We are in serious danger in that our next crop of political leaders will not be the best of us.
I remember vividly when Mugabe came into power in 1980, we were just too excited and naïve to even imagine that this same man would literally destroy our economy simply for his selfish ends , and that he would purge all those who even questioned or challenged him. We Zimbabweans created a dictator and we naively cheered him on as he claimed to be fighting imperialism on our behalf: sound familiar doesn't it?.
One thing that I have learnt is that as we allow and watch politicians to push the boundary of their influence dressed with arrogance and selfish ambition, we strengthen self-belief and that leads them to further entrench themselves in power, regardless of how they may perform.
Personally I am worried sick as I watch how the ANCYL continues to push its boundaries and how Julius Malema, despite him being correct on some issues, is beginning to think that he can run this country with a mere "mandate' from 5,000 delegates who represent a very small portion of this population.
I am rather surprised that black professionals and business people with much to lose, are watching this happen and are seemingly quiet on the idiocy that we have seen recently.
In Zimbabwe we have a not so young minister of youth and empowerment whose bona fides I still question to this day. How did we ever allow this buffoon to be responsible for presiding over economic transformation in Zimbabwe?
It is by mere accident I guess and the disinclination of well educated professionals to enter into politics because I think they could certainly do a better job on empowerment. Instead we end up with second rate minds dealing with complex issues that are bound to negatively impact on the economy for decades to come.
We must agree on thing, not our best minds get involved in politics and that is such a pity because that leads to the underdevelopment of Africa as populist economic theories are adapted not because of their effectiveness in delivering economic freedom, but because of their popularity with the masses who are hardly qualified to prescribe economic policy.
Typically black professionals are marketable internationally and most have left Africa in disgust as they are stifled by street-wise young and not necessarily bright politicians and an old guard that fears change. We are in serious danger in that our next crop of political leaders will not be the best of us.
Dictators will flourish when they have no sharp minds challenging them continually, when there is no freedom of speech or free press but most importantly, when we give them a majority in parliament and those that can make the difference sit back and become perpetual arm chair critics, afraid to get their hands dirty. Unfortunately it is the poor who suffer once more.
Zimbabwe has gone to the dogs not because of the lack of mental capacity of its citizens to create a better country, but because of the apathy of those who can make the difference. That behavior inadvertently waters arrogance and greed of those in power. I see it here and I shudder to think of this country's future.
Vince Musewe is an economist and you can contact him on [email protected]
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