.

There is an awakening, the majority of those who previously identified with the opposition are awakened to the beauty of Zanu-PF and are joining the colossal party in droves.

The recent cell/village restructuring exercise has clearly demonstrated that there is a hunger and thirst by a lot of Zimbabweans to be associated with the Zanu-PF party.

This is refreshing and clearly shows the buy in that our people have in the work and policies of Zanu-PF.

We as Zanu-PF will make sure that this hunger, thirst and yearning is fulfilled. Zanu-PF does not discriminate and we all can fit and be part of the colossal Party. We will leave no one and no place behind.

*Dr Obert Moses Mpofu is an academic and the Secretary-General of Zanu-PF. He writes in his own capacity.