The Death of Opposition Politics and activism in Zimbabwe

During South Africa’s struggle for independence particularly in the 1960s, there was a period that became to be known as the “Lull”. During this period resistance movements which comprised of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and the African National Congress (ANC) had been smashed by the white government. Robert Simangaliso Sobukwe the leader of PAC together with Nelson Mandela (ANC) had been arrested among other nationalist and the momentum that had been gained towards independence was fast dying down.

With no vibrant leadership, the people found themselves in retrogressive mode and this helped strengthen the white government as it enacted several pieces of legislation that helped fuel the apartheid system. Although new political outfits in the form of the Liberal party were formed, they came short of consolidating the few gains that had been brought by the ANC or PAC.What I find interesting about South African political parties at the time was that in 1955 they founded the Freedom Charter which had a buy in from several races in South Africa. This Charter bore their aspirations and hopes for a new South Africa. The Charter became a reference document or rallying point for the independent movements. The Charter was a compass they used to chart and define the cause of their struggle. Today vibrant politicians such as Julius Malema continue to quote the Charter many years after it was written. My inclination is to write about Zimbabwe lest I drift and wonder away.

Enter the Mugabe and the democrats documentary.

One of the muted debates of our times relates to the new 2013 constitution. The processes that led to the constitution making process itself was shrouded in a lot of controversy. What many wanted was a new constitution which mistakenly, many thought including political leaders, was going to remove ZANU PF from power. They told us the Lancaster constitution didn’t have term limits and that is why Mugabe had overstayed.
The documentary that some good Samaritans managed to record during the shameful constitution making process that was released last year made sad viewing. In it, you came face to face with two desperate co-chairs whose long-time friendship was tested time and again due to different political interests. In this documentary, you had two men desperate to get the job done away with of writing a constitution never mind the irregularities. Today all thanks to this good gesture to publish this revealing documentary, history will absolve and judge. This is a record that future generations will debate and remain on their restless lips.

Today we have a “good” constitution as they put it that cannot even help assist or protect its citizens who are being bombarded from every angle by a desperate government with all forms of abuse. In 2015 we all witnessed how many were dismissed from their jobs. If anything, the constitution actually shields and protects employers who in most cases are the same politicians who have hailed the new constitution as one of the best. The good constitution cannot even protect the exposed and vulnerable in society. Expecting a constitution written by politicians to defend the governed? Maybe in another life.

Of spent forces and disorganized movements

Ever since the 2013 elections which rendered many irrelevant in national politics and took the steam, zeal and passion, what we have seen that opposition parties lacked a fall back plan that would allow them to reorganise ourselves once again. The new constitution which they thought would midwife a raft of changes has thoroughly disappointed them. With over two thirds majority in Parliament, the real game changer lies in the hands of ZANU PF which seems to have power to do anything they want with the constitution.

One of the questions worth asking particularly in relation to the South African scenario is where our reference point in the quest for a free and just Zimbabwe lies. Of course opposition parties have tried with limited success to come up with documents in the form of the NERA’s but lack of buy-in from other stakeholders have rendered such initiatives futile. Now I hear there is a talk of a national convergence platform but all this is coming against a background where opposition politics lack a rallying point where they agree. For them this is a “lull” season where energy levels and strategies seem hard to come by.

The inclusive government divided opposition parties into many halves. While many thought that it was a dawn of a new era, those who didn’t get the chance to be part of it are busy playing the blame game. The momentum that was gained before the inclusive government has fast died down. Today you have many splinter outfits who have dared to launch an offensive but they continue to falter and fail with each passing day. What we have today is a disorganised movement where the battle of egos, personalities and academic qualifications seem to be taking precedence at the expense of real issues that need them, only them, to address.

Bon Voyage 2018

With a disorganised social movement, devoid of plan b, ZANU PF has managed to trivialise issues and divert their focus to the more puzzling responsibility of trying to interpret the threat posed by either G40 or Team Lacoste. In all this seeming madness, the media, which by design and function should be playing a watchdog role, is unfortunately caught up in the factionalism web puzzle. Daily, readers are being treated and fed with stories of how G40 or Team Lacoste is gaining ground though evidence of such hallucinations is hard to come by. Just like before ZANU PF, a master at diverting peoples’, attention has struck again. Remember the Baba Jukwa incident, who rose to national stardom overnight, whose hero status saw him being saluted at rallies. Against a falling memory, time has taken many prisoners.

In the final analysis, it’s imperative for opposition parties to reorganise themselves once again, if ever they dream of making a lasting impression. Better reorganise or go home!

The writer writes from Plumtree.The views expressed are his own.vamagede@gmail.com