Many of the problems that face Zimbabwe stem from the failure by ZANU-PF to cope with the demands of time. The call for change has reverberated across the whole world in different forms and manners but it all round off to a call for leadership renewal within the country. The world is in a dynamic state of continuous change which demands an innovative, industrious and wise leadership to harness and manage its products without being counter-productive. This demand has not spared the pro-change sector of the Zimbabwean society; unfortunately, the same proponents have been found wanting when their institutions come under the same challenge for change that they advocate for.
Robert Mugabe has been the sole occupant of the highest office in the land since independence. Time has demanded that there be separation of powers – he was found wanting mostly because there are certain interests that he could not sacrifice. Times demanded that there be a competent and knowledgeable cabinet – he was found wanting because he had a cocoon of loyalists which he had to appease for him to cling to power. Today we have people like Emmerson Munangagwa, Didymus Mutasa, Stan Mudenge and many more who have traversed through different ministries in the past 29 years despite glaring evidence of incompetence that they have exhibited. Had Mugabe left maybe his replacement could have been more able to cope with these demands than him.
Lovemore Madhuku, the current chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly took over the reigns from Morgan Tsvangirai. In 2006 when his two terms were up he called for the amendment of the constitution to allow him to stand for re-election after changing the length of the terms of office. Whilst NCA was formed out of a genuine desire to represent the interests of the people, the failure to cope with the demands of time again have eroded the posture of this institution. Today, it can be argued that it no longer commands the same follower-ship as it had in 2000.
The same crisis seems to be eroding the credibility and effectiveness of the International Socialist Organisation in Zimbabwe where Munyaradzi Gwisai has stayed at the helm of the institution for longer than necessary. Although ISO-Zim claims that Gwisai has never been in the highest office of the institution, it baffles the mind how he could have made authoritative statements on behalf of the organization if he was only a librarian. The scuffle in January 2009 that resulted in the arrest of some of the members only serves to affirm the need for leadership renewal at the institution.
Internationally, we can draw inspiration from the recent events in Botswana, Mozambique, Ghana, South Africa and the US. Public opinion is as fluid as the demand for change itself and a failure to read the trends might result in unprecedented consequences. Thabo Mbeki is a good example. He went to Polokwane with an intention to perpetuate his hegemony in ANC and he was embarrassed. South Africa has to thank its people’s impervious vigilance otherwise it could be wallowing in stagnation.
Locally, we have evidence of what renewal of leadership can bring to organisations. Although Mcdonald Lewanika is the founder co-ordinator of Students Solidarity Trust, he recently passed the baton to Masimba Nyamanhindi and it seems he has acquitted himself well. The same can be said of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and ZIMCODD.
This challenge also falls on the Movement for Democratic Change. Without clearly pointing out whether anybody has to leave or not, the demands of time may put a burden on the party to renew its leadership in line with the metamorphic demands of the present-day challenges. Chairman Chitepo co-opted Kumbirai Kangai, Josiah Tongogara and Rugare Gumbo into Dare ReChimuenga to specifically cater for contemporary demands.
In conclusion; when Dr Madhuku was confronted on the question of his extended stay at NCA, he said:
"You see, to some of us, the idea was not the amendment of the constitution. This was a strategy to continue the fight for a new democratic constitution. Someone can’t just come from nowhere and claim to be the leader of the NCA. That’s not possible."
Aldof Hitler in his book, Mein Kampf contends;
“For this reason it is necessary that a movement should, from the sheer instinct of self-preservation, close its lists to new membership the moment it becomes successful. And any further increase in its organization should be allowed to take place only with the most careful foresight and after a painstaking sifting of those who apply for membership. Only thus will it be possible to keep the kernel of the movement intact and fresh and sound. Care must be taken that the conduct of the movement is maintained exclusively in the hands of this original nucleus. This means that the nucleus must direct the propaganda which aims at securing general recognition for the movement.”
The question is; where are we headed for?
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