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<div dir="auto">The stage for a transition in Zimbabwe is set. Even exogenous factors are in sync with the transition agenda. However, just like a small virgin boy, the opposition seems too excited by the delusion of weilding power or the hope of weilding power someday to such an extend that just a mere glimpse of ‘the curves of power’ from a distance by the opposition has led to perrenial premature ejaculations.</div>
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<div dir="auto">One wise man once intoned that proximity to power deludes some into thinking they weild it. Despite its laudable exploits of the past, it seems as though Zimbabwe’s opposition movement suffers from perrenial premature ejaculations. By merely catching a glimpse of the ‘curves of power’ they ajaculate.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">HISTORY OF THE OPPOSITION</h2>
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<div dir="auto">The elections of 1980 which ushered in Zimbabwe’s independence were resoundingly won by the Mugabe led Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) with a huge margin of 80%. Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) won all seats in the South West much to the chagrin of Mugabe who always wanted a one party state.</div>
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<div dir="auto">A revolt by some rogue ZAPU elements in the South West precipitated an unprecendented attack on ZAPU presided over by Mugabe in 1983. That attack was superintended and chiefly exercuted by the Fifth Bridage – an army unit trained by the North Koreans. This operation is widely known as Gukurahundi – which means the storm that washes the chaff.</div>
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<div dir="auto">After monumental atrocities had been committed against the people of the South such as killings, rape, torture, displacements and food deprivation, something extraordinary happened. In 1987 Joshua Nkomo, the leader of the oldest revolutionary movement in Zimbabwe, ZAPU, gave in. That led to the absorption of ZAPU into ZANU, forming Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU – PF). The opposition had been swallowed and Zimbabwe was now a one party state as per the wish of Mugabe.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The period between 1987 and 1999 saw the formation of several opposition parties but none of them paused any real threat to ZANU – PF. These parties were insignificant or they were ruthlessly dealt with, confining them to insignificance.</div>
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<div dir="auto">In 1999, a different kind of an animal from what ZANU – PF had gotten accustomed to was born. Rooted in the labour movement which had led to the formation of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) in 1994 whose mainstay was advocating for a new constitution, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was formed and officially launched on the 11th of September 1999 to challenge Mugabe and ZANU – PF.</div>
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<div dir="auto">From 2000 to date, elections have not been a stroll in the park for ZANU – PF. The formation of the MDC changed the game and impacted the political landscape drastically. Ever since its formation, the MDC under the leadership of Morgan Tsvangirai has remained the major and only serious threat to ZANU – PF. History is replete with stark evidence pointing towards the fact that every election has been marred with irregularities, manipulation and controversy from the time MDC was formed.</div>
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<div dir="auto">With time and after enduring several dissapointments along the way, the MDC grappled with internal challenges. In 2005 and in 2013,  the party went through demaging splits. Meanwhile, other opposition political parties were erupting from every corner too. It meant that the MDC was nolonger the only opponent ZANU – PF faced notwithstanding it remained and remains its only significant opponent thus far.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Observers and analysts argue that Tsvangirai and the MDC won the 2002 Presidential and 2008 harmonised elections. Relying heavily on state apparatus such as the military, Mugabe and his ZANU – PF stood in the way of a transition more than once. After the manipulated 2008 elections, a sham rerun took place and that led to the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in 2009 made up of ZANU – PF and the main opposition (parties).</div>
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<div dir="auto">During the tenure of the GNU, the opposition failed to make headway with its reform agenda only managing to arrest an economic meltdown. After the expiry of the GNU in 2013 and the subsequent elections which most analysts and observers content were resoundingly won by Mugabe and ZANU – PF, the opposition landscape has never looked the same. The MDC went through another ugly split in 2014 and more political parties have been formed since then.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">CURRENT STATE OF THE OPPOSITION</h2>
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<div dir="auto">As we stare the 2018 elections, the state of the opposition leaves a lot to be desired. A lot must be done to inspire hope and confidence in the masses.</div>
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<div dir="auto">It is a highly uncontestable fact that the state of decadence and morass that we find ourselves in is chiefly a product of ZANU – PF’s misrule and leadership failure. ZANU – PF has presided over bewildering failures ever since the attainment of independence in 1980.</div>
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<div dir="auto">While the mainstay of our focus is consumed in trying to debunk and ultimately discard ZANU – PF, we must not fall into the trap of not paying enough attention to an equally important enclave – the opposition. The state and role of the opposition in the quest towards Zimbabwe’s rebirth can never be underestimated.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The following are some of the worrying realities about Zimbabwe’s opposition:</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">1. Over 50 registered political parties</h2>
<div dir="auto">The last time I checked, there were over 50 registered political parties in Zimbabwe, a number I am confident has doubled by now. It’s ridiculous and alarming that a small country like Zimbabwe has over 50 registered opposition political parties. All those and many other unregistered parties are targeting Robert Mugabe and ZANU – PF. In Zimbabwe, everyone is everything and everyone knows everything. Everyone has an opinion and they feel their opinion is the best. Our lack of unity of purpose and ideological clarity has prolonged our opression.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">2. Ego contest</h2>
<div dir="auto">Sadly, what we are witnessing in the opposition movement is an unexciting and uninspiring ego contest. Opposition leaders find themselves trapped in vain low seat fights in order to satiate their evidently impoverished egos. Their self concepts and egos are highly indexed and often detracts from the commonality of purpose. Demeaning each other publicly while their equally frivolous followers cheer is the norm for opposition leaders. They fight and lose sight of the big picture over petty issues which even kindergarted kids can resolve amicably. The ludicrous proliferation of opposition political parties is not premised on anything else other than stupid egos.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">3. Discord</h2>
<div dir="auto">Even though their enemy is purportedly just but one, Robert Mugabe and his ZANU – PF, surprisingly, it seems hard for the opposition to speak with one voice. The opposition movement is infested with discord of a sordid nature. Inspite of them supposedly serving a common purpose and catapulted by a common desire to annihilate a common enemy there is no coherence whatsoever in their voice.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">4. Struggle within the struggle</h2>
<div dir="auto">Zanu – PF certainly has factions and internal problems but it has somehow managed to find a formula of remaining agglutinated against the odds. When it comes to power retention, ZANU – PF factions put aside their differences. The opposition has dismally failed in that regard. They behave as those two men who wish to find a coin and begin to fight over who would take it even before finding and securing the coin. The proposed alliance is threatened by vicious undercurrents emanating from selfishness, dictatorship and disregard of protocol in some cases. It’s a struggle within the struggle.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">4. None of the 50 plus parties will outrightly win the 2018 elections</h2>
<div dir="auto">Everything being constant, given the current dynamics, unless if something drastic happens, none of the current opposition parties will win outrightly the 2018 election against ZANU – PF. Like it or not, ZANU – PF has a deeply entrenched system and that’s the mainstay of its power. For it to dismantle, it will take more than a fragmented and confused opposition movement.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">5. Lack of funding.</h2>
<div dir="auto">After the opposition’s failure to secure power several times, exhibiting lack of accountability and ineptitude, flagrant resource abuses and failing to effect radical leadership and strategy changes, donors have developed cold feet. There is little or no external financial support going towards the opposition in Zimbabwe. As such, it is confronted with so many challenges ranging from lack of finance to move around mobilizing people. Without money, winning an election especially against a well oiled system is a far fetched dream.</div>
<div dir="auto">The ruling party brags about its incumbency advantage and being in control of state resouces which they abuse to remain in power.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">6. Poor strategies</h2>
<div dir="auto">The need for cut throat and absolute genius strategies at this juncture cannot be overempasized. ZANU – PF has invested in strategic think tanks. The decider of the 2018 elections will be the youth vote. ZANU – PF knows this and that is why it has shifted its focus to the youths. Mugabe is going around the country meeting youths in all provinces under the banner of a process dubbed youth interface rallies. On the other hand little is being done by the opposition even under the recently formed MDC Alliance to capture the youth vote. Its a strategy issue.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">THE ROAD AHEAD AND THE THREE SCENARIOS</h2>
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<h3 dir="auto">1. The state and future of ZANU – PF</h3>
<div dir="auto">The reality of factional fights rooted in the fluid succession battle subsisting in ZANU – PF and Mugabe’s incapacity to function at full throttle due to old age are incontestable. Regrettably, the opposition is not utilising those factors as opportunities as much as it should as a result of its perculiar frailties and challenges.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Unless if more work is done by the opposition, or unless if something outrageous, unforeseen and natural (Mugabe’s death) happens, all indicators are pointing towards the fact that Mugabe is likely going to win in 2018. If he does win, I shudder to think that we will witness an implosion of the opposition soon after the election. After 18 years of brave and consistent fighting but failing to remove Mugabe, Tsvangirai will either bow out or be pushed out.</div>
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<div dir="auto">If Mugabe wins in 2018, ZANU – PF would have rewarded itself with a lifeline and enough time to manage its leadership transition. At some point, Mugabe’s successor will be established. If that happens, ZANU – PF will regenerate itself into probably a much more stronger monster.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Adimmittedly, whoever is going to succeed Mugabe, will have big shoes to fill. However, dispite the fact that the individual might not have Mugabe’s clout and star power he/she will have the power of incumbency and a well oiled system undergirding him/her going into the 2023 elections.</div>
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<div dir="auto">On the other hand, after the imminent implosion, the opposition will approach 2023 deeply fractured, without a unifying face and without a convincing narrative.</div>
<div dir="auto">Depending on who is going to take over from Mugabe and the work that shall be done chiefly towards rejuvinating the economy and if that actually happens then the wait for a transition is going to be painfully prolonged.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto"><strong>2. A new formula and formation within the old opposition</strong></h2>
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<div dir="auto">The honest truth is that what the opposition needs right now is a new formula and formation altogether. The opposition must reform and rebirth. Antiquated rhetoric and dogma predicated on sloganeering will not inspire hope and action. A new formula and formation comprising of the old and new is needed as soon as possible.</div>
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<div dir="auto">While it is commendable that the old guard seems to be taking baby steps towards finding each other, it is the ommision of the new that is worrying and can be the premise of the oppossition defeat in 2018. The game changers for the 2018 elections are the young people. As such, any process which doesn’t have the young people at its core is doomed to fail.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Approximately above 65% of eligible voters are under the youth bracket. 2% of those between the age of 18 to 35 voted in 2013. 82% of those between the age of 35 to 55 voted in 2013. Those above 55 years constituted 16% of the voters in 2013. Even though 2% of the youths (those between 18 and 35 years) voted in 2013 they remain the biggest constituency and anyone who increases that number from 2% is going to win the 2018 election.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Above and beyond efforts being registered to adress issues such as a transformational and transition blue print, reforms, mobilisation, voter education, coalition, voting, defending the vote and ultimately implementing the blue print, if deliberate and uncompromising effort is not channelled towards capturing the youth vote as the mainstay of the 2018 elections, everything being done will not usher in the eagerly awaited and delayed transition.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Capturing and inspiring the cardinal youth vote will take more than an alliance of old people. New blood and talent that is in touch and appealing to youths of all classes must be harvested into the opposition. The opposition must do away with its arrogance based on imaginary power and act on this as a matter of urgence.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">3. The Third force</h2>
<div dir="auto">Failure to invoke a new formula, formation and to harvest talent is only going to lead to the emegency of a third force. The form and nature it will take is not yet clear to me. I hope to unpack that aspect in the not too distant future.</div>
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<div dir="auto">If the opposition continues on the precarious path of arrogance, we are going to witness a rapid increase of independent candidates in the 2018 elections. Those are individuals who would have been stone walled out and denied space within the peripheries of established opppsition parties. What is critical to note is the fact that the majority of those people are good talent.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Sadly, this good talent seems to be equally confused and megalomaniac too. It is as though they inherited the demons of disunity, frivolity, selfishness and naivety which have become hallmark features of the current opposition.</div>
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<div dir="auto">I nonetheless foresee and project the emergence and crystalising of a third force or way as some may wish to call it in the not too distant future. This force will be made up of chiefly fresh and untainted set of faces. The young people of Zimbabwe are going to rise up and they are going to force every person who is not going to be a part of their future to resign from the charade of purportedly leading this nation or fighting for its total liberation.</div>
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<div dir="auto"><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></div>
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<div dir="auto">I am not a defeatist neither am I pessimistic but realism sometimes inoculates us against the pain of impracticable expectations. In the same vein, I do not subscribe to the fallacious notion that ZANU PF is invincible. It can be uprooted but it wont be a stroll in the park. Much more work can and must be done.</div>


Pindula News

Opinion: Zimbabwe's opposition and the road ahead

<div dir="auto">By Patson Dzamara</div>
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<div dir="auto">That Mugabe together with the majority of his incorrigible minions are in the sunset of their political and earthly lives is undebatable. For most of them, political and even natural death due to old age is imminent.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Ever since the formation of ZANU PF in 1963, the revolutionary party has never been this weak. At the center of its weakness is none other than its strongman Robert Mugabe. This Mugabe is an enigma and a headache even to his followers. On one hand he is the linchpin of and source of power in his party, but on the other hand he is now a liability to that same party built around him.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Mugabe and his  ZANU – PF acolytes know that his and ultimately their end collectively is near even though they try hard to pretend by putting up a brave face regarding that. They also know that the end of their political road means a gnashing of teeth for them. That is the reason why they are doing all they can in order to prolong their political life.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Unfortunately for them, their end is inevitable, unavoidable and irreversable. Nothing and no-one can change that. Covertly and overtly, their end is captured in the imminent political collapse. This collapse is close to nothing that has been witnessed since the attainment of independance in 1980.</div>
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<div dir="auto">In the next 5 years, Zimbabwe is going to go through a political rebirth of herculean proportions. There is going to be rapid changes and some unlikely and some as yet unknown individuals are going to be a part of the legion which shall lead us into a better Zimbabwe.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The truth of the matter is that the majority of politicians on either sides of the coin are not going to be a part of the new order. The beggining of that process shall be marked by the political and in some cases natural deaths of the old order’s architects and custodians.</div>
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<div dir="auto">I watch action movies at times and in those movies death is inevitable. Through watching those movies I have learnt some truths about how people view death and how they actually die. The biggest lesson I learnt is that people actually fear death but what they fear the most is dying in solitude.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Where necessary and possible, people seek death companions. Action heroes and villains position themselves to go out in a blaze of glory in which they take as many of their opponents and some of their allies along with them.</div>
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<div dir="auto">A few years ago, I read an article about a young woman in Europe who had contracted the HIV virus. She went around sleeping with as many men as she possibly could without using protection despite the fact that she knew her HIV status. When asked why she acted irresponsibly like that during an interview, she stated that she was afraid of dying alone and that she needed death companions.</div>
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<div dir="auto">What is obtaining in Mugabe’s world and in ZANU – PF can be an apt attestation that indeed people are afraid to die on their own. They always seek companions. There is absolutely no doubt that Mugabe and his ZANU – PF are working overtime to recruit as many death companions as they possibly can. They are afraid to die on their own and they want to drag all of us to their graves.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The million dollar question we ought to answer is whether we are going to fulfill Mugabe’s wish to have us accompany him in his death? Are we going to allow ourselves to accompany him in his death and are we going to be buried together with him?</div>
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<div dir="auto">For me and for right thinking Zimbabweans, especially the youths, the answer is no. We are not going to accompany Mugabe and his ZANU – PF in their death, Grace Mugabe will. We did not accompany them in their opulence and ‘joys’ of oppressing us, we are therefore not going to die with them neither should we allow them to die in power.</div>
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<div dir="auto">We are going to vote them out of power and most critically we are going to fight for our vote which carries our wishes and voices. Young people, now is the time to organise ourselves. If our elders wish to continue on the path of frivolity while we are all being dragged to the grave by Mugabe, let them do so without us!</div>
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<div dir="auto">It is time we take our collective destiny into our hands. For too long we have been the playthings of the powerful, second-class citizens in our own nation.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The time has come for us to say ‘Enough!’ and cross the Rubicon. We must not allow ourselves to be Mugabe’s death companions.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Patson Dzamara is a leadership coach and author, political activist and analyst based in Zimbabwe.</div>


Are we going to be Mugabe's death companions?

<div dir="auto">By Patson Dzamara</div>
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<div dir="auto">That Robert Mugabe’s name is indelibly inscribed and embellished in the hall of Africa’s revolutionary icons is not contestable. In his trail blazing years, Mugabe inscribed a permanent mark on the sand of Africa through vision, ideological clarity and leadership.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Along with liberation luminaries such as Julius Nyerere and Samora Machel, Mugabe played a central role in the liberation of Zimbabwe and of course, many other African nations. Being one of the few surviving strongmen of Africa’s liberation, Mugabe is not only a current brand and political personality, but also a historical figure. As such he is a link between the past and the present.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The reason why Mugabe gets such applause at African conferences is because he is a living representation of the liberation era, which cannot be taken away from him. Even his fiercest critic cannot ignore such a hallmark feature erected on his path. To many, he represents the idea and actuality of victory over the oppressive white minority rule.</div>
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<div dir="auto">However, despite such a decorated resume, Mugabe has done unthinkable things which outweigh his noble contributions in the past. When his legendary exploits of the past are juxtaposed to his current deplorable status, one is convinced beyond any doubt that indeed power corrupts. Mugabe has presided over monumental failures in the past 37 years of his leadership journey. Not only that, he continues to dodder on the affairs of Zimbabwe despite his inability to perfom his duties as a result of old age.</div>
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<div dir="auto">In his political and natural sunset, of course with the help of his thuggish motor-mouth wife, the aged President of Zimbabwe seems determined to drive the final nail into his coffin.</div>
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<div dir="auto">This same Mugabe on one hand is an unquestionable liberation personality yet on the other hand is an apt embodiment of leadership failure. Mugabe has presided over cataclysmic atrocities against Zimbabweans, such the Gukurahundi massacres, Murambatsvina, violent land grabs, abductions and even murdering his opponents.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The Mugabe led government’s mismanagement has plunged Zimbabwe into economic doldrums. Zimbabwe does not even have a currency of its own. Cash shortages and black market activities have become the order of the day. The majority of Zimbabweans live way below the poverty datum line.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Several millions of Zimbabweans are in need of food aid. Over one million school going children attend school on empty stomachs. Zimbabweans are dying daily of curable diseases belonging to a bygone era such as Typhoid. The rate of unemployment is above 90% and most graduates have resorted to vending almost anything, including their bodies.</div>
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<div dir="auto">It is against this backdrop that I consider the decision and declaration by the government to make Mugabe’s birthday a public holiday not only absurd, but a mockery of epic proportions. It is an insult to Zimbabweans who have been led through untold suffering and oppression by the same Mugabe.</div>
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<div dir="auto">In fact, it is actually evil.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Mugabe’s name no longer deserves to be included in the same sentence with the word legacy. Whatever had accrued to his name in terms of legacy has been destroyed by his dismal leadership after the attainment of independence.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Patson Dzamara is a leadership coach, author, political analyst and activist based in Zimbabwe.</div>


Robert Mugabe Day, a mockery of epic proportions

<div dir="auto">By Patson Dzamara</div>
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<div dir="auto">For a number of years Zimbabwe has been meandering in the corridors of confusion, leadership failure and despondency. Lurching from one crisis to another and perpetually yearning for the ever elusive prospect of a transition has become the norm for the nation which was once the bread basket of Africa.</div>
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<div dir="auto">At the epicenter of this confusion, leadership failure and despondency engulfing Zimbabwe is a monster called ZANU – PF.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Ever since the necessary but fallacious attainment of independence from white minority rule in 1980, ZANU – PF has presided over the affairs of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s independence came divorced from its eternal twin called freedom and other would-be underpinning elements. It is imperative to note that ZANU – PF deliberately calibrated it that way in order to consolidate its autocratic grip on power.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The result of that well thought out and excellently executed process is the monster we are grappling with today. The monster is called ZANU – PF. Many have died while trying to fight the monster. Some have given up the hope of vanquishing the monster whereas some do not even bother to attempt fighting it.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Sadly and regrettably, most people do not really understand the monster called ZANU – PF. In my research, I unearthed the sad reality that even some of those who are enmeshed in the alternative process towards change seem to possess a hazy idea of the monster’s powers and prowess.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">ZANU PF</h2>
<h3 dir="auto">History</h3>
<div dir="auto">The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU – PF) has been the ruling party in Zimbabwe since the attainment of independence in 1980. The party has been dominated and led by Robert Mugabe, first as Prime Minister with the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and then as President from 1988 after the merger with the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) and retaining the name ZANU – PF.</div>
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<div dir="auto">ZANU was founded by Ndabaningi Sithole, Henry Hamadziripi, Mukudzei Midzi, Herbert Chitepo, Edgar Tekere, and Leopold Takawira at the house of former Defence Minister Enos Nkala in Highfield in August 1963.</div>
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<div dir="auto">In December 1987, after five years of a civil war known as Gukurahundi, the opposition ZAPU, led by Nkomo, was absorbed through the Unity Accord with ZANU to form an official ZANU – PF.</div>
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<h3 dir="auto">Current dynamics</h3>
<div dir="auto">From the time of its formation in 1963, ZANU – PF has gone through various phases. It has managed to weather all the storms encountered along the way.</div>
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<div dir="auto">However, ZANU – PF currently finds itself in a precarious position, dealing with a different kind of a stubborn storm in what appears to be it’s sunset. Chances are very high that the current storm will leave an indelible mark on the party. Not only is the storm stubborn, it is multi-pronged.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The quest for internal democracy in ZANU – PF dates back to the pre-independence era and has always been characterised by ruthless toppling of one faction from power by another or attempts to do so. For example, the coup against Ndabaningi Sithole and also the Nhari rebellion.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The revolutionary party has since then been rocked by power struggles and the latest manifestation is hinged on the succession of the nonagenarian leader.</div>
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<div dir="auto">On on side there is a faction believed to be led by the long time associate and confidante of the President, Emerson Mnangagwa or Ngwena as he is affectionately known by his fans. The faction nicknamed Team Lacoste is made up of war veterans and die hard extremists who want Mnangagwa to perpetuate the ZANU – PF hardline nationalist stance but also embrace political and economic reforms to endear itself to the masses. This faction wants Mugabe to resign and give way to a younger Mnangagwa.</div>
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<div dir="auto">On the other hand, there is a faction termed G40 believed to be led by the now unpopular ZANU – PF political Commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere with the eccentric Professor Jonathan Moyo providing the brains.They are rallying around the idea of a much younger person succeeding Mugabe hence the Generation 40 tag. Grace Mugabe is widely touted as G40’s preferred candidate to succeed Mugabe.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Not only is ZANU – PF teetering on the verge of an implosion as a result of factional wars but its strongman, Robert Mugabe, is in the sunset of his earthly life. At 94, he is no longer as proficient and able because of old age. He is now senile and incapacitated to such an extend that he now sleeps through meetings.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The average age of Mugabe’s cabinet is 75. That he and the political party he leads have reached the twilight of their natural and political life is without question. Also without question is the need for younger and more vibrant political players to attend to the pressing political and socio-economic challenges we face today.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">ZANU – PF’S POWERS</h2>
<div dir="auto">Despite the challenges captured in the party’s current dynamics, ZANU – PF remains a well oiled and resourced machine. It is a deeply entreched system and what has to be accepted by all and sundry is the fact that dismantling the system will not be an overnight event.</div>
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<div dir="auto">No-one must be penalised for salivating over the current dynamics in ZANU – PF under the hope of them bringing about change. Unfortunately, change is highly unlikely going to emanate from there.</div>
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<div dir="auto">ZANU – PF understands power more than anything. When it comes to power retention ZANU – PF doesnt joke. Despite their weaknesses and fights, they always find each other when it comes to retaining power. The political cost of them disintergrating is unthinkable and undesirable.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The following are some of the powers ZANU – PF has:</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">1. Institutional power</h2>
<div dir="auto">One of the most critical powers ZANU – PF possesses is institutional power. ZANU – PF’s fingerprints are inscribed on each and every key institution in Zimbabwe. From parastatals to private entities and even learning institutions, ZANU – PF has a well calculated strategic presence.</div>
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<div dir="auto">In our context the line seperating the ruling party and government is not visible, it was obliterated. ZANU – PF is the government and vice-versa.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The government is the largest employer. It uses its power as employer against civil servants thereby weakening formal institutions like trade unions that could push for change. As unemployment has grown to unprecedented levels of over 90%, trade unions have become weaker and their voice is muzzled.</div>
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<div dir="auto">All institutions of governance, including ZEC, whose mandate is to preside over the electoral process, are controlled by ZANU – PF. In fact, all of them are an appendage of ZANU – PF.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">2. Intellectual power</h2>
<div dir="auto">ZANU – PF has done a lot to invest in its intellectual capacity. Relying on state resources, they have sustained a clique of intellect within their system. The party has a clique of voracious  information consumers who religiously go to school. It also sends some of its proteges to school.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Not only that, the revolutionary party also has several schools of ideology and strategy such as the Chitepo Ideological College. Party leaders and members attend these schools for ideological grounding and party values indoctrination.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Unlike its opponents, ZANU – PF has solid and well resourced think tanks. The think tanks’ primary job is strategy formulation. There are people who are paid to think and strategise for ZANU – PF. That is their only job – feeding the system with strategy.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Zanu – PF publishes how to manuals every year for its key leadership. The message is almost always consistent. The party’s maneuvers are seldom haphazard. They are meticulously formulated  and executed.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">3. Economic power</h2>
<div dir="auto">The ZANU – PF government is not accountable to anyone. They do as they please. When it comes to state resources, they pillage and plunder them wantonly. What is supposed to benefit the masses only benefits them.</div>
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<div dir="auto">They use state resources to their advantage, even to fund their party programs. Whereas the opposition grapples to raise funds, its a different story for ZANU – PF. They have stolen more than enough. Their coffers will not run dry anytime soon.</div>
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<div dir="auto">While the general populace wallows in the agony of lack and despondency, life goes on smoothly for Mugabe and his acolytes. Nothing and no-one stops them from their flagrant profligacy – constantly rewarding each other with the nation’s resources. That is the reason why Mugabe could wake up one day telling the nation that him and his gang of thugs could not account for diamonds worth US$15 billion and life went on. There were no consequences.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Just because they can do anything with the nation’s resources, Mugabe had the audacity to present a cheque of US$ 1 million to the AU in January this year while turning a blind eye on the multi-faceted challenges faced by people he purports to be leading.</div>
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<div dir="auto">During the run up to ZANU – PF’s 2016 congress, approximately US$ 3.5 million cash was raised in a matter of hours at a fund raising dinner. While everyone else was affected by an acute cash shortage, Mugabe and his gang were not affected.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Under the ZANU – PF led government, anyone who is not connected to the oligarchy is treated as a second class citizen. The privileges and rights of those who are connected to the oligarchy and those who are not are not on the par.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">4. Evil power</h2>
<div dir="auto">I have witnessed with my bare eyes how ZANU – PF is a sanctuary of some downright satanic elements. In fact, I have been a recipient of ZANU – PF’s satanic works more than once. I carry permanent marks of its evil works and I have publicly stated that Mugabe and his minions are certified satanists.</div>
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<div dir="auto">ZANU – PF can be satanic to the extend of killing. They can kill for fun and continue with their lives as though nothing would have happened. So many people have been maimed and others have died as a result of ZANU – PF’s satanic works.</div>
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<div dir="auto">That the ZANU – PF government has a monopoly on violence is incontestable. Election violence, human rights violations and everyday abuses in everyday situations characterize the lives of many ordinary Zimbabweans.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Morbid and atrocious acts such as Gukurandi, Murambatsvina and violent land grabs are evidence of the ZANU PF government’s evil nature. Those who never tasted its evil, live in fear of it.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">5. Oppressive (coercive) power</h2>
<div dir="auto">ZANU – PF is outrightly oppressive. Nothing else matters to Mugabe and his minions than power. They have oppressed Zimbabweans in a willy-nilly manner just to maintain their hold on power.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Oppressive institutions were not disbanded after independence – in many ways, they were actually buttressed. At the end of the Federation in 1963, Rhodesia inherited its heavy artillery, state of the art aircraft and military airbases. These were used to perpetrate mass terror.</div>
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<div dir="auto">It was not only the military that could mete out violence; the police were equally empowered to deal ruthlessly with African subjects. The anti-riot squadron were actually created for that specific purpose.</div>
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<div dir="auto">After independence, freedom fighters (mainly the Shona ones) were absorbed into the national army and like the Rhodesians before them who answered to Smith, they too answered only to Mugabe. The army which is meant to protect citizens is usually let loose to punish dissenters which in the past have included opposition party supporters and even college students.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The budget for defense is the least affected by economic austerity even though Zimbabwe faces no outside threats. It is not a coincidence. The huge army exists largely for the suppression of any internal dissent and thus to keep the Mugabe regime in power.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">6. Persuasive power</h2>
<div dir="auto">Relying on its deep pockets and incumbency advantage, ZANU – PF uses unorthodox means to persuade people. Of course, despite the fact that they are the architects of poverty and the resulting despondency, they use it to their advantage.</div>
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<div dir="auto">ZANU – PF is a party of cutthroat predators who prey and thrive on the desperation and vulnerability of the masses. They know how to pacify the jobless, homeless and hungry citizenry by giving them occasional measly handouts. For a downtrodden and dis-empowered populace, handouts of plastic rice or mealie-meal go a long way in persuading them to support ZANU – PF.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Misusing its incumbency advantage, ZANU – PF even parcels out state land in order to buy support. It works for them. There are people who support and vote for ZANU – PF not because they were coerced but because they were persuaded.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">7. Social power</h2>
<div dir="auto">Not only does the ZANU – PF government rely on the uniformed forces to silence the masses and to mete out violence. It also relies on a well regimented and bastardised social system. Almost all the chiefs and village heads are an appendage of ZANU – PF.</div>
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<div dir="auto">They campaign and work for ZANU – PF. Through a social structure presided over by chiefs and village heads who are pro ZANU – PF, villagers are cajoled to support and vote for ZANU – PF. Those who choose not to conform find themselves on the receiving end of violence and alienation.</div>
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<div dir="auto">This is the reason why the rural areas remain the the mainstay of ZANU – PF’s support. As a result of this meticulous manipulation process, all rural areas in Zimbabwe are classified as ZANU PF’s zones of control. The opposition is prohibited from even campaigning in these areas. Opposition supporters are alienated and at times they even get killed.</div>
<div dir="auto">Its a watertight vicious system.</div>
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<h2 dir="auto">Conclusion</h2>
<div dir="auto">After all is said and done, it is apparent that a transition into a better Zimbabwe will not be a stroll in the park. It will cost sweat, tears and blood. We are not going to wish or cheat our way into a better Zimbabwe. That is not going to happen.</div>
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<div dir="auto">We are up against a voracious and cannibalistic opponent. Weaker it may be at this point but it remains a well oiled and resourced opponent. As we draw towards the 2018 election, we must not be under any illusion regarding the potency of our opponent.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Internal squables within ZANU – PF must not divert our attention from the ball neither should we continue prevaricating and wasting time on trivia. We do not have time. Dismantling the monster called ZANU – PF in whatever state it finds itself in, will only take place if we push past our frivolous and petty inclinations.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Until we are serious enough to do whatever it takes to cross over, we must not waste time on meaningless charades and pseudo stunts. It will take a lot more than meaningless talk shows and a confused, power intoxicated  opposition to dismantle the monster called ZANU – PF.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The only way Zimbabwe will rid itself of the monster is for the people themselves to get organised, instead of relying on a group or individual to do it for them. Only an organised, dedicated and focused population can undermine ZANU – PF’s pillars of power, and that is the only way we will rid ourselves of the monster.</div>
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<div dir="auto">A new and better Zimbabwe is possible in our lifetime. We shall come face to face with it.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Patson Dzamara is a leadership coach, author, political analyst and activist based in Zimbabwe.</div>


Unpacking the monster called Zanu-PF

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<div dir="auto">By Patson Dzamara</div>
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<div dir="auto">Regarding who among that ZANU PF gang gets to hell before the others, I don’t know and certainly don’t care.</div>
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<div dir="auto">As far as I am concerned, there is no better devil in that sulfurous pit called ZANU PF, whether G40 or Lacoste. Absolutely none. So I say let it burn. Let them burn to extinction their hades.</div>
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<div dir="auto">I wasted a good hour of my time watching a shallow and insipid documentary which was created by Jonathan Moyo in a bid to outmanouvre and score points against the Lacoste camp. I feel sorry for the poor ‘young’ man who was made to endure an hour of that dull presentation during a ZANU PF politiburo meeting. I wonder how many times the ‘young’ man zoned out into his now default hobby of sleeping during that lifeless and fictitious presentation.</div>
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<div dir="auto">I am not hereby defending Mnangagwa or his Lacoste faction. Like I said, I really don’t care who among that bunch gets to hell first .</div>
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<div dir="auto">What enraged me is how these grown men and women who are supposed to be directing their energy towards arresting the multi-faceted vagaries engulfing the country are finding nothing better than to rapture themselves in frivolity and petty ego contests. While the country teeters on the verge of a precipice they want us to cheer and ululate for them as they behave like drunk village monkeys. That is totally unacceptable.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The bottom line is that indeed factions in ZANU PF are not an illusion, they are a reality. What is incontestable however is the fact that we are being taken for a rude ride. It really seems as though that ZANU PF bunch has mastered the art of massaging our shocking propensity for trivia. They give us exactly that and we even kill each other over their nonsense while they laugh at us, sipping expensive wine in their mansions.</div>
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<div dir="auto">After all is said and done and after tearing each other up on social media over ZANU PF’s sunset madness, you and I are still jobless and we still have to grapple with the mess which was created by that incorrigible gang. If they want to kill each other in their hell space, let it be so but we must not be cheerleaders to that sordid affair or imagine we will ever gain anything out of it.</div>
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<div dir="auto">They don’t care about us. All this is about them, not about us. Let us not get distracted by their mendacity and madness. Our eyes must remain on the ball.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Patson Dzamara is leadership coach and author, political activist and analyst based in Harare.</div>
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We must not be distracted by these dull side shows

<div dir="auto">By Patson Dzamara</div>
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<div dir="auto">Zimbabweans are an excitable bunch. Indeed, we love things. Our propensity for trivia is second to none. As such, it is very easy for us to be dazzled and distracted by anything. Not only that, we seem good at hallucinating.</div>
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<div dir="auto">We somehow find it convinient to create fallacious illusions from which we siphon some sort of reprieve in the midst our oppression. It’s amazing how we create and attach meaning to virtually anything. We run to town over what does not mean a bag of beans.</div>
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<div dir="auto">I see how some seemingly garrulous old men and women are tearing their inner wear over the soldiers and police ‘fight’. Some are already saying things like, chabvondoka, freedom has come, the revolution here. Oh please!</div>
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<div dir="auto">We can’t be shallow enough to think that the army’s theatrics will bring us redemption. That will never happen. This is the same army which has helped sustain our oppression. This is the same army Mugabe relies on to muzzle our voices and to trample on our wishes. Whatever they did, are doing and will do, they are not our friends and that is not going to change anytime soon. Let that sink.</div>
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<div dir="auto">It is actually ridiculous that some of us think a mere tiff bettwen them and their equally guilty partners in crime – the police – is something to cheer. Worse still, some of us have already concluded that this is the beginning of a revolution. Some are already circulating photos of certain army hoodlums looting shops from last year’s protests just to augment their fallacies and to quench their thirst for a ‘revolution’.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Zimbabweans hear me. We can never cheat our way to freedom and it will not be delivered on a silver platter. We must not settle in being dazzled by these side-shows. We must quit thinking and wishing that our salvation shall come from somewhere else rather than from us. There is no saviour who is going to march on our behalf into our promised land.</div>
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<div dir="auto">It will take a lot of work for us to welcome a new and better Zimbabwe. It will take more than us doddering on meaningless trivia and baseless conjectures. We must be willing to pay the price, no-one else will help us, especially those complicity in our oppression. It will cost us tears, sweat, blood and even lives.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Much ado about nothing.</div>


Much ado about nothing

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