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It is indeed long overdue that we touch base in this manner and connect, so that we can move forward with the cause of serving national interests as this is the very purpose of our existence. To serve, safeguard and protect those ideals that we gallantly fought for and for which many of our comrades lost their lives. Let us not forget that this torch was handed to us by the gallant sons and daughters of this country, and it is our utmost duty to pass it on, intact, to the next generation.
The ideas of our liberation struggle must never be forgotten, but rather jealously guarded and a legacy of freedom, sovereignty and total emancipation handed over to the next generation.
Zanu-PF encompassing the former Zanu and Zapu liberation movements as enunciated in the 1987 Unity Accord must, in posterity, be the party that prevailed, the party that stayed the course and delivered to the nation.
There have been numerous threats to the cohesion of the party, of that I am very aware. These attacks have been relentless, wearing different guises in the hope of fooling the nation into abandoning this party. By the grace of God, the party has continued to hold strong to its values, remains united and has emerged stronger from these unmitigated and unprecedented attacks. We are like the champions of the boxing ring, a little bruised here and there but victorious all the same.
In these challenges that I mention, one thing stands out above all else; the loyalty and integrity of our supporters and compatriots. For this my gratitude knows no bounds. When you are under attack from internal and external forces, that is when the true worth and value of those that stand with you is tested. You have passed that test with flying colours, showing not only your resilience but also your aptitude in analysing situations and sifting the truth. You have been instrumental in safeguarding the principal objectives of the liberation war and I once again extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation for this crucial support, forbearance and resilience. We are truly a party of destiny.
I will be the first to acknowledge that the road has not been easy. We have had more than our fair share of challenges, especially in the last decade and a half. These challenges came in the form of extreme economic pulverisation, brought about by the merciless machinations of the West, whose strategy it was to so weaken the economy by playing round with our local currency and thereby deeming it worthless. Zanu-PF had a counter strategy, the introduction of multi-currency which we eventually implemented to stabilise the economy and also to relieve the people from the suffering that they had unwittingly been plunged into. If you think of the days of inflation and the trillions of dollars we were dealing with then, I am sure the current scenario, though not ideal, is definitely more favourable.
Whilst we fight the bigger war, there is some semblance of economic normalcy and stability. We realise that there is a liquidity challenge and efforts are underway to come up with long-term solutions. The day will come when the Zimbabwe dollar is gloriously re-instated, the day when you will once again entrust Zanu-PF to form a stable governing structure of its own.
The party was also ruthlessly attacked by the western media and propaganda machinery for its land reform programme. Though the opposition has yet to reveal a clear position on land reform, their Western allies saw it fit to rubbish the programme and punish the revolutionary party for initiating and implementing it.
As a party that does not submit to the dictates of outsiders but pushes forward on matters that are beneficial to the people and consistent with the values and the principles of the liberation struggle, we have refused to budge on this critical issue.
The land must be for Zimbabweans and this is not subject for debate.
We concede that the agricultural sector is financially stressed at the moment, due to the fact that the Finance Minister Mr Tendai Biti is reneging on supporting agriculture, among other strategic sectors of the economy, simply because it is MDC policy to ensure there is no food security and that Zimbabwe continues to rely on donors. As you are well aware, the MDC has, since its inception in 1999, ridden on the suffering of the people and using foreign donor organisations as campaign instruments. The current global financial crisis and the imposition of illegal sanctions on the country by the West are also contributory factors to the prevailing economic stress but this is a temporary challenge. The party has a long-term view to support this sector through training and financing. Your unwavering support for the land reform programme and your patience with its implementation and support from our Eastern allies; Zimbabweans will once again be the agricultural success story of Africa, being the bread basket of the region. Happily the indigenisation and economic empowerment programme is on course.
We are enjoying cordial relations and support from our friends in the East. Our Look East Policy has certainly paid off and as a party we had the foresight to get into meaningful partnerships with our Eastern friends when the West slammed the door in our face in an attempt to bring about regime change. Zimbabwe-Sino relations are excellent and investment has been made in the critical sectors in our nation. We still have a lot more to do, especially in our health care sector, but we are steadily working towards that goal.
There have been some developments in the party structures that have taken quite a number of people by surprise, namely the disbandment of the DCCs. However, I would like to reassure you that this was a well thought-out decision by our Central Committee and was made in the best interests of the party. It was a measure taken to enhance discipline at all levels of the party and to create a sleeker, more effective and efficient structure. As time progresses and the new order is seen to take place, this effort will be appreciated. I understand that there are those who unceremoniously appear to have lost positions.
They are not forgotten or abandoned, but they are merely asked to put up with a little short-term pain for the long-term benefit of the party and the nation at large. In this regard I call for calm, discipline and support for the party restructuring exercise. All efforts that have gone in garnering support for the party at the DCC level are genuinely recognised and appreciated.
The party is unfettered in its quest to ensure that those behind the divisive practices at all levels of the party are firmly dealt with irrespective of their weight. Surely, the party is bigger than us all.
In conclusion, I urge every single member of our revolutionary party to walk in love; a genuine love that shows care and concern; a love that goes beyond the political, racial or tribal divide. We have a role to play in creating a united Zimbabwe and must be seen to preach peace at all times. We must desist from the ugly, animalistic behaviour of violence and intolerance that is practised by other parties.
As leaders, we are there to show how it is done and we must continually examine our consciences to see if we are leading by example. A non-violent environment will most certainly result in victory. Our party, with its illustrious history of bringing freedom to the country, must not be tarnished at this late stage by those that fail to control themselves. We are a disciplined and principled party which has the ability to attain a sweeping victory. So wherever you are cadres, let us preach the same language of peace, love and unity. We must all sing the same hymn sheet. Remember that our party’s motto is “Unity, Peace and Development”.
I thank all of you once again and extend further thank-you’s to the liberation war veterans, war collaborators, ex-political detainees, religious and traditional leaders who have been instrumental in safeguarding the sovereignty of this nation. Your support is invaluable and as we go forward, we trust that you will help us take Zimbabwe to the next stage of its development, unhindered by any neo-colonial agenda.
l Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo is the National Chairman of Zanu-PF. This article is published courtesy of the first issue of The People, Zanu-PF National Chairman’s Newsletter. The revolutionary party launched the monthly newsletter this week.
derick.khumalo