I have finally finished reading Tony Blair's book "A Journey" and the profound conclusion in his book is that; the power of politics should not be expected to liberate the people. Instead, the power of the people must liberate politics.
I would encourage my judicious readers to read this "manual on politics and its challenges" that has intensely nourished my mind. It is a delicious platter of ideas, words, politics and the human spirit peppered with the scourge of selfish ambition and the ever present complexities of governing in a fast changing new world.
One thing I now realise is that Zimbabweans expect just too much from their politicians and have developed an exaggerated imagination of the power of politics and politicians in general.
This is a myth has been sold to us over the last thirty four years that only those who "liberated" the country can be our political leaders; the sad part is that we have begun to believe the lie. This lie has been manufactured only to secure incompetence, corruption and greed and to reward a liberation struggle predator coalition that continues to plunder our resources from all corners. This must stop and Grace can help us.
Our only problem here is that we do not know the power which we have to liberate our predatory politics. We continue to put politicians on a pedestal and expect them to come up with solutions. Even our churches have done the same. The result of this is that the future of our country will most likely continue to be in the hands of people with the calibre of Grace. Unless we liberate our politics, it will continue to be an albatross on our potential as a people.
In order for us to use our power to liberate our politics we all need to take responsibility and commit that we are the ones who are responsible for creating the conditions that we are facing now; we are the ones who created Mugabe and are watching him handover to his wife "Dr" Grace Mugabe as we sit and marvel at it in amazement and apathy.
Instead I really think we should cheer Grace on as she speaks truth to power and exposes what we have known all this time. Opposition parties should be encouraging her because they stand to benefit from a weakened ZANU (PF). Instead I have read endless condemnations of events and have not seen a deeper analysis and appreciation of the good that may come out of all of this.
As Grace destroys ZANU (PF), Zimbabweans have this opportunity to combine their people power and liberate the predator politics that has annihilated our country's potential while entrenching a predator capitalist cabal that will continue to feed on our disunity and the pursuit of our narrow selfish ambitions. Let us help her do something we have all failed for the last 34 years so that the truth about ZANU (PF) is exposed. Their greed theft and incompetence must be laid unembellished for all of us to see and be motivated for change. Let's us not focus on Grace the messenger despite her shortcomings and realise that this is a unique opportunity to change Zimbabwe politics for ever.
I have recently looked at the constitutions of most of our opposition political parties in Zimbabwe and guess what, they are all the same. They all claim that they represent the wishes of the people, that the people come first, that they will create equity and economic prosperity, they will protect human rights, respect the constitution, promote good health, create access to education for all, build roads and bridges, be transparent and accountable, fight corruption and all the good things that we wish for.
My question remains; if we have the same objectives as opposition political parties why are we not united in purpose and effort so that we can accelerate the achievement of a Zimbabwe that we all want?
We all know the answer to that; it is because we really have competing personal interest and motives and agendas that have nothing to do with using political power to the benefit of the people and deliver sustainable development. It is there not for the benevolence of the country that most are involved in politics but rather the thirst and aspiration for political power and status. That must stop.
As we move in 2015 with no end to ZANU (PF)'s incomprehensible audacity and greed for political power without responsibility. As we see incompetence like Grace's rise with the full support of the predator coalition machinery we cannot afford to be spectators anymore; the opportunity to change can only be our responsibility.
I pray that God gives us the courage to unite and act and that he forgive us for doing nothing but speculate and bicker amongst ourselves while ZANU (PF) kills our country.
Vince Musewe is an independent economist and author based in Harare. You may contact him on [email protected]
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