A presentation to the Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI)
Public Seminar,
Thursday 28 November 2013, Ambassador Hotel, Harare
By Takura Zhangazha
Comrade Chairman,
As always, I must express my gratitude at being invited to
share some thoughts on the political and socio-economic events of 2013 and their potential impact going into
next year.
I am sure there are many reasons why MPOI phrased this subject in the manner that they
did and with particular emphasis on going forward. It assumes the necessity of
a new departure point following the tumultuous political events of the last 11
months. I am persuaded that a such a search for a departure point to our
national politics is indeed necessary. Not only in terms of narrating the
events of a year coming to an end, but also understanding the historical import
of the political economy that informed the same said events.
I must however explain that structurally, 2013 did not usher
in any revolution or revolutionary moment. It did not change the economy nor
improve the livelihoods of the people. Neither party that contested in the
elections promised fundamental changes to our society. What instead really
occurred was the reduction of those at the top by way of party presence, with
an increase in central governments representatives, particularly in
Parliament.
Having said that , the year 2013 saw three significant
political developments that for the purposes of debate must be mentioned, even
if they appear obvious. The first significant development was the finalization
of a patently undemocratic constitutional reform process through what was
essentially a ‘force it down the people’s throats’ political party
referendum.
The second, which ironically was linked to the first was the
end of tenure of the inclusive government through the holding of harmonised
elections. These elections were to be held in the most astounding of
controversial circumstances. Some of which included other political parties not
having access to updated voters rolls, a cumbersome voter registration process,
arrests of human rights activists, continued economic sanctions, a financially
hamstrung government and allegations of intimidation or vote rigging.
In the final analysis however, these elections were held in
terms of the now defunct Global Political Agreement, a controversial ruling by
the newly established Constitutional Court that they be held by July 31 and
tacit SADC endorsement.
The third major political development were the election
results themselves which gave a massive and widely unexpected victory to Zanu
Pf both in Parliament as well as with the Presidency. Whatever the arguments or
electoral court petitions that are still outstanding, it is no longer a rumour
that Zanu Pf shall be in unfettered charge of government for the next five
years.
But thankfully the future does not belong to Zanu Pf. It
belongs to all of us as Zimbabweans.
In turning to the second and more important part of the
debate, on what our country must prioritise going forward, I will make three
propositions.
The first and perhaps most important one, with a little
borrowing from Franz Fanon, is that we must work toward a new national
consciousness that transcends the pitfalls of our contempraory political elite.
We must approach 2014 with a firmer understanding and belief in our country
that avoids the abstract politics of labeling each other without delivering on
the needs of the people of Zimbabwe. This
just does not apply to politics and political aparties alone, but also to those
in private business, public enterprises, civil society and ordinary
citizens.
We must attempt to nip the self centered culture of our way
of doing things, a development that reached alarming levels during the tenure
of the inclusive government where ministers amassed stupendous riches or wanted
to live as though they owned the country. It is a new national consciousness
that must be social democratic in intent and effect.
One in which we will not try to utilize our academic
knowledge, political prowess or religious affinity in the service of the
oppression of the people. This latter point has been the bane of 2013, wherein
our politicians and influential people have been feeding off the state without
an evident intention to lift the people out of the morass of man-made poverty
that they find themselves in today. Hence we see a continuation even with one
party in government of economic policies that center more on making the state
or government function as though it were a private enterprise and not one
intended to serve the people.
The second proposition that I must make is with regards to
the political economy. Going forward it is imperative that all Zimbabweans
refuse to have their country privatized by the very same people who lead
them. There is a deliberate attempt by
our current four month old government to pursue what is referred to as state
capitalism through its economic blueprint, Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable
Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset). In this blueprint, the state intends
to essentially centrally manage the economy while handing out private-public
partnerships.
Hence for example we will consistently be berated by issues
to do with tollgates, privatization of water, electricity, health and education
and be told that it is progress. It has been proven time and again that such
models only serve to entrench economic and political repression as opposed to
social democratic government. Especially if one were to use one of its most
recent success models, China. Or where it continues to fail in Egypt where even
after all the revolutions, the elite and militarized leadership of that country
remain not only entrenched but also have the temerity to topple a
democratically elected president and call it progress.
The third and final proposition I wish to make as regards
the future is that we must no longer approach our politics with the sole
intention of being entertained or to entertain others. Politics, for our
country must be a virtue in order for us to make democratic progress. And in it
being a virtue, in our circumstances it must not be a profession. We are not an
‘arrival society’ as are some in the rest of the world where they do not
question the fundamentals of their society. We are more in need of men and
women who intend to serve their country more than they intend to serve
themselves. And in doing so, serve the greater good of our collective
society.
Mr Chairman, I will conclude by saying that going forward
into 2014, our society is faced with numerous challenges that are to be found
in our politics and our national economy.
The events of 2013 did not address the fundamental structural problems
that we remain faced with. In more instances than not, they have entrenched
them. Zimbabweans must brace themselves to bring the current government to full
account on issues of our national livelihood or else the government will run
away with the country.
Thank you.
Ends.
Takura Zhangazha speaks here in his personal capacity
(takura-zhangazha.blogspot.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment